Gandalf’s reference to the cats of Queen Berúthiel in Fellowship is possibly one of the most cryptic broken references in the entire Lord of the Rings. The story seems to be non-existent – there is no chapter on it in the History of Middle-earth series, or even in Unfinished Tales. However, it does exist; it’s just veryContinueContinue reading “TWT: Who in Middle-earth is Queen Berúthiel?”
Category Archives: Tuesdays with Tolkien
T(W)WT: The Other Faramir
I got sick on Thanksgiving Monday, and so of course I missed TWT yesterday. I have to confess it literally never crossed my mind all day Tuesday, I was so tired. But I skipped last week too, so I’m making up for it today with a Tuesdays (Wednesdays) with Tolkien post. I discovered the coolestContinueContinue reading “T(W)WT: The Other Faramir”
TWT: My new favourite character
My favourite LOTR character has been Aragorn ever since I was twelve and had a crush on him. I never thought that would change (and he’s still my favourite movie character), but I have a new favourite from the books. They say practically-perfect characters are flat and boring and prissy and hateful, butContinueContinue reading “TWT: My new favourite character”
Tuesdays with Tolkien: Lady of Rivendell
The claim that Tolkien created very stereotypical female characters is of course quite without basis; Éowyn in especial comes to mind. However, whilst Tolkien can be cleared of this charge, perhaps Peter Jackson cannot be. His Arwen is undeniably far different from Tolkien’s original character. I would like to look at the characters of ArwenContinueContinue reading “Tuesdays with Tolkien: Lady of Rivendell”
TWT: Faramir and Éowyn
As a couple, Éowyn and Faramir were banished to the background of The Return of the King. A shameful deed in my sight, since their romance is possibly the most beautiful one in fiction. Éowyn is the restless warrior princess who looks for glory in a heroic death rather than in doing her duty. Faramir isContinueContinue reading “TWT: Faramir and Éowyn”
TWT: Music of Middle-earth
A feature of great art is that it produces great art. And this The Lord of the Rings has certainly done. Of the myriad of LOTR music, it’s hard to choose just three favourites, but these are mine. To the Sea, to the Sea (Adele McAllister) Adele McAllister has a beautiful voice and she’s written musicalContinueContinue reading “TWT: Music of Middle-earth”
TWT: My 5 favourite Tolkien artists
There’s so much spectacular Tolkien art out there it’s hard to know where to start looking. That said, of the ones I’ve found, these artists are my favourites. #5: Edarlein Many of Edarlein’s paintings and drawings are very good; some are excellent. Her rendition of “Aegnor to the Last Battle” is my favourite of hers. (“MelkorContinueContinue reading “TWT: My 5 favourite Tolkien artists”
TWT: Thoughts on The Silmarillion
My eleven-year-old brother has read LOTR twice now and the other day he asked if he could read The Silmarillion (our family has mild age restrictions for LOTR and the Silm). My mum isn’t much into Tolkien and knows little of the Silm so I said it should be fine, as long as he didn’t objectContinueContinue reading “TWT: Thoughts on The Silmarillion”
Tuesdays with Tolkien: How he inspired my work
You’ve all heard me say a million times how Tolkien is the main influence on my work. It has, however, remained a mystery just how he has done so. I now undertake to explain myself. Not like anyone doesn’t know the story of Lord of the Rings, but LOTR SPOILER WARNING anyways because reasons. Also possible Starscape and Seascape spoilers.ContinueContinue reading “Tuesdays with Tolkien: How he inspired my work”
Tuesdays with Tolkien: The Professor on Courage
“Courage is found in unlikely places.” Tolkien had a lot to say about courage. The very heroes of The Lord of the Rings, Frodo and Sam, are half the height of a man and have never left the very homey comforts of the Shire. Yet they are the ones who make their way deep into Sauron’sContinueContinue reading “Tuesdays with Tolkien: The Professor on Courage”
