Mythmakers Encore: Tolkien's Modern Reading with Holly Ordway
Published on Jul 31, 2025, 7:00:00 AM
Total time: 00:44:16
Published on Jul 31, 2025, 7:00:00 AM
Total time: 00:44:16
We are so used to thinking of Tolkien being all about the past - old languages, old stories and no post-Shakespearean literature going into his cauldron of story-making, but of course that is wrong. Meet Dr Holly Ordway, whose fantastic book, Tolkien's Modern Reading, is a scholarly and entertaining exploration of the breadth of books in many genres that Tolkien was reading. From The Land of Snergs, to Swallows and Amazons, to Agatha Christie, he was catholic in his tastes, in the sense of universal.
Follow our wide-ranging discussion from the books of Tolkien's youth, to those he read his children, and on to the adult novels he read and appreciates - as well as those he didn't like. Stick around to find out where we would set a boys' own adventure!
(00:05) Exploring Tolkien's Modern Reading
(10:13) Influences on Tolkien's Writing
(24:59) Tolkien's Diverse Reading Influences
(42:26) Adventure Influences in Tolkien's World
Find out more about Holly and her works here: https://www.wordonfire.org/tolkien/
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Mythmakers is the podcast for fantasy fans and creatives, brought to you by the Oxford Centre for Fantasy. In each episode, we embark on an exploration of the world of fantasy—both classic and contemporary. From the stories behind your favourite series to expert tips for aspiring writers, we dive into books, films, TV shows, and the creative process behind them.
Brought to you from the heart of Oxford—home to literary greats like J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Lewis Carroll—we continue the storytelling tradition in the very city where Narnia, Middle-earth, and even Wonderland took shape drawing on the city’s magical blend of ancient buildings, labyrinthine libraries, and gentle river meadows.
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