We Review The Letters of JRR Tolkien: Revised and Expanded Edition

As a fitting finale to our 5^th season of Mythmakers, we’re ending with Tolkien - namely his newly edited and augmented letters. Take a listen to Julia Golding and Jacob Rennaker's 10 out of 10 review of the edition, they’ll break it down to what we learn about Middle-earth, how Middle-earth influenced his view of our real world events, his relationships (particularly with his family) the wars and all aspect to the letters - there's so much to discuss and to enjoy! Stay tuned for two particularly shocking details buried in the letters about hobbits and horses…

If you’re interested in the audio version mentioned, visit the link for a closer look: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/The-Letters-of-J-R-R-Tolkien-Audiobook/B0CTNYDDKT

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0:00 Introduction to Mythmakers

2:11 Personalized Narration in Audiobook

3:34 Breaking Down Tolkien's Life in Letters

3:54 Tolkien's Views on Creativity

4:45 Insightful Letters: Tolkien vs. Other Literary Collections

5:34 Tolkien's Self-Deprecation and Passion in Letters

6:39 Emotional Range in Tolkien's Letters

8:24 Phases of Tolkien's Correspondents

13:45 Tolkien's Writing Process: Characters and Imagination

15:18 Tolkien's Unrevealed Stories and World Building

16:36 Tolkien's Lens on the World: War and Nature

16:36 Tolkien's Lens on the World: War and Nature (Continued)

23:52 Recommendation to Read Tolkien's Letters

26:56 Tolkien's Fatherly Concern in Letters

28:53 Tolkien's Letter on Faith and Angels

30:42 Tolkien's Reflections on Character Motives

32:04 Gollum's Near-Repentance in Tolkien's Eyes

56:37 Retirement and Lasting Legacy

1:01:06 Shadowfax's Journey to Valinor

1:02:31 Unique Delivery Methods in the Wizarding World

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.

Ready to step into the Wardrobe with us into your next big adventure? Visit https://oxfordcentreforfantasy.org/ to learn more!