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We are going on an adventure! Love The Lord of the Rings? Why not read along with us as we consider the books from the writer's point of view! Taking it chapter by chapter, novelist Julia Golding will reveal new details that you might not have noticed and techniques that will only go to increase your pleasure in future re-readings of our favourite novel. Julia also brings her expert knowledge of life in Oxford and English culture to explain some points that might have passed you by.  00:00 Introduction: Welcome to Mythmakers and The Siege of Gondor 02:04 Breakfast and Maturity: Pippin's Character Development 05:41 Denethor the Spider: Webs of Wizardry and Schemes 09:12 Can You Sing? Pippin as Page and Denethor's Humanity 14:44 The Gathering Gloom: War's Oppressive Atmosphere 17:28 The Causeway and Battlefield Detail: Tolkien's Real World 19:28 One Day Felt Like a Year: The Weariness of War 22:01 The Fell Beasts and Pterodactyls: Tolkien's Prehistoric Mythology 24:54 Sports Commentary on War: Pippin and Beregond Narrate the Battle 26:53 Gandalf the White Star: Saving Faramir 29:37 The Twist of the Knife: Denethor Wishes Faramir Had Died 34:22 Why Not Send Faramir? Character Combinations and Story Choices 37:43 The Gaze Duel: Gandalf and Denethor Fence with Their Eyes 44:11 Faramir's Suicidal Mission: Raising the Stakes 53:22 The Heads Over the Wall: Horror and the Dishonoring of the Dead 54:54 The Sick Chamber: Intimacy Amid the Epic 57:41 Pippin Looks Denethor in the Eye: The Hobbit Becomes the Bigger Man 58:38 The Funereal Procession: Water Dripping from the Dead Tree 1:00:33 Illegal Orders: Pippin Tells Beregond to Choose 1:02:33 Grond: The Battering Ram and Spells of Ruin 1:04:53 You Cannot Enter Here: Gandalf Faces the Lord of the Nazgul 1:06:57 The C**k Crows and Horns Answer: Rohan Has Come at Last 1:08:40 War Writing Lessons: Contrasts, Scales, and Keeping Pages Turning For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit: Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

Annaliese Avery, author of the Wycherley series, joins Julia Golding on the pod to talk about the conclusion to her trilogy. Annaliese and Julia explore the phenomenon of romantasy, the kind of rules necessary to make magic systems believable, and the appeal of the Regency period as a fantasy setting. Prepare yourself for a few shocking revelations about first drafts and dragons! To learn more about Annaliese and her writing visit https://www.annalieseavery.com 00:00 Introduction: Welcome to Mythmakers and Romantasy with Annaliese Avery 01:44 The Rise of Romantasy: From Trope to Genre 03:09 Fantasy as Cultural Mirror: From World Wars to COVID 06:36 Romantasy vs. The Hunger Games: Generational Appeal 08:52 Girls and Fantasy: The Romantasy Revolution 16:55 Introducing The Wycherleys: Magic, Curses, and the Season of the Witch 21:50 Magic Systems and Boundaries: The Power of Limitations 23:47 Regency Romance Meets Witchcraft: Rules and Longing 25:51 Building a Magical Regency: Historical Fantasy World-Building 27:20 The Draft Zero Method: Writing by Deleting 30:48 Visual Storytelling: Invitations, Wheels, and Black Pages 37:34 Rivals to Lovers: Aurelia and Jules's Journey 41:46 Multiple Forms of Love: Beyond Romance 44:35 Dragons and Wyverns: The Controversial Six-Limb Rule 46:15 What's Next: Knights, Jousting, and Cozy Crime 48:40 Fantasy Covens: Where Would You Join? For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit: Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

When Great Ormond Street Hospital, home to the rights to Peter Pan, asks you to add to its beloved stories, you take on an awesome responsibility. In this episode of Mythmakers, authors Katie and Kevin Tsang join Julia Golding to share their journey into Neverland in support of this worthy cause, with profits benefiting the hospital’s charity. They made the bold decision to centre the story on Tom, a seriously ill patient at Great Ormond Street, bringing with it a particularly high level of responsibility in how they portray his experience. As you might expect, Tom finds adventure and friendship on a journey that takes him from the magical spaces of the hospital into the world of imagination. Katie and Kevin also spill the tea on what it’s really like to write as a partnership, before taking us into the world of their other stories, including the Dragon Realm series. Learn more about Katie and Kevin, and order your own copy of The Neverland Thieves, at https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/authors/Katie-Tsang/169163632 00:00 Introduction: Welcome to Mythmakers and The Neverland Thieves 01:31 Writing as a Couple: The Journey to 18 Books Together 05:15 The Creative Process: Brainstorming, Dividing, and Conquering 10:17 Introducing The Neverland Thieves: Tom, Felix, and Daisy's Adventure 13:50 Tom's Story: Writing a Seriously Ill Child as Adventure Hero 18:01 The Great Ormond Street Hospital Connection: Legacy and Charity 20:56 London as Magical Space: Flying Over the City 24:14 Inside Great Ormond Street Hospital: Research and Inspiration 26:57 Playing in the Peter Pan Legacy: Rules, Updates, and Respect 34:23 The Dragon Realm Series: Action-Packed Adventures 37:48 Choosing Your Neverland Tribe: Pirates, Mermaids, or Lost Children For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit: Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

We are going on an adventure! Love The Lord of the Rings? Why not read along with us as we consider the books from the writer's point of view! Taking it chapter by chapter, novelist Julia Golding will reveal new details that you might not have noticed and techniques that will only go to increase your pleasure in future re-readings of our favourite novel. Julia also brings her expert knowledge of life in Oxford and English culture to explain some points that might have passed you by.  00:00 Introduction: Welcome to Mythmakers and The Muster of Rohan 01:37 Atmospheric World-Building: Twilight on the Waterfalls 04:34 Merry's Perspective: The Weight of Middle-earth 07:03 Theoden and Merry: A Father-Son Bond 08:49 Theoden's Heroic Speech: Spending My Last Strength 13:03 The Pukel-men and Layers of History 17:47 Paths of the Dead: Aragorn's Fate and Eowyn's Grief 21:59 The Arrow Arrives: Gondor's Call for Aid 23:41 The Day with No Sunrise: War Encroaches 25:45 Merry Left Behind: The Shame of Staying Home 26:08 Eowyn Arms Merry: A Secret Plot Begins 29:23 Dernhelm Appears: Where Will Wants Not, A Way Opens 30:18 Riding Toward Shadow: Hope Wanes in Every Heart For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit: Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

Today on Mythmakers, Julia Golding and Jacob Rennaker explore the latest film news surrounding some of the biggest upcoming fantasy movies. Thanks to a comprehensive article in Empire, we now have a clearer picture of what Greta Gerwig may be planning for The Magician’s Nephew. What are the pros, what are the possible cons? From there, Julia and Jacob turn to new set photos from Andy Serkis’ The Hunt for Gollum, before discussing the latest news on Katherine Rundell’s Impossible Creatures film deal. As a final stop in their journey, they offer a book recommendation for those writing for children as Julia reflects on her experience of beginning the publicity part of an author's journey to a book. 00:00 Introduction: Welcome to Mythmakers and Fantasy Film News 00:47 Empire Magazine's Narnia Reveal: First Look at The Magician's Nephew 01:31 Rock Opera Vibes: Gerwig's Bold Creative Direction 03:01 Setting the Scene: 1955 Post-War Britain and Rock Music Origins 04:37 Design Details: The Wood Between the Worlds and the London Underground 06:35 Emotional Resonance: Why This Approach Could Work 08:43 Casting Concerns: Can Child Actors Carry a Rock Opera World? 11:20 The Lion in the Room: Meryl Streep as Aslan 12:26 Spiritual Themes: Stealing Past the Watchful Dragons 15:31 Religious Messaging: Why Downplaying Christianity Makes Sense 16:46 The Garden of Eden Parallel: Narnia's Fall and Redemption 18:06 Comparing Authors: Lewis's Generosity vs Tolkien's Fastidiousness 28:43 Musical Eras: Could Each Narnia Film Have a Different Genre? 30:04 Lord of the Rings Update: The Hunt for Gollum Set Photos 33:00 Autumn in the Shire: Tone and Timeline Speculation 36:22 Stephen Colbert's Hobbit Film: What We Know So Far 36:48 Catherine Rundell's Impossible Creatures: Oxford's Next Big Fantasy 38:21 Pullman vs Rowling: Where Does Impossible Creatures Fit? 40:53 The Challenge of Child-Centered Fantasy: Whimsy vs Cynicism 47:40 Writing for Children: Mac Barnett's Make Believe 50:05 Book News: Julia's Mystery of Treason Castle Proof Copies 53:29 Behind the Scenes: Foreign Rights and the Frankfurt Book Fair 57:56 Closing Thoughts: High Hopes for Gerwig's Narnia For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit: Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

We are going on an adventure! Love The Lord of the Rings? Why not read along with us as we consider the books from the writer's point of view! Taking it chapter by chapter, novelist Julia Golding will reveal new details that you might not have noticed and techniques that will only go to increase your pleasure in future re-readings of our favourite novel. Julia also brings her expert knowledge of life in Oxford and English culture to explain some points that might have passed you by.  00:00 Introduction: Welcome to Mythmakers and Return of the King 01:13 Second Thoughts: Tolkien's Structural Changes 03:58 Merry Left Behind: The Relatable Point of View 06:04 The Arrival of the Grey Company 12:58 Merry's Oath to Théoden: A Father for a Little While 15:45 Aragorn Looks into the Palantir: A Battle of Wills 23:56 The Words of Malbeth the Seer: Prophecy and the Paths of the Dead 26:29 Éowyn's Desperate Plea: Eyes on Fire 33:34 Entering the Haunted Mountain: A Ghost Story Begins 36:24 Gimli's Terror: The Paths of the Dead 41:01 The Wild Hunt: Riding with the Dead Behind 42:25 The Stone of Erech: Aragorn's Oath and Command 43:53 Lost to Mortal Sight: A Cliffhanger Ending For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit: Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

Andrew Head, our resident audiobook expert, joins Julia Golding today on Mythmakers to discuss the complete Harry Potter full-cast audio series. Did the switch to different actors for the older Harry, Ron, and Hermione work, or was it disorientating? What does the full-cast experience offer that a traditional audiobook or film adaptation doesn’t? And how might it connect with the forthcoming HBO series? Stay tuned as Andrew and Julia share their final verdict—and the all-important rating out of five stars. 00:00 Introduction: Welcome to Mythmakers and Harry Potter Full Cast Audio 01:00 The Voice Shift: New Actors for Books Four Through Seven 03:55 The Goblet of Fire: A Standout Performance 05:30 Why Goblet of Fire Is Andrew's Favorite Book 08:08 The Half-Blood Prince: Forward Momentum vs Pensieve Flashbacks 11:34 Sound Design and the Pensieve Moments 13:09 The Headphone Experience: Immersion Through Audio Quality 16:24 Performance Highlights: Avada Kedavra and Creative Choices 17:18 Knowing the Ending: Creating with the Full Story Arc 19:36 Comparing Audio Formats: Full Cast vs Single Narrator 21:32 Looking Ahead: HBO's Harry Potter Series and Future Adaptations 21:43 Final Verdict: Five Out of Five Stars 24:13 Growing Up with Harry Potter: Andrew's Personal Journey For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit: Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

Julia Golding is joined today by Jacob Rennaker to look back at the summer for fantasy in the movie theatres and look forward to the major fantasy TV series coming up over the next few months. What tone will the first season of Harry Potter strike—more child-friendly like the first film, or darker to appeal to adult audiences? What’s happening with Season 3 of The Rings of Power? Which characters will we be rooting for? And what about a talking Balrog played by Simon Pegg? Julia and Jacob then turn to news about their own fantasy books and discuss what it’s like to be part of a publicity drive, before wrapping up with Brandon Sanderson’s latest updates on the Mistborn screenplay. 00:00 Introduction: Welcome to Mythmakers and Fantasy News Catch-Up 00:59 Christopher Nolan's Odyssey: The Big Summer Fantasy Film 06:30 The Gods Question: Divine or Psychological? 10:48 Sirens and Disappointments: What Didn't Work 11:29 The Greek Myth Renaissance: What's Next for Fantasy? 13:53 Hadestown: Greek Tragedy Meets American Folk 20:02 Backrooms and Horror: Liminal Spaces on Screen 22:23 HBO's Harry Potter Series: First Impressions and Expectations 28:13 Rings of Power Season 3: Fixing the Story Problem 29:32 Tolkien's Letter 131: The Second Age Masterclass 37:10 A Talking Balrog: Simon Pegg and the Cockney Question 42:21 The Storytelling Challenge: Where Are the Hobbits? 44:53 Book News: Jacob's Quest of Wonders 51:01 Julia's New Book: History of Trees and Castle 54:34 The Art of Book Promotion: Readings, Videos, and Finding Your Hook 58:10 Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn Screenplay: Author Transparency 1:01:14 Looking Ahead: Narnia, Andy Serkis, and More Fantasy Films For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit: Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

We are going on an adventure! Love The Lord of the Rings? Why not read along with us as we consider the books from the writer's point of view! Taking it chapter by chapter, novelist Julia Golding will reveal new details that you might not have noticed and techniques that will only go to increase your pleasure in future re-readings of our favourite novel. Julia also brings her expert knowledge of life in Oxford and English culture to explain some points that might have passed you by.  00:00 Introduction: Welcome to Mythmakers and Return of the King 01:26 Synopsis and Setting the Stakes: The Final Darkness 03:07 Pippin Takes Center Stage: A New Point of View 05:31 The Journey to Minas Tirith: Gandalf's Ride and the Beacons 09:14 The Beacons of Gondor: History and Film Comparison 11:59 Comedy and Stakes: Pippin Falls Asleep During the Lecture 14:16 The Pelennor Wall and Meeting Ingold: Pippin's Honesty 16:41 First Sight of Minas Tirith: Piercing Beauty and Seven Walls 22:29 The Court of the Fountain: The Dead White Tree 23:24 Confrontation with Denethor: A Clash of Leaders 28:43 Pippin's Pledge of Service: Pride and Purpose 31:03 The Joust Between Gandalf and Denethor: Smoldering Fire 34:03 Two Stewards: Gandalf's Greater Purpose Revealed 35:55 Gandalf's Laughter: The Fountain of Mirth 37:39 The Chessboard is Set: Strategy and Pieces Moving 38:05 Meeting Beregond: Breakfast and the Old Campaigner 40:18 The Deep Breath Before the Plunge: Waiting for Battle 41:34 Pippin the Hero: My Heart Will Not Yet Despair 42:38 The Prince of Halflings: Walking Through the City 43:21 Meeting Bergil: Boy Challenges and Teasing Friendship 44:35 The Arrival of Leaders: A Roll Call and Sombre Sunset 45:26 Blackout and No Dawn: Gandalf's Dark Prophecy For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit: Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

In this bonus episode of Mythmakers, Julia Golding looks at the latest trailers and interviews for the upcoming HBO Harry Potter series, reading the tea leaves to consider what approach the creators may be taking. She then expands the discussion to other major fantasy and sci-fi reboots, from Star Trek to Star Wars. When is it too soon to return to a beloved story? And could a Lord of the Rings series be made within the next decade? 00:00 Introduction: Welcome to Mythmakers and HBO's Harry Potter Series 02:11 First Impressions: Tonal Shifts and Natural Landscapes 03:12 The New Young Cast: A More Natural Performance 05:39 Knowing the Ending: A Different Creative Challenge 09:08 Expanding the Wizarding World: IP, Theme Parks, and Video Games 10:14 Why Remake Harry Potter? The Question of Necessity 11:59 The Creative Team: Television Writers Take the Helm 15:23 Lessons from Other Reboots: Star Trek's Success 18:59 When Reboots Fail: Star Wars and Retreading Old Ground 20:55 Looking Ahead: Could Lord of the Rings Be Next? Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

Julia Golding returns home for the ninth season of Mythmakers by looking at literature’s first famous homecoming king: Odysseus. Beginning with a brief survey of Homer’s original Odyssey, Julia explores what makes this ancient epic feel like one of the original fantasy stories, as well as the many books and retellings it has inspired through the ages. She then turns to the new Nolan film, noting some key differences from the original poem and considering how the story has been reshaped for the screen. There is much to praise, but Julia also has one major difference with the filmmaker—one that, for her, makes this a good film rather than a great one. Listen in to hear Julia’s verdict, and let us know whether you agree. 00:00 Introduction: Welcome to Mythmakers and The Odyssey 00:39 Who Was Homer? The Mystery Behind the Epic 01:17 Reading The Odyssey: Structure and Dactylic Hexameter 02:23 The Plot and Themes: Homecoming, Hospitality, and War's Aftermath 04:01 The Gods and Nolan's Internalization: A Key Difference 05:00 The Odyssey's Legacy: From Virgil to the Renaissance 06:01 Modern Retellings: Tennyson, Joyce, and Contemporary Authors 09:50 Women Reclaim the Narrative: Atwood, Miller, and Barker 12:28 Circe's Island: Magic, Transformation, and Unexplained Elements 15:22 Calypso and Lost Levity: The Missing Joy of the Original 19:43 The Violence Problem: What the Film Avoids 22:57 Sexual Violence Reversed: Clytemnestra and Agamemnon 24:48 What Worked: Imagery, Performances, and Fantasy Elements 26:44 Final Verdict: A Good Film, Not a Great One 27:09 Closing Thoughts: Join the Conversation For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit: Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

Let's celebrate the contribution to fantasy of our favourite illustrators. Today we start with the grandaddy of Oxford Fantasy Illustration, Sir John Tenniel, the illustrator behind the Alice in Wonderland images. Find out about the unfortunate accident in his youth that he hid from his father, his extraordinary memory and his artistic influences. Guess who was at his retirement dinner? It is quite a fantasy dinner party moment! 00:00 Introduction: Welcome to Mythmakers and Celebrating Illustrators 01:07 John Tenniel: The Man Behind Alice's Wonderland 02:22 A Victorian Life: Family, Tragedy, and the Fencing Accident 05:49 Artistic Influences: From Theatre to the Nazarene Movement 08:37 Breaking Through: The Houses of Parliament Competition 09:24 The Craft of Victorian Illustration: From Drawing to Woodblock 10:26 Meeting Lewis Carroll: The Perfect Collaboration 11:23 Words and Images United: The Alice Books as Visual Experience 12:22 A Knighted Legacy: Sir John Tenniel's Retirement and Recognition 13:28 Enduring Impact: Tenniel's Legacy in Fantasy Illustration For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit: Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

There are many experts on the Inklings but there are still lots you might not know about how they lived in their home of Oxford. Julia Golding challenges some myths and makes some new ones about Tolkien and Lewis, and their experiences here. Was the Eagle and Child Pub where Narnia and The Lord of the Rings was first read aloud - or was that somewhere else? What's the mental geography of Oxford for someone who lives here long-term? Find out about Oxford as a place for military training for both writers and the surprising role of Wytham Woods. We jump from local ferries to sport to favorite trees - there's bound to be something in this that you didn't know and might find enriches your reading of their work. We go on to pick our favourite fantasy forest. Can you guess where it is? 00:00 Introduction: Welcome to Mythmakers from Oxford 01:23 The Inklings' Meetings: Eagle and Child Myths Debunked 04:41 Oxford as Backdrop: The Real Geography of Middle-earth and Narnia 05:30 The Kilns and Shotover: C.S. Lewis's Countryside Retreat 06:58 Tolkien's North Oxford: Rivers, Willows, and the Charwell 08:51 Port Meadow and River Walks: Shire-like Landscapes 09:59 The Road Goes Ever On: Personal Reflections on Epping Forest 11:14 Military Training Grounds: Wytham Woods and the Trenches 13:42 Bivouacking Under the Stars: Lewis's Letters from Training 15:38 University Parks and Drill Practice: Tolkien's Training Ground 17:09 The Bucklebury Ferry: Oxford's Lost River Crossings 19:23 Tolkien the Sportsman: Rugby, Squash, and Tennis 21:56 The Active Outdoor Life: Walking, Rowing, and Family Adventures 23:59 Tolkien and Trees: Specimen Parks and Ancient Forests 27:43 Best Fantasy Forest: From Lothlorien to the Woods Between Worlds 31:23 Conclusion: Next Time on Mythmakers and How to Connect For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit: Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

Since April of 2022 Andy Serkis has been working his way through Tolkien's books, producing audio versions of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit- he has now turned his attention to The Silmarillion. Our expert on audiobooks, Andrew Head, who as a blind consumer often turns to audio versions to access stories, talks with Julia Golding about this latest version of The Silmarillion and the Martin Shaw reading that came before it. Which would you buy now? How does Andy cope with a book that has far less opportunities for a dramatic reading than the other Tolkien books? What more do you get from this version? Tune in to hear our verdict! 00:00 Introduction: Welcome and Andy Serkis' Silmarillion 01:51 What is The Silmarillion? A Listener's Guide 03:50 The Style and Structure: History Book vs Novel 06:26 Top Three Takeaways: Voices, Tone, and Accessibility 09:22 Pronunciation and Dramatic Moments: Serkis Shines 11:18 Comparing Narrators: Andy Serkis vs Martin Shaw 15:17 Favorite Parts: Beren and Luthien, and the Music of Creation 18:13 The Standalone Novels: Children of Hurin, Beren and Luthien, and Fall of Gondolin 21:51 Dream Projects: Stories That Deserve Full Novels 26:47 Best Places for Storytelling: From Rivendell to Cair Paravel For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit: Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok

We are going on an adventure! Love The Lord of the Rings? Why not read along with us as we consider the books from the writer's point of view! Taking it chapter by chapter, novelist Julia Golding will reveal new details that you might not have noticed and techniques that will only go to increase your pleasure in future re-readings of our favourite novel. Julia also brings her expert knowledge of life in Oxford and English culture to explain some points that might have passed you by.  00:00 Introduction: Two Towers Book Four Summer Wrap-Up 00:56 Gollum States the Stakes: The Dark Lord Will Eat Us All 02:13 Writing Into the Dark: Tolkien's Creative Process 06:05 The Rule of Three: Frodo's Third Act of Trust 07:33 Faramir's Poetic Vision: A Lament for Boromir 12:10 The Imprint of Art: Grief, Pity, and the Power of Stories 13:50 Frodo's Moral Dilemma: The Forbidden Pool 19:01 Locked Doors and Dark Rooms: Faramir Sees Through Gollum 20:48 The Thorny Hall: A Hollow Haven on the Edge of Mordor 22:26 The Journey's Persistence: Each Weary Step with Frodo and Sam 25:46 Gollum as Narrative Whip: Childlike Malignity Keeps Urgency 26:55 Don't the Great Tales Never End: Sam's Famous Speech 30:36 Laughter in Dark Places: Meta-Narrative and Story Within Story 33:10 Conclusion: Looking Ahead to Return of the King For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit: Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.com/Instagram Facebook: https://centre4fantasy.com/Facebook TikTok: https://centre4fantasy.com/tiktok