Jokien with Tolkien: 💎 Treasures

There we have it, my Tolkien Gift Guide for 2025!

Special shoutout and thank you to all the Extended Edition members! You all make work like this possible.

Thank you so much for reading! Hope that you find something you can give as a gift or that you can get yourself. I’ll be back in your inboxes soon. Farewell, friends. Go towards goodness!

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Arda, Andor, Applicability, and Allegory (Treasures #024)

JRR Jokien — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 12:36:03 GMT

Hello all! Mae govannen!

In today’s newsletter I’ve got the latest of my every-so-often roundup of recent Tolkien Treasures,¹ or Tolkien-related content that I’m currently enjoying and want to share with you all. Let's get right to it!

1. What Has Arda to Do with Andor? Tony Gilroy References Tolkien’s Concept of ‘Applicability’

Tony Gilroy, the creator and writer of Andor—the prequel to Rogue One, which is itself a prequel…it’s prequels all the way down—just recently wrapped up the promotional tour for the show (which aired back in April/May of this year) and one of his final stops was on Jon Stewart’s podcast, The Weekly Show.

Stewart remarked to Gilroy on the correlation he drew between the show, which traces the increasing brutality and boldness of the authoritarian Imperial regime as well as the rise of the Rebellion, and the events going on in the world at the time that he was viewing the show:

JON STEWART: Tony, I'm literally watching Andor's mining resources underneath Ghorman, the materials that they [the Empire] need to **** *** ***** ****1 as they're signing the mineral agreement in Ukraine. It's happening as I'm watching it.

In response to Stewart sharing his parallel, Gilroy remarks that it was not at all an isolated occurrence: all over the world, viewers were reminded of the real-life clashes between authoritarian regimes and those who would fight against them.

TONY GILROY: I mean, you're asking how it— I mean, mostly it makes me— my overwhelming feeling over the past three months and going out and sell the show is really— it's— it's— it's sadness. I mean, it's sad— there's a really— there's a—Tolkien had a whole thing about— he didn't like allegory. He didn't like people making comps to his work to World War— but he was really into applicability. He wanted it to be applicable to your life.
So, I'm not exactly sure how wide that he takes that term, but to me, it's been shocking to go around the world— we went around the world selling the show, and every place we went, because I really didn't want to— particularly in the beginning, I didn't want to have the show get ghettoized by being left or right or political or whatever, I was really— we were really surfing through. But every journalist, every interview that we did, everywhere we went, people were finding ways to take things— the same incident and make it applicable for them.
Oh, this is Gaza, this is Ukraine, this is Northern Ireland, this— this is me, man. This is me. This is us.

On the one hand, I can imagine that there would be a sort of satisfaction as an artist, creator, and writer for something that you created to resonate so powerfully with so many people.

But on the other, I see why Gilroy shares that his main takeaway from all of this is one of sadness. For all these people to draw parallels to all these different revolutions and instances of totalitarianism from both current events and from history means that there is no shortage of these sorts of scenarios to make these comparisons.

Ultimately, Gilroy zeroes in on a principle from Tolkien’s writings where Tolkien distinguishes between Allegory and Applicability.

What is the difference between the two? I wrote the following about Tolkein’s view of allegory and applicability (and his preference for the latter) in an article exploring Tolkien’s short story “Leaf by Niggle”:

Tolkien’s opinion on allegory was that it bordered on insulting to the reader for an author to force them to read their work in such a way that only a single interpretation was possible. Instead, he preferred a story so full of authenticity and correspondence to real life that the reader would find it easy to glean applications based on their own experiences.
In the foreword of the second edition of The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien commented, “I cordially dislike allegory in all its manifestations, and always have done so since I grew old and wary enough to detect its presence. I much prefer history, true or feigned, with its varied applicability to the thought and experience of readers. I think that many confuse 'applicability' with 'allegory'; but the one resides in the freedom of the reader, and the other in the purposed domination of the author.”

Read more here:

In Tolkien’s view, a story where each point of reference has a one-to-one correspondence to a real-life person, event, or principle is inferior to a story where there are parallels one can draw between its events and characters and real life but the Author doesn’t have one “true” intended meaning.

Circling back to Gilroy, when he wrote Andor he was informed by real history of revolutions throughout the world, but he also was not attempting to write an allegory about any one of them in particular. When Stewart shares the parallel he drew between Andor and the current war in Ukraine, Gilroy did not respond, “Ah, well I was actually writing about the French Revolution! You missed the point.”

No, instead he cites Tolkien and shares that his own “feigned history” he created in Andor is applicable to those all over the world who have lived through or studied a similar conflict in our own history.

Applicability has the power to elevate an otherwise great story to another level entirely, where we appreciate the work not just for its intrinsic quality but also for the way that we find it connects to (and gives more perspective to) our own lives.

In that way, like in so many others, both Andor and The Lord of the Rings excel.

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2. New Satirical Fantasy by Tolkien—The Bovadium Fragments—releasing in late 2025

Ohh, this one seems right up my alley! In addition to all his other prodigious output, Tolkien apparently wrote a “satirical fantasy” which Humphry Carpenter described as “a parable of the destruction of Oxford (Bovadium) by the motores manufactured by the Daemon of Vaccipratum (a reference to Lord Nuffield and his motor-works at Cowley) which block the streets, asphyxiate the inhabitants, and finally explode.”

Sounds so very interesting for many, many reasons!

The Bovadium Fragments will release in October in the UK and in November here in the States.

You can preorder it on Amazon here.

3. Mythologie Candles’ Lord of the Rings Collections

Mythologie was kind enough to send me some samples from their Characters of Middle-earth and Spring in the Shire collections: check out the individual scents and bundles for yourselves at their Lord of the Rings collection page!

4. Rings of Power Season 3

Rings of Power Season 3 officially went into production yesterday, with The Rings of Power sharing a video of Morgoth’s crown with Sauron’s musical theme playing as a teaser:

5. Nazgul’s Breakfast

I was recently alerted to the existence of a hot pepper entitled “Nazgul’s Breakfast.” One pepper to rule them all!

There we have it, friends: my recent Tolkien Treasures!

What have you been enjoying lately (or will enjoy soon) that is Tolkien-related? Let me know in the comments!

📚 You can read more of my writing by reading my books! My latest is a collection of essays on The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion, and more of Tolkien’s works (and their adaptations). You can also find it and more of my books on Amazon or Gumroad

⚔️ If someone forwarded this email to you or you found it through social media or Google, I’d like to invite you to join 13,000+ subscribers in the Jokien with Tolkien community: Subscribe here and get a free gift just for joining!

🏹 Chosen as a Substack Featured Publication in 2023

🪓 Official merch available in the Jokien with Tolkien store

❌ All typos are precisely as intended

🔗 Links may be affiliate, which is a free-to-you way to support this newsletter where I earn a small commission on items you purchase

🗃️ Can’t wait till next week for more content? View the archive

🎯 Interested in writing a guest piece? Check out my submission guidelines. Want to sponsor a future issue of Jokien with Tolkien? E-mail me at jrrjokien@jrrjokien.com

Slight spoilers, but the “deep substrate foliated kalkite" the Empire is mining will be used to “fuel the Death Star”

💎 LOTR/LEGO Book Nook, 'The High Hallow Review,' and more! - Tolkien Treasures #024

JRR Jokien — Fri, 30 May 2025 12:45:26 GMT

Hello all! Mae govannen!

In today’s newsletter I’ve got both a review of a recent release on Tolkien’s liturgical imagination and a roundup of recent Tolkien Treasures,1 or Tolkien-related content that I’m currently enjoying and want to share with you all. Let's get right to it!

Tolkien Treasures #024—May '25

My Review of The High Hallow: Tolkien’s Liturgical Imagination

The debate whether The Lord of the Rings is a Christian story has a long history, with passionate and eloquent arguments on both sides. Whether you are for or against the premise, one cannot go far at all into the debate without dealing with Tolkien’s own words on the subject in Letter 142:

The Lord of the Rings is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision.

How exactly do we take this statement? What does it even mean for something to be “unconsciously [religious and Catholic] at first, but consciously in the revision”?

In The High Hallow: Tolkien’s Liturgical Imagination, Ben Reinhard sets out to illuminate an under-examined aspect of Tolkien’s description of the religious and Catholic nature of The Lord of the Rings. Much of the discussion to date has focused on parsing what “unconsciously” and “consciously” could mean, especially in the order Tolkien arranges them.

However, the meaning of “fundamentally religious and Catholic” has been assumed to be rather plain and obvious. Is it, though?

Take “fundamentally,” for example. Citing Carl Hostetter’s argument in The Nature of Middle-earth, Reinhard similarly argues that “fundamentally” is not just an intensifier, meaning “a really really religious and Catholic work” but actually refers to the *foundation* of The Lord of the Rings (2).

What is the religious–and specifically Catholic–foundation of Lord of the Rings? Reinhard’s thesis is that it is the Catholic liturgy: “the ordered and regular prayer of the universal Church” (4). The liturgy that Tolkien lived and prayed in his personal religious practice so profoundly shaped Tolkien’s imagination and thought that it permeates Middle-earth generally and Lord of the Rings specifically.

This, then, would explain how Tolkien could say that The Lord of the Rings was both unconsciously and consciously a work whose foundation is Christian thought and practice: if he was so deeply impacted by worship that it shaped him even at the level of creativity and imagination, than anything he created would be impacted, even unconsciously so, by his Catholicism.

Reinhard spends the book grounding this thesis in Tolkien’s religious biography (Chapter 1: A Liturgical Life”), exploring the connection between Faerie and Liturgy (chapters 2 and 3), examining religion in Middle-earth generally (Chapter 4 on the role of worship in Middle-earth), and then exploring the connections between Middle-earth and Advent (Chapter 5) and Easter (Chapter 6).

I found the argument of the book to be especially persuasive in several areas. Reinhard’s examination of Tolkien’s personal piety and just how deeply the Catholic liturgy influenced his imagination was both fascinating and convincing. The discussion of the religious patterns and practice among both the Elves and the Númenóreans in Chapter 4 was some of the strongest material in the book (particularly the connection between the twin hallows of Meneltarma in Númenor and Mindolluin above Minas Tirith). And the connections between The Lord of the Rings and both Advent/Christmas and Easter explored in chapters 5 and 6 are strong as well.

Other parts were less convincing. For example, in Chapter 4, Reinhard attempts to show how the Hobbits’ travels in LOTR “enchant” them, transforming them from almost entirely ignorant of religion to returning to the Shire having each encountered the holy (in Lórien, through Faramir’s knowledge of both Númenórean practices and Elven lore, etc.), having a sacrificial death and rebirth, and transformed into “missionary king-priests” (101). It is a creative reading of the tale, to be sure, but not perhaps the dominant–or most fundamental–lens to their story.

Overall, however, Reinhard’s investigation in The High Hallow of the liturgical foundations of The Lord of the Rings is captivating, persuasive, and makes good sense of Tolkien’s description of The Lord of the Rings as both unconsciously and consciously a fundamentally religious and Catholic work. As a general survey of Tolkien’s work that touches not just on LOTR but on much of the rest of Tolkien’s writings, The High Hallow also provides justification for further work in this vein—provided explorers take care to not delve too greedily and too deep.

The publisher provided me with a review copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Tolkien Treasures

1. New LEGO® LOTR Balrog Book Nook
Earlier this week, LEGO announced a new Lord of the Rings set that will be released on June 1. Unlike previous sets from recent years—Rivendell, Barad-dûr, and the Shire—this is a smaller set (which translates to a relatively smaller price tag of $129.99).
This set depicts Gandalf’s battle with the Balrog and can either be displayed unfolded in full detail or folded up and nestled between your collection of Tolkien’s works.
I love this scene and the whole look of this set: hopefully it’s one of many like it to come.
You can preorder the set on Amazon on on the LEGO website.
2. Tolkien Myths and Legends Box Set - releases on June 10, 2025
The latest in a set of recent new box sets collecting Tolkien’s works, this “Myths and Legends” set includes four works set outside of Middle-earth. Two are translations of classic works of literature, and two are Tolkien’s own compositions inspired by events or tales from history:
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (translation)
The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún (original)
The Fall of Arthur (original)
Beowulf: A Translation and Commentary (translation)
Like the other sets, these are hardcover and feature reversible dust jackets.
You can preorder this set here.
3. Tolkien Great Tales Box Set (2025) - releases on August 19, 2025
Tolkien’s three “Great Tales”—The Children of Húrin; Beren and Lúthien; and The Fall of Gondolin—were already available in a box set, but this year a new version will be released that matches the four previous History of Middle-earth sets and the Myths and Legends set above.
This new set releases on August 19, but you can preorder it now!
4. The Return of the King audiobook narrated by Andy Serkis
I recently finished Andy Serkis’ version of The Two Towers after listening to his version of The Fellowship of the Ring last month and am continuing on with his version of The Return of the King. It’s a wonderful way to spend my commutes and I highly recommend his version.
Audible is currently having a sale where the first three months are $6.95 each, so you could pick up the whole trilogy at that discounted price!

There we have it: my Tolkien Treasures for May!

What have you been enjoying lately (or will enjoy soon) that is Tolkien-related? Let me know in the comments!

Namárië, friends. Go towards goodness!

Special shout-out and thank you to Emily H and Tyler W, who recently became Extended Edition members! This is a reader-supported newsletter and Jokien with Tolkien: Extended Edition members help keep it coming to everyone’s inboxes week in and week out with their support.

For just $5 a month or $40 a year, you could join them in their support of this newsletter and receive exclusive monthly content!

📚 You can read more of my writing by reading my books! My latest is a collection of essays on The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion, and more of Tolkien’s works (and their adaptations). You can find it and more of my books on Amazon or Gumroad

🏹 Chosen as a Substack Featured Publication in 2023

🪓 Official merch available in the Jokien with Tolkien store

❌ All typos are precisely as intended

🔗 Links may be affiliate, which is a free-to-you way to support this newsletter where I earn a small commission on items you purchase

🗃️ Can’t wait till next week for more content? View the archive

🎯 Interested in writing a guest piece like the above? Check out my submission guidelines. Want to sponsor an issue? Email me at JRRJokien@JRRJokien.com

“Tolkien Treasures” is an occasional section, or “sub-newsletter” of Jokien with Tolkien. To manage which of these sub-newsletters you’re receiving—Laughs (humor), Lore (deep dives), treasures (roundups), and/or Through the Wardrobe (Wider Sci-fi/Fantasy)—click here.

💎 Treasures #023: March '25 Mathoms

JRR Jokien — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 13:56:03 GMT

Welcome to the latest edition of “Mathoms,” a feature here at Jokien with Tolkien where I share things I I enjoyed or found interesting and don’t want to necessarily discard but also don’t really have a place to share otherwise, such as quotes, ideas, notes and excerpts from what I’ve been reading recently, some of my favorite recent Substack reads, research that didn’t make it into a recent essay or article, and more!

Mathoms: an old word of the hobbit-dialect, not recorded as being in use outside the Shire. It was used to refer to "trinkets" or any item that Hobbits had no particular immediate use for, but were unwilling to throw away. -Tolkien Gateway

In today’s issue:

My current reads thoughts on the books I’ve finished recently
Recent articles and Substack newsletters I enjoyed
Newsletter topics that are bouncing around in my head but that I haven’t gotten to yet
Extended Edition Spotlights!

This last category is where we’ll begin. I’ve surveyed current Extended Edition members and asked if they have anything that they have written or created recently that they’d like me to spotlight. Here’s the first crop of responses:

Extended Edition Spotlights

has compiled essays from her Substack into a recently released e-book, which you can find on Amazon.
has finished a book before her eleventy-first birthday and without the benefit of a relaxing writer’s retreat in Imladris. You can find Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation at 1517.org (or listen to her talk about it and make some Tolkien references on a podcast)
is releasing releasing an ambient album later this year where each song is based on a different Jules Verne novel. Here is a link to the post for "Cavern" from that album: Cavern

Enjoy the rest of this feature, Extended Edition members! Thank you for your support of this newsletter. And please share some of your own mathoms with me here in the comments!

Want to join the Extended Edition members in getting your recent work spotlighted, access to the rest of this feature, and all the other paid features (Monthly Essay, Full Discord access, free copies of my e-books, etc.)? Upgrade your subscription below:

Join the Extended Edition

💎 Treasures #022: New LOTR Books, Board Games, Blu-rays, and more!

JRR Jokien — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 13:55:39 GMT

Hello all! Mae govannen!

In today’s newsletter I’ve got a roundup of recent Tolkien Treasures,1 or Tolkien-related content that I’m currently enjoying and want to share with you all. Let's get right to it!

Tolkien Treasures #022—February '25

1. New Middle-Earth 6-film Collection of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings Trilogies Coming March 18!
Next month a new collection of all six Peter Jackson films is set to release. According to IGN, this set features “the extended and theatrical cuts of all three The Hobbit films and all three Lord of the Rings films on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and digital.”
(And no, this is a separate release from the Lord of the Rings gift box set that includes a replica of the One Ring and released this past December).
You can preorder the new six-film collection on Amazon.
2. ‘Fate of the Fellowship’ brings Lord of the Rings themes and gameplay to the Pandemic System
This June, a new board game from the designer of Pandemic is releasing that will allow players to cooperatively play as the Heroes defending Middle-earth and helping Frodo on his quest.
“Three years in the making, the game will include 13 playable characters, 14 event cards, and 24 objectives, providing an enormous variety of play experiences. The game will also come with an 11-inch constructible Barad-dûr Dice Tower, Nazgûl miniatures, original artwork of iconic characters, and more.”
Read more on Matt Leackock’s Substack, :
Leacock’s Lab
Leacock’s Lab: Announcing The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship!
I’m excited to announce that the newest game in the Pandemic System line is coming this June…
Read more
a year ago · 12 likes · 5 comments · Matt Leacock
3. The High Hallow: Tolkien’s Liturgical Imagination
A few weeks ago I came across a new book on Tolkien that piqued my interest: The High Hallow: Tolkien’s Liturgical Imagination.
In The High Hallow, “Ben Reinhard examines the liturgical pieties that governed Tolkien’s life from childhood to old age, the ways in which the liturgy colored Tolkien’s theory of myth and fantasy, and the alleged absence of religion in Middle-earth. Most importantly, he shows how the plots, themes, and characters of Tolkien’s beloved works can be traced to the patterns of the Church’s liturgical year.”
I immediately knew when I read this description that it was a book I needed to get my hands on! The publisher has graciously provided me a review copy, so look for more thoughts in the coming weeks!
But if you don’t want to wait, you can order it at the publisher’s website:
Order ‘The High Hallow’ at St. Paul Center
4. War of the Rohirrim SteelBook
War of the Rohirrim is coming to Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K on Feb 18th, and the SteelBook version (containing the movie in 4K, Blu-ray, and on digital) is simply gorgeous.
You can find all the versions I’ve just mentioned on Amazon.
5. The Two Towers audiobook narrated by Andy Serkis
I just finished Andy Serkis’ version of The Fellowship of the Ring last month and am continuing on with his version of The Two Towers. It’s a wonderful way to spend my commutes and I highly recommend his version. I’ve just finished some of the first chapters with Treebeard and Andy’s take on him is simply delightful.

There we have it: my Tolkien Treasures for February!

What have you been enjoying lately (or will enjoy soon) that is Tolkien-related? Let me know in the comments!

Namárië, friends. Go towards goodness!

Special shout-out and thank you to Benjamin K, who became an Extended Edition member this week! This is a reader-supported newsletter and Jokien with Tolkien: Extended Edition members help keep it coming to everyone’s inboxes week in and week out with their support.

For just $5 a month or $40 a year, you could join them in their support of this newsletter and receive exclusive monthly content!

There and Back Again

Wherein I share highlights from previous years of Jokien with Tolkien

This time last year in the newsletter I shared a humorous sketch involving Merry, Pippin, Treebeard, and lots of puns on email, podcasts, etc:

And two years ago I shared an article on finding the Five Love Languages in The Lord of the Rings, which I updated last year:

📚 You can read more of my writing by reading my books! My latest is a collection of essays on The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion, and more of Tolkien’s works (and their adaptations). You can find it and more of my books on Amazon or Gumroad

⚔️ If someone forwarded this email to you or you found it through social media or Google, I’d like to invite you to join 11,000+ subscribers in the Jokien with Tolkien community: Subscribe here and get a free gift just for joining!

🏹 Chosen as a Substack Featured Publication in 2023

🪓 Official merch available in the Jokien with Tolkien store

❌ All typos are precisely as intended

🔗 Links may be affiliate, which is a free-to-you way to support this newsletter where I earn a small commission on items you purchase

🗃️ Can’t wait till next week for more content? View the archive

🎯 Interested in writing a guest piece like the above? Check out my submission guidelines. Want to sponsor an issue? Email me at JRRJokien@JRRJokien.com

💎 Treasures #021: January '25 Mathoms

JRR Jokien — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 13:55:32 GMT

Hello friends!

Since starting this newsletter I’ve attempted several times to put together a commonplace1 or roundup sort of feature,2 but I’ve never been quite happy with the result or able to keep up with the added feature.

But here I am again with another attempt!

I’ve titled it “Mathoms” because it’s a feature where I anticipate I can share things I I enjoyed or found interesting and don’t want to necessarily discard but also don’t really have a place to share otherwise, such as quotes, ideas, notes and excerpts from what I’ve been reading recently, some of my favorite recent Substack reads, research that didn’t make it into a recent essay or article, and more!

Because of its slightly more personal nature and because I plan on maintaining the same number of free newsletters each month (minimum of 3), I’m going to be making this a new paid subscriber exclusive.

In today’s issue:

My thoughts on the books I’ve finished so far this year (by Tolkien, Brandon Sanderson, and Victoria Aveyard)
My current reads
Some interesting articles I stumbled upon while researching for last week’s 🎥 All 10 LOTR and Hobbit Films Ranked
A few recent articles and Substack newsletters I enjoyed

So enjoy the return of this feature, Extended Edition members! Thank you for your support of this newsletter. And please share some of your own mathoms with me here in the comments!

Want to join the Extended Edition members in getting access to this and all the other paid features (Monthly Essay, Full Discord access, free copies of my e-books, etc.), then subscribe below.

💎 Treasures #020: December '24 Tolkien Treasures

JRR Jokien — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 13:45:33 GMT

Hello all! Mae govannen!

In today’s newsletter I share a roundup of recent Tolkien Treasures,1 or Tolkien-related content that I’m currently enjoying and want to share with you all. Let's get right to it!

Tolkien Treasures

1. War of the Rohirrim is now in theaters!
This week Middle-earth returns to the Big Screen with the release of The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim! I’m looking forward to seeing it and will be sure to pass on my thoughts once I have. Who else is excited??
2. ‘Wounds That Cannot Be Wholly Cured’ Now Available on Amazon
In addition to my first collection of essays and my guide ‘Exploring the Lore of Middle-earth,’ I’ve added my latest e-book to the Kindle store: ‘Wounds That Cannot Be Wholly Cured.’ This is an short booklet I wrote when in the wake of my brother’s passing I returned to Tolkien and found new lessons and comforts in the midst of grief and loss.
Get It On Amazon
Many or most of you have already read it. For those who have, especially if it resonated with you, would you mind leaving a review on Amazon? It helps people find the book and know what to expect. Thanks!
3. The New York Times Names ‘The Mythmakers’ a best illustrated book of 2024
I highlighted this graphic novel biographical study of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis’ friendship in my 2024 Tolkien Gift Guide and am ecstatic to see that The New York Times has included it in its list of Best Children’s Books of 2024.
It’s out of stock most everywhere, but you can backorder it from Bookshop.org or get it for Kindle (it’s such a lovely physical book though: if you get it for Kindle, get it in hardcover too!)
4. Tolkien 2025 Calendar
Already starting to look ahead and plan the coming year? Check out the 2025 Tolkien Calendar, which features 13 pieces of artwork from artist John Howe and is under $15!
5. The Fellowship of the Ring audiobook narrated by Andy Serkis
I’ve been slowly listening to Andy Serkis’ version of The Fellowship of the Ring and cherishing every second of it (though I’m not a fan at all of the Rings of Power cover…and this is from someone who really likes Rings of Power!). I’ve almost finished Fellowship and will be continuing on with The Two Towers. If you’re looking for a fresh way to experience The Lord of the Rings, this might be it!

There we have it: my Tolkien Treasures for December!

What have you been enjoying lately (or will enjoy soon) that is Tolkien-related? Let me know in the comments!

Namárië, friends. Go towards goodness!

There and Back Again

Wherein I share highlights from previous years of Jokien with Tolkien

Last year at this time I shared The 12 Days of Lord of the Rings Christmas:

And two years ago I shared what I consider a Jokien with Tolkien classic: 10 Reasons Lord of the Rings is a Christmas Movie!

Appendices

This is a reader-supported newsletter and Jokien with Tolkien: Extended Edition members help keep it coming to everyone’s inboxes week in and week out with their support. For just $5 a month or $40 a year, you could join them in their support of this newsletter and receive exclusive monthly content, like the paid subscriber essay I’m sending out next week!
Join the Extended Edition
But if you’re a free subscriber you can support it too! Forward this newsletter with someone you know would enjoy it, like this post here on Substack so others can find it, or share it on social media (if you do, tag me so I can reshare it!).
However you support this publication, thank you! I couldn’t do this without you all!

📚 You can read more of my writing by reading my books! My latest is a collection of essays on The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion, and more of Tolkien’s works (and their adaptations). You can find it and more of my books on Amazon or Gumroad

🏹 Chosen as a Substack Featured Publication in 2023

🪓 Official merch available in the Jokien with Tolkien store

❌ All typos are precisely as intended

🔗 Links may be affiliate, which is a free-to-you way to support this newsletter where I earn a small commission on items you purchase

🗃️ Can’t wait till next week for more content? View the archive

🎯 Interested in writing a guest piece like the above? Check out my submission guidelines. Want to sponsor an issue? Email me at JRRJokien@JRRJokien.com

“Tolkien Treasures” is an occasional section of Jokien with Tolkien . For an overview of the different Jokien with Tolkien “sections” that this newsletter has, see here.

🎁 Tolkien Gift Guide — 2024

JRR Jokien — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 14:03:12 GMT

quick note: the flash sale on paid subscriptions to celebrate this week marking 2 years of Jokien with Tolkien ends today! subscribe here to get 20% off or give the gift of a Jokien with Tolkien subscription at the discounted rate here

The Fellowship participating in a White Oliphaunt gift exchange with the Elves of Lórien. Wait…er…. Credit: New Line Cinema

Mae govannen, friends!

The holiday season is fast approaching and you may be looking for the perfect gift for that Lord of the Rings fanatic in your life (maybe that’s you!). If so, you’re in luck.

The Jokien with Tolkien gift guide is back and it’s better than ever! I’ve expanded and updated the list from last year, adding many new items and keeping some favorites from last year to assemble a wide range of gift options from many categories and for all budgets.

So read on to check out some ideas for gifts as perfect as the ones Galadriel gave to the Fellowship as they set out from Lothlórien on their journey.

A quick note: Substack is warning me that this post is “too long for email.” If/when it cuts off at some point, just open it in this newsletter Substack app or online or click “view entire message” and that should take care of it!

Is it really a Jokien with Tolkien gift guide without this line? Credit: New Line Cinema

Editor’s Choice Awards

Tolkien Books

Tolkien in Other Media

Life Accessories

Splurges

Editor’s Choice Awards

Before we get into the separate categories, I’d like to highlight three gifts as my Editor’s Choice awards for this year! These gifts are ones I think deserve special attention and represent the best in their respective categories.

Wicked Warlock Fantasy Candles — ‘Life Accessories’ Editor’s Choice
“The Trilogy” bundle from Wicked Warlock.
Looking for the perfect gift for the fantasy lover in your life? Check out Wicked Warlock’s catalogue of fantasy-themed candles!
Burn “Dragon’s Lair” while watching The Hobbit trilogy together, give the D&D lover in your life “Tavern” or “Dwarven Mine” to take along to their next session, or light “Elven City” while curled up with a copy of The Silmarillion and a mug of hot coffee or tea.
I’ve done each of the above and have gotten compliments from both my D&D group and from my family members on the scents of the candles and their high quality.
Best of all, Wicked Warlock has partnered with me to give Jokien with Tolkien readers a discount code that’s good from now until December 2nd!

Get up to 30% off any 5 of their candles this Black Friday with the code HOARD30 for the ultimate immersive fantasy experience!

(or use HOARD20 on any 3 candles or HOARD40 on any 7!)
The Four Boxed Sets of The History of Middle-earth — ‘Tolkien Books’ Editor’s Choice
This gorgeous edition of The History of Middle-earth is probably my favorite part of my (ever expanding) Tolkien library! Collecting The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, and The History of Middle-earth’s 12 volumes, these four Box Sets would make an excellent gift this holiday season. Start them off with just the first set to get them started on their journey or give a kingly gift of all four sets!
Box Set 1 | Box Set 2 | Box Set 3 | Box Set 4
Lord Of The Rings Trilogy: One Ring Gift Box — ‘Tolkien in Other Media’ Editor’s Choice
This gift set of the Theatrical and Extended Editions of LOTR in 4K Ultra HD comes in a new book packaging with faux-leather finish, gold foil, embossing and a Noble Collection One Ring Replica! Preorder it now to get it delivered on the release day of December 20th! (I just bought the 4K versions myself last year but now kinda wish I’d waited…lol)

Tolkien Books

Let’s start at the beginning. BOOKS. None of the rest of the items on this list would exist without the books Tolkien wrote. So what are some gift-worthy books by and about Tolkien?

The Lord of the Rings — there are many, many editions of The Lord of the Rings that would make great gifts. I love the Illustrated by the Author Edition of LOTR, which contains illustrations and sketched by Tolkien himself throughout. It’s especially great together in a set with the Illustrated by the Author Silmarillion and Illustrated by the Author Hobbit.
There’s also a new collector’s edition of The Lord of the Rings, pictured here with collector’s editions of The Hobbit and The Silmarillion.
The Hobbit — in addition to the edition illustrated by Tolkien and new collector’s editions mentioned above, there is an edition of The Hobbit illustrated by Jemima Catlin that would be perfect for younger readers. Also check out this 70th Anniversary Edition, which would make an excellent upgrade from a paperback copy. Finally, consider a 2016 Facsimile First Edition of The Hobbit. This version reproduces the 1937 edition, with all the differences including the original version of the “Riddles in the Dark” chapter. That’s right, there are multiple versions of this chapter and you can read it for yourself in this version!
Hobbit/LOTR Box Sets — “What have I got in my pocket?” The answer could very easily be one of the volumes of this Deluxe Pocket Boxed Set with The Hobbit and LOTR. I love it as a gift because it’s affordable, looks incredible, and you can take any of the volumes with you wherever you go! This set of The Hobbit and LOTR Illustrated by Alan Lee (both on the covers and throughout) is also stunning. I personally received it as a gift a few years ago and it’s incredible!
The Silmarillion — if the above Illustrated by the Author Edition listed in The Lord of the Rings section or the gorgeous new collector’s edition mentioned there (seriously, look at that cover with Telperion and Laurelin!) don’t do it for you, I’d also recommend this hardcover edition of The Silmarillion with illustrations by Ted Nasmith.
Editor’s Note: want to go above and beyond for your LOTR fan? Do your research and hunt down a first edition Silmarillion for them! The first edition was a large print run, so they’re still readily available and don’t cost as much as you might think (less than $50 if you just want a general first edition, closer to around $100 if you want a first edition that’s a first impression as well).
The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien — this set was almost my editor’s choice for this category! This set presents almost 200 works of poetry by Tolkien across three volumes, including more than 60 that have never before been seen. Together with critical commentary on the author and his work and packaged in a wonderful set, this collection would make a splendid gift!
The Great Tales of Middle-earth — though you can find versions of all three stories in The Silmarillion and The History of Middle-earth, The Great Tales of Middle-earth collects The Children of Húrin, Beren and Lúthien, and The Fall of Gondolin in one box set. These books contain not just the “final” versions of these tales as they appeared in The Silmarillion but also other versions from earlier or later in Tolkien’s life.
The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Revised and Expanded — this revised and expanded edition of Tolkien’s letters would make a wonderful gift for the Tolkien fan in your life who wants to know more about the Professor himself
The Mythmakers — this splendid graphic novel depicts the friendship of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis with and examines how they shaped their stories, each other, and the world! One of my favorite books I read this year
Lore of the Rings Volume 1 — my book is now available on Amazon and would look amazing under the tree or in a stocking for any Tolkien fan! (ok, so I’m biased lol). Collecting ten essays previously only available to paid subscribers of Jokien with Tolkien, this volume is perfect for the LOTR fan wanting to go deeper into the lore of LOTR!
Tolkien & Pop Culture Volume 1 — This inaugural volume from Nick of The Tolkien Society and Tolkien Pop! Substack collects essays that were once only available online that explores the intersection of Tolkien and aspects of pop culture. Check it out and support other great work on Tolkien going on here on Substack!

Tolkien in Other Media

While everything began with the books, that’s hardly how it’s stayed! Here are some gift ideas from the various adaptations of Tolkien’s stories:

Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings — upgrade your DVDs of these classic films to the 4K UHD trilogy (or the remastered Blu-ray trilogy)
Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit — look, I’ve already said what I have to say about these movies…but if you want to give them to someone you know who loves them you can get them in 4K UHD or on Blu-ray
Rankin/Bass and Ralph Bakshi Films — the animated versions of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Return of the King are each charming in their ways. If you didn’t see them as a child you might not see them quite as fondly, but they’re worth seeing and all entertaining
Music from The Lord of the Rings and The Rings of Power on vinyl — give the audiophile in your life a new way to experience the epic scores of these adaptations with selections from Howard Shore’s LOTR Soundtrack and Bear McCreary’s Season 1 and Season 2 soundtracks to Rings of Power.

Life Accessories

You’ve read the books, you’ve watched the movies, now you want something to take with you every day to help bring some of that LOTR-related joy with you!

Jokien with Tolkien Gear — Want to wear some Lord of the Rings gear and rep the newsletter at the same time? I’ve got you covered! Check out all the designs in my shop, but especially last year’s most popular one by a mile, Another Reindeer
2025 Shire Diary — I had the 2024 version and absolutely loved it! Plan your year with quotes and events from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit interspersed chronologically and thematically throughout the planner
Map of Middle-earth Throw Blanket — get cozy for your next Extended Edition marathon with this throw blanket that has the map of Middle-earth on it! trace each step of the journey of the Fellowship as they take it on the very blanket you’re under
Speak Friend and Enter Doormat — one of the top gifts each year I’ve done this guide! Welcome visitors to your humble abode with a doormat inscribed with instructions for how to open your doors. Speak, friend, and enter (watcher in the water for your front yard pool sold separately).
LOTR Watercolors — decorate your work or living space with these lovely depictions of Bag End, the Doors of Durin, and J.R.R. Tolkien himself!!
Mugs and Tumblers — I absolutely adore this Lord of the Cats Mug. Does this mean the Eye of Sauron is a laser pointer? Is Old Toby catnip?? I also can’t get enough of this ceramic mug with the Map of the Lonely Mountain on it! (I got this one as a gift last year and use it multiple times a week!). And what about a mug with the members of the Fellowship emblazoned on it?
Board Games — The Lord of The Rings: Duel for Middle-Earth and War of the Ring are both excellent games based on the world and events of Middle-earth. The former is a quicker game that takes 30 minutes or so while the latter is an advanced strategy game that will take hours to complete
No Admittance Except on Party Business Sign — hang wherever you’d like to minimize the pesky relatives and relations intruding
DROP + The Lord of the Rings Keyboards —I absolutely love these keyboards from Drop (and no, I don’t think that stands for ‘Da Rings Of Power’)! For the Tolkien fan who has to spend lots of time in front of the computer and wants to make their workspace a little bit more awesome. My favorites are their Elvish, Black Speech, and Rohan keyboards:
Lord of the Rings Map of Middle-Earth Notebook Cover — refillable with Moleskine or A5-sized notebooks, this notebook cover will make everything you write just that much more epic
Tolkien 2023 UK £2 Coin —last year the Royal Mint released a coin commemorating Tolkien and his life’s work. You can get your very own non-fungible Tolkien directly from the Royal Mint’s website (the rarer and more expensive options are all no longer available, but you can still snag an uncirculated coin in mint condition)

Splurges / Collectables

Want to give a kingly gift whose worth is greater than the value of the Shire? Well, these aren’t quite as valuable as a shirt of Mithril, but they’re close.

LEGO Rivendell and LEGO Barad-dûr — Just look at them! They’re spectacular! Either would make a magnificent gift for the LOTR fan in your life.
Deluxe Illustrated by the Author Editions of The Hobbit, LOTR, and The Silmarillion — each of the editions of these books that has an “Illustrated by the Author” edition I mentioned earlier has a deluxe edition as well.
Find them here: Deluxe The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion
Prop Replicas from Weta Workshop — this is the ultimate gift for a fan of the Peter Jackson films: get a replica of one of the very props from the movies! The selection regularly rotates to new items: currently they have replicas of Gimli, Saruman, and Aragorn’s pipes available!

There we have it, my Tolkien Gift Guide for 2024!

Special shoutout and thank you to all the Extended Edition members! You all make work like this possible.

One final reminder that today is the last day of the flash sale for the 2 year anniversary of Jokien with Tolkien existing!

@elizabroke #duet with @Fritz #fyp I NEVER THOUGHT THE DAY WOULD COME THAT I’D HEAR THIS SONG ON HERE 😭😭

Thank you so much for reading! Hope that you find something you can give as a gift or that you can get yourself. I’ll be back in your inboxes next week. Farewell, friends. Go towards goodness!

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💎 Treasures #018: April '23 Tolkien Treasures

JRR Jokien — Wed, 08 May 2024 10:02:35 GMT

Namárië! Hello all! Today’s newsletter is a roundup of recent Tolkien Treasures 1 I’ve heard about or stumbled upon and want to share with you all!

Tolkien Treasures

1. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Returns to Theaters!

Credit New Line Cinema

As The Hollywood Reporter initially reported, the entire The Lord of the Rings trilogy is headed back to participating theaters next month, June 8–10!

UPDATE—since it was initially announced, a second weekend of screenings (June 22–24) has been added! We’ve had one weekend of screenings, yes. What about second weekend?

From the Hollywood Reporter article:

The versions screened will be Jackson’s extended editions (so you might want get the jumbo tub of popcorn), and also the versions that the filmmaker remastered in 2020 for a 4K Ultra HD rerelease.

You can head to the Fathom Events site to see which local theaters might be participating. If you haven’t ever had the chance to see these films as they were made to be experienced (or it’s been a long time), I highly encourage it!

2. History of Middle-earth Boxed Set #2

In the practical guide to the works of J.R.R. Tolkien that I wrote at the beginning of this year (and which you can now download as an ebook on Gumroad), I mentioned the 12-volume The History of Middle-earth, which collects and analyzes a vast library of Tolkien’s Middle-earth related drafts, notes, essays, and works.

To celebrate the 100-year anniversary of Christopher Tolkien’s birthday, publisher Harper Collins is releasing a new edition of The History of Middle-earth in 2024. Collected in four separate boxed sets, this edition will have reversible dust jackets—one side featuring artwork by John Howe and the other with original graphic treatments. These four boxed sets include not just the twelve volumes of HoMe but also The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, and an Index to HoMe.

The first two boxed sets

Box Set #1 — including The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, and The Book of Lost Tales Parts 1 and 2 (which are books 1 and 2 of The History of Middle-earth) — is already available for purchase and was released in December of last year.

Box Set #2, containing Books 3-5 of HoMe,2 has already been released in the UK and will be released in just a few days here in the U.S. on May 14th (preorder it on Amazon).

I recently acquired both the first and second boxed sets and they’re absolutely gorgeous! And they look especially good next to the boxed set of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings boxed set with cover art by Alan Lee.

The remaining two sets will release in August and September in the U.S. and you can preorder them as well!

Set #3 contains Books 6-9 of The History of Middle-earth3 (📚🔗 Amazon or Blackwell’s) and Set #4 contains Books 10-124 plus an index to the series (📚🔗 Amazon or Blackwell’s).

More details on all four are available at Tolkien Gateway and the Tolkien Collector’s Guide.

Note: If you would like to support your local bookstore instead of Amazon, I have these boxed sets as part of my Tolkien Treasures list on Bookshop.org!

3. Tales of the Shire Announcement Trailer

A new Lord of the Rings game is coming soon from Wētā Workshop. This game is a Hobbit life sim and looks like a promising way to live out your dreams of Hobbitmaxxing and living your best Shire life!

Check out the trailer here:

4. TikTok Covers “Roads Go Ever, Ever On”

Credit ABC/Warner Bros.

If you’ve seen the animated Rankin/Bass version of The Return of the King, you’ll doubtless remember the song “Roads Go Ever, Ever On” that plays at the conclusion of the film.5 The original version is performed by Glenn Yarbrough and based on Tolkien’s own “The Road Goes Ever On” walking song from The Lord of the Rings.

TikTok user @fritzhagermusic shared his version of the song recently and it went viral several times: the original, then a duet below, as well as a full orchestral version too.

It’s a lovely arrangement in each of its forms, so check it out! (If you’re reading this via email, clicking the below will take you to the web or app version of the newsletter)

Tiktok failed to load.

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5. Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-earth

If you love board games, this last Tolkien Treasure may be right up your alley.

In an Instagram post, publisher Asmodee Games describes “The Lord of the Rings Duel for Middle-Earth” as “a brand new, competitive strategy game ft. 7 Wonders mechanics set in a LOTR world full of powerful alliances, iconic travel, and of course, The One Ring.”

It’s coming Fall 2024 and is for 2 players. For those who have played 7 Wonders: Duel, the game mechanics will be based on that game.

There we have it, my Tolkien Treasures for April.

This is a reader-supported newsletter and Jokien with Tolkien: Extended Edition members help keep it coming to everyone’s inboxes week in and week out with their support. For just $5 a month or $45 a year, you could join them in their support of this newsletter and receive exclusive monthly content!

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Farewell, friends. Go towards goodness!

Appendices

Coming next week: Which of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings movies is my favorite?
The response to my tribute to Bernard Hill has been overwhelming! For all those who liked, commented, shared, restacked: thank you! It was the top piece in ‘Humor’ on Substack (though it was definitely sincere and not humorous haha) on both Monday and Tuesday this week.

⚔️ Join 7,000+ subscribers in the Jokien with Tolkien community: Subscribe here

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“Tolkien Treasures” is an occasional section of Jokien with Tolkien. For an overview of the different Jokien with Tolkien “sections” that this newsletter has, see here.

The Lays of Beleriand, The Shaping of Middle-earth, and The Lost Road

The Return of the Shadow, The Treason of Isengard, The War of the Ring, and Sauron Defeated

Morgoth’s Ring, The War of the Jewels, and The Peoples of Middle-earth

Well, my wife, who has seen it before, laughed when she read this sentence because she doesn’t remember it. Touché.

💎 Treasures #017: January '24 Tolkien Treasures

JRR Jokien — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 14:00:44 GMT

Namárië! Hello all! It’s time again to again share my roundup of the month’s Tolkien Treasures.

Tolkien Treasures

1. Four New History of Middle-earth Boxed Sets

In the practical guide to the works of J.R.R. Tolkien that I wrote earlier this month, I mentioned the 12-volume History of Middle-earth which collects and analyzes a vast library of Tolkien’s Middle-earth related drafts, notes, essays, and works.

To celebrate the 100-year anniversary of Christopher Tolkien’s birthday, publisher Harper Collins is releasing a new edition of the History of Middle-earth in 2024. Collected in four separate boxed sets, this edition will have reversible dust jackets and include not just the twelve volumes of HoMe but also The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, and an Index to HoMe.

Box Set #1 — including The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, and The Book of Lost Tales Parts 1 and 2 — is already available in the UK and available for preorder in the US. The remaining three will be released over the course of this year in May, July, and September, respectively.

Preorder them here: Set #2, Set #3, and Set#4.

More details available at Tolkien Gateway and the Tolkien Collector’s Guide.

2. Riders of Rohan on Hurdy Gurdy

You don’t have to know what a Hurdy Gurdy1 is (I didn’t!) to enjoy this stirring rendition of the Rohan Theme (Riders of Rohan) by Michalina Malisz.

3. The Nine Waddlers

Illustrator MGCoco put an amazing amount of thought and detail into this adorable picture of the Fellowship as Penguins. Read about why each type of penguin was chosen for each member of the Fellowship (e.g. Aragorn being a King Penguin) in this Twitter thread and shop prints of the design on MGCoco’s Redbubble.

4. Tolkien and CS Lewis manuscripts among treasures made available to public in 2023 — The Guardian

The first page of a holograph manuscript of JRR Tolkien’s The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, circa 1962. Photograph: The Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford © The Tolkien Estate Limited 2023

“The brains behind Narnia and Middle Earth were close friends and fellow dons at Oxford University. Their previously unpublished correspondence is among an archive belonging to the estate of the literary adviser Walter Hooper that is being donated…to the Bodleian Library and the Story Museum, Oxford.”

Even now there’s still no separating Jack and Tollers. Wonderful to see these items go on display!

What Jokien with Tolkien: Extended Edition Members Got This Month

Last week Extended Edition Members got an essay exploring the connections between the Lord’s Prayer and The Return of the King:

Extended Edition members also got a behind-the-scenes look at this month’s “Tolkien vs Lewis” humor piece and a monthly discussion post here on Substack in which to participate.

To support this newsletter and get the full Extended Edition experience (including the above plus voting for future Extended Edition Essay topics and receiving full access the Discord server) consider becoming a member of Jokien with Tolkien: Extended Edition for just $5 a month or $45 annually.

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Special shoutout and thank you to Rigatti, Amelia, Jake H, Lance H, and Andrew R for all upgrading to a paid subscription this week!

One new paid subscriber wrote, "I have loved Tolkien's writing since I was a kid and I have enjoyed how you bring new perspectives on his writing and also how you use those perspectives to write about other things. Especially liked the piece you wrote after your brother's passing. It was very poignant and made me think of my father's passing in a different light. "

There we have it, my Tolkien Treasures for January. Farewell, friends. Go towards goodness!

This is a reader-supported newsletter and Jokien with Tolkien: Extended Edition members help keep it coming to everyone’s inboxes week in and week out with their support. But if you’re a free subscriber you can support it too! Forward this newsletter with someone you know would enjoy it, like this post here on Substack so others can find it, or share it on social media.

However you support this publication, thank you! I couldn’t do this without you all!

Appendices

Coming this Thursday: another humorous entry in the LOLs of the Rings. This month Pippin, Merry, and Treebeard take center stage!

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Hurdy Gurdy: a medieval string instrument that produces sound by a hand-crank-turned, rosined wheel rubbing against the strings.

🎁 Lord of the Rings Gift Guide — 2023

JRR Jokien — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 14:02:02 GMT

2024 Update: For an updated and expanded list, check out my 2024 Gift Guide!

The Fellowship participating in a White Oliphaunt gift exchange with the Elves of Lórien. Wait…er…. Credit: New Line Cinema

Mae govannen, friends!

The holiday season is fast approaching and you may be looking for the perfect gift for that Lord of the Rings fanatic in your life (maybe that’s you!). If so, you’re in luck. I’ve put together some ideas in the following gift guide that should cover a wide range of gift options, categories, and budgets. So read on to check out some ideas for gifts as perfect as the ones Galadriel gave to the Fellowship as they set out from Lothlórien on their journey.

Two quick notes: first, Substack is warning me that this post is “too long for email.” If it cuts off at some point, just open it in the app or online or click “view entire message” and that should take care of it! Also, some of the below links are affiliate. This doesn’t add anything to the cost of your purchase, it simply throws a few pennies my way for being the one to show you the particular item!

Is it really an LOTR gift guide if this line isn’t referenced? Credit: New Line Cinema

Tolkien Books

Tolkien in Other Media

Life Accessories

Splurges

Tolkien Books

Let’s start at the beginning. BOOKS. None of the rest of the items on this list would exist without the books Tolkien wrote. So what are some gift-worthy Tolkien books?

The Lord of the Rings — there are many, many editions of The Lord of the Rings that would make great gifts. My current favorite? The recently released Illustrated by the Author Edition of LOTR, which contains illustrations and sketched by Tolkien himself throughout and is an excellent choice as a gift, especially together in a set with the Illustrated by the Author Silmarillion and Illustrated by the Author Hobbit
The Hobbit — in addition to the edition illustrated by Tolkien above, there is an edition of The Hobbit illustrated by Jemima Catlin that would be perfect for a child reading through the story. Also check out this 70th Anniversary Edition, which would make an excellent upgrade from a paperback copy.
Hobbit/LOTR Box Sets — I love this Deluxe Pocket Boxed Set with The Hobbit and LOTR. It’s affordable, looks incredible, and you can take any of the volumes with you wherever you go! This set of The Hobbit and LOTR Illustrated by Alan Lee (both on the covers and throughout) is stunning. I personally received it as a gift and it’s incredible!
The Silmarillion — if the above Illustrated by the Author Edition listed in The Lord of the Rings section doesn’t do it for you, I’d also recommend this hardcover edition of The Silmarillion with illustrations by Ted Nasmith.
Editor’s Note: want to go above and beyond for your LOTR fan? Do your research and hunt down a first edition Silmarillion for them! The first edition was a large print run, so they’re still readily available and don’t cost as much as you might think (less than $50 if you just want a general first edition, closer to around $100 if you want a first edition that’s a first impression as well).
The History of Middle-earth — volumes 1–5 of The History of Middle Earth are collected in this paperback box set. If you’ve mastered The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion and want even more, this is where you should head next! (Of course, there’s a gorgeous hardcover set coming out in January that you can pre-order too)
The Great Tales of Middle-earth — though you can find versions of all three stories in The Silmarillion and The History of Middle-earth, The Great Tales of Middle Earth collects The Children of Húrin, Beren and Lúthien, and The Fall of Gondolin in one box set. These books contain not just the “final” versions of these tales as they appeared in The Silmarillion but also other versions from earlier or later in Tolkien’s life.
The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Revised and Expanded — just this month a revised and expanded edition of Tolkien’s letters was released and it would make a wonderful gift for the Tolkien fan in your life whether they’ve already read the previously released letters or it would be the first time for them.

Tolkien in Other Media

While everything began with the books, that’s hardly how it’s stayed! Here are a few other ways to experience the world of Middle-earth.

Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings — upgrade your DVDs of these classic films to the 4K UHD trilogy (or the remastered Blu-ray trilogy)
Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit — look, I’m not going to say much about these movies…but if you want to give them to someone you know who loves them (no judgement!) you can get them in 4K UHD or on Blu-ray
Rankin/Bass and Ralph Bakshi Films — the animated versions of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Return of the King are each charming in their ways. If you didn’t see them as a child you might not see them quite as fondly, but they’re worth seeing and all entertaining
The Lord of the Rings Official Movie Guide — alright, does this Official Movie Guide really belong in books or here in other media? I don’t know! What I do know is if you want to get a look behind the scenes at the Peter Jackson LOTR films, this Official Movie Guide will scratch that itch.
The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria — order this latest LOTR videogame for PC or PS5 and help the dwarves reclaim Moria after the events of The Lord of the Rings have passed and the Fourth Age begins

Life Accessories

You’ve read the books, you’ve watched the movies, now you want to take with you every day to help bring some of that LOTR-related joy with you!

Jokien with Tolkien Gear — Yesterday I launched some shirt and sweatshirt designs and every one of them would make for an excellent gift! Order soon and you’ll ensure they arrive in time for the holidays.
Speak Friend and Enter Doormat — welcome visitors to your humble abode with a doormat inscribed with instructions for how to open your doors. Speak, friend, and enter (watcher in the water for your front yard pool sold separately).
The Lord of the Rings Scentless Candle with Ring of Power — this LOTR candle burns longer than all the extended editions combined and reveals a hidden secret as it burns: One Ring to rule them all! (That is, there really is a real ring in there apparently!)
Mugs and Tumblers — I absolutely adore this Lord of the Cats Mug. Does this mean the Eye of Sauron is a laser pointer? Is Old Toby catnip?? I also can’t get enough of this ceramic mug with the Map of the Lonely Mountain on it! (seriously, I really really do want this one haha). How do I like my coffee? Darker than the mines of moria and stronger than a balrog! And who doesn’t love a Lord of the Rings tumbler that’s good for hot or cold drinks and looks as sharp as Andúril?
Lord of the Rings Playing Cards — this deck of playing cards is incredibly detailed and looks amazing! One deck to rule them all
The Prancing Pony and The Green Dragon Pint Glasses — It comes in pints?? I’m getting one
No Admittance Except on Party Business Sign — hang wherever you’d like to minimize the pesky relatives and relations intruding
Lord of the Rings Cutting Board — I especially like the options with “What about second breakfast?” and “Po-ta-toes!” on them, but they’re all great! Bonus: here’s another one with a list of all the hobbit meals. And speaking of the hobbit meals, here’s a kitchen towel with them listed!
Pop Sockets — the White Tree of Gondor, One Ring Inscription, and Banner of Rohan can adorn your phone grips
Lord of the Rings Map of Middle-Earth Notebook Cover — refillable with Moleskine or A5-sized notebooks, this notebook cover will make everything you write just that much more epic

Splurges

Want to give a kingly gift whose worth is greater than the value of the Shire? Well, these aren’t quite as valuable as a shirt of Mithril, but they’re close.

LEGO Rivendell — it’s so beautiful! It would make a magnificent gift for the LOTR fan in your life. Just look at it:
Deluxe Illustrated by the Author Editions of The Hobbit, LOTR, and The Silmarillion — each of the editions of these books that has an “Illustrated by the Author” edition I mentioned earlier has a deluxe edition as well.
Find them here: Deluxe The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion
Prop Replicas from Weta Workshop — this is the ultimate gift for a fan of the Peter Jackson movies: get a replica of one of the very props from the movies! Currently they have replicas of Bilbo’s contract from The Hobbit, Gandalf’s hat, and the key to Bag End. There’s even a One Ring replica…though at $4500, it’s significantly more expensive than anything else on this list. One gift to rule them all!

There we have it, my Tolkien Gift Guide for 2023!

Special shoutout and thank you to M Young, Shawn P, and Zeb for upgrading to a paid subscription yesterday! “I’m trying to pay for the art I love,” one of them shared with me via a paid subscriber message.

If you’d like to join them in paying for the art you love and supporting artists, a final reminder that today is the last day of the flash sale for the 1 year anniversary of Jokien with Tolkien existing!

Subscribe to The Pour Over

Thank you so much for reading! Hope that you find something that you can give as a gift or that you can get yourself. I’ll be back in your inboxes next week. Farewell, friends. Go towards goodness!

To Discuss:

What’s a Lord of the Rings gift you either received or gave that you think should get added to this list? Let’s help each other out in the comments and get some more ideas going!

❌ All typos are totally on purpose

🔗 Links may be affiliate, which is a free-to-you way to support this newsletter where I earn a small commission on items you purchase

💌 Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe here

🗃️ Can’t wait till next Thursday for more content? View the archive

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💎 Treasures #015: October '23 Tolkien Treasures

JRR Jokien — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 13:01:18 GMT

Namárië! Hello all! It’s time again to again share my roundup of the month’s Tolkien Treasures. But before we get to that, here’s few satirical takes on recent headlines with a Tolkien spin on them. Welcome to week one of

What news from the Mark?

Credit: New Line Cinema

After three weeks without one, House Republicans finally elected a Speaker. About time: the Ents decided to go to war with Saruman quicker than this. It’s a good thing that they decided on a candidate too, as a few more failed votes would have triggered a little-known contingency plan installing a line of Stewards who would take over the duties of Speaker until the rightful heir of Isildur returns to claim the gavel.
At one point this week, there were NINE candidates simultaneously vying for the speakership. Nine candidates from the race of Men, who, above all else, desire power. That sounds familiar for some reason…
Credit: New Line Cinema
The Orionid meteor shower peaked this last week on October 21st. So far no word about any remarkably familiar Strangers falling from the sky, but stay tuned for any developments.
Credit: Amazon Studios
The Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies were eliminated from the MLB postseason this week, which means the Texas Rangers face off against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the World Series. My advice to the Rangers? If any of the Rangers happen to know a Wizard, he might end up being instrumental in helping them keep the Dbacks’ forked tongues behind their lips.

And now for a word from this week’s sponsors

Not Conservative. Not Liberal. Just Christian.

The Pour Over is helping Christians stay informed but not overwhelmed by the news by providing concise, politically neutral, and entertaining summaries of the world’s biggest news paired with reminders to stay focused on eternity. Try it and subscribe now here:

Tolkien Treasures

1. New life for The Eagle and Child

J.R.R. Tolkien was famously part of a group known as the Inklings, which included members such as C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Owen Barfield. Many of their meetings took place at a pub called The Eagle and Child in Oxford, England.

It’s been shut since 2020 but a research institution has just purchased the pub and plans to reopen it and preserve its historic legacy. Cheers to that!

2. The Battle of Halloween’s Deep

Halloween is this weekend and you know what that means: Christmas decorations, presents, and other related items are already out in all the stores. We’re right at the last gasp of all the time Halloween can give us before Christmas is in full swing. It feels a bit like this scene from The Two Towers:

@thedominicnoble Hold the line! #halloween #christmas #mariahcarey #lordoftherings

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3. Lord of the Rings art in a Byzantine-inspired style

A series of images depicting scenes from The Lord of the Rings in a Byzantine art style has been making its way around social media. I won’t link to it, for I fear that it’s fundamentally against the spirit of Tolkien and his work to use a machine for that sort of thing.

Instead, I’d like to highlight a human artist, Jay Johnstone, who creates art in the style of Byzantine iconography. Here are three examples of his work, “Gandalf the White,” “Frodo and Sam,” and “The Watcher at the Gate.” You can find out more about Jay and his work as well as originals, prints, and more for sale at his website.

4. Return to Moria released this week!

We’ve seen Moria in the Second Age depicted in Amazon’s The Rings of Power and in the Third Age in adaptations such as Peter Jackson’s The Fellowship of the Ring, but now a videogame released this week on October 24th called Return to Moria is bringing Moria in the Fourth Age to life.

Set after the fall of Sauron, the game lets you help reclaim the famed mines from the evil that has shrouded it ever since Balin and his expedition failed in their efforts to retake the ancient kingdom. Looks good and early reviews I’ve seen are positive!

What Jokien with Tolkien: Extended Edition Members Got This Month

This month paid subscribers to Jokien with Tolkien: Extended Edition got an essay focusing on Aragorn’s origin story as detailed in the appendices to The Lord of the Rings.

To support this newsletter and join paid subscriber discussions on Substack, get the exclusive monthly Extended Edition Essay, vote for future Extended Edition Essay topics, and get full access the Discord server, consider becoming a member of Jokien with Tolkien: Extended Edition for just $5 a month or $45 annually.

Click the button below for more details:

Unique Lord of the Rings Couples Costume Ideas

Halloween is in just a few days! Need some last-minute inspiration for your costume? While anyone could come up with an Aragorn and Arwen or Sam and Rosie costume, the below tweet got me thinking about what some other more…unique ideas for LOTR-inspired costumes might be:

This scene scarred an entire generation

Gollum and The One Ring—is your date precious to you? Nothing declares “we’re together” better than putting some sort of gold band (a hula hoop, perhaps?) around them then dressing up in a loincloth and following them around muttering about just how precious they are. Go all out and act nice but pathetic like Sméagol some of the time and nasty and cunning like Gollum the rest of the time. Just be sure to watch out for any stout and tricksy halflings who might try to leave the party with your date.
Telperion and Laurelin—this one will reveal who the real Tolkien nerds among your friends are. Dress up as the Two Trees of Valinor and spend all evening bathing the party in your gold and silver light. Beware of spiders, though.
Credit: Amazon Studios
Tom Bombadil and Goldberry—Got a bright blue jacket, yellow boots, and a green gown lying around? Then you’re all set to dress up as Old Tom Bombadil and his love, Goldberry. Impress and/or confuse everyone by showing up out of nowhere, singing nonsense songs about yourself, and disappearing from the narrative…er, I mean party, just as suddenly.
Beren and Lúthien—want to dress up as another man and elf couple from Tolkien but then spend all night having people guess you’re Aragorn and Arwen anyways? Have I got the costume for you!
Going to a get-together alone but want people to think you’re part of a couples costume anyways? Go as an Ent and say you were supposed to meet your Entwife there. What do you mean, “no one has seen her”??

Ok, so on second thought, maybe there’s a reason that Aragorn and Arwen or Sam and Rosie pairings are more popular….

There we have it, my Tolkien Treasures for October. Farewell, friends. Go towards goodness!

Special shoutout and thank you to Christina W, Kennedy W, Julio-Cesar C, and Q for upgrading to a paid subscription this week!

This is a reader-supported newsletter and Jokien with Tolkien: Extended Edition members help keep it coming to everyone’s inboxes week in and week out with their support. But if you’re a free subscriber you can support it too! Forward this newsletter with someone you know would enjoy it or on social media, like this post here on Substack so others can find it, or share it on social media.

However you support this publication, thank you! I couldn’t do this without you all!

Thank you for reading Jokien with Tolkien. If you enjoyed this newsletter, would you share it with someone you know would enjoy it? Thank you!

To Discuss:

Which of this month’s Tolkien Treasures did you enjoy the most?
Are you excited Christmas is already almost here or could you use a little more time before the holidays?
Are you interested in learning more about the Fourth Age when Return to Moria is set?
What do you think about AI and art? Can the technology be used ethically and responsibly or is it really impossible to use without harming the artists whose work it is trained on and threatens to replace?
Have you ever dressed up as a character from The Lord of the Rings for Halloween (or another occasion)? Who did you choose to dress up as? Any pics to share of you and maybe your group?
What is something you’ve been enjoying this month?

https://www.teawithtolkien.com/party

Appendices

Next month marks ONE YEAR of me writing on Substack! Amazing. I’ll have more to say in a few weeks when we hit the actual anniversary, but I’m so thankful for this entire journey and for each one of you reading these words.
In case you missed it, I had a bonus newsletter this week on Rivendell and Elrond and the relationship between the griefs and joys of his life and the character of his homely house. Read it here:

All typos are totally on purpose. Links may be affiliate, which is a free-to-you way to support this newsletter where I earn a small commission on items you purchase.

Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe here

Can’t wait till next Thursday for more content? View the archive

Interested in sponsoring this newsletter? (4k+ subscribers) Email me at JRRJokien@JRRJokien.com

💎 Treasures #014: September '23 Tolkien Treasures

JRR Jokien — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 13:00:56 GMT

Tolkien Treasures

Namárië! Hello all! It’s time again to again share my monthly roundup of Tolkien Treasures.

1. Celebrating Hobbit Day

This past week was Hobbit Day and I don’t know anyone who celebrates Hobbit Day better than @teawithtolkien, who has an entire section of her website dedicated to helping you learn how to celebrate like a Hobbit yourself and have your own Hobbit Party! Check it out here:

2. Assistant To The Itinerant Wizard

I don’t know if it’s the TikTok algorithm just knowing I’ll love this content, but here’s another Lord of The Rings and The Office crossover meme I enjoyed recently:

@emmahalfelven he really has a type i guess… #lotr #lordoftherings #lordoftheringstiktok #tolkien #tolkientok #lotrtok #gandalf #mithrandir #fotr #fellowshipofthering #thehobbit #baggins #lotrmemes #foryou #fypシ

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3. A long time ago in a hole in the ground far far away…

@adamjmiddleton shared a personal project on the app formerly known as Twitter that I loved and had to share. “I wanted to reimagine Bag End (Bilbo’s house in Lord of the Rings) in a Star Wars design style,” he wrote. Here’s what he came up with:

4. Return of the Kitten

My 3-year-old has not seen any of the LOTR films or movies, BUT he couldn’t get enough of this photo of cats dressed up like Hobbits I saw again recently, so I had to share:

5. New LOTR Video Game: Tales of the Shire

“Your cosy Hobbit life awaits,” read the social media posts sharing the teaser trailer announcing “a heart-warming new The Lord of the Rings™ game” earlier this week. Tales of the Shire is from Private Division & Wētā Workshop and coming to PC and consoles 2024.

I have SO MANY questions! Is this a LOTR version of Animal Crossing?? Will I get to either play as or encounter Bilbo, Frodo, Sam, Pippin, and Merry? Does it come in pints? What about second trailer?? Just exactly how long until we get our hands on this??

Check out the teaser trailer for yourself here:

Questions for the comments:

which of this month’s Tolkien Treasures did you enjoy the most?
have you ever hosted or attended a hobbit-themed party?
what’s a Lord of the Rings video game that you’d love to see in the future?
what is something you’ve been enjoying this month?

What Jokien with Tolkien: Extended Edition Members Got This Month

This month paid subscribers to Jokien with Tolkien: Extended Edition got another exclusive essay with a topic that they voted on: the theme of stars in Middle-earth in Tolkien’s legendarium. This one went from The Lord of the Rings all the way to the creation of Arda and back again to Lord of the Rings:

Additionally, this week paid subscribers got another edition of “There and Back Again” a recurring feature where I share some of what I’m reading and enjoying lately each month.

To join paid subscriber discussions, get the exclusive monthly essay and There and Back Again post, vote for future topics, and join the Discord server, consider becoming a member of Jokien with Tolkien: Extended Edition.

Today is the last day that you can get 20% off for a year through my Hobbit Day sale!

Hobbit Day Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to Timothy B, who was the winner of my Hobbit Day Giveaway of the deluxe edition of The Hobbit: Illustrated by the Author! I’ve gotten in touch with Timothy already and have sent the prize his way.

You might not have won this giveaway, reader, but know that I’ll be sure to do more in the future (I don’t know about you, but I’m enjoying them!) and also know that if you’d like to get a standard edition of The Hobbit: Illustrated by the Author, it’s on sale right now1 on Amazon for just $45 and Blackwell’s UK for under $40 (the cheapest I’ve seen it since it was announced!)

Amazon: Illustrated-by-the-author edition of The Hobbit

Blackwell’s: standard edition and deluxe edition 2

There we have it, my Tolkien Treasures for September. Farewell, friends. Go towards goodness!

Special shoutout and thank you to Allison R, David M, Brian Y, Andrea G, Sierra L, and Celia H for upgrading to a paid subscription this week! Thank you and shoutout also to Andrew H and For the King, who became patrons on Patreon this week, where you can get discounted Discord access and a discounted subscription to Jokien with Tolkien!

This is a reader-supported newsletter and Jokien with Tolkien: Extended Edition members help keep it coming to everyone’s inboxes week in and week out. But if you’re a free subscriber you can support it too by sharing it with someone you know would enjoy it, liking it here on Substack, or sharing it on social media.

However you support this publication, thank you! I couldn’t do this without you all!

Thank you for reading Jokien with Tolkien. If you enjoyed this newsletter, would you share it with someone you know would enjoy it? Thank you!

@filmstir Michael Scott and the Fellowship of the Ring #theoffice #lordoftherings #lotr #michaelscott #CapCut

Appendices

I’ve been enjoying Ahsoka so far (no spoilers for episode 7! I won’t see it till tonight!) and may write next week on the show and how Dave Filoni drew from Tolkien in crafting Ahsoka’s journey. Stay tuned for more on the intersection of Star Wars and LOTR!
I keep an updated list of any of Tolkien’s works that I mention in this newsletter on Amazon. Check out As Seen in Jokien with Tolkien for the full list!

All typos are totally on purpose. Links may be affiliate, which is a free-to-you way to support this newsletter where I earn a small commission on items you purchase.

Interested in sponsoring this newsletter? Email me at JRRJokien@JRRJokien.com to reach 3,600+ subscribers.

Prices accurate as of September 27, 2023 when I wrote this newsletter

The deluxe edition will likely be released in the United States sometime in 2024. For now, you have to buy it from Blackwell’s or somewhere similar

💎 Treasures #013: September '23 Mathoms

JRR Jokien — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 16:19:58 GMT

💎 Treasures #012: August '23 Tolkien Treasures

JRR Jokien — Thu, 24 Aug 2023 13:00:42 GMT

Tolkien Treasures

Hello all! It’s time to again share my monthly roundup of Tolkien Treasures that I’ve come across in the past few weeks!

"Conversation with Smaug" by J.R.R. Tolkien

1. The Rings Of Power Is Doing To Galadriel What Peter Jackson Did To Aragorn (Looper)

In the second part of my two-part article on the Problems with Prequels this past May, I noted that Galadriel’s portrayal in season 1 of The Rings of Power is not entirely without precedent and in some ways resembles Peter Jackson’s changes to Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings trilogy:

While Aragorn arrives on the pages of The Lord of the Rings confident in his heritage and destiny, carrying the shards of Narsil around with him and having the sword reforged in Rivendell before the Fellowship departs, in the movies he is conflicted, afraid he will fail as Isildur did, and doesn’t accept Narsil reforged into Andúril until The Return of the King. It is changing the source material, but it works for an adaptation because it gives his character somewhere to develop and move towards as the movies go on.

This observation helped to inspire an opinion piece at Looper focused entirely on this comparison between Galadriel in ROP and Aragorn in LOTR. It’s an excellent article that makes some incisive observations about both adaptations and is well worth the read! Read it here.

2. Assistant To the Lord of the Rings

What if a certain regional manager for a mid-level paper supply company had joined the Fellowship of the Ring? Well based on the below video, it would have been a much funnier adventure! Enjoy one of the best Office/Lord of the Rings edits I have seen anywhere:

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3. More on Allegory and Tolkien

As the introduction to last month’s essay on Tolkien’s Leaf by Niggle, I wrote about Tolkien and his negative attitude towards allegory.

A few weeks later, used Tolkien’s attitude towards allegory as a launching off point to discuss allegory more generally and argue that

Tolkien, while right to resist readings of his own work as allegorical, sells that work of allegory short. The gift of allegory lies not in its flexibility or depth, but in its power to form readers. I do not mean in dominance. Allegory forms readers in attention to the meanings that lie under the literal. Before the complexity and multiplicity of myth or really good fiction comes the training of allegory into reaching for deeper meaning.

Read the rest of her thoughtful essay here:

Medievalish with Grace Hamman

Medievalish 2.7

Medievalish hit 1000 subscribers this week! Thank you! I really appreciate all of you wonderful readers, and thank you especially for sharing this newsletter with your friends. -Grace…

3 years ago · 7 likes · 1 comment · Grace Hamman

4. Many Meetings

Tolkien Reading Day is coming up next month on September 22nd! I’ve got some fun plans for the day here at Jokien with Tolkien, but I wanted to highlight another opportunity for you all to participate in as well. , who you may already know from TikTok or Instagram, is launching a Tolkien Substack community where she’ll guide us all through a readthrough of The Lord of the Rings. You can join to read along with everyone or even just to enjoy the discussion and resources even if you aren’t able to actually participate in the readthrough.

You can find more details at or sign up here:

5. Classic LOTR Meme “They’re Taking the Hobbits to Isengard” turns 18!?!

As subscriber Meersie pointed out this week on the Jokien with Tolkien Discord server, this past week marked 18 years since “They’re Taking the Hobbits to Isengard” was originally uploaded to the internet!

Me realizing it had been 18 years since I first saw this video

Here’s a link for you to enjoy this classic remix video, whether it’s for the first time or the 10,000th:

Also, the final day of filming on The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, Peter Jackson made the following video with Orlando Bloom:

BONUS:

The Illustrated-by-the-author edition of The Hobbit is coming soon! It releases next month on September 19th and is available for preorder—on Amazon and Bookshop, among others—right now.

Question for the comments: what is something you’ve been enjoying this month?

*Sponsored*: Looking for amazing deals on bestselling books? Sign up for BookBub to never miss an ebooks deal! Subscribe for free here and never pay full price again.

What Paid Subscribers Got This Month

This month paid subscribers got the first paid essay with a subject that they voted on: a spotlight on a less-prominent character from The Silmarillion.

I also relaunched the “Book Notes” feature as There and Back Again, another monthly roundup post similar to Tolkien Treasures but exclusively for paid subscribers in coming months.

To join paid subscriber discussions, get the exclusive monthly essay and There and Back Again post, vote for future topics, join the Discord server, and also help keep this newsletter heading straight to everyone’s inbox each week, consider becoming a paid subscriber to Jokien with Tolkien. Hit the button below for more info! And thanks!

Jokien with Tolkien is a Substack Bestseller!

But they were, all of them, deceived, for another checkmark was made.

A huge special thank you to all of you who have made Jokien with Tolkien a Substack bestseller!

Unlike other social media sites where you pay to be verified (*cough* Twitter/X and Meta *cough*), Substack gives out checkmarks to authors/publications that the community identifies as bestsellers by their financial support. So thank you to everyone who has endorsed Jokien with Tolkien and pledged their sword, bow, or ax in support of this newsletter! You literally make this possible and I couldn’t do this without you.

There we have it, my Tolkien Treasures for August. Farewell, friends. Go towards goodness!

Special shoutout and thank you to Ashley P, Lindsay D, Joe B, Andrew A and Taimie B for upgrading to a paid subscription this week! This is a reader-supported newsletter so if you enjoy these updates each week, please consider one or more of the following ways (free and paid) to support Jokien with Tolkien:

(Free) ‘Like’ this post here on substack or where I share it on social media so others can discover it
(Free) Forward this newsletter to someone who might be interested. Get a free month of a paid subscription for your first referral if they subscribe!
(Free) Share links to this newsletter or my Substack on social media. Also earns you rewards for referrals!
(Free) Subscribe to this newsletter to get in delivered straight to your inbox every week
($) Upgrade to a paid membership of Jokien with Tolkien (includes Discord access)
($) Become a Patreon supporter or leave me a tip for second breakfast
(Free) Keep reading this newsletter!

Thank you for reading Jokien with Tolkien. If you enjoyed this newsletter, would you share it with someone you know would enjoy it? Thank you!

Appendices

If I get enough questions, I’m planning on a Reader Mailbag next week! Send in your questions (silly or serious) to JRRJokien@JRRJokien.com for me to include! Or leave them in the comments below

All typos are totally on purpose. Links may be affiliate, which is a free-to-you way to support this newsletter where I earn a small commission on items you purchase.

Interested in sponsoring this newsletter? Email me at JRRJokien@JRRJokien.com to reach 3,400+ subscribers.

💎 Treasures #011: August '23 Mathoms

JRR Jokien — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 13:00:24 GMT

This is There and Back Again (formerly Book Notes), a monthly feature where I share quotes, ideas, notes and excerpts from what I’ve been reading recently. Inside you’ll find some of my favorite recent Substack reads, research that didn’t make it into a recent essay or article, quotes from the books I’m reading and listening to, and more!

I’m sending out today’s There and Back Again without a paywall and to all subscribers, but future issues will be exclusively for paid subscribers. The couple of times I’ve done it in the past, this has been a hybrid free/paid feature, but I’m planning on converting it to a paid subscriber exclusive from now on.1

In today’s There and Back Again: Quotes from Tuor’s story in Unfinished Tales, two quotes by C.S. Lewis, and a The Lord of the Rings quote in an essay on joy and grief.

While reading “Of Tuor and His Coming to Gondolin” in Unfinished Tales as research for my Silmarillion Spotlight on Tuor, I was struck by a passage early in Tuor’s journey when he meets two elves of Finarfin’s people, Gelmir and Arminas.2

He tells them he has lost his way and is not sure where to go: “Now I know not whither to turn, for it has gone into darkness.”

“Through darkness one may come to the light,” replies Gelmir.

Not long after, Gelmir and Arminas reply to Tuor when he tells them that he is looking for the Gate of the Noldor.
Then the Elves laughed, and said, “Your search is ended; for we have ourselves just passed that Gate. There it stands before you!” And they pointed to the arch into which the water flowed. “Come now! Through darkness you shall come to the light.”
After more conversation, Gelmir’s farewell echoes this same idea a final time: “Follow now the road to which the water has brought you from the hills, and fear not! You shall not walk long in darkness. Farewell!”

Perhaps it’s the season that I’m walking through this year of grief and loss and darkness, but this repeated phrase about walking through darkness to light resonated with me.

Just because you find yourself in darkness does not mean that the light is not coming. In fact, some paths to the light must first pass through areas of darkness.3 And ultimately, no matter how long the darkness lingers, the light that is coming will outlast and overcome it. So if you find yourself walking through darkness, fear not. You shall not walk long in darkness.
Amy Mantravadi wrote an excellent reflection on the way joy and grief mingle over at :
We tend to avoid grief like the plague, or if we cannot avoid it, we keep it hidden away. Yet, grief is the price we must pay for love in a world that is full of evils…Just yesterday evening, I said to my husband, “The world feels so dark right now.” It reminds me very much of a quote from The Lord of the Rings, when the elf Haldir says amid the gathering storm of war, “The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater.”
Came across this quote from C.S. Lewis on how to live in the shadow of possible atomic destruction in a recent post partly about aliens at :
“This is the first point to be made: and the first action to be taken is to pull ourselves together. If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things—praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts—not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds.” -C.S. Lewis

BONUS: Check out Breanne’s new Tolkien-centered community here on Substack, !

The final quote is also from C.S. Lewis, this time on “Mere Christianity” as the door into the world of Christianity, not the destination (hmmm…reminds me of a certain wardrobe…)
[Lewis] likens his “mere” Christianity to a hall with many doors that lead to many different rooms. While Lewis desires to bring people from outside of the house into that hall, he notes the hall should not be the end of their travels but the beginning.
“If I can bring anyone into that hall I shall have done what I attempted. But it is in the rooms, not in the hall, that there are fires and chairs and meals. The hall is a place to wait in, a place from which to try the various doors, not a place to live in. For that purpose the worst of the rooms (whichever that may be) is, I think preferable.”
via a recent post on Mere Christianity and Non-Denominational Christianity at

That’s all for today, friends. Go with goodness!

For the comments:

What are you currently reading? Any quotes, notes, ideas, or comments of your own to share?
What did you think about the quotes and articles I’ve curated here? Any stand out?

All typos are totally on purpose. Links may be affiliate.

At this point I think I’ll try it this way as a paid subscriber feature through the end of the year and then evaluate if that’s what I want to keep doing into next year. I don’t want to cram your inboxes with free previews to every paid feature, so if you’re a free subscriber I’ll only send the free previews of the paid subscriber essays and keep the monthly There and Back Again out of your inboxes.

J.R.R. Tolkien, Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth, ed. Christopher Tolkien (New York: Ballantine Books, 1988) 22-25. This scene, like much of the rest of Tuor’s journey to Gondolin in this late version, is not included in The Silmarillion.

There’s an interesting similarity and yet contrast with, “Sometimes to find the light, we must first touch the darkness,” the similar phrase that defines Galadriel’s character arc in the The Rings of Power. Maybe it would make an interesting comparison/essay!

💎 Treasures #010: June/July '23 Tolkien Treasures

JRR Jokien — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 13:00:41 GMT

“Five Faves” Becomes “Tolkien Treasures”!

Hello all! As I do most every month, today I’m sharing a roundup of things that I’ve been enjoying this month. But while this was known as my “Five Faves” in prior months, today it comes with an all-new title: Tolkien Treasures! I like it much better and it aligns more closely with the subject matter of the newsletter, so henceforth that’s what this recurring feature will be called.

Various happenings last month pushed my regular schedule back a few weeks, so I didn’t get to a roundup post in June. However, I’m not sure that I’ll have time in the publishing schedule this month to return to “Tolkien Treasures” before August, so for now I’ll just say these Tolkien Treasures today are for June and July (in this economy??) and we’ll get back to a more regular schedule in August.

Without further ado, here they are:

1. A Leaf By Niggle by Makoto Fujimura

A Leaf By Niggle by Makoto Fujimura

This month’s essay about “Leaf by Niggle” was inspired partly by me revisiting several interviews that the late Dr. Tim Keller gave and articles that he wrote before his death this past May. In several of these interviews he discussed “Leaf by Niggle” and some of the lessons or inspiration he took from Tolkien’s work.

Somewhere amidst this process, I found an entirely new-to-me story about an artist, Makoto Fujimura, who was inspired by Dr. Keller’s love for Tolkien’s short allegory to paint again in the wake of the loss of hope and the overwhelming grief of September 11, 2001.

The painting, entitled A Leaf By Niggle, is above. Read the full story on Makoto’s website.1

2. The One Ring (Card) Found!

Magic: The Gathering recently released their latest set, Tales of Middle-earth. One of the fun details that they put into this The Lord of the Rings-themed set was an ultra-rare version of the One Ring card. While there are common, uncommon, and rare versions of many cards including the One Ring, there was an extra special version of the One Ring card with only one in existence:

“One Ring to rule them all” indeed! For the weeks following the official release, the search was on for this ultra-rare and valuable card. There was even a $2.1 million reward put out by a gaming store for the card!

But the Ring card was picked up by the most unlikely creature imaginable—a Canadian. Last week the card was found, ending the search for the Ring. The owner chose to remain anonymous. We will see what, if anything, they choose to do with the card now.

As a bonus, here is a video of Elijah Wood doing a short promo for the release of the set, viewing and reacting to some of the cards from his unique vantage point on Middle-earth. The result is charming, especially the very last bit of the video:

@fandomspotlite LOTR'S Andy Serkis on Becoming Gollum #thelordoftherings #lordoftherings #gollum #andyserkis #hobbits #hobbit #smeagol #seanastin #elijahwood #frodo #frodobaggins #samwise #samwisegamgee #cathairball #awesomecon #awesomecon2023 #fandomspotlite

3. “On the Raft, You Saved Me” by Tea With Tolkien

Kaitlyn Facista of Tea with Tolkien wrote this excellent article exploring [Rings of Power spoiler alert] Sauron’s possible motivations within season one of The Rings of Power. Read the article at her website.

4. Roger Ebert’s Review of “The Chronicles of Riddick”

Now how is this related to The Lord of the Rings? you might ask.

Well, the (hilarious and surprisingly poignant) relevant passage from the review is an apology to fans of The Lord of the Rings that comes in the following two paragraphs:

Films like "The Chronicles of Riddick" gather about them cadres of fans who obsess about every smallest detail, but somehow I don't think "Riddick" will make as many converts as "The Matrix." In fact, I owe an apology to fans of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
When Richard Roeper reviewed the current two-disc DVD of "Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" on TV, I noted that a four-disc set of the movie was coming out later this year. He observed that the complete trilogy will come out on "an accordion size set that will take up the next six years of your life." I observed that "LOTR" fans should "get a life." I meant this as an affectionate ironic throwaway, but have received dozens of wounded e-mails from Ring devotees who believe "LOTR" has, indeed, given them a life, and after seeing "The Chronicles of Riddick," I agree. They have a life. The prospect of become an expert on "Riddick," in contrast, is too depressing to contemplate.2

5. Andy Serkis explains Where the Inspiration for His Gollum Voice Came From

Andy Serkis shares a fascinating anecdote about how his audition for the part of Gollum in The Lord of the Rings went and the surprising inspiration his cat gave him for the part!

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Question for the comments: what is something you’ve been enjoying this month?

What Paid Subscribers Got This Month

This month’s essay for paid subscribers focused on Tolkien’s view of allegory and one of his own allegories, Leaf by Niggle. Paid subscribers also got their first opportunity to vote for the subject of the next paid essay!

To get access to all the paid subscriber exclusives, join the Discord server, and also help keep this newsletter heading straight to everyone’s inbox each week, consider becoming a paid subscriber to Jokien with Tolkien. Hit the button below for more info! And thanks!

I’m on Threads and Bluesky Now!

This week I got an invite to Bluesky (the former CEO of Twitter’s new Twitter clone) and then Threads (Instagram’s Twitter clone) launched as well. I’ve set up shop on both and will wait to see if either really take off and/or what ends up happening to Twitter. The past few months of each new Twitter “replacement” has left me feeling a little like Bilbo, though:

If you’re looking for a Twitter alternative, which is most appealing to you?

As we wait to see which (if any) dethrone Twitter, you can now find me at Bluesky and Threads (and of course Twitter)!

There we have it, my Tolkien Treasures for June. Farewell, friends. Go towards goodness!

Special shoutout and thank you to corbeykag, Laura G, and Shaylin A for upgrading to a paid subscription this week! This is a reader-supported newsletter so if you enjoy these updates each week, please consider some of the following ways (free and paid) to support Jokien with Tolkien:

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Saruman Should've Never Been Cut from 'Return of the King'

Appendices

July is an extra busy month for me, but I still plan on having a newsletter hitting your inbox each Thursday this month! Look for a paid subscriber essay, a humorous sketch like Tolkien and Lewis Bicker Over Fantasy, and a guest post all in the next few weeks!
Anyone watched Jury Duty on Amazon’s Freevee? Just saw the first few episodes and I’m *loving* the “The Office meets The Truman Show” vibes.
Season 2 of Strange New Worlds has been excellent so far! Who else is watching?

All typos are totally on purpose. Links may be affiliate, which is a free-to-you way to support this newsletter where I earn a small commission on items you purchase.

Interested in sponsoring this newsletter? Email me at JRRJokien@gmail.com to reach 2,600+ subscribers.

In speaking about the story to Makoto, Dr. Keller seems to have misstated that Niggle could only finish one leaf. In fact, only one leaf of Niggle’s painting survives by the end of the story, but Niggle is worried about finishing the one painting throughout the story and so the overall point Dr. Keller was trying to make in encouraging Makoto is still applicable.

Thanks to twitter user @LiamODin, who excerpted the review on twitter where I first came across it.

💎 Treasures #009: May '23 Tolkien Treasures Plus Reader Mailbag

JRR Jokien — Thu, 25 May 2023 13:29:11 GMT

May Tolkien Treasures

Hello all! As I do at the end of every month, today I’m sharing five things—some Tolkien-related and others not—that I’ve been enjoying this month. Here they are:

11 Questions with J.R.R. Jokien on 11ses—I was interviewed on today’s episode of 11ses, a podcast where listeners “take a brew break with Keela Dee as she talks about her favorite fiction and nonfiction stories, 11 points at a time.”
I had a great time discussing Tolkien, the writing process, my influences, faith, writing about grief, and a bit of my own story. Listen to it on Spotify or Apple podcasts!
The Silmarillion Audiobook narrated by Andy Serkis!
Next month on June 22, HarperCollins is releasing a new audiobook version of The Silmarillion narrated by none other than Andy Serkis! Andy has already recorded audiobook versions of The Hobbit, The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King, and I hear rave reviews about from those who have listened to them, so I’m confident this will be another quality outing from him that both the casual and devoted Tolkien fan will enjoy.
Check out this clip of him reading a passage from The Silmarillion:
(Video via HarperCollinsUK on Twitter)
This audiobook version of The Silmarillion is available for preorder on Amazon now: The Silmarillion narrated by Andy Serkis
Tolkien, A.I., and the Temptation of the Machine - over the past month there were many videos generated using artificial intelligence that attempted to simulate what entries in various franchises would look like if they were directed by Wes Anderson. One particular video attempted to do this with The Lord of the Rings. I briefly considered writing about why these videos are so disturbing in general and especially why specifically using Tolkien’s work in them is deeply distasteful, but then I read the following newsletter by , who said everything about Tolkien’s view of “the machine” and how that relates to the purpose and uses of A.I. that I would have said (plus a lot more I wouldn’t have thought to include) and did a much better job than I would have.
Tolkien believed that we are constantly tempted to usurp the role of God and impose our will upon the world, whether the world—and the creatures living in and with it—likes it or not. This temptation “will lead to the desire for Power, for making the will more quickly effective - and so to the Machine (or Magic)” (Letters #131, p. 145). Time and again this temptation leads to downfall in Middle-earth.
Read the rest here:
Queer and Back Again
Tolkien, A.I., and the Temptation of the Machine
If you spend too much time on the Internet like I do, you may have seen this uncanny monstrosity cross your timeline last week…
Read more
3 years ago · 4 likes · Rev. Tom Emanuel
Inside The Utopian Cities of Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power— interviewed Ramsey Avery, the production designer for The Rings of Power about designing a utopian world for ROP, modern architecture, Tomorrowland, what an ideal future might look like, and more. Read it here:
The Elysian
Inside the utopian cities of Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power
When I watched Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power, I was mesmerized. The story takes place when the world was still perfect, and it somehow captures that stillness, that reverence visually—the result is that the viewer is left transfixed by a moving meditation through beautiful worlds…
Read more
3 years ago · 58 likes · 33 comments · Elle Griffin
Looks Like Meat’s Back on the Menu! Candle—As you might have figured out by now, I love a clever LOTR reference, so I had to pass along this amazing father's day gift idea from Mythologie Candles for the dad who loves grilling—or meat of any kind, really—and LOTR.
This is a a limited run by Mythologie Candles: they only made 500 of these, so if you want one, don’t wait on it! Check it out here.
Subscribe now

BONUS: Why Saruman Shouldn’t Have Been Cut from Return of the King—there was just too much good stuff to share this week, so here’s one more for you! An excellent analysis of the reasons given for Saruman’s death being excluded from The Return of the King as well as the arguments for why it belongs in the film.

Textual Variations

It might not be easy to remember now, but when the third entry of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings (LOTR) adaptation came out in theaters back in 2003, it was obvious that there was something missing from the 200-minute long theatrical cut: a scene that resolved the fate of Christopher Lee’s villainous white wizard Saruman…

3 years ago · 6 likes · 3 comments · Mikhail Skoptsov

Question for the comments: what is something you’ve been enjoying this month?

What Paid Subscribers Got This Month

This month’s essay focused on insights from Aragorn’s visit to the Houses of Healing.

Additionally, this month I introduced the Jokien with Tolkien Discord server!

For a limited time, for just $4 a month or $32 a year, you can read and comment on the monthly Paid subscriber features and discussions, join the Discord server, and also help keep this newsletter heading straight to everyone’s inbox each week. Hit the button below for more info! And thanks!

Reader Mailbag: Ask Jokien

Dear Jokien,

There's been some internet buzz about a LOTR theme park for a while. With the potential for new or rebooted movies soon, what would you like to see in a theme park? Mr. Frodo’s Wild Ride? Gandalf's Vape Shoppe?

—Barrel-Rider

Barrel-Rider,

First of all, I love the ideas that you suggested! For reference, I’m going to mostly use analogies to rides at Disneyland/World since I believe they’re a fairly familiar set of references. To add on a few more to your great suggestions…how about a Splash Mountain sort of ride where you’re in one of the boats the Fellowship takes from Lothlórien that includes passing the Argonath and culminates in a steep drop off the Falls of Rauros? And sticking with the aquatic theme for a moment and taking inspiration from your name, there absolutely needs to be a barrel ride where you escape like Thorin and Company from Thranduril’s prisons in the Woodland Realm and travel down the river to Laketown.

A Paths of the Dead ride similar to the Haunted Mansion or a haunted house could be very interesting! And a ride where you journey with Bilbo through the Lonely Mountain and experience the final part of The Hobbit would be exciting and fun to see as well.

An Indiana Jones style ride going through the Mines of Moria would be epic! Especially concluding with Gandalf’s confrontation with the Balrog at the Bridge of Khazad-dûm.

And I’d be remiss to not include a ride that included the Eagles somehow. Perhaps a Peter-Pan (or Soarin’ Over California!) style ride where you fly over various locations in Middle-earth? Or a Dumbo style ride where you board your eagle and fly around in a circle for a while.

Jokien

Dear Jokien,

What do you wish Tolkien had covered in his writings that he never got the chance to address (or didn’t think to)?

—Wishing Upon An Eärendil

Wishing Upon An Eärendil,

Well a definitive answer about whether Balrogs have wings or not would have been nice and is at the top of my list! And what happened to the Ent-wives? Also, what was Aragorn’s tax policy? (Just kidding, George R.R. Martin)

Being a bit more serious, my initial thoughts on this question mostly have to do with things that I wish that he had finished rather than things he never got to address. For instance, as much as I love and appreciate his son Christopher (assisted by Guy Gavriel Kay) working to piece together a version of it from Tolkien’s various writings, I’d have loved to see a published version of The Silmarillion that was complete and whole, 100% authored and finished by Tolkien himself. I’d also love to see a version of Galadriel’s history that was finalized and had fewer inconsistencies.1 And for all his love of languages and the meticulous detail that went into Quenya and Sindarin, he never really fleshed out the Dwarvish language of Khuzdûl,2 the Black Speech, or any of the other languages he mentions or gives bits and pieces of in his works. So that would be interesting to have seen developed further by him.

But if we’re only talking about things Tolkien never really got the chance to address, the main one that I wish he had gotten the chance to tell is what exactly happened to the Blue Wizards in their journeys into the East and South of Middle-earth. How did their mission to subvert and thwart Sauron’s activities go? Was he aware of them? Did they directly come into contact (or combat) with him? And did they ultimately make a difference or were they defeated or rendered basically ineffective?

The history of each of the Nazgûl is also a topic Tolkien never really addressed that I would love to know more about. Only two are even named: the Witch-King of Angmar and Khamûl the Easterling. We also know three of the nine are Númenórean, but that’s where the details end. Who were these men lured into the service of Sauron by promises and gifts of power? Did any begin with noble intentions? What did the process of the rings pulling them into darkness and enslaving them to his will look like?

But as much as I would like more details and answers, there are some things that Tolkien never addressed that I think are intended as enigmas and I think would be better if they stay that way. Yes, I’m talking about Tom Bombadil! I don’t need to know a single thing more about him. He’s perfect as is: a delightfully befuddling figure emerging fully formed but with almost zero context or backstory into the narrative and disappearing just about as suddenly and mysteriously.

Jokien

What other ideas do you all have for rides at an LOTR theme park or things you with Tolkien had covered? I’d love to hear them!

There we have it, my Five Faves and the Reader Mailbag for May. Farewell, friends. Go towards goodness!

Special shoutout and thank you to Amy M. and deegeurts for upgrading to a paid subscription this week! This is a reader-supported newsletter so if you enjoy these updates each week, please consider supporting this Substack by upgrading to a paid subscription, which is only $4 a month (or $32 annually—that’s 33% off the monthly price) for a limited time!

Or if you would prefer to check out some alternative options (including a $1/mo discord-only tier), head over to my patreon!

Want to support me another way? You can also click the ♡ below, forward this to a friend, or share the link on social media. Every little bit helps!

Thank you for reading Jokien with Tolkien. If you enjoyed this newsletter, would you share it with someone you know would enjoy it? Thank you!

Appendices

I’ve been a little heavy on the serious essays content this past month but am planning on changing things up a little next week: stay tuned!

All typos are totally on purpose. Links may be affiliate, which is a free-to-you way to support this newsletter where I earn a small commission on items you purchase.

Christopher Tolkien famously comments in Unfinished Tales, “There is no part of the history of Middle-earth more full of problems than the story of Galadriel and Celeborn, and it must be admitted that there are severe inconsistencies ‘embedded in the traditions’; or, to look at the matter from another point of view, that the role and importance of Galadriel only emerged slowly, and that her story underwent continual refashionings.”

The lines of Dwarvish that appear in the Peter Jackson movies are neo-Khuzdûl, created by others who made inferences about what the language Tolkien described but never really gave much of a vocabulary or structure to might work based on his stated and inferred influences.

💎 Treasures #008: April '23 Mathoms

JRR Jokien — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 13:00:24 GMT

April Tolkien Treasures

Hello all! As I do at the end of every month, today I’m sharing five things—some Tolkien-related and others not—that I’ve been enjoying this month. Here they are:

The Return of the King Returns to Theaters—
For its 20th anniversary, The Return of the King returned to theaters for a limited engagement. I was lucky enough to be able to attend one of the screenings and it was an absolute delight! Like I shared when I recounted a hilarious incident from the screening, it did make me feel a bit thin, sort of stretched, like butter scraped over too much bread when I thought about it already being twenty years since I saw it originally in theaters, but that was a minor detail in an overwhelmingly positive experience that was a highlight of April.
(As an aside, in the past few weeks TikTok has shown me multiple clips of the Ride of the Rohirrim and every time my thought is “yes, this is the way this scene was meant to be experienced: displayed on a screen 2 inches by 3 inches on my portable pocket screen in disjointed, out of order clips 1 to 2 minutes in length.” Do I still watch every second of every single one? Yes. Do I still get chills every time. Yes. But the contrast with experiencing it again in the theater couldn’t be more stark.)
“Tolkien’s Faith and Middle-earth: The Many-Layered Meaning of March 25”—Dr. Holly Ordway, Word on Fire
Tolkien Reading Day is every year on March 25th. I briefly mentioned the significance of March 25th in my Tolkien Reading Day Giveaway post (“Why March 25th? Because that is the day that the One Ring was destroyed and the Dark Lord Sauron was defeated”), but the very next day Dr. Holly Ordway released an excellent article exploring the full significance of the date at great length. It’s an excerpt from her forthcoming book, Tolkien’s Faith: A Spiritual Biography, which you can preorder on Amazon now. Here’s an excerpt from her conclusion:
Choosing March 25 as the date for the fulfillment of the Quest is an example of Tolkien’s masterfully subtle handling of his material. The date fits perfectly in the internal chronology of the story, which he worked out with astonishing attention to detail; its importance in the events of The Lord of the Rings is so great that it requires no outside information to make it meaningful to the reader. But—for those who are interested, who have noticed the significance of the date—it also points to a further layer of meaning for the story, one that is grounded in the faith that Tolkien himself professed.
The Elven City by Serena Malyon—“Nine Companions. So be it.”
I absolutely love this depiction of the Last Homely House! It’s a fresh, elegant, magical take on Rivendell and I particularly enjoy the sense of scale that depicting the Fellowship crossing the bridge evokes.
The Elven City is available for purchase in the artist’s store, as is a painting of Lothlórien and Bag End.
Single Parents—While I have been enjoying The Mandalorian, Ted Lasso, and Abbott Elementary over the past month, I’d have to say that there’s another show I’ve enjoyed even more than any of those others: Single Parents. High praise, I know! But it’s been just what I wanted and needed out of a TV show in this current season.
Taran Killam, Leighton Meester, Kimrie Lewis, Brad Garrett, and Jake Choi star in Single Parents
A sitcom that only got two seasons on ABC before being cancelled in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s effect, Single Parents follows the eponymous group of single parents who band together to help raise each other’s 7-year-olds. It’s entertaining, funny, and lighthearted but also genuine and warm. The group is really a found family that care about each other and have great chemistry. You can find it streaming on Hulu.
Being Off Twitter and On Notes—as much as I loved the chaos that was Elon vs. dril, the constant changes, chaos, animosity towards Substack, and overall atmosphere of Twitter over the past few months had all contributed towards making me angry or upset recently any time I opened or even just thought about the app. So this week I decided I needed a holiday. It’s been refreshing so far and though I’m sure I’ll be back on there next week sometime, I also am considering longer hiatuses from the bird app as a regular practice.

Since I’ve not been on twitter this week, I’ve been spending a lot more of my time on Substack Notes, and would love for you to join me there if you haven’t yet!
Head to substack.com/notes or find the “Notes” tab in the Substack app. As a subscriber to Jokien with Tolkien, you’ll automatically see my notes. You can also share notes of your own.
If you encounter any issues, you can always refer to the Notes FAQ for assistance. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Go to Notes

Question for the comments: what is something you’ve been enjoying this month?

There we have it, my Five Faves for April. Farewell, friends. Go towards goodness!

Special shoutout and thank you to Dawn, Cristin, Jacob, and Freya for upgrading to a paid subscription this week! This is a reader-supported newsletter so if you enjoy these updates each week, please consider supporting this Substack by upgrading to a paid subscription. For only $5 a month (or $39.99 annually—that’s 33% off the monthly price), you’ll get an exclusive monthly essay for paid subscribers and full access to the monthly Book Notes feature.

Or if you would prefer either a $3 monthly subscription, to subscribe at the normal rate but not via Substack, or to subscribe but chip in a little bit extra each month, check out the different tiers on my new patreon!

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Thank you for reading Jokien with Tolkien. If you enjoyed this newsletter, would you share it with someone you know would enjoy it? Thank you!

One of the two sponsored paid subscriptions I mentioned last week is still up for grabs! Let me know in the comments or via email (JRRJokien@gmail.com) if you’d like to be the beneficiary of a free year’s paid subscription to this newsletter!

All typos are totally on purpose. Links may be affiliate.

💎 Treasures #007: April '23 Mathoms

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 16:00:42 GMT

This is the second installment in a new monthly series, Book Notes, a monthly feature where I share excerpts from and comments on what I’ve been reading recently. The quotes and any comments from the first book will always be free, but any others are for paid subscribers.

In today’s Book Notes: The Fall of Númenor, Finding the Words, and Life on the Vine.

The Fall of Númenor—By the time I sent out the first Book Notes last month, I had only just begun reading The Fall of Númenor and my thoughts were mainly centered on a description in the introduction of the recurring dream of Tolkien’s that influenced his work in several different ways but specifically influenced Númenor. I’m about 1/3 of the way through the book now and am aiming to finish it by next month’s Book Notes, but I’m so glad that a volume like this collecting Tolkein’s writings on the Second Age exists and am enjoying it immensely.

In the opening chapters, several themes stood out to me: the love of the Númenóreans for the sea, the relationship between people and one particular species of animal life on Númenór, and the descriptions of Sauron.

Love of the Sea

Númenórean ships depicted in Amazon's The Rings of Power

“In the Sea the strong men took their greatest delight” (38).

Above all arts they nourished ship-building and sea-craft, and they became mariners whose like shall never be again since the world was diminished; and voyaging upon the wide seas was the chief feat and adventure of their hardy men in the gallant days of their youth. (53)

It’s no surprise that as island-dwellers the greatest delight of the Númenóreans came to be in the Sea and it is fascinating to read directly about it. This love of seafaring and skill in the craft of ship-building has an effect that lingers even into the Third Age and the events of The Lord of the Rings, because—though they descend into evil—the Corsairs of Umbar are originally descendants of Númenór the same as Gondor.

Of Men and Bears

There are many fascinating details in the opening chapters about the flora and fauna of Númenór, including an intriguing description of the connection between the malinornë trees of Númenór and of Lothlorien.1

But by far the most interesting tidbit to me is the description of the relationship between the people of Númenór and the bears, between whom there was never any hostility. In fact, the bears “would often visit them [people], in the casual manner of one householder calling upon another. At such times they were often offered honey, to their delight” (20). And not only were the bears good neighbors who called occasionally to eat with their human friends: they danced for them!

Most strange of all were the bear-dances. The bears, the black bears especially, had curious dances of their own; but these seem to have become improved and elaborated by the instruction of Men. At times the bears would perform dances for the entertainment of their human friends. The most famous was the Great Bear Dance (ruxoälë) of Tompollë in the Forostar, to which every year in the autumn many would come from all parts of the island…at which a great concourse was assembled. To those not accustomed to the bears the slow (but dignified) motions of the bears, sometimes as many as 50 or more together, appeared astonishing and comic. But it was understood by all admitted to the spectacle that there should be no open laughter. The laughter of Men was a sound that the bears could not understand: it alarmed and angered them. (20)

A truly magical and blessed island indeed! It’s almost enough for me to change my answer to what I would do if I woke up in Middle-earth to “go to Númenór to watch one of the bear-dances”!

Sauron in the Second Age

Sauron’s whereabouts and activity during the Second Age is the final thread that stood out to me in this first part of the book. His character development from defeated and (temporarily) repentant lieutenant of Morgoth at the start of the Second Age to main personification of evil in Middle-earth is chronicled by Tolkien in a draft letter:

Sauron was of course not “evil” in origin. He was a “spirit” corrupted by the Prime Dark Lord…Morgoth. He was given an opportunity of repentance, when Morgoth was overcome, but could not face the humiliation of recantation, and suing for pardon; and so his temporary “turn” to good and “benevolence” ended in greater relapse, until he became the main representative of Evil of later ages. But at the beginning of the Second Age he was…not indeed wholly evil. (264, excerpt from Letter 153)

This picture of Sauron in the Second Age no doubt has inspired the writers of The Rings of Power as they depict the events of the Second Age. “Nothing is evil in the beginning,” says Galadriel in The Rings of Power, summing up one of Tolkien’s guiding principles about evil’s inability to create, only corrupt. Tolkien calling Sauron “not indeed wholly evil” at the start of the Second Age, after all the evil that he orchestrated and committed in the service of Morgoth in the First Age is especially interesting to me. But his repentance is not to be.

For while he is not on the main stage directly affecting the course of events yet in The Fall of Númenor, he is stalking around the periphery, ominously biding his time and lying in wait for his moment to seize control.