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Dec 2023
51m 11s

J.R.R Tolkien

NOISER
About this episode

J.R.R Tolkien is one of Britain’s most beloved authors, famous for creating the fantasy world ‘Middle Earth’ through his novels ‘The Hobbit’ and the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy. What started out as a bedtime story for his young children, now captivates millions of fans across the world, who long to join his memorable characters on their epic adventures. But how did Tolkien rise from a humble Birmingham childhood to become one of the most respected literary figures of all time? What inspired him to create a detailed imaginary world? And why did it take so long for his greatest works to see the light of day? From Noiser, this is a Short History Of J.R.R Tolkien.


Written by Luke Lonergan. With thanks to Dr Holly Ordway, a Tolkien scholar and award-winning author of the book, ‘Tolkien’s Modern Reading: Middle-earth Beyond the Middle Ages’. 


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