by J. R. R. Tolkien
I believe this is my second re-read (three reads total). It can be hard going, but just let it wash over you. Tolkien’s theology, it feels like an otherworldly retelling of the old testament. Occasionally a beautiful tale will jump out of the mirk, like that of Beren and Luthien.
Digression:
Tolkien’s old-school Catholicism is evident, and not necessarily unappealing. I see it this way. Modern thinking in our culture is extremely Freudian. We like to think we’re well beyond Freud, but he’s evident here every day. Every movie and book hero has a backstory “explaining” why he is the way he is. It’s all about his childhood. It made him evil, or good.
Characters in Tolkienland, they’re just evil. Or good. Or a little of both. It seems to me that every creature, lowly middle-earthlings or hallowed Ainur, have the capacity for evil. And sometimes someone just tips over the edge. In other words, it’s in all of us, and it’s just a random spin of the wheel whether you are going to get tipped over at any given moment, briefly, or for a lifetime.
Amen and thanks be to god and also with you.
Tytania 