Books
As we’ve made our way further through The Lord of the Rings, I’ve become fond (too fond?) of talking about pivot points: places where...
Hi, what are you looking for?
As we’ve made our way further through The Lord of the Rings, I’ve become fond (too fond?) of talking about pivot points: places where...
The last few chapters of The Lord of the Rings have felt a bit like a victory march. Since the unexpected triumph at Helm’s...
At first glance, “The Voice of Saruman” can feel a bit anti-climactic. It’s a showdown between two wizards, but only after one of them...
Let’s talk about structure. It’s one of my favorite aspects of storytelling, and one of my favorite to think about. Even with the same...
We’re roughly at the center point of The Lord of the Rings (though we haven’t reached the end of Book III, by page count...
The Fellowship of the Ring is a very goal-oriented story. It’s a classic mission structure (and in many ways, strongly parallels The Hobbit). Once...
When Gandalf returned last chapter, he returned with a promise. A great storm was coming, he said, but he was returning at the turn...
Is it cheating to bring a character back from the dead? I don’t remember reading “The White Rider” for the first time. I’m not...
For it is easier to shout stop! than to do it. Another forest, another shift in the story. Entering into the Old Forest plunged...
The hobbits are back! After two chapters utterly devoid of cheerful hobbit pluck, Merry and Pippin make their triumphant return, being about as cheerful...
