Reading Tolkien

About Reading Tolkien

This show examines Tolkien's work from a variety of literary perspectives. We examine Tolkien's lesser known works, his well known novels and his thematic and philosophical preoccupations and sentiments. Please join us!

Publisher

Benjamin Bassett

Category

arts

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

3 Nov 2020

Latest episode

6 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

28 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   6 Oct 2026

   Interview - DJ Taylor and The King Under the Mountain

   I speak with biographer and critic D. J. Taylor about his new book, The King Under the Mountain: In Search of J. R. R. Tolkien. We discuss Tolkien's life and literary world, the relationship between biography and Middle-earth, his politics and Catholicism, the influence of war and modernity, the making of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, and some of the more contested aspects of Tolkien's work and reputation. We also consider Taylor's attempt to move beyond the familiar authorised image of Tolkien and recover the more complicated, sometimes contradictory figure behind the legend.

2. 

   23 Nov 2025

   Professor Michael Drout: The Tower and the Ruin

   Professor Michael Drout speaks to me about his fascinating and deeply moving new literary memoir cum detailed literary analysis The Tower and the Ruin. Drout's book, published December 2nd, analyses Tolkien from the persective of one reader, whilst also providing evidence for how Tolkien is best read in the context of his academic discipline, philology, and Tolkien's creative response to his medieval sources.

3. 

   31 May 2025

   Interview: Giuseppe Pezzini

   Giuseppe Pezzini discusses Tolkien's imaginative process, Italian reception, and the importance of Tolkien Studies in understanding his works in an interview with the host.

Who has been a guest on Reading Tolkien

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Giuseppe Pezzini
• Brian Rosebury
• Daniel Stride
• Tom Emanuel
• Dawn M Walls-Thumma

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 35 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

58

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact Reading Tolkien

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Reading Tolkien