The Wonder of Tolkien
@tolkienwonder.bsky.social
Swept up in the beauty, depth & wonder of Middle-earth. Joyfully sharing all things Tolkien 📚 Hopeful because of Jesus ⚡️ YouTube channel: youtube.com/@TolkienWonder
"In the pursuit of growing up as proper adults, we have left behind a certain way of seeing the world and have moved on from the embarrassing love of the imaginary, unseen and the fantastical."
New essay on childlike wonder and cynicism.
New essay on childlike wonder and cynicism.
Becoming Un-Disenchanted
Pt. 2 - understanding the cure for our cynical hearts
www.christopherstites.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:01 PM
"In the pursuit of growing up as proper adults, we have left behind a certain way of seeing the world and have moved on from the embarrassing love of the imaginary, unseen and the fantastical."
New essay on childlike wonder and cynicism.
New essay on childlike wonder and cynicism.
Just found out about this novel 👀
"In 1940s Oxford, two American researchers join forces with the Inklings to track down the legendary Spear of Destiny. Their investigation into Arthurian history turns into a high-stakes chase across England."
"In 1940s Oxford, two American researchers join forces with the Inklings to track down the legendary Spear of Destiny. Their investigation into Arthurian history turns into a high-stakes chase across England."
November 14, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Just found out about this novel 👀
"In 1940s Oxford, two American researchers join forces with the Inklings to track down the legendary Spear of Destiny. Their investigation into Arthurian history turns into a high-stakes chase across England."
"In 1940s Oxford, two American researchers join forces with the Inklings to track down the legendary Spear of Destiny. Their investigation into Arthurian history turns into a high-stakes chase across England."
A rough sketch of a unique view of Bag End by Tolkien.
November 14, 2025 at 6:12 PM
A rough sketch of a unique view of Bag End by Tolkien.
Loving this Arthurian telling by Roger Lancelyn Green, an Inkling with the likes of Lewis and Tolkien. The narrative flow is helpful and it rings with enchantment.
November 14, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Loving this Arthurian telling by Roger Lancelyn Green, an Inkling with the likes of Lewis and Tolkien. The narrative flow is helpful and it rings with enchantment.
Give me your best Arthurian books / stories? What authors, editions, etc. I am looking for a source that has all the foundational stories and is filled with enchantment…
November 13, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Give me your best Arthurian books / stories? What authors, editions, etc. I am looking for a source that has all the foundational stories and is filled with enchantment…
C.S. Lewis warns us of our chronological snobbery: "the uncritical acceptance of the intellectual climate of our own age and the assumption that whatever has gone out of date is on that count discredited."
Our society is guilty of this.
Our society is guilty of this.
November 12, 2025 at 11:46 PM
C.S. Lewis warns us of our chronological snobbery: "the uncritical acceptance of the intellectual climate of our own age and the assumption that whatever has gone out of date is on that count discredited."
Our society is guilty of this.
Our society is guilty of this.
Some thoughts I wrote on a famous line from Tolkien...
November 12, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Some thoughts I wrote on a famous line from Tolkien...
I'm curious; in your own opinion, why do you think people are so fascinated with learning about Tolkien as a person and studying his works so deeply?
November 12, 2025 at 2:08 AM
I'm curious; in your own opinion, why do you think people are so fascinated with learning about Tolkien as a person and studying his works so deeply?
The world is enchanted and filled with meaning - and few people have helped me see this in a deeper way than @malcolmguite.bsky.social ! This was one of my favorite conversations; filled with thoughts on Tolkien, Lewis and this wild life. Enjoy!
Malcom Guite on enchantment and imagination.
YouTube video by The Wonder of Tolkien
youtu.be
November 10, 2025 at 5:46 PM
The world is enchanted and filled with meaning - and few people have helped me see this in a deeper way than @malcolmguite.bsky.social ! This was one of my favorite conversations; filled with thoughts on Tolkien, Lewis and this wild life. Enjoy!
They don't make things like they used to.
November 10, 2025 at 4:08 AM
They don't make things like they used to.
Just started really digging around in these Reader's Guides and OH MY - what a treasure trove of information, quoted letters, references from lectures, books. Not sure if there is anything as comprehensive as this. Brilliant for any #Tolkien nerd!
November 9, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Just started really digging around in these Reader's Guides and OH MY - what a treasure trove of information, quoted letters, references from lectures, books. Not sure if there is anything as comprehensive as this. Brilliant for any #Tolkien nerd!
"Then slept Eriol, and through his dreams there came a music thinner and more pure than any he heard before, and it was full of longing... but as I listened I wished to follow I know not whom, I know not wither, out into the magic of the world beneath the stars."
- Tolkien
- Tolkien
November 8, 2025 at 11:48 PM
"Then slept Eriol, and through his dreams there came a music thinner and more pure than any he heard before, and it was full of longing... but as I listened I wished to follow I know not whom, I know not wither, out into the magic of the world beneath the stars."
- Tolkien
- Tolkien
If you have never heard it before, here is a glorious 8 minutes of Tolkien reading from The Ride of the Rohirrim!
Tolkien Reading LOTR!
YouTube video by The Wonder of Tolkien
youtu.be
November 8, 2025 at 12:15 AM
If you have never heard it before, here is a glorious 8 minutes of Tolkien reading from The Ride of the Rohirrim!
A short essay I wrote on the shape and curse of cynicism. It sucks joy, shatters belief and wrecks wonder - and it affects us all.
The Slow Theft
Pt. 1 - the shape and curse of cynicism
www.christopherstites.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:29 PM
A short essay I wrote on the shape and curse of cynicism. It sucks joy, shatters belief and wrecks wonder - and it affects us all.
Tolkien is wild for this! In the preface of the second edition of FotR he wrote:
"Some who have read the book, or at any rate have reviewed it, have found it boring, absurd, or contemptible; and I have no cause to complain, since I have similar opinions of their works..."
"Some who have read the book, or at any rate have reviewed it, have found it boring, absurd, or contemptible; and I have no cause to complain, since I have similar opinions of their works..."
November 7, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Tolkien is wild for this! In the preface of the second edition of FotR he wrote:
"Some who have read the book, or at any rate have reviewed it, have found it boring, absurd, or contemptible; and I have no cause to complain, since I have similar opinions of their works..."
"Some who have read the book, or at any rate have reviewed it, have found it boring, absurd, or contemptible; and I have no cause to complain, since I have similar opinions of their works..."
Writing a new piece on the curse of cynicism and how we can be cured of it. As I was writing, it struck me, cynicism can be seen as the “slow theft of joy” — it robs us silently of all wonder, light and belief until we are ruinously turned inwards upon ourselves.
November 6, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Writing a new piece on the curse of cynicism and how we can be cured of it. As I was writing, it struck me, cynicism can be seen as the “slow theft of joy” — it robs us silently of all wonder, light and belief until we are ruinously turned inwards upon ourselves.
Just a reminder, this account is about:
- Tolkien, Lewis and other mythic writers
- Wonder, enchantment and hope
- Poetry, good stories and beautiful art
- Goodness, truth and beauty in all things
Thanks for following along friends!
- Tolkien, Lewis and other mythic writers
- Wonder, enchantment and hope
- Poetry, good stories and beautiful art
- Goodness, truth and beauty in all things
Thanks for following along friends!
November 6, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Just a reminder, this account is about:
- Tolkien, Lewis and other mythic writers
- Wonder, enchantment and hope
- Poetry, good stories and beautiful art
- Goodness, truth and beauty in all things
Thanks for following along friends!
- Tolkien, Lewis and other mythic writers
- Wonder, enchantment and hope
- Poetry, good stories and beautiful art
- Goodness, truth and beauty in all things
Thanks for following along friends!
"the pursuit of beauty is the way to find it..."
November 6, 2025 at 3:23 PM
"the pursuit of beauty is the way to find it..."
Less Netflix and more of this...
November 6, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Less Netflix and more of this...
Yes, I am the kind of person that listens to the LOTR soundtrack in the background as I work (and as I clean the house, smoke a pipe, drive in the car, play a board game, etc.)
November 5, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Yes, I am the kind of person that listens to the LOTR soundtrack in the background as I work (and as I clean the house, smoke a pipe, drive in the car, play a board game, etc.)
Tolkien is the G.O.A.T.
November 5, 2025 at 5:20 AM
Tolkien is the G.O.A.T.
The Snake-Crusher. The Dragon-Slayer. The Chaos-Redeemer. The Storm-Silencer. The Sacrificial Lamb. The God-man!
This is why Tolkien called the Gospel the True Myth — a story more wondrous than legend, and yet as real as the dirt beneath our feet.
This is why Tolkien called the Gospel the True Myth — a story more wondrous than legend, and yet as real as the dirt beneath our feet.
November 4, 2025 at 1:44 AM
The Snake-Crusher. The Dragon-Slayer. The Chaos-Redeemer. The Storm-Silencer. The Sacrificial Lamb. The God-man!
This is why Tolkien called the Gospel the True Myth — a story more wondrous than legend, and yet as real as the dirt beneath our feet.
This is why Tolkien called the Gospel the True Myth — a story more wondrous than legend, and yet as real as the dirt beneath our feet.
"I am (obviously) much in love with plants and above all trees, and always have been; and I find human maltreatment of them as hard to bear as some find ill-treatment of animals."
- Tolkien (Letter 165)
- Tolkien (Letter 165)
November 2, 2025 at 8:58 PM
"I am (obviously) much in love with plants and above all trees, and always have been; and I find human maltreatment of them as hard to bear as some find ill-treatment of animals."
- Tolkien (Letter 165)
- Tolkien (Letter 165)
Just got back from a memorial service for a young man who was 16. A few reflections:
1. Tomorrow is not promised.
2. Life is shorter than you realize.
3. Jesus is the true hope of this world.
4. How you love people really matters.
5. We should live in light of these truths.
1. Tomorrow is not promised.
2. Life is shorter than you realize.
3. Jesus is the true hope of this world.
4. How you love people really matters.
5. We should live in light of these truths.
November 2, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Just got back from a memorial service for a young man who was 16. A few reflections:
1. Tomorrow is not promised.
2. Life is shorter than you realize.
3. Jesus is the true hope of this world.
4. How you love people really matters.
5. We should live in light of these truths.
1. Tomorrow is not promised.
2. Life is shorter than you realize.
3. Jesus is the true hope of this world.
4. How you love people really matters.
5. We should live in light of these truths.