This is one in a series of posts where the content is provided by a guest who has graciously answered five questions about their experience as a Tolkien reader. I am very humbled that anyone volunteers to spend time in this busy world to answer questions for my blog, and so I give my sincerest thanks to Annie and the other participants for this.

To see the idea behind this project, check out this page

I want to thank Donato Giancola for allowing me to use his stunning portrait of J.R.R Tolkien as the featured image for this project. If you would like to purchase a print of this painting, they are available on his website!

If you would like to contribute your own experience, you can do so by using the form on the contact page, or by emailing me directly.

Now, on to Annie’s responses:

1. How were you introduced to Tolkien’s work?

My mother was a fan and lent me her copy of The Hobbit and LOTR. I was 10. My teacher wrote home and said these works were inappropriate reading for a young lady. In response to this, my mother gave me The Silmarillion.

2. What is your favorite part of Tolkien’s work?

TBH I don’t know yet? Every year I find new material and my favourites keep changing. But I’ve always had a soft spot for Smith of Wootton Major.

3. What is your fondest experience of Tolkien’s work?

Discovering that every new reading uncovers new information and insight, not only into Middle-earth and it’s inhabitants, but also into the mind of Tolkien.

4. Has the way you approach Tolkien’s work changed over time?

Yes. I’ve started reading a lot more academic work in recent years and am enjoying exploring the depths of his work.

I’ve also become a shameless collector of first editions. 😂

5. Would you ever recommend Tolkien’s work? Why/Why not?

Is the Pope Catholic? Tolkien changed the way I view the world. His works were one of my first forays into language and created worlds and set the scene for the development of my own future writing. There is so much to be discovered and learnt from these texts and from Tolkien himself. My only regret is that I didn’t start reading his works earlier.