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 fan.
To see the idea behind this project, or if you are interested in sharing your own, visit the project homepage. If you enjoy this series, please consider helping us fund the project using the support page.
I want to thank Donato Giancola for allowing me to use his artwork for this project. Prints are available on his website!
Now, on to Nadia Wheeler’s responses:
1. How were you introduced to Tolkien’s work?
My Dad and older brother read the books and talked about them to me as their favorite books. We also watched the animated Hobbit movie and Return of the King. When I was 10 I was allowed to read the books myself, which I did, and they became my favorite fiction books.
2. What is your favorite part of Tolkien’s work?
I love the epic and hopeful tone of the work as well as the hilarious and true to life characters. I appreciate the challenges it offers to me to live better and seek for more truth and justice.
3. What is your fondest experience of Tolkien’s work?
I have a memory of finishing “The Fields of Cormallen,” the chapter where they are celebrating the ring being destroyed, and closing the book because I didn’t want it to end. The words in that chapter still make me cry and feel as real as anything in life to me.
4. Has the way you approach Tolkien’s work changed over time?
Seeing the films as they came out and having the rest of the world enjoy something which had been more of a niche and a “test” for kindred spirits who also liked them has changed my perspective a bit. I love that Gollum is in everyone’s lexicon now and that people appreciate the brilliance of Tolkien, it’s been fun to share it with the world.
5. Would you ever recommend Tolkien’s work? Why/Why not?
Absolutely, and I would also recommend reading over watching it if you can. I also do a podcast with my seven siblings about Tolkien and our perspectives on the works having grown up in a Tolkien loving family and been part of the excitement as the films came out. You can find “Seven Stars, Seven Siblings, and One White Tree” on podbean, or whatever podcast service you prefer, and find our Twitter page at @7stars7siblings.
You can find more from Nadia on her podcast or her Amazon author page!
Luke Shelton PhD 