The Tolkien Road

A podcast about Middle-earth and all things Tolkien.

0275 » In The House of Tom Bombadil » C.R. Wiley Interview

Who is Tom Bombadil? This is a topic we’ve covered several times on the Tolkien Road, but it’s an undying enigma for Lord of the Rings fans, and we’re always hungry for new insights into the mysterious nature of The Old Forest’s Master.

In episode 275, John discusses this topic with writer C.R. Wiley, whose new book IN THE HOUSE OF TOM BOMBADIL is receiving rave reviews for its treatment of the subject.

Join us!

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS

  • John R
  • Kaitlyn of Tea With Tolkien

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Tom Bombadil is not an important person – to the narrative. I suppose he has some importance as a ‘comment’. I mean, I do not really write like that: he is just an invention (. . .), and he represents something that I feel important, though I would not be prepared to analyze the feeling precisely. I would not, however, have left him in, if he did not have some kind of function.

– JRR Tolkien, 1954 (Letter 144)

CONTENTS

  • An Apology?
  • Theories of Tom » Ilúvatar, Maiar, Tolkien Himself???
  • Tom As Master
  • The Nature of Nonsense
  • Harmony & Nature
  • The Mystery of Goldberry
  • Making Sense of the Barrow-wight
  • Gandalf and Bombadil

Helpful Links

SHOUT-oUTS

Special thanks to the following patrons: 

    • John R
    • Kaitlyn of Tea with Tolkien
    • Andrew T
    • Ms. Anonymous
    • Redhawk
    • Shannon S
    • Brian O
    • Emilio P
    • Zeke F
    • James A
    • James L
    • Chris L
    • Chuck F
    • Asya V
    • Ish of the Hammer
    • Teresa C
    • David of Pints with Jack
    • Jonathan D
    • Eric S
    • Joey S
    • Eric B
    • Johanna T
    • Mike M
    • Robert H
    • Paul D
    • Julia
    • Werty
    • Matthew W
    • JoeBagelMan


AS WELL AS THOSE CELEBRATING THEIR PATRON ANNIVERSARY THIS MONTH (JANUARY OF 2022)
»  Tyler W, Mike M, Elina V, Richard K, Melanie, Scott W, Jason T, David G, John R

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