The Two Greatest Novels Ever Written: The Wisdom of The Lord of the Rings and The Brothers Karamazov

by Peter Kreeft

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien and The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky are both widely regarded as two of the greatest novels ever written. The former, originally published in English between 1954 and 1955, is an epic fantasy set in an ancient world painted with cosmological breadth, while the latter, originally published in Russian in 1880, is a gritty mystery set in a modern world fathomed with psychological depth. Yet both sprawling narratives continue to receive high acclaim and inspire countless readers around the world.

In this philosophical exploration, Peter Kreeft argues that The Lord of the Rings and The Brothers Karamazov are not just two of the greatest novels but simply the greatest two—and not primarily because of their distinct plots, characters, settings, and styles, but because of the metaphysical, anthropological, and moral themes that unite them. Examining the writers’ treatments of good and evil, power and weakness, and virtue and vice, Kreeft shows how both Tolkien and Dostoevsky, by writing with the mind of Christ, reveal the deepest truths of reality.

Genres: Books About Books, Philosophy

169 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 8, 2025

About the author

Peter Kreeft is an American philosopher and prolific author of over eighty books on Christian theology, philosophy, and apologetics. A convert from Protestantism to Catholicism, his journey was shaped by his study of Church history, Gothic architecture, and Thomistic thought. He earned his BA from Calvin College, an MA and PhD from Fordham University, and pursued further studies at Yale. Since 1965, he has taught philosophy at Boston College and also at The King’s College. Kreeft is known for formulating “Twenty Arguments for the Existence of God” with Ronald K. Tacelli, featured in their Handbook of Christian Apologetics. A strong advocate for unity among Christians, he emphasizes shared belief in Christ over denominational differences.

Reviews

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not written for a general audience, but for the small subset of folks who love LOTR and BK (and ideally come to the book with a bulwark of liberal arts education to appreciate all the references to other philosophers -- e.g., Sarte, Nietzsche, Camus, Freud, et al.), a very enjoyable read. Its preface openly notes this is not literary criticism; it's something more akin to a homily, but a good one at that, in part because the two novels it writes about have a lot of practical wisdom to impart and enjoy.

[Evan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5