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Frodo's Journey: Discover the Hidden Meaning of The Lord of the Rings
J. R. R. Tolkien’s magnum opus, The Lord of the Rings has been beloved for generations, selling millions of copies and selling millions more tickets through its award-winning film adaptations. The immense cultural impact of this epic is undeniable, but the deeper meaning of the story often goes unnoticed.
Here, Joseph Pearce, author of Bilbo’s Journey uncovers the rich—and distinctly Christian—meaning just beneath the surface of The Lord of the Rings. Make the journey with Frodo as he makes his perilous trek from the Shire to Mordor, while Pearce expertly reveals the deeper, spiritual significance.
Did you know that the events of The Lord of the Rings are deeply intertwined with the Christian calendar? Or what the Ring, with its awesome and terrible power represents? How do the figures of good and evil in the story reflect those forces in our own lives? Find the answers to these questions and much more in Frodo’s Journey.
Here, Joseph Pearce, author of Bilbo’s Journey uncovers the rich—and distinctly Christian—meaning just beneath the surface of The Lord of the Rings. Make the journey with Frodo as he makes his perilous trek from the Shire to Mordor, while Pearce expertly reveals the deeper, spiritual significance.
Did you know that the events of The Lord of the Rings are deeply intertwined with the Christian calendar? Or what the Ring, with its awesome and terrible power represents? How do the figures of good and evil in the story reflect those forces in our own lives? Find the answers to these questions and much more in Frodo’s Journey.
158 pages, Paperback
First published June 28, 2015
48 people are currently reading
466 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Pearce
175 books288 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author with this name on GR
Joseph Pearce (born 1961) is an English-born writer, and as of 2004 Writer in Residence and Professor of Literature at Ave Maria University in Ave Maria, Florida; previously he had a comparable position, from 2001, at Ave Maria College in Ypsilanti, Michigan. He is known for a number of literary biographies, many of Catholic figures. Formerly aligned with the National Front, a white nationalist political party, he converted to Roman Catholicism in 1989, repudiated his earlier views, and now writes from a Catholic perspective. He is a co-editor of the St. Austin Review and editor-in-chief of Sapientia Press.
Joseph Pearce (born 1961) is an English-born writer, and as of 2004 Writer in Residence and Professor of Literature at Ave Maria University in Ave Maria, Florida; previously he had a comparable position, from 2001, at Ave Maria College in Ypsilanti, Michigan. He is known for a number of literary biographies, many of Catholic figures. Formerly aligned with the National Front, a white nationalist political party, he converted to Roman Catholicism in 1989, repudiated his earlier views, and now writes from a Catholic perspective. He is a co-editor of the St. Austin Review and editor-in-chief of Sapientia Press.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
September 18, 2018
Rabbit Trail Reading - September 2016
First reading - Oct 2015
This is where Pearce does his best work. He takes an entire canon of knowledge about Tolkien, organizes it, draws reasonable conclusions from it and applies it to Tolkien's works. He takes excellent scholarship and presents it in a very slim and accessible power punch. I think that to be able to write a book like this based upon the volume of work he had to do to understand this content is proof of true genius.
First reading - Oct 2015
This is where Pearce does his best work. He takes an entire canon of knowledge about Tolkien, organizes it, draws reasonable conclusions from it and applies it to Tolkien's works. He takes excellent scholarship and presents it in a very slim and accessible power punch. I think that to be able to write a book like this based upon the volume of work he had to do to understand this content is proof of true genius.
April 8, 2016
Noting that Tolkien’s Lord of the Ring trilogy is rich with symbolism is rather akin to observing that the Pacific Ocean is big. The description is accurate, but weightless. Frodo’s Journey examines much of its symbolism in detail, chiefly elaborating on Tolkien’s observation that it was, “of course, a deeply religious work”. The religion is present not in the trappings of a Church, as with Asimov’s Foundation series, but in the epic’s core story of grace against evil. Pearce informs his argument by studying the details of the story in the context of Tolkien’s mythic background, drawing from the Simarillion. Although his focus is on Tolkien’s Christian symbolism, Pearce also touches lightly on Tolkien’s love for the language and lore of pre-Norman England.
In the Simarillion, Pearce writes, Tolkien establishes a celestial atmosphere not unlike the Christian one. There is one central deity, the Iluvatar, who creates the Cosmos by conducting music. One heavenly musician refuses to play in harmony, and is struck down to Middle-Earth, but is told that no matter how much discord he attempts to introduce, the grand master will always restore harmony.. Central to the story of the Lord of the Rings is, of course, the Ring, which is far different from the ring of The Hobbit. There it was a mysterious but powerfully helpful object; in the Ring trilogy, it dominates the minds and hearts of those who wear it, and exposes them to attack by dark forces. The ring, writes Pearce, is Sin – not only is it burdensome, but taking it on distances the wearer from the good world which was divinely created, and makes them more visible to the Dark Lord – Sauron, Morgoth’s chief servant. The coup de Grace: according to Return of the King, the ring was destroyed on March 25, the same day that Catholic tradition maintains was the date of the historic crucifixion. The whole story has the stamp of Providence on it, writes Pearce, for Gandalf muses that Bilbo was meant find the Ring, so that it might be destroyed. Although Pearce’s brief work shines a light on many of Tolkien’s other little allusions – the Charlemagne-like crowning of Aragon, the linguistic fun Tolkien has with the “far-seeing” stones that dispirit Sauron’s enemies and have the same etymological structure in Elvish as Television and Fernsehen do in English and German, the Christian connection is the most broadly developed.
This meaning is not nearly as overt as C.S. Lewis’ own Narnian chronicles, in which the Christ-figure Aslan announced to the children that he was known by another name in their world, but it definitely registers. Being as Tolkien was a practicing Catholic, some degree of the inspiration could have been accidental, like the Mary-like veneration of Galadriel, but the use of dates has the stamp of deliberation. For the Fellowship to have started out on December 25 (by Tolkien’s appendix) and triumphed on the same date of the first Good Friday makes clear that Tolkien was paying homage at the very least. While this is my first foray in reading books about the Ring trilogy, it won't be the last, and I'm eager to see if other authors share or differ from Pearce. I'm sure the trilogy has tremendous depths to plumb!
In the Simarillion, Pearce writes, Tolkien establishes a celestial atmosphere not unlike the Christian one. There is one central deity, the Iluvatar, who creates the Cosmos by conducting music. One heavenly musician refuses to play in harmony, and is struck down to Middle-Earth, but is told that no matter how much discord he attempts to introduce, the grand master will always restore harmony.. Central to the story of the Lord of the Rings is, of course, the Ring, which is far different from the ring of The Hobbit. There it was a mysterious but powerfully helpful object; in the Ring trilogy, it dominates the minds and hearts of those who wear it, and exposes them to attack by dark forces. The ring, writes Pearce, is Sin – not only is it burdensome, but taking it on distances the wearer from the good world which was divinely created, and makes them more visible to the Dark Lord – Sauron, Morgoth’s chief servant. The coup de Grace: according to Return of the King, the ring was destroyed on March 25, the same day that Catholic tradition maintains was the date of the historic crucifixion. The whole story has the stamp of Providence on it, writes Pearce, for Gandalf muses that Bilbo was meant find the Ring, so that it might be destroyed. Although Pearce’s brief work shines a light on many of Tolkien’s other little allusions – the Charlemagne-like crowning of Aragon, the linguistic fun Tolkien has with the “far-seeing” stones that dispirit Sauron’s enemies and have the same etymological structure in Elvish as Television and Fernsehen do in English and German, the Christian connection is the most broadly developed.
This meaning is not nearly as overt as C.S. Lewis’ own Narnian chronicles, in which the Christ-figure Aslan announced to the children that he was known by another name in their world, but it definitely registers. Being as Tolkien was a practicing Catholic, some degree of the inspiration could have been accidental, like the Mary-like veneration of Galadriel, but the use of dates has the stamp of deliberation. For the Fellowship to have started out on December 25 (by Tolkien’s appendix) and triumphed on the same date of the first Good Friday makes clear that Tolkien was paying homage at the very least. While this is my first foray in reading books about the Ring trilogy, it won't be the last, and I'm eager to see if other authors share or differ from Pearce. I'm sure the trilogy has tremendous depths to plumb!
March 21, 2020
After reading a few Pearce books, I was a little disappointed with this one. The Lord of the Rings is so rich, so dense, and so multilayered that I felt Pearce only scratched the surface in a mere 140+ pages, and even did Tolkien a grave disservice. I've only read the first LOTR book, but I've seen and loved the movies, watered down as they were, but even those renditions deserved better than this, I think. Pearce does bring up some interesting points that were new to me, and the book was a quick and simple read. Overall, I enjoyed it, but I wish it had more to it.
April 15, 2022
This wasn't as good as Bilbo's Journey but I am still glad we read it!
Want to read
December 25, 2024I got this for Christmas and cannot wait to start!
May 17, 2019
Tolkein said, "The Lord of the Rings is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision. That is why I have not put in, or have cut out, practically all references to anything like 'religion', to cults or practices, in the imaginary world. For the religious element is absorbed into the story and the symbolism. However that is very clumsily put, and sounds more self-important than I feel. For as a matter of fact, I have consciously planned very little; and should chiefly be grateful for having been brought up (since I was eight) in a Faith that has nourished me and taught me all the little that I know; and that I owe to my mother, who clung to her conversion and died young, largely through the hardships of poverty resulting from it."
Then he sais this: “I cordially dislike allegory in all its manifestations, and always have done so since I grew old and wary enough to detect its presence. I much prefer history – true or feigned– with its varied applicability to the thought and experience of readers. I think that many confuse applicability with allegory, but the one resides in the freedom of the reader, and the other in the purposed domination of the author.”
The statments don't conradict to me. The LOTR is filled with Christian archetypes and symbolism, that doesn't equate to full blown allegory. Perhaps Tolkein gave that answer as many people beleived that the LOTR referenced events and people of WWII.
As Tolkein was Catholic, it is only logical that one reads the commentary of a Catholic scholar to gain insights into the many symbols and archetypes in LOTR. Pearce does a fabulous job pointing all these out.
I have this book, but listened to it on Audible. I was more engaged at the beginning and the end. I don't know if I was distracted during the inbetween stuff, or if it wasn't as interesting to me.
I love pondering and looking into the deeper meaning of books and movies. Sometimes I am sorry I did. ;) The option is always there to apply what it means to you, no matter what the author did or did not intend.
Then he sais this: “I cordially dislike allegory in all its manifestations, and always have done so since I grew old and wary enough to detect its presence. I much prefer history – true or feigned– with its varied applicability to the thought and experience of readers. I think that many confuse applicability with allegory, but the one resides in the freedom of the reader, and the other in the purposed domination of the author.”
The statments don't conradict to me. The LOTR is filled with Christian archetypes and symbolism, that doesn't equate to full blown allegory. Perhaps Tolkein gave that answer as many people beleived that the LOTR referenced events and people of WWII.
As Tolkein was Catholic, it is only logical that one reads the commentary of a Catholic scholar to gain insights into the many symbols and archetypes in LOTR. Pearce does a fabulous job pointing all these out.
I have this book, but listened to it on Audible. I was more engaged at the beginning and the end. I don't know if I was distracted during the inbetween stuff, or if it wasn't as interesting to me.
I love pondering and looking into the deeper meaning of books and movies. Sometimes I am sorry I did. ;) The option is always there to apply what it means to you, no matter what the author did or did not intend.
December 12, 2019
A simplistic but engaging look at the Catholic theology behind the Lord of the Rings.
December 29, 2023
This is a great, quick read on the Lord of the Rings. It discusses deeper meanings, Tolkien's worldview, and lessons we can learn through reading my favorite book, The Lord of the Rings.
April 15, 2025
everyone should read this book, if they're LOTR/Tolkien fan.It's a wonderful resume of tolkiens intent on writing and creating his universe.
May 26, 2024
I loved it. The evaluation of Tolkien's work through the lens of someone who understands Catholic theology, political thought, and social order is fascinating. I listened to the audiobook, which was well narrated. I merely wish it had been longer, for I already miss my companion.
August 26, 2018
I read this in close conjunction with Michael Ward's book on Narnia and there was a stark difference between the two treatments. Where Ward's analysis was suffused with love and wonder, Joseph Pearce's was garnished with antagonism and pompousness. The first few chapters are very circular and unnecessarily cryptic, as if Pearce is trying to be coy. Once the reader makes their way through the first few painful chapters, the rest of the book is quite interesting and puts forward some interesting arguments. As someone outside the Catholic faith, there's a lot here that doesn't resonate with me and yet there is still a lot that applies to every Christian. Which is what Tolkien was really trying to accomplish the whole time.
February 28, 2020
I’m a LoTR buff and, upon finding this out, a parishioner got me this book along with the one about the Hobbit. I knew I would enjoy it, but I didn’t realize just how insightful it would be, especially for someone who has read a lot about them. It’s a short book but full of interesting connections in philosophy, linguistics, and Catholic theology.
The book presumes that you know the story well, but it does not necessarily presume that you have read the book. (although doing so would not only be helpful to understand this book but be highly recommended!)
I won’t say much more, except to say that if you enjoy Tolkien and if you’re a Christian, you would enjoy this. It definitely reveals much of Tolkien’s depth and intentions.
The book presumes that you know the story well, but it does not necessarily presume that you have read the book. (although doing so would not only be helpful to understand this book but be highly recommended!)
I won’t say much more, except to say that if you enjoy Tolkien and if you’re a Christian, you would enjoy this. It definitely reveals much of Tolkien’s depth and intentions.
July 18, 2021
The Lord of the Rings centers on the pilgrim's journey of faith. For as the believer takes up his cross and follows Christ, so Frodo takes the one ring to burn it in fire. Pearce beautifully illuminates such (and many more) theological truths expressed in Frodo's Journey. Every Lord of the Rings fan must read this fantastic work.
June 14, 2019
This was a really good book.
January 14, 2020
Swell book!
Informative, thought provoking and insightful! I learned a lot and enjoyed the process. I highly recommend it for any Tolkien fan!
Informative, thought provoking and insightful! I learned a lot and enjoyed the process. I highly recommend it for any Tolkien fan!
August 9, 2024
I don’t know who to pity more, the writer Tolkien for belaboring so fancifully or the observer Pearce for so wholeheartedly buying into it.
(Pearce, by the way, appears totally ignorant of Tolkien’s contrary Norse mythology inspirations. Well.)
Tolkien, I came to believe, drove himself utterly to distraction the more he worked on Middle-Earth. He convinced himself of its Cosmic Significance. Regardless of what he used as his ingredients he forgot that the point of it was to be entertainment.
Pearce picks up, in incessantly academic tones, the Catholic imagery that’s most likely there, and if I were in agreement that Tolkien, at this point, was truly inspired, I would certainly find a happy denouement, in these conclusions. And yet I can find, really, nothing but cynical literalism Tolkien continually denied in how he chose to depict his ideas, the way he chose to illustrate his understanding of his faith, and the faith itself.
Since, in the end, I find little enough evidence that Lord of the Rings has ever been embraced even to the level of Chronicles of Narnia as popular Catholic allegory. It has instead been embraced as the archetypal work of modern fantasy, on its surface elements, what Tolkien labored so hard to create, his fictional languages, his landscape, and at least in recent years, since the release of the Peter Jackson films, the concept of Gollum as an icon regardless of any interest in interpreting him.
No one would read a book like this, consider Tolkien’s ambitions in this light, and consider the Catholic faith any differently than they did before. It’s the same as reading Tolkien himself.
If Pearce had chosen in any single chapter to present a case, Tolkien’s overriding faith, the literary tradition Tolkien embraced, what he sought to accomplish, how. Instead he merely points out the parallels. Why he sidestepped any intertextual relevance (as something other than window-dressing to cover some odd decisions Pearce can’t or won’t adequately explain, such as why exactly Tom Bombadil, or why Frodo’s last minute doubt makes sense aside from how it affects Gollum’s arc).
Anyway, lots of food for thought. Tough digesting.
(Pearce, by the way, appears totally ignorant of Tolkien’s contrary Norse mythology inspirations. Well.)
Tolkien, I came to believe, drove himself utterly to distraction the more he worked on Middle-Earth. He convinced himself of its Cosmic Significance. Regardless of what he used as his ingredients he forgot that the point of it was to be entertainment.
Pearce picks up, in incessantly academic tones, the Catholic imagery that’s most likely there, and if I were in agreement that Tolkien, at this point, was truly inspired, I would certainly find a happy denouement, in these conclusions. And yet I can find, really, nothing but cynical literalism Tolkien continually denied in how he chose to depict his ideas, the way he chose to illustrate his understanding of his faith, and the faith itself.
Since, in the end, I find little enough evidence that Lord of the Rings has ever been embraced even to the level of Chronicles of Narnia as popular Catholic allegory. It has instead been embraced as the archetypal work of modern fantasy, on its surface elements, what Tolkien labored so hard to create, his fictional languages, his landscape, and at least in recent years, since the release of the Peter Jackson films, the concept of Gollum as an icon regardless of any interest in interpreting him.
No one would read a book like this, consider Tolkien’s ambitions in this light, and consider the Catholic faith any differently than they did before. It’s the same as reading Tolkien himself.
If Pearce had chosen in any single chapter to present a case, Tolkien’s overriding faith, the literary tradition Tolkien embraced, what he sought to accomplish, how. Instead he merely points out the parallels. Why he sidestepped any intertextual relevance (as something other than window-dressing to cover some odd decisions Pearce can’t or won’t adequately explain, such as why exactly Tom Bombadil, or why Frodo’s last minute doubt makes sense aside from how it affects Gollum’s arc).
Anyway, lots of food for thought. Tough digesting.
November 29, 2025
Frodo’s Journey is a concise but valuable guide for anyone who senses the deep Catholic current running through The Lord of the Rings and wants a clearer look at how Tolkien weaves it into the story. I went in already knowing that the trilogy holds rich spiritual meaning, yet this book still surprised me with how clearly it draws out the major symbols.
Pearce doesn’t force an allegory; he simply shows how themes of grace, sacrifice, providence, and redemption rise naturally from the narrative. He points out reflections of God, Christ, Our Lady, and the Church, along with darker images of evil, temptation, and the brokenness of sin. He even connects moments in the story to the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Confession, and highlights how the characters carry spiritual burdens that echo the crosses we carry in our own lives.
It’s a short read, but that works in its favor. Pearce stays focused, moves quickly, and leaves you wanting to revisit Tolkien with fresh eyes. If you love The Lord of the Rings and care about its Catholic roots, this is a smart and satisfying companion.
Pearce doesn’t force an allegory; he simply shows how themes of grace, sacrifice, providence, and redemption rise naturally from the narrative. He points out reflections of God, Christ, Our Lady, and the Church, along with darker images of evil, temptation, and the brokenness of sin. He even connects moments in the story to the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Confession, and highlights how the characters carry spiritual burdens that echo the crosses we carry in our own lives.
It’s a short read, but that works in its favor. Pearce stays focused, moves quickly, and leaves you wanting to revisit Tolkien with fresh eyes. If you love The Lord of the Rings and care about its Catholic roots, this is a smart and satisfying companion.
January 12, 2022
Not surprised this was included, as it stood out to me more than anything else in the Silmarillion:
“Referring to Melkor’s introduction of disharmony into the great music of God’s creation, Ilúvatar warned his enemy of the ultimate futility of his rebellion: ‘And thou, Melkor, shalt see that no theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter music in my despite. For he that attempteth this shall prove but mine instrument in the devising of things more wonderful, which he himself had not imagined.’ Eventually the evil will of Melkor will understand that all its evil actions have been the unwitting servant of unimaginable providence.”
Also, this seemed relevant…
“The modern word for such alchemy is scientism., which can be defined as the worship of science for its power of dominance over nature. Unlike genuine science, which is an authentic path to knowledge, scientism is ‘power exerted for domination.’”
I also enjoyed learning about all of the play on words Tolkien built into his glossary. Palantiri, way bread, Theoden v. Denethor, etc.
“Referring to Melkor’s introduction of disharmony into the great music of God’s creation, Ilúvatar warned his enemy of the ultimate futility of his rebellion: ‘And thou, Melkor, shalt see that no theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter music in my despite. For he that attempteth this shall prove but mine instrument in the devising of things more wonderful, which he himself had not imagined.’ Eventually the evil will of Melkor will understand that all its evil actions have been the unwitting servant of unimaginable providence.”
Also, this seemed relevant…
“The modern word for such alchemy is scientism., which can be defined as the worship of science for its power of dominance over nature. Unlike genuine science, which is an authentic path to knowledge, scientism is ‘power exerted for domination.’”
I also enjoyed learning about all of the play on words Tolkien built into his glossary. Palantiri, way bread, Theoden v. Denethor, etc.
February 26, 2021
Informative and interesting. Unfortunately, it is a bit repetitive in places and could have been organized a little better. Also, a lot of things are repeated from Bilbo's Journey, his book about The Hobbit, but also covered several points about LOTR. This book also frequently references plot points from The Hobbit. The two stories are obviously connected so I can understand a little overlap but there really was a lot of repetition in these two commentaries. Frankly, I think it would have been better for the two books to be combined together into a single work to avoid the retreading of familiar territory, sometimes a verbatim reciting of a point. Otherwise, I did enjoy the information and found it valuable.
October 30, 2022
As a Catholic, I enjoyed the "hidden meanings" Mr. Pearce exposes in this delightful work. J.R.R. Tolkien was Catholic, but there are some contradictory remarks regarding the Lord of the Rings. Is it a "fundamentally religious and Catholic work" - as I always thought it was - or is it "neither allegorical nor topical"? This is the question Mr. Pearce tackles with much dexterity. If you love the Lord of the Rings, you will enjoy the various topics Mr. Pearce discusses such as "The Enigma of Tom Bombadil" and "Words Made Flesh"
Obviously biased, I believe he makes a strong case that the Lord of the Rings is a religious and Catholic masterpiece.
Obviously biased, I believe he makes a strong case that the Lord of the Rings is a religious and Catholic masterpiece.
April 23, 2024
Cuidadosamente, Joseph Pearce mostra como o catolicismo de Tolkien aparece em sua grande obra, o Senhor dos Anéis. A genialidade de Tolkien está justamente em evitar a alegoria e não fazer uma obra católica explícita, mas usar os fundamentos de sua fé para criar uma estória envolvente, que atravessa eras, e conquistou leitores de diversas religiões e mesmo ateus e agnósticos. Ou seja, uma obra que se sustenta por si só. Param que tem olhos para ver, vai conseguir penetrar em uma camada mais profunda, onde os símbolos cristãos estarão presente como a realeza do Cristo, conversão, pecado, ressurreição e o papel de Maria.
July 20, 2021
Suspicions Confirmed
Tolkien was certainly an inspired and masterful storyteller. The overall basis for the LOTR was Christian and spiritual, but not until I read this book did I realize how much Tolkien drew from his Catholicism. Even though I was raised in the Catholic religion, I did not equate the LOTR with that particular faith tradition.
Reading this book opened my spiritual "eyes" to the fact that most, if not all, truly great stories have their "roots" deep in the teaching of the Bible: hence, "The Greatest Story Ever Told!"
Tolkien was certainly an inspired and masterful storyteller. The overall basis for the LOTR was Christian and spiritual, but not until I read this book did I realize how much Tolkien drew from his Catholicism. Even though I was raised in the Catholic religion, I did not equate the LOTR with that particular faith tradition.
Reading this book opened my spiritual "eyes" to the fact that most, if not all, truly great stories have their "roots" deep in the teaching of the Bible: hence, "The Greatest Story Ever Told!"
November 16, 2021
I really enjoyed reading this as I Just love any conversation about LOTR. I had mixed feelings about the projection of catholicism onto the narrative. I also found chapter 12 particularly eye roll worthy when the author argued that LOTR is not sacrilegious like Harry Potter due to the "hierarchies" of "creator and creation". I also laughed out loud when the author called Peter Jackson's movies "vandalism". It's not that deep. I did read this in 3 hours gleefully but I now I am left with a sour taste in my mouth. I do think a tolkein fan would devour this book easily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2022
This is the second book I’ve read by this author. The first, Tolkien: Man and Myth - A Literary Life, was longer and broader in scope. This book was much shorter and, while it touched on Some of Tolkien’s other works, it focused on Lord of the Rings. There was also very little in the way of biography. The chapters were short, making it easy to read in short bites. It’s focus on faith would make it ideal, I think, for a church book club or a church study group, particularly for Catholics. Well worth reading if you’re interested in the subject.
February 8, 2020
If you wanted to really get into the mind of JRR Tolkien and see the meaning behind the Lord of the Rings, and learn about a bunch of "easter eggs" hidden throughout the books, Joseph Pearce does a masterful job of it in this book. I recommend reading "Bilbo's Journey" first, to get Pearce's take on "The Hobbit." I listened to the audio version of both of these on Hooplah for free (service offered through my local library).
March 24, 2022
A highly engaging and informative book. Pearce's Catholic analysis of The Lord of the Rings feels like a revelation, as his unfolding of certain events in Tolkien's work are all supported by Catholic dates, historical events, and theology. Pearce interlinks these two so well together that by the end of the book you couldn't possibly deny that these Catholic metaphors were Tolkien's true intentions.
April 22, 2023
The author has various insights on how Tolkien used his Catholic imagination whether deliberately or instinctively in the writing of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I liked this volume better than the one he wrote about the Hobbit becauae he had more points and kept his focua on the Lord Of the Rings series, while in the Hobbit hidden meaning book he talked about Aragorn too much. The comparison I hadn't heard before but thought interesting was that if Gandalf to the pope.
January 7, 2018
Thought provoking, Pearce goes deeper than a lot of the books on Tolkien that attempt to show Tolkien's religion in his fiction. And he does a very good job of it. Though as i said of his "Bilbo's Journey", it could have been longer, spending a bit more time on each subject. in fact the two books could easily have been made into one as he seems to have copied large amounts of one into the other.
February 20, 2021
Perhaps I am biased towards this book because I happen to be both Catholic and a Tolkien fan, but I truly loved it. I have known that Tolkien’s work was not strictly allegorical, but that it had ties to the life of Christ, and this book spelled it all out. Highly recommend. Will reread. It makes me want to read the Lord of the Rings trilogy all over again. Now to find the time...
March 14, 2023
Beautifully teaches the hidden Catholic lessons that permeate through The Lord of the Rings. Opened my mind to incredible metaphors and even taught me more about the Catholic faith. Highly recommended for any Catholic or Lord of the Rings fan.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews