Tag Archives: fairytales

“Chesterton, Arthur, and Enchanting England” by J. Cameron Moore

While in the light of Charles Huttar’s contribution last week I should be extra careful to avoid any ‘historicist’ Providentialism, I can’t help thinking this week’s contribution is more than just another serendipity. J. Cameron Moore not only directs our … Continue reading

Posted in Guest Blogs, Inklings and Arthur | Tagged , , , , , , , | 35 Comments

The Stories before the Hobbit: Tolkien Intertextuality, or the Sources behind his Diamond Waistcoat

If  Tolkien lovers are nerds, it is only because they are walking in the pathway of the Master Nerd himself. The more I study Tolkien, the more I get the sense that no one was more amazed by the entire … Continue reading

Posted in Fictional Worlds, Letters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 78 Comments

Faërie Stories in The Labyrinth: A David Bowie Tribute Post

David Bowie is dead. We woke up to the news as weather giants threw the sky against our windows and rocked the house in their rollicking. I had just been thinking about Bowie yesterday, but I suppose everyone has. He … Continue reading

Posted in Fictional Worlds | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Why is Merlin in That Hideous Strength?

            I am writing a paper on C.S. Lewis and the Arthurian tradition for Sørina Higgins’ collection, The Inklings and King Arthur. As I trawl through the materials one common theme keeps coming back: How do we explain the sudden … Continue reading

Posted in Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 45 Comments

The Meadow Mouse Story: A Postmodern Fairy Tale

I have a peculiar obsession with the story within a story. Part of it comes with the discovery of “The Grand Inquisitor,” my favourite nested story and an integral part of The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky (1880). I’ve blogged … Continue reading

Posted in Fictional Worlds, Memorable Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments