fantasy clichés 1

The first of two episodes to come this week (as I have to make up for the missed one last week) discusses fantasy cliches. I have a second podcast on the subject to come next week, a pair to this one, and both of them stemming from the previous discussion of the “grown up” nature of modern fantasy. This episode looks at older fantasy cliches such as the boy hero, the enigmatic wizard, and the magic sword.


Direct Download – 23:14 – 21.4mb mp3

In the podcast I mention this brief essay on swords in fantasy that I have posted here on the website.

fantasy, all grown up

Well, I am finally back to producing the podcast. It has been a while, but I have a few new episodes lined up in which I will be discussing general subjects related to the fantasy genre. In that sense, we might think of this as the General Series, season 2. This should occupy me through to December, at which point I will break from teaching and be able to produce a lecture series on another fantasy novel.


Direct Download – 22:29 – 20.7mb mp3

This episode basically deals with the changes in fantasy over the last 30 – 40 years. I look at those changes through the lenses of sex, cursing, and violence to see how the genre has “grown up” and become much more mature in its themes.

I, of course, have my own opinions on whether this is all good, and I am not afraid to share them, but I’d love to have a discussion with you about it, so drop me a comment if you agree or disagree.

the death of turin

The Children of Hurin lecture 8 of 8, looking at Turin’s final battle with the dragon Glaurung, the death of his wife/sister Nienor Niniel, and his own death.

*Special thanks to Stephan Davis who pointed out to me the Kullervo references in the novel. Not having read the Finnish epic poem The Kalevala, I was unaware of this part of Tolkien’s influence.*

Text:
Chapter 16, “The Coming of Glaurung”
Chapter 17, “The Death of Glaurung”
Chapter 18, “The Death of Turin”


Direct Download – 51:27 – 47.3mb mp3

Text: The Children of Hurin by J.R.R. Tolkien

*To my knowledge, there is no difference in pagination between the various printed editions. Therefore, though I am using the mass market paperback, you can use the hardcover or trade paperback edition and still follow along with no problem when I reference page numbers.*

turin in brethil

The Children of Hurin lecture 7 of 8, looking at Turin’s coming to Brethil, the curse laid upon Nienor, Turin’s sister, by Glaurung the dragon, and her coming to Brethil to be reunited with her brother, setting up the final tragedy of the novel.

Text:
Chapter 13, “The Coming of Turin to Brethil”
Chapter 14, “The Journey of Morwen and Nienor to Nargothrond”
Chapter 15, “Nienor in Brethil”


Direct Download – 50:16 – 46.3mb mp3

Text: The Children of Hurin by J.R.R. Tolkien

*To my knowledge, there is no difference in pagination between the various printed editions. Therefore, though I am using the mass market paperback, you can use the hardcover or trade paperback edition and still follow along with no problem when I reference page numbers.*

Turin in Nargothrond

The Children of Hurin lecture 6 of 8, looking at Turin’s coming to Nargothrond, his rise in the favor of the king, the fall of the city to the wyrm Glaurung, and Turin’s ill-fated return to his home in Dor-lomin at the prompting of the dragon.

Text:
Chapter 10, “Turin in Nargothrond”
Chapter 11, “The Fall of Nargothrond”
Chapter 12, “The Return of Turin to Dor-lomin”


Direct Download – 53:54 – 49.6mb mp3

Text: The Children of Hurin by J.R.R. Tolkien

*To my knowledge, there is no difference in pagination between the various printed editions. Therefore, though I am using the mass market paperback, you can use the hardcover or trade paperback edition and still follow along with no problem when I reference page numbers.*

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