Description
J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis changed the world of fantasy writing forever. But did you know these two literary giants were also close friends?
The two men belonged to Inklings, a literary discussion group based at Oxford University, and it was here where their friendship blossomed. Tolkien even admitted that for a long time that while he was writing his epic Lord of the Rings trilogy, the author of the Narnia novels was his only audience.
But how far did their influence on one another go? Join Tolkien biographer John Garth and Professor Diane Purkiss for what promises to be a fascinating discussion as they explore the bonds between Tolkien and Lewis, their shared interest in myths and Christian beliefs, and the impact they had on each other’s work.
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About the Speakers
Diane Purkiss
Diane Purkiss is Professor of English literature at the University of Oxford, and fellow in English at Keble College. She has published widely on witchcraft, fairies, and fantasy, and on the English Civil War, and her most recent book is English food: a People’s history (William Collins, November 2022). She is now working on a book on the writing process, which includes a chapter on CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien, and a book on the English at sea.
John Garth
John Garth is known worldwide for his award-winning writing on Tolkien’s life and work. His books Tolkien and the Great War and The Worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien are available in 18 languages in all. John read English at St Anne’s College, Oxford, and was a newspaper journalist for many years. He talks and teaches on Tolkien internationally.
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