What makes Tolkien's heroes so great and his villains so terrible? How do we rise to hero status or fall into corruption?
Tolkien’s story, The Lord of the Rings, touches the soul in a profound way. Why is that? What makes the heroes so attractive? Can we ever become like them? The power to be strong and valiant is not limited to Middle-earth. We have been given the same tools and gifts that they are offered if we but recognize them. The rings of power in our society tempt us and our children as well. We would be wise if we awakened to that which tries our souls. Take a look at this classic from a Christian perspective, and you might bring Middle-earth a little bit closer to home
Professional Reviews
A Treat for a Lord of the Rings Lover
I’ve wanted to read Ann Frailey’s book, The Road Goes Ever On, for some time and finally got around to it. In it, she took me on a journey through The Lord of the Rings with a unique focus on the celebrated virtues and sins in the Christian church. She paints fresh images of these thing by relating them to the characters in Tolkien’s epic story.
I particularly enjoyed her comparisons between the characters of Middle-earth and the apostles and saints. Statements like “Charity is the culmination of our faith and hope. Love is in some sense the creative expression of faith and hope.” made me ponder, and her exposition of the seven deadly sins in the middle of her book is something I always need to reconsider.
For me, Ann Frailey’s book was a distinctive journey through tenets of the Christian faith as seen through the lens of The Lord of the Rings. It was a treat for someone like me who loves this story so much.
Multiple lenses shed new light on Tolkien's masterpiece
With the recent Hobbit film release, dozens of news book have hit the market. Many examine Tolkien's Middle-Earth adventures through the lens of Christianity, and specifically its virtues, but few take A.K. Frailey's path.
Her new self-published her book, The Road Goes Ever On: A Christian Journey Through The Lord of the Rings (iUniverse, paperback, 163), is anything but amateur. It carries an imprimatur from Bishop Thomas Paprocki and the interior layout is professionally designed.
What sets her book apart, though, is the interesting framework. The early chapters gaze on Tolkien's stories through the the theological virtues--faith, hope, love. She then she uses the four cardinal virtues, the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the seven deadly virtues as alternate lenses.
However, my favorite angle comes in the final third of the book. Frailey pairs twelve of Tolkien's major characters to Catholic saints. She examines the courageous Frodo in light of St. Thomas More; the prophetic Gandalf in light of Moses; the broken Boromir in light of St. Augustine; and the bold Eowyn in light of St. Clare. Frailey uses Tolkien's fictional characters to point to real-life heroes who in turn point to Christ. When she compares Faramir to St. Thomas Aquinas, for example, she brings Christ-like purity into focus:
"Both the character of Faramir and the reality of Thomas show us different versions of a pure mind and heart that does not desire the things of this world. They are the examples we should look to first for they show us an uncorrupted path and they are the ones we should offer to the pure innocence of our children."
In Frailey's book, the journey into The Lord of the Rings spirals ever deeper with each new lens. By providing several angles through which to gaze on Tolkien's masterpiece, Frailey brings new color and life to Tolkien's perennial classic.
Embark on a Journey
"The Road Goes Ever On" invites readers to embark on a journey filled with refreshing, unique insights that clothe Tolkien's creations in a new light. Discover the interesting parallels between beings of Middle Earth and beings of Christian faith as A.K. Frailey guides her readers on a personal expedition of their own. Readers finish this novel feeling enlightened and able to return to their lives with increased faith.
I have written a chapter called I Am That, I Am in this inspirational compilation book by best-selling authors and wonderful people from all walks of life xox :-D (Its sister book is called Adventures In Manifesting - Success and Spirituality)
Reflections and Nature Watercolors is a collection of Margaret's spontaneous positive thoughts in celebrating and reflecting on life and her nature watercolors.
