I have been a fan of Tolkien’s books all my life. Ever since I discovered The Hobbit in my father’s bookcase when I was 12, Middle-earth has been my favorite destination when I want to relax after a busy day.

That’s why I have been working on a book in which I express my fascination for Tolkien’s work: ‘Lent for Little Folk - An Unexpected Journey to Easter’.

You can download it for free via the link below.

What is the book about? Every time I read The Lord of the Rings, I notice how Tolkien’s Catholic faith is evident and influential in the events he describes.

For example, the beginning of Bilbo’s adventure reminds me of Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, when after a festive meal with Gandalf and the dwarves, he leaves everything behind to join them on a harsh journey full of hunger and hardships.

And what about the image of a humble Hobbit who carries the One Ring for the benefit of all? Or doesn’t Sam, who supports Frodo when his strength fails, resemble Simon of Cyrene, who helped Jesus carry his cross?

In my book, I write about forty moments in Tolkien’s stories that remind me of Biblical themes and I relate them to Lent.

But I wonder one thing: would Tolkien agree with my approach?

The author of The Lord of the Rings was good friends with C.S. Lewis, the author of the Chronicles of Narnia. But he didn’t like it at all that Lewis constantly used allegories to express Biblical themes in his stories.

Am I not doing exactly what he disliked in my booklet?

It is a bit of a balancing act: I see many themes in Bilbo and Frodo's travels that stem from Tolkien’s faithful view of life. And I find them very applicable to the journey of Lent.

But these are my associations: you can read and interpret Tolkien’s stories in many other ways. That pertains to the freedom of the reader, which was sacred to Tolkien.

Would Tolkien appreciate my book or turn in his grave?

Judge for yourself and download and read my book for free via this link.

Fr. Roderick Vonhögen

PS: I’m curious to hear what you think of the book; let me know!