JRR Tolkien’s masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings, is arguably the most read book in the world today. It is also a myth infused by the author’s deep Catholic understanding, imagination and faith.

In this 22nd episode of the Merely Catholic, the podcast series for The Catholic Herald, Dr Gavin Ashenden talks to Tolkien aficionado Ferdie Rous, the managing editor of same title, about the spirituality underpinning this great work of English literature.

In their conversation, they also discuss the limitations of The Rings of Power, the billion dollar extravaganza by Amazon, and explore why this series is leaving viewers and critics alike scratching their heads as to what they have just watched.