A look at prequels and sequels in transdmedia fantasy - Theresa Specht Part of the Bloomsbury-Oxford Summer School (23rd-25th September 2025) held at Exeter College. This summer school was supported by Bloomsbury Publishing Ltd and organised by Professors Carolyne Larrington and Stuart Lee of the Faculty of English, Oxford.
A look at Manga, history, and fantasy Manga stories - MInjie Su Part of the Bloomsbury-Oxford Summer School (23rd-25th September 2025) held at Exeter College. This summer school was supported by Bloomsbury Publishing Ltd and organised by Professors Carolyne Larrington and Stuart Lee of the Faculty of English, Oxford.
Fantasy gaming - Stuart Lee Short talk (10 minutes) - Part of the Bloomsbury-Oxford Summer School (23rd-25th September 2025) held at Exeter College. This summer school was supported by Bloomsbury Publishing Ltd and organised by Professors Carolyne Larrington and Stuart Lee of the Faculty of English, Oxford.
The impact of G R R Martin's Game of Thrones and the TV series - Carolyne Larrington Part of the Bloomsbury-Oxford Summer School (23rd-25th September 2025) held at Exeter College. This summer school was supported by Bloomsbury Publishing Ltd and organised by Professors Carolyne Larrington and Stuart Lee of the Faculty of English, Oxford.
Fan fiction and fantasy literature - Megan Laybourn Short talk (10 minutes) - Part of the Bloomsbury-Oxford Summer School (23rd-25th September 2025) held at Exeter College. This summer school was supported by Bloomsbury Publishing Ltd and organised by Professors Carolyne Larrington and Stuart Lee of the Faculty of English, Oxford.
Interview with Samantha Shannon Part of the Bloomsbury-Oxford Summer School (23rd-25th September 2025) held at Exeter College. This summer school was supported by Bloomsbury Publishing Ltd and organised by Professors Carolyne Larrington and Stuart Lee of the Faculty of English, Oxford.
A panel discussion, with introduction by Sir Nigel Newton (founder of Bloomsbury Publishing Ltd) A lengthy discussion by commissioning editors on what they are looking for in new fantasy fiction and the current market. Part of the Bloomsbury-Oxford Summer School (23rd-25th September 2025) held at Exeter College. This summer school was supported by Bloomsbury Publishing Ltd and organised by Professors Carolyne Larrington and Stuart Lee of the Faculty of English, Oxford. Introduced by Nigel Newton...
In this insightful talk, author Sarah Mughal Rana critiques Northrop Frye's theory that all literature derives from biblical frameworks, arguing it constricts imagination in fantasy. She demonstrates how her novel, "Dawn of the Firebird," reimagines common archetypes like angels, death, and floods through an Islamic lens, validating non-Western narratives. Rana advocates for writers to embrace diverse mythologies and oral traditions, granting themselves permission to imagine differently to foster a truly blooming and inclusive fantasy genre.
This talk examines the immediate impact of J.R.R. Tolkien on younger fantasy writers by focusing on Alan Garner, Susan Cooper, and Ursula K. Le Guin. Felix Taylor highlights how these authors, while acknowledging Tolkien, critically engaged with his work or intentionally pursued distinct paths, often by rooting fantasy in contemporary settings or drawing from non-European mythologies. The discussion reveals that the "post-Tolkien era" was marked by creative divergence rather than simple emulation.
This episode features Stuart Lee applying the "Discworld framework" to J.R.R. Tolkien, exploring how the author's academic career and personal experiences shaped his fantasy works. The talk delves into Tolkien's meticulous worldbuilding, the philosophical underpinnings of his "fairy stories," and his complex approach to characterization and magic. Lee also addresses criticisms of Tolkien's style and themes, ultimately affirming his lasting impact and modern relevance in literature.
A look at he influences of Norse Myths on E. R. Addison - Grace Khuri Short talk (10 minutes) - Part of the Bloomsbury-Oxford Summer School (23rd-25th September 2025) held at Exeter College. This summer school was supported by Bloomsbury Publishing Ltd and organised by Professors Carolyne Larrington and Stuart Lee of the Faculty of English, Oxford.
An introduction to weird fiction and the key writers - Felix Taylor Short talk (10 minutes) - Part of the Bloomsbury-Oxford Summer School (23rd-25th September 2025) held at Exeter College. This summer school was supported by Bloomsbury Publishing Ltd and organised by Professors Carolyne Larrington and Stuart Lee of the Faculty of English, Oxford.
An introduction to C. S. Lewis and his Narnia novels - Simon Horobin Part of the Bloomsbury-Oxford Summer School (23rd-25th September 2025) held at Exeter College. This summer school was supported by Bloomsbury Publishing Ltd and organised by Professors Carolyne Larrington and Stuart Lee of the Faculty of English, Oxford.
A short exploration of the 'Oxford School' of fantasy - Carolyne Larrington Short talk (10 minutes) - Part of the Bloomsbury-Oxford Summer School (23rd-25th September 2025) held at Exeter College. This summer school was supported by Bloomsbury Publishing Ltd and organised by Professors Carolyne Larrington and Stuart Lee of the Faculty of English, Oxford.
they influences and writings of William Morris and George MacDonald - Katie Harling-Lee Part of the Bloomsbury-Oxford Summer School (23rd-25th September 2025) held at Exeter College. This summer school was supported by Bloomsbury Publishing Ltd and organised by Professors Carolyne Larrington and Stuart Lee of the Faculty of English, Oxford.
Professor Ros Ballaster discusses the enchanting world of fairy tales, defining them primarily as narratives of metamorphosis. She distinguishes between folk and literary fairy tales, tracing their evolution from spoken stories to print, often used for political critique. Ballaster examines how the four elements—water, air, earth, and fire—drive these tales, embodying their transformative power and connecting them to themes of environmental responsibility, human emotion, and societal anxieties, highlighting their complex, often dark, yet enduring appeal for all ages.
Medieval literature and the influences on modern fantasy literature Part of the Bloomsbury-Oxford Summer School (23rd-25th September 2025) held at Exeter College. This summer school was supported by Bloomsbury Publishing Ltd and organised by Professors Carolyne Larrington and Stuart Lee of the Faculty of English, Oxford.
Gabriel Schenk discusses the enduring and multi-faceted nature of Arthurian literature, arguing that its messy, genre-crossing characteristics make it a significant example of fantasy. He focuses on T.H. White's "The Once and Future King," highlighting its deliberate anachronisms, magical elements, and evolving narrative that blurs the lines between fantasy and historical fiction. The talk concludes by advocating for Arthurian literature's recognition as a crucial part of fantasy history, urging listeners not to limit their definition of the genre.
The early history of fantasy - myths and legends - by Carolyne Larrington Short talk (10 minutes) - Part of the Bloomsbury-Oxford Summer School (23rd-25th September 2025) held at Exeter College. This summer school was supported by Bloomsbury Publishing Ltd and organised by Professors Carolyne Barrington and Stuart Lee of the Faculty of English, Oxford.
An exploration of the use of classical literature in Tolkien by Beppe Pezzini Part of the Bloomsbury-Oxford Summer School (23rd-25th September 2025) held at Exeter College. This summer school was supported by Bloomsbury Publishing Ltd and organised by Professors Carolyne Larrington and Stuart Lee of the Faculty of English, Oxford.
Professor Stuart Lee presents a "Discworld framework" to explore critical approaches to fantasy literature. He delves into defining fantasy, its subgenres, and how magical elements interact with reality (intrusive, liminal, secondary worlds). The discussion further examines the importance of setting, characterization (including common tropes), effective world-building, and the varied motivations behind writing fantasy, touching upon recurring literary roots and the portrayal of magic and depth in fictional worlds.
Introduction to the genre and history of fantasy Literature by Adam Roberts. Part of the Bloomsbury-Oxford Summer School (23rd-25th September 2025) held at Exeter College. This summer school was supported by Bloomsbury Publishing Ltd and organised by Professors Carolyne Larrington and Stuart Lee of the Faculty of English, Oxford.
Stuart Lee talks on 'The ‘Key-spring’ of The Lord of the Rings?' Stuart Lee talks on 'The ‘Key-spring’ of The Lord of the Rings?'. Part of the 70th anniversary talks on 'The Lord of the Rings' organised by the Faculty of English and Exeter College.
Michael Ward talks on 'C.S. Lewis’s Influence on The Lord of the Rings' Michael Ward talks on 'C.S. Lewis’s Influence on The Lord of the Rings'. Part of the 70th anniversary talks on 'The Lord of the Rings' organised by the Faculty of English and Exeter College.
Grace Khuri discusses how Tolkien's Appendix A, especially the history of Rohan, draws heavily from Anglo-Saxon England, mirroring historical chronicles, naming conventions, and heroic legends. She highlights Tolkien's "synchronic medievalism," blending Old English and Old Norse influences. The talk also examines the historical figure of Æthelflæd, Lady of Mercia, as the inspiration for Helm's daughter Hera in the upcoming War of the Rohirrim anime, showcasing how Tolkien's world-building echoes real pre-Conquest English history and figures.
Mark Williams talks on 'A Harmless Vice: Tolkien’s Invented Languages' Mark Williams talks on 'A Harmless Vice: Tolkien’s Invented Languages'. Part of the 70th anniversary talks on 'The Lord of the Rings' organised by the Faculty of English and Exeter College.
Giuseppe Pezzini talks on 'The authors and styles of The Lord of the Rings' Giuseppe Pezzini talks on 'The authors and styles of The Lord of the Rings'. part of the 70th anniversary talks on 'The Lord of the Rings' organised by the Faculty of English and Exeter College.
Stuart Lee talks about Tolkien's recently published war poetry in the context of G. B. Smith. Stuart Lee on 'J. R. R. Tolkien and G. B. Smith: Two Forgotten War Poets?' part of the 70th anniversary talks on 'The Lord of the Rings' by the Faculty of English and Exeter College.
Holly Ordway presents on 'Tolkien as Interpreter and Transformer of Culture'. Holly Ordway presents on 'Tolkien as Interpreter and Transformer of Culture'. Part of the 70th anniversary talks on 'The Lord of the Ring's organised by the Faculty of English and Exeter College in 2024.
This episode delves into J.R.R. Tolkien's profound engagement with philology, tracing its origins from his schoolboy fascination with words to his pivotal studies under Joseph Wright and his academic career at Oxford and Leeds. It highlights his deep dives into languages like Gothic, Finnish, and Welsh, his work on the Oxford English Dictionary, and his unique teaching approach. Ultimately, the discussion reveals how Tolkien's philological expertise was not merely an academic pursuit but a foundational element that enriched his imaginative literary works.
