Tove Jansson, Queen of the Moomins
TRIBALThere is a Moomin theme park, museum, Moomin T-shirts, even a Moomin movie. On the centenary of her birth, we celebrate the globally popular trolls’ Finnish creator.
Middle-Earth’s Heart of War
HOBBITRY<p>It’s 60 years since the publication of J.R.R. Tolkien’s first volume of <i>The Lord of the Rings</i>. Why was he so inspired by the Great War—and a group of school friends?</p>
JFK & The Rule of Threes
Tangled HistoryOn November 22, 1963, three towering figures of the 20th century died. John F. Kennedy is the one that we all remember, but let’s consider the others.
She Who Came Before Rowling
Susan Cooper<p>Susan Cooper’s <i>The Dark Is Rising</i> series was an important link between <i>Lord of the Rings</i> and <i>Harry Potter</i>. John Garth talks to the fantasy writer about her new novel.</p>
Tolkien’s Unfinished Epic
Return of the King<p>One of Tolkien’s abandoned projects was an epic poem about the legend of King Arthur. Laid aside for decades, <i>The Fall of Arthur</i> has finally been published. Tolkien biographer John Garth on how it paved the way for <i>The Lord of the Rings</i>.</p>