Latest Episode 
The Odyssey: The Original Fantasy and Nolan's New Film
Julia Golding returns home for the ninth season of Mythmakers by looking at literature’s first famous homecoming king: Odysseus. Beginning with a brief survey of Homer’s original Odyssey, Julia explores what makes this ancient epic feel like one of the original fantasy stories, as well as the many books and retellings it has inspired through the ages.
She then turns to the new Nolan film, noting some key differences from the original poem and considering how the story has been reshaped for the
Recent Episodes
1
Sept. 3, 2026
The Odyssey: The Original Fantasy and Nolan's New Film
Julia Golding returns home for the ninth season of Mythmakers by looking at literature’s first famous homecoming king: Odysseus. Beginning with a brief survey of Homer’s original Odyssey, Julia explores what makes this ancient epic feel like one of the original fantasy stories, as well as the many books and retellings it has inspired through the ages. She then turns to the new Nolan film, noting some key differences from the original poem and considering how the story has been reshaped for the
53
Aug. 27, 2026
Mythmakers Encore: John Tenniel
Let's celebrate the contribution to fantasy of our favourite illustrators. Today we start with the grandaddy of Oxford Fantasy Illustration, Sir John Tenniel, the illustrator behind the Alice in Wonderland images. Find out about the unfortunate accident in his youth that he hid from his father, his extraordinary memory and his artistic influences. Guess who was at his retirement dinner? It is quite a fantasy dinner party moment! 00:00 Introduction: Welcome to Mythmakers and Celebrating Illustra
52
Aug. 20, 2026
Mythmakers Encore: Things You Don't Know About Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and Oxford
There are many experts on the Inklings but there are still lots you might not know about how they lived in their home of Oxford. Julia Golding challenges some myths and makes some new ones about Tolkien and Lewis, and their experiences here. Was the Eagle and Child Pub where Narnia and The Lord of the Rings was first read aloud - or was that somewhere else? What's the mental geography of Oxford for someone who lives here long-term? Find out about Oxford as a place for military training for both
51
Aug. 13, 2026
Mythmakers Encore: Andy Serkis Reads The Silmarillion - The Verdict
Since April of 2022 Andy Serkis has been working his way through Tolkien's books, producing audio versions of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit- he has now turned his attention to The Silmarillion. Our expert on audiobooks, Andrew Head, who as a blind consumer often turns to audio versions to access stories, talks with Julia Golding about this latest version of The Silmarillion and the Martin Shaw reading that came before it. Which would you buy now? How does Andy cope with a book that has fa
50
Aug. 6, 2026
LOTR: An Author's Journey - Wrap Up of The Two Towers, Book 4
We are going on an adventure! Love The Lord of the Rings? Why not read along with us as we consider the books from the writer's point of view! Taking it chapter by chapter, novelist Julia Golding will reveal new details that you might not have noticed and techniques that will only go to increase your pleasure in future re-readings of our favourite novel. Julia also brings her expert knowledge of life in Oxford and English culture to explain some points that might have passed you by. 00:00 Intro
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July 30, 2026
Mythmakers Season 8 Wrap Up: Top 5 Author's Tips
As Mythmakers takes a short summer break, Julia Golding looks back at some of the standout conversations from Season 8, gathering five memorable pieces of writing wisdom from the season’s top-performing author interviews. Join us as we revisit Darren Simpson’s reflections on the long road to publication, and hear from Peadar Ó Guilín on how history and myth shape fantasy worlds. Marisa Linton shares her journey and advice for finding your publishing path, while Naomi Ishiguro dives into worldbu
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July 23, 2026
The Top 5 Writing Lessons from The Two Towers
Having completed our journey through The Two Towers, in today's Sidecast episode Julia Golding pauses to reflect on the top five lessons she has taken from Tolkien’s craft as an author. From the interlacing of multiple storylines and the careful maintenance of suspense, to the creation of epic, living landscapes, Julia explores how Tolkien handles the challenges of a middle volume with remarkable skill. She also reflects on the poetry of his prose and the depth of his themes, amongst the wealth
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July 16, 2026
Not Asleep, Dead - LOTR: An Author's Journey, Bk 4 Ch 10
We are going on an adventure! Love The Lord of the Rings? Why not read along with us as we consider the books from the writer's point of view! Taking it chapter by chapter, novelist Julia Golding will reveal new details that you might not have noticed and techniques that will only go to increase your pleasure in future re-readings of our favourite novel. Julia also brings her expert knowledge of life in Oxford and English culture to explain some points that might have passed you by. 00:00 Intro
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Recent Blog Posts
Sept. 3, 2026
Why Christopher Nolan's New Film Struggles With The Odyssey's Violence and War Trauma
Christopher Nolan's cinematic adaptation of Homeric epic poetry introduces a deeply internalized perspective on war trauma, but it largely sidesteps the devastating reality of sexual violence against women in ancient warfare. While exploring psychol…
Aug. 27, 2026
How Punch Political Cartoons Inspired Alice in Wonderland's Dark Aesthetic
Discover how Sir John Tenniel's weekly work as a lead illustrator for the Victorian satirical magazine Punch directly shaped the bizarre, grotesque, and enduring visual style of Alice in Wonderland. This deep dive explores why the original fantasy a…
Aug. 20, 2026
Tolkien and C.S. Lewis WWI Military Training in Oxford
Discover how the First World War military training of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis across Oxford's green spaces and secret woods deeply influenced the rugged survivalism, trench warfare echoes, and outdoor bivouacking scenes found within Middle-ear…