Book Reviews and More: The Road Goes Ever On - A.K. Frailey - A Christian Journey Through The Lord of the Rings

Wednesday, 7 October 2020

The Road Goes Ever On - A.K. Frailey - A Christian Journey Through The Lord of the Rings

The Road Goes Ever On:

A Christian Journey Through The Lord of the Rings

A.K. Frailey
A. K. Frailey Books
ISBN 9780997067514

eISBN 9781450288118

ASIN B06WD3JX25

Wow! This book blew me away. This was the fifth volume I have read from the masterful pen of Ann A.K. Frailey. I have loved everything of hers that I have written. Both the fiction and non-fiction. But as much as I love her fiction, I think this is the best of her works that I have read to date. I honestly believe this is a book any Catholic, any Christian would benefit from reading. To be honest I bought it because of the author, but it was a very timely read. And one I know I will return to again and again. And that I will share with my children when they are older. The description of the book is:

“Tolkien's story, The Lord of the Rings, touches the soul in a profound way. Why is that? What makes the heroes so at-tractive? Can we ever become like them? The power to be strong and valiant is not limited to Middle-earth. We have been given the same tools and gifts that they are offered if we but recognize them. The rings of power in our society tempt us and our children as well. We would be wise if we awakened to that which tries our souls. Take a look at this classic from a Christian perspec-tive, and you might bring Middle-earth a little bit closer to home.”

The sections in this book are:

Introduction

Chapter One: What Makes Our Heroes So Heroic?

Hope

Charity

Chapter Two: Warriors Awake!

Prudence

Justice

Fortitude

Temperance

Chapter Three: Gifts From On High

Wisdom

Understanding

Counsel

Fortitude

Knowledge

Piety

Fear of the Lord

Chapter Four: The Rings of Power

Pride

Covetousness

Lust

Anger

Gluttony

Envy

Sloth

Chapter Five: Lead Us Not Into Temptation

Computers and Television

Medical Technology

Communication Systems

Chapter Six: Our Heroes and Saints

Frodo and Saint Thomas More

Sam and Saint Isidore the Farmer

Pippin and Merry and St. Tarsicius

Gandalf and Moses

Gimli and Saint Patrick

Legolas and Saint John the Apostle

Boromir and Saint Augustine

Faramir and Saint Thomas Aquinas

Eowyn and Saint Clare

Galadriel and the Communion of Saints

Aragorn and the Hidden King

Chapter Seven: Summary

This book is a walk through the fruit of the spirit, the seven deadly sins and the seven heavenly virtues through the characters and events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. It is well reasoned, and logically presented. But I believe the book was written through much prayer, for the book has had an immediate impact on my life. There is so much to learn from this volume, And much that will be gleamed from reading it again and again. This was a book that I took my time with. But the further I got into the book, the more I wanted to keep reading. I found myself saying, yes, yes, yes that makes so much sense. Time and time again as I read the book.

Frailey often draws on dictionary definitions for example:

“Let’s begin with Bilbo as he enters the first story and is the engine behind the thrust of the greater story. Faith is defined in Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary as “allegiance to duty or person; belief, trust and loyalty to God; something believed with strong conviction.” Faith in The Lord of the Rings is an act where by the characters are called to believe something they cannot fully explain and cannot even fully understand. That belief leads them to take action and that action demands a commitment. As Bilbo said, “It is a dangerous thing, stepping outside your door…..” For the truth of the matter is that any time we take a risk in acting on an inner light, we are depending on a basic underlying faith to guide us. The problem, of course, is to discern who or what is guiding us.”

This book is an excellent volume. It is great for those who are fans of the Lord of the Rings. But even if you are not a fan, or have only seen the movies, the book can still have a huge impact upon your life. This is a journey through the Christian virtues with LOTR as a framework of examples both good and bad. I am not sure what I was expecting when I began this volume, other than I expected it to be good because it came from the pen of Frailey. But it far exceeded my high expectations. I would love to see this book used in youth or college and careers groups at church. I would love to see it on courses that look at faith and film, or religious faction. But most of all I would love for you to pick it up and for the spirit to use it as tool to challenge, encourage and motivate you on to more. To becoming a better version of yourself.

An amazing book that I strongly encourage you to read.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2020 Catholic Reading Plan!