Novelist Helen Cross, who herself lives in Birmingham, uncovers the story of the young J.R.R. Tolkien, falling in love with Edith Bratt. Their relationship was the inspiration for the love story of Beren and Luthien at the heart of The Silmarillion.

Listen to Cross in this BBC radio program broadcast just last weekend as she visits key locations in Birmingham, Cheltenham and Oxford, and tells the story of Tolkien’s young life and the love story at the heart of it. NB: you may have to be in the UK to listen to this. Thanks to Ringer David for the tip.

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