Into the Heart of Middle-earth

In her freshman attempt, Facista manages to balance faith, spirituality, and practical lessons left to us by the illustrious Professor. Instead of just adopting the visual aesthetic of living like Hobbits, Facista calls the reader to something bigger than themselves. To "love thy neighbor" transcends denominations, churches, polictics; and in this case, even fictional worlds. I highly recommend this book to any Tolkien fan who is remotely spiritual; and even those who are not would do well to heed the lessons the Professor left us, so like Frodo we can navigate dark times. This book is touchingly relevant, and I am so excited to see a physical copy!

When we think of the Hobbit lifestyle, many of us picture cozy Instagram aesthetics, and we instantly think of tweed coats and cottages. While these things are all good and true, J.R.R. Tolkien meant to point us to something deeper in his writing: the Cross. The trials of his Hobbits and their quest to bring about a better world is something that few people capture nowadays, but Kaitlyn Facista brings that understanding of Tolkien's literature into startling clarity. She guides readers through a practical yet spiritual journey that helps them embrace the beating heart of Middle-earth. Accompanied by the examples of saints, as well as a rich and layered analysis of Tolkien's many works, Facista brings Tolkien's faith into the forefront. She makes this accessible to all readers, whether Catholic or non-Catholic. Whatever your knowledge of Tolkien (if you are a seasoned Tolkien wizard or a beginning reader), her book makes sure that everyone has something to gain.

This book is well worth your time, and I pray that you have as fruitful and meaningful exploration of it as I did.

"God is the Lord, of angels, and of men - and of elves." Facista understands Tolkien more than most modern Tolkien scholars because she starts with the heart of it all - his faith. There were so many influences on Tolkien's work, but underscoring it all was always his faith, whether intentionally composed as such or subconsciously written. Facista does a fantastic job gleaning these truths out of his work and connecting it to actionable steps we can take in our own lives. Not only are these astute observations, they are encouragements to virtue. If you take these lessons to heart, you will return to the Shire as an adventurer changed for the better.

Knowing how much Tolkien's faith meant to him and how interwoven it was in the stories he wrote, I appreciate seeing Kaitlyn approach his work from that lens. She does an excellent job of purveying that faith in her examination of the story and themes of The Lord of the Rings, providing the reader with the opportunity to apply it through spiritual, social, and communal aspects of their lives. As we march with the Hobbits through their trek across Middle-earth in the journey to defeat Sauron and destroy the One Ring, we're given ample opportunities by Kaitlyn to stop, ponder, and meditate on the story's various values, ranging from Honor, Hospitality, Loyalty, and beyond. We're given several influences in Tolkien's faith, ranging from his mother, his priest, and other Saints in the Catholic faith, all of which exhibit these values that find their way into his own life and writing.

Into the Heart of Middle-earth is an easy and approachable exploration of what it truly means to be a "Hobbit at heart," and I was privileged to be taken along the journey.

Tolkien’s ability to point to something greater within his works is the driving force that has brought me back time and time again. In “Into the Heart of Middle-Earth”, Kaitlyn hones in on the paths that one can take to discover that “something greater” within Tolkien’s works. From discovering the “little way” of the hobbits to the reveal of the “unexpected happy ending”, Kaitlyn calls us to enter more deeply into the fictional world of Tolkien’s Middle-Earth to inspire real change in the physical world. The journey Kaitlyn guides us on takes us into the Catholic hearts of Tolkien, Kaitlyn, and many Catholic saints but (in true Tolkien fashion) is welcoming to all who enter. This work has found a way into my heart and home and I look forward to sharing the experience with others. Hope to see you on the journey!