The word eucatastrophe (good catastrophe) was coined by J.R.R. Tolkien to describe what he believed was the essence and highest function of fairy-stories.
It is the sudden, unexpected joyous turn.
Tolkien explains, “In such stories when the sudden ‘turn’ comes we get a piercing glimpse of joy, and heart’s desire, that for a moment passes outside the frame, rends indeed the very web of story, and lets a gleam come through” (‘On Fairy-Stories’, 61).
Our latest content:
Beren, Lúthien, and Heroic Love
This month has an extra week, so we're including another piece of content this week. This talk was from our conference in 2017 by Lisa Coutras. If you heard our interview earlier this month, you'll remember Lisa mentioning her appreciation for Lúthien. Well, here's an...
The Most Beautiful Song
In the very beginning of Tolkien’s world, before the stories of the great heroes came to pass, the Ainur were created by Ilúvatar. They sang the world into existence in the “Great Music” (The Silmarillion, 3). Ilúvatar instructed them to use the gifts and powers he...
Call for entries – August 2020
August's theme is: The Splendor of Middle-earth In anticipation of our August content, the essay question is: If you could visit one locale in Middle-earth for a weekend, where would you go, and why? Describe the place, region, story-scene in your own words and what...
Tolkien’s Theology of Beauty – Interview with Lisa Coutras
Lisa Coutras Lisa Coutras is a theology scholar, author, and speaker. She holds a Ph.D. in Theology and Religious Studies from King's College London in an M.Th. in Applied Theology from the University of Oxford. She also obtained a B.A. in Writing and Philosophy from...
Spotlighting Tolkien Resources
Tolkien’s Theology of Beauty: Majesty, Splendor, and Transcendence in Middle-earth, by Lisa Coutras Reflections by Dan Cruver and John PletcherDuring summertime 2020, we are spotlighting several of exceptional Tolkien resources that are favorites of the Eucatastrophe...
Déagol’s Baked Fish
Since we are discovering the Splendor of the Lands that inspired Middle-earth, I thought a recipe influenced by Scandinavian cooking would be appropriate. You might want to accompany your fish with green vegetables, such as cabbage or green beans; some pickled beets...
Appreciating Beauty & Wonder in Tolkien’s Legendarium
July 2020 theme: Appreciating Beauty & Wonder in Tolkien’s LegendariumHello friends of the Eucatastrophe fellowship! We’re in for a great July. Our theme is “appreciating beauty & wonder in Tolkien’s legendarium.” We’ve got a great slate of content each week....
Tolkien’s Far-reaching Hope
John Eldredge John Eldredge is an author, a counselor, and a teacher. He is also president of Wild at Heart, a ministry devoted to helping people discover the heart of God, recover their own hearts in God's love, and learn to live in God's Kingdom. John grew up in the...
Frodos Dreme
HOPE is the theme for June, and I have an easy, summery recipe to share with you. The simple, delicious taste of a beautiful fresh strawberry and pure heavy cream—two ingredients combine in a bowl to produce an almost spiritual, or even Platonic, representation of...
