Stars and Swords: Footnoting Genre Fiction

Mar 09 2025 54 ep. 64 mins 21

Stars and Swords: Footnoting Genre Fiction Podcast artwork

Stars and Swords is a weekly podcast dedicated to the exploration, analysis and celebration of genre fiction.

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The Silmarillion 9: Doom

Mar 09 2025 121 mins

This week, we continue our discussion of The Silmarillion with the end of Chapter IX and all of Chapter X, including the Doom of the Noldor, a quick recap of three thousand years of the elves back in Beleriand, and some cosmic renovation.

The Silmarillion 8: Kin And King

Mar 03 2025 126 mins

This week, we continue our discussion of The Silmarillion with the end of Chapter VIII and all of Chapter IX, including the the darkening of Valinor, the theft of the Silmarils, and the violence and tragedy which follows.

The Silmarillion 7: The Darkening

Feb 21 2025 119 mins

This week, we continue our discussion of The Silmarillion with the the forging of the Silmarils, domestic discord in the House of Finwë, and the secret origins of Tolkien's most terrifying creation.

The Silmarillion 6: Spirit Of Fire

Feb 14 2025 128 mins

This week, we continue our discussion of The Silmarillion with the logistics of crossing the Great Sea, our introduction to Fëanor and the family of Finwë, and the subtlety of Melkor.

The Silmarillion Q&A: The Idea Of Fighting

Feb 11 2025 29 mins

In this bonus episode, we discuss the location of the Far Heaven, the nature of the Ainur, the absence of dwarves and a vision of medieval utopia.

The Silmarillion 5: The Elves, Themselves

Feb 07 2025 121 mins

This week, we continue our discussion of The Silmarillion with the secret origins of dwarves and ents, the battle against Melkor and the Sundering of the Elves across Middle-Earth.

The Silmarillion 4: Arda Marred

Jan 31 2025 93 mins

This week, we continue our unit on The Silmarillion and discuss the Days Before Days, time and space (and calendars and maps), and the paradox of free will.

The Silmarillion Pop Quiz: The Valaquenta

Jan 26 2025 7 mins

In this special bonus episode, test your knowledge of the Valar and the Maiar, the relationships between them, and a few other things besides!

The Silmarillion 3: Acquainted With Grief

Jan 24 2025 100 mins

This week, we continue our unit on The Silmarillion and discuss the Valaquenta, spheres of authority, intertexting already and The Diagram.

The Silmarillion 2: Void And Flame

Jan 18 2025 115 mins

This week, we continue our unit on The Silmarillion and discuss the Ainulindalë, aesthetics and philosophy, the subcreative process and the Secret Origins of Melkor.