I've been a fan of Tolkien for about 40 years. I just came back to the books with the release "The Children of Hurin" which I read it fall on vacation. Along with that I took a new job and I've started a reread of the whole set. Hobbit (4th) LOTR (3rd) Silmarillion (2nd) and just started Unfinished Tales for the second time last week. I've read most of his non-Middle Earth books, and have the whole series of books that Christopher put out, which is now my goal to finish all 12 remaining, "The Lays of Beleriand" may be held out for a time when I can give it a closer, slower reading.
I'm very glad I did not start this reread until after I got my fill of the movie and watched the movie from a 30 year memory.
I'm a custodian for the USPS, Grandfather of two, and Enjoy Hiking, Gardening, Wood Working and now have taken up Trek Canoeing.
I guess this should have been in the other Intro Forum.
Welcome Sweeper, to the Tolkien Forums! It is indeed always a pleasure to meet older fans, since I always feel that their passion of reading Tolkien never had anything to do with the movies and this entire LotR trend. Back then he was not as popular and well known was today I guess... but then again you should be the one to confirm that. ;) I am happy to hear that you reread the books, I find it interesting to see really how many things a person discovers upon reading a second time, things that had been ommited the first time. Anyway, I hope you will feel at home hear and I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Sweeper, I'm a newbie too. I'm a fan of Tolkien since 1968 when a sophmore English teacher introduced "The Hobbit" to our school. I went crazy...I read Lord of the Rings in a week..."Silmarillion" in a month..."Farmer Giles of Ham and Smith of Wotten Major" shortly there after..."Guide to Middle Earth"..."Unfinished Tales" and recently finished the "Children of Hurin." I own on DVD all three films of "Lord of the Rings." I have kept Tolkien alive in my academic career and even did a masters thesis based on Tolkiens influence. I currently own a collection of Tolkien images from the net and Tolkien theme calendars I am almost a Grandpa, (in a couple of months Eru willing) and I'm qabout ready to retire from my practice (PC/LSW/Ph.D candidate) Welcome, Can't wait to see your contributions to the forums. Bear the Elf-friend
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Vocatus atque non vocatus, Deus aderit Called or uncalled, God is present
There was a LOT in the reading I didn't remember, and that is the same thing I remember from the second reading. So in this reading I made sure I read it so I really understood it and continuously referred to the maps and references.
The thing I noticed most in this reading, and I'll most likely get this out wrong, but a style that if the book was written today it won't be as popular. I think he set the bar for this style of books. A reread 30 years later I had a few problems with some writing and the fact that EVERYONE was suspicious of everyone else even their neighbors.
Don't get me wrong I LOVE these books, but there was something that just poked at me.
One example would be in the Silmarillion How many times did T say 'In those days Ulmo's powers still reached that far.'?
I do thing the book was as popular back in the late 60's early 70's especially when you figure that people to do the things were doing right now actually had to get together, face-to-face, to talk about the books and there was a whole lot less to talk about then.
Bear I 1st read it about the same time in life a couple years later, 1970. I've all the one's you mentioned and Letters, the Bio, 'T' Bestiary, Behind the LotR and have 1st additions of all of Christopher's editions. Like I said above, I hope to read thorough all the material. I lost it at the 1st Book of Lost Tales last time with the variation on the themes This time I'm ready to look into his thoughts about how this whole thing was created.
Sweeper, There is sooo much that interlocks all of Tolkien's work. I guess one way I started was to read the appendix at the end of "Return of The King." Thats what hooked me into reading beyond Tolkien's work and start reading commentaries at my college library. I am inspired at your commitment to re-reading the books...I am getting tired of reading about the struggles to make "The Hobbit" into a movie (not that I wouldn't love to see it) with its' various intrigues and paparazzi sub-plots. I am going back to reading this time starting with the "Silmarillion." I have it on tape too so I think I'll try a little "subliminal input." My daughter and I started digging through "Dungeons and Dragons" role playing books picking out those monsters, creatures, and characters that we recognized from Hobbit and LOTR. It was fun especially when we started racing to match and index where in Tolkien's work they appeared. Bear
-- Edited by Bear at 21:11, 2008-05-06
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Vocatus atque non vocatus, Deus aderit Called or uncalled, God is present
Welcome my friend, or suilad mellon nín as we Elves say. My name is Arwen Legolas and I am glad to meet somebody who is older then me. I am finally not the oldest member on the Board.YAY!
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Hey dol! merry dol! ring a dong dillo! Ring a dong! hop along! fal lal the willow! Tom Bom, Jolly Tom, Tom Bombadillo!
Bear have you read 'A Tolkien Compass' edited by Jared Lobdell?
There's a great essay in there 'The Interlace Structure of The LotR' by Richard West that examines the weavings of Tolkien's story.
Along with a bunch of other great ones To include 'The Corruption of Power' which may go with the thread below. Again too long ago too remember all the readings.
