Tolkien's Writings

[Napoleon]

Since most of us here are Tolkien fans, I thought this would be a good choice for a new topic. I thought that this would cause some extremely interesting debate. Please, be polite and stay on topic. I wouldn't want the topic to be locked.

In case you're wondering, my choice was Return of the King. The Hobbit is good too, as I wrote one of my book reports on it. I haven't read the Silmarillion or Two Towers; not because I am lazy, but the Silmarillion at our bookstore is really expensive and I am waiting for a hard-back Two Towers to go on sale, as I don't like paper-backs.

[JoshWedin]

We generally let people discuss such things in "Medieval Life". I'll move it there.

Josh

[Blue Moon Knight]

I chose the Silmarillion. Though it's not good plot wise (you probably couldn't make a movie out of it, it just wouldn't be exciting), it really shows you just how much Tolkien built up his world; and that it is an entire world in itself.
With most fantasy books, a world is created, but all we really get is: a map, descriptive details, characters, and various sizes of samplings of the languages/cultures/histories.
The Silmarillion (and his work in general) goes beyond that; with full history, creation myths, calendars, family trees etc, Middle Earth becomes as deep and complex as our own world.

[gormadoc1]

I enjoy all the books yet I chose 'The Fellowship Of The Ring', it appeals most to me as it starts the ball rolling for the Lord of the Rings story.

[Napoleon]

I love the Children of Hurin, and I'm surprised that no one has picked it yet. I thought it should be up there with Romeo and Juliet and King Arthur! It was great.

[Ye Olde Republic]

Since most of us here are Tolkien fans,

Most of us? Where id you get this information? I'm sorry but I really dislike blanket statements like this, that may or may not involve me: A Tolkien not-fan. I'd go so far as to say that I don't like his works at all.

[Blue Moon Knight]

Since most of us here are Tolkien fans,

Most of us? Where id you get this information? I'm sorry but I really dislike blanket statements like this, that may or may not involve me: A Tolkien not-fan. I'd go so far as to say that I don't like his works at all.

Well that's fine if you don't like it. We'll just put you in the "some members don't like Tolkien" section then.

[quaraga]

I group the silmarillion with tolkein's son because he more or less stuck together tolkein's stuff into a book. the hobbit is best because bilbo is just so bewildered that he's on an adventure. also in the 2 towers and return of the king, you read all about gandalf and aregorn but then you read the frodo parts and think "why am I reading this?"
-T.R.

[Ye Olde Republic]

Can I be put at the top of the list please? I'd just like to make sure that such blanket statements don't happen as often as they do. If they are made, there should be some basis/proof.

"Don't label me man." - Hippies

[ottoatm]

Suggest we relax in our outrage over "blanket statements" and enjoy the forum.

This is a friendly forum people, cut people some slack~

[Blue Moon Knight]

I group the silmarillion with tolkein's son because he more or less stuck together tolkein's stuff into a book. the hobbit is best because bilbo is just so bewildered that he's on an adventure. also in the 2 towers and return of the king, you read all about gandalf and aregorn but then you read the frodo parts and think "why am I reading this?"
-T.R.

Does Christopher Tolkien have his own set of works? I'd never heard of that before. Or do you just mean the Middle-Earth works (like The Silmarillion) that he published for his father?

As far as I'm concerned they are still Tolkiens works, especially The Silmarillion, because he spent his whole life working on them.


Also, I've never experienced that "why am I reading this" feeling. Could you be more specific please?

[ottoatm]

Also, I've never experienced that "why am I reading this" feeling. Could you be more specific please?

Heh heh heh... I can only speak for myself here, (and I love Tolkien), but I do remember thinking this sometimes when I was younger and encountered parts in his books where he would give great amounts of details or back story about something could find significant.

[Napoleon]

I am sorry if anyone resented that, but I didn't mean ALL of us. I just meant a lot of us. Anyway, keep posting! This is interesting. Even though The Hobbit is good, I am surprised that it is winning, as I figured that either FotR or RotK would win. Oh yeah, I agree that Sil should be considered J.R.R. even though it was edited and published by his son.

[Blue Moon Knight]

Heh heh heh... I can only speak for myself here, (and I love Tolkien), but I do remember thinking this sometimes when I was younger and encountered parts in his books where he would give great amounts of details or back story about something could find significant.

Ah, I think I see now. Thanks!

This is interesting. Even though The Hobbit is good, I am surprised that it is winning, as I figured that either FotR or RotK would win.

It may be due to the style of writing Tolkien used. In this case, he used a sort of "third-person-intrusive"
(I don't remember the exact term), which for those who may not know, means that the author basically tends to give their own opinions on the character's actions/thoughts/predicament, while narrating the story.

[Frank_Lloyd_Knight]

We shouldn't forget about the adventures of Tom Bombadil or Farmer Giles of Ham.