I was 11 when I first got the book to my hands. It was just after the FotR movie, and I was desperate to know what was gonna happen. So I went to the localest librabry, took the RotK and figured out I had no clue what was going on. Ok. I borrowed FotR and immediately "fell" into it. I loved it, and I´m sure I´ve read it at least three times before I had to return it back. It´s still such an awesome book and JRRT - thank you for creating Middle-earth.

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<center>[font=Times New Roman]<img src="http://tinyurl.com/63ongu"><br><br>From sorrow & pain I find my strength ... the more pain I feel, the more I see /// July the 4th 2008, first day of my life...<br><br>I met Eru on September 5th 2006 ♥ (and April 15th 2008!)<br><br>Censorship Causes Blindness</center>[/font]

1. The first lines of The Hobbit are much more famous because they are so memorable. In adition, the story jumps in to the action much sooner than in FotR. What are your reactions to the way in which Tolkien begins his story in LotR?

2. It's interesting to note that not only do we have Frodo and Bilbo introduced early on in this chapter, but Samwise as well. His character is hinted at in this passage: "Crazy about stories of the old days he is, and he listens to al of Mr. Bilbo's tales. Mr Bilbo has lerned him his letters..." Do the descriptions of Bilbo, Frodo, and Sam in tbe book give you a different impression of them from that which you had in the movie, or is it about the same?

I'm just posting two early questions to get discussion started. Now have at these, and come up with your own questions and observations about and for the rest of the chapter.

Have fun!

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Starting October 13th: globe trotting from my kitchen. Follow along on Cook In Fifty-Two

Question 1) I prefer the way Tolkien starts FotR because it gives a lot of insight into the world of Hobbits, more so than The Hobbit. We get to look at their way of life, which allows us to have a better understanding of the nature of the Hobbits throughout the story. Also, since much of the books are filled with peril and not very nice situations for our beloved Hobbits, it is wonderful to see them happy and having fun.

Question 2) I like reading the book's descriptions of Frodo, Bilbo and Sam, because we do get to hear more about them amd what makes them tick. Frodo for example, seems far more mature to me in the books intro than in the beginning of the movie. We get to know the characters even better than in the movies.

One thing I noticed after reading the book then watching the movie again, was that I could enjoy the movies even more after reading the books. For example, in the scene where Bilbo gives his speech, I noticed the reaction of the Hobbits lines up with the book, although it is never stated in the movie that they hated long speeches. I found it so cool to be able to watch the movie, but also know the history and such that people who hadn't read the books wouldn't understand.

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Thanks Haldir and Gil!
"You said: I know that this will hurt, but if I don't break your heart then things will just get worse..."

1. The first lines of The Hobbit are much more famous because they are so memorable. In adition, the story jumps in to the action much sooner than in FotR. What are your reactions to the way in which Tolkien begins his story in LotR?

2. It's interesting to note that not only do we have Frodo and Bilbo introduced early on in this chapter, but Samwise as well. His character is hinted at in this passage: "Crazy about stories of the old days he is, and he listens to al of Mr. Bilbo's tales. Mr Bilbo has lerned him his letters..." Do the descriptions of Bilbo, Frodo, and Sam in tbe book give you a different impression of them from that which you had in the movie, or is it about the same?

1. I personally like the way we get right into FotR. We get introduced to the characters quickly and in a way that we really get to see their personalities, and what people think about them. I also like that we get a tiny bit of background story, just enough to establish us in the world of hobbits--again.

2. Since I read the books after I first saw the movies, it was quite interesting the first time I read FotR to get these different impressions. I found it quite interesting to know that the people of the Shire are rather...wary of Bilbo, regarding him as someone slightly nuts, doing things no other hobbit would do. It's also interesting to see that they are slightly suspicious of Frodo as well--and we don't get quite as much of a look at him until later. To me, it almost seemed for a couple of pages that he wasn't the main character. Of course, that changed. And Sam...it's also interesting that when it lists Frodo's best friends, Sam isn't mentioned. They have more of a master-servant relationship than a friend-friend relationship at this point, I think. Right now you don't see much of Sam, just his smaller, foolish side--but very sweet all the same.

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I AM NOT A FANGIRL

1. The way Tolkien introduces the Hobbits really makes you feel like you understand them better. Kinda like an introduction before you jump into the real story. You get a good idea of their culture, what they are like, and what makes them tick.


2. In some ways these characters do seem a little different, but in others you can really feel like they *are* the same person either way.

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1)I really like the way he describes the like of the hobbits, the different kinds of hobbits. It is a really interesting way to start a book

2) I thought of Frodo as older thatn he was in the movies. This is because in the book he is about twnety years older. Sam was pretty dead on. I imagined Pip and Merry as having really dark hair.

heh. i read the hobbit, and wanted more, so my mum gave me LotR, i read 2 pages then gave up. a year later, when i was 10, i read it, then i've read it every year since then - 4 times now. XD

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I LOVE JONHHY DEPP!


Snow white, snow white, o Lady clear,
O Light to us that wander here.

i like the way tolkein tells us a bit about the hobbits before the action begins, i think it adds age and a sense that they are wiser than we get in the movies

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I never thought of it that way, quite, but I think you're right. In the movies they were trying to show how utterly innocent, and happy a folk hobbits are, and in the book there's another, hidden, deeper side to hobbit's intellect.


Any other observations, questions you want to post for other people about chap. 1, before I get chap. 2 discussion started? Remember, you may post ANY observations or Qs you have, make up your own for people to answer, just as I did!

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Starting October 13th: globe trotting from my kitchen. Follow along on Cook In Fifty-Two

Am I to late to post answers for chapter one!?! I will anyway.

1. When I first read the fellowship I had seen the cartoon Hobbit and Return of the King many times so I really liked getting to see what these small furry-feeted creatures were all about. I loved the description of the brithday party and how the hobbits gave presents on their birthdays...and just everything about it! I really could never understand when my friends thought it was boring and couldn't get through it. But hey I guess it's just my style. (like the consel of Elrond is my fav chapter-but that's getting a little ahead of ourselves)

2. Definately. Especially with Frodo. He's is a lot different in my mind from the books. But I like him in the movies too. In the books he's definately more mature like Luthien of Lorien was saying. And he seems a little more worldly wise in the books. Like he knows some of the Elvish speech. He's sort of a scholarly type who likes to walk in the woods and enjoy nature. I view the Frodo of the books as much like Tolkien himself in the Fellowship at least. Although you can see hints of him in all the chacters them being his creation. Sam is much the same in the movies and the books. As I think is Bilbo...maybe a little less freaky...with the whole "RARRR I want the ring!" thing at Frodo...but I really love how Ian Holmes played him.

Ok so that's my lenthy report. I'm so glad I joined this! I love talking about this stuff!
~Merry

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Blue Dom banner by Arwen the magnificent. All other graphics made by me.[^]
Became a Rider of Rohan at 10:16am on 8/22/06
~Merry

Hi Meriadoc, I guess I'll welcome you to the reading group! Brilliant of you to join. I agree with what you said about seeing Tolkien in his works, it would have been marvelous to meet him, I should think.

That raises another question: What would you ask Tolkien if you could talk to him today? Anything about the books, or even the movies.

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Thanks Haldir and Gil!
"You said: I know that this will hurt, but if I don't break your heart then things will just get worse..."

Here's a starter Q for chapter 2.

What do you think of how Tolkien begins this chapter? Do you think there's a clear, definate division between this and chap 1, or do you think it'd be better elsewhere?

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Starting October 13th: globe trotting from my kitchen. Follow along on Cook In Fifty-Two

Wow, this has been a rather abandoned thread. I'm not quite sure how to answer that question yet, give me a little while...

*goes to reread the first part of chapter 1*

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Thanks Haldir and Gil!
"You said: I know that this will hurt, but if I don't break your heart then things will just get worse..."

Tolkien was, and more. Which is definately reflected in his books. It seems to be as much about the language as it is the story. Look at his grasp of language and his understanding of how it is used! Even IF you didn't see the names Frodo, Sam, Pippin, Merry, Gimli, Legolas, I suspect you could learn to identify some of their quotes just by the way in which they speak.
As to you being bilingual, neither am I. I might know a few words and phrases from another language or two, but I cannot speak them...yet. It's that YET which I believe to be important.
Most important is to have a love and appreciation of language itself, including your own. That's what Tolkien breathes.

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Starting October 13th: globe trotting from my kitchen. Follow along on Cook In Fifty-Two

Could I sign up please? I've been planning on reading it again over the summer. I suppose that it couldn't hurt to get a jump on it.

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^all banners by me - CJ's Request Thread

I read FOTR after I saw the movies too...
The books and movies are different and I learned to separate between them.
-Wow your talking about something else now?