Lord of the Rings, take two.

[same_sky]

Let me just say that I was taken completely off-guard by the response to my last post. If I had known that people would take me so seriously, I probably would have written it a little differently. I'm not saying that my questions weren't serious ones--but I probably would have prefaced them a little better. Actually, when I started writing, I only had about three questions in mind (the Entwives, the talking animals, and perhaps Gandalf.) The movie questions were mainly for humorous effect, and the others were more or less not totally seriou. I should have categorized them as such. I did point out that I had read the books, but I don't think that came across easily enough somehow.. like I said in the comments, I wouldn't dream of asking LotR fans anything without having read the books for fear of being torn to shreds. I would like to thank both big_bubba and paradisecowgirl for humoring me a little bit and giving very serious and thought-provoking answers--honestly, I didn't expect that, but I'm grateful--they did a nice job of answering a few of the answerables--I know that a couple of my questions were a little irreverent for the true fans.. sorry about that.

See, here's the part where I risk alienating myself. I did not particularly enjoy the books. Actually, I complained about reading them all the way through. I found them to be wordy and dry and somewhat problematic. The story, however, was really good--I'm not trying to minimize that at all--that's why I love the movies, even though I didn't care for the books. I'm very much not the type to like a movie more than a book.. it's actually very unusual for me. I think that he deserves lots of credit for forging a path to the modern fantasy genre. I just happen to think that his actual work was kind of.. well, let's just leave it at "not for me". So.. my level of LotR appreciation can only go so deep because I just didn't click with the man's writing style, and at this point in my life, I've read just about all the Tolkien I can stomach. (I did enjoy The Hobbit much more, to be fair, even if the animals talked, but it still wasn't my cup of tea.) I'm just saying... don't worry about it too much if you didn't have all the answers for me. I'll be alright. :)

Comments

[carrieb.livejournal.com]

At least you read them all the way through. I piss rabid LotR fans off all the time when they find out I was way way way too bored to get past the first few chapters.

[same-sky.livejournal.com]

*grin* I thought of you while trying to phrase the last paragraph nicely. ;) I was pretty much bored through most of it, too. I tried to like it, though.. oh, how I tried.

[carrieb.livejournal.com]

*l* I am not very diplomatic when it comes to things like that. I am diplomatic when it comes to other things, but I really and truly can't comprehend why some people get so freaked out when others don't love and cherish the same books/music/movies/whatever that they do. I am passionate about many books, but never really care what others think.

[paradisecowgirl.livejournal.com]

I'm too old to be a rabid fan of anything or anyone :)

I ador the books, the movies are okay but only because I've been reading and re-reading the boosk for almost 30 years.

[same-sky.livejournal.com]

Well, that's good, then. :) I wanted to like the books but it just wasn't in me.. I always feel like such a faker in the geek club.. :)

[big-bubba.livejournal.com]

*l* Don't worry, I won't hate you for not liking the books. It's even OK to say they bored you to tears. I can handle that. Of course, I do love the books, and some of the stories in the Silmarillion even more so. I would seriously recommend you to NOT read that book though. If you found LotR boring, the Silmarillion might be a fatal experience for you.

Nope, you need to read C's fav series - Empire by Feist/Wurts.

[same-sky.livejournal.com]

We have the Simarillion, but I wasn't really planning on reading it.. I didn't much expect it to be any more entertaining. ;) Just out of curiousity.. did you read all this in Swedish or in English or both?

Actually, I just ordered the first Empire book tonight, as well as added all the recommendations you so nicely gave me a while back to my wishlist. (I've been very well stocked on books until recently.. now I'm only fairly well stocked so it's time to find more.. haha.) I'll be sure to let ya'll know how I like it.

[big-bubba.livejournal.com]

The Hobbit and LotR I read in Swedish. The Silmarillion I read first in Swedish and merely liked the book. Then I read it in English and adored. It's rather scary, but I think I can still quote things from it even though it must be a good ten years since the last re-read.

"Sit now there, and look out upon the lands where evil and despair shall come upon those whom thou lovest. Thou hast dared to mock me, and to question the power of Melkor, master of all the fates of Arda. Therefore, with with my eyes thou shalt see, and with my ears thou shalt hear, and never shalt thou move from this place until all is fulfilled unto its bitter end."

Or something like that. Yes, I'm scary in my geekiness.

[same-sky.livejournal.com]

*grin* Geeky is nice.

I was just asking because I know that my M liked LotR better in Swedish than in English (which he read just last year.) He's also a fan, although he does see my points on some things. I know that most people who fall in love with it read it in English, so that's not what I'm trying to say, but since we (he and I, that is) had talked about that not too long ago, I was just curious. ;)

[lizardek.livejournal.com]

The Silmarillion would definitely keel you. KEEL! :D

[same-sky.livejournal.com]

I'll try not to put it to the test.. :)

[courtesy.livejournal.com]

I'm terribly offended.

[same-sky.livejournal.com]

I knew you would be.