Philippa

Philippa rated a book 5 of 5 stars

The Lord of the Rings (The Lord of the Rings, #1-3)
by J.R.R. Tolkien

read in October, 1983

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

My favourite book above all others. There are many books and authors I admire, many of them very different from Tolkien, but LotR had an emotional and visual impact on my imagination in a way no other book has ever had.

There is so much to be said ab...more My favourite book above all others. There are many books and authors I admire, many of them very different from Tolkien, but LotR had an emotional and visual impact on my imagination in a way no other book has ever had.

There is so much to be said about LotR. It's a big chocolate box of a book, one to dip into and savour again and again. When I first read it, Middle-earth seemed oddly familiar, as if it was a world already in existence and I had just stepped into it. Thanks to the profound influences which shaped Tolkien's imagination -- his love for the great Anglo-Saxon, Finnish and Norse legends and the 'pure Northern spirit' that pervades them -- and his lyrical, descriptive style. He combined his deep scholarship with his natural gift for storytelling to create his own unique, marvellous legend.

Alas, I read so many complaints these days about the long descriptive passages in LotR. But I adore them: this is actually concise, skilful world-building and Tolkien never over-does it. Honestly, Dickens is more verbose ... and Tolkien's descriptions are wonderfully precise; even a geographically-challenged person like me can work out where is where in Middle-earth.

We start off in the Shire, with an almost 'Middlemarch' like tone, but it's not long before we enter epic Beowulf-type country, and the chase is on. The hobbit-centric narrative really works, as we experience Middle-earth through their eyes. The hobbits are, in many ways, Tolkien's most modern characters: the five principal hobbits - Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin and of course Bilbo - would not be out of place in a novel by Trollope or George Eliot, or even an Ibsen play. The hobbits are, essentially, 19th century or early 20th century Englishmen caught up in an archaic world: Rohan is modelled on ancient Anglo-Saxon culture and Minas Tirith, so Tolkien claimed, was somewhat akin to Byzantium ... and then you've got the Elves, whose realms are tantalising bridges between Middle-earth and the far-off realm of Valinor (forever forbidden to mortals, who instead have the 'gift of death'). Somehow Tolkien makes all these various elements work in his long tale. He makes them work brilliantly.

Then there are the songs and poems, which add so much to the rich story-tapestry. On my first reading, I tantalised myself by not skipping any of them, even though I was dying to know what happened next!

There is often criticism of the male-centric narrative. Yet many of Tolkien's female characters are strong, powerful and memorable, e.g. Galadriel, one of the most impressive Elves in LotR; Éowyn; and Lobelia Sackville-Baggins surely deserves a mention. ;) I would also make a strong case for the hobbits having a feminine side: at their best, they are earthy, compassionate, nurturing creatures. Sam Gamgee is the most obvious exemplar of these qualities, but he's not the only one. (My own favourite hobbit is Frodo, the intellectual, tragic one.)

In any case, I also enjoy wartime stories with male bonding and strong friendships. Another tradition which LotR claims triumphantly for its own.

The central relationship in the story is Frodo/Sam. At the heart of the tale -- and all the other alliances, friendships, battles and sub-plots are essential -- are two brave, vulnerable hobbits trying to get the job done. It all rests on them.

This is the story with everything. It's a riveting, complex fairytale, as beautifully stitched together as a medieval tapestry. It's like a huge Pre-Raphaelite canvas. It's a thrilling read, it has big battles (in which you can work out the strategies), it has memorable villains, cool Elves, adorable hobbits, hunky men, strong women, a snarky wizard, and even horses. ;) (I love the horses.) It has catharsis, redemption and resolution.

My favourite book above all others.(less)

Philippa rated a book 5 of 5 stars

Rebecca
by Daphne du Maurier

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

The true stars are Rebecca (whom we never meet but whose presence permeates the novel), Mrs Danvers (who has Issues and then some) and the house. Not so much the insipid second Mrs de Winter (whom I suspect is not quite so daft as she makes herself o...more

Philippa rated a book 5 of 5 stars

Shadows and Strongholds
by Elizabeth Chadwick (Goodreads Author)

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

This is the first novel I ever read by Elizabeth Chadwick: I picked it up in the bookstore of beautiful Ludlow Castle, one of the book's main settings! :) Now that's good marketing!

I loved it. I'm a fan of genre fiction and this is a captivating hist...more

Philippa rated a book 5 of 5 stars

The Silmarillion
by J.R.R. Tolkien

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

I am grateful to Christopher Tolkien who all those decades ago organised his father's work into a coherent whole, thus giving us The Silmarillion. This amazing invented mythology is set thousands of years before the main events in The Lord of the Rin...more

Philippa voted on the list Best Books Ever

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Philippa rated a book 4 of 5 stars

The Woman in Black
by Susan Hill

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

This is how you write a classic ghost story! Hill cleverly employs a refined Edwardian tone for her narrator and achieves a spine-chiller worthy of Daphne du Maurier. Don't be deceived by Arthur Kipps's calm, mild, very English narration: the man is...more

Philippa rated a book 5 of 5 stars

Cold Mountain
by Charles Frazier

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

I adore this book, and couldn't put it down the first time. It's a classic quest novel and a beautiful, brutal depiction of the futility and devastation of war (in this case, the American Civil War). Frazier's lyrical, descriptive writing is just gor...more

Philippa rated a book 5 of 5 stars

Jane Eyre
by Charlotte Brontë

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Probably my favourite Victorian novel. A highly intelligent, compelling Gothic drama. Whilst the story is wonderfully Romantic (with a big R), featuring hints of murder, mystery and the supernatural, Charlotte Brontë also subverts Romantic stereotype...more

Philippa liked a quote

“Only part of us is sane: only part of us loves pleasure and the longer day of happiness, wants to live to our nineties and die in peace, in a house that we built, that shall shelter those who come after us. The other half of us is nearly mad. It prefers the disagreeable to the agreeable, loves pain and its darker night despair, and wants to die in a catastrophe that will set back life to its beginnings and leave nothing of our house save its blackened foundations.” — Rebecca West

like

Philippa liked a quote

“I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is: I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat, or a prostitute.” — Rebecca West

like

Philippa’s Profile

Philippa’s Bookshelves

rss
Philippa's Recent Updates

Quotes Philippa Likes

Philippa’s Friends (17)

Listopia Votes

Philippa rated a book 5 of 5 stars The Lord of the Rings (The Lord of the Rings, #1-3) by J.R.R. Tolkien read in October, 1983	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
My favourite book above all others. There are many books and authors I admire, many of them very different from Tolkien, but LotR had an emotional and visual impact on my imagination in a way no other book has ever had. There is so much to be said ab...more
Aug 08, 2012 03:54am · see review
Philippa rated a book 5 of 5 stars Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Aug 07, 2012 08:21am · see review
Philippa rated a book 5 of 5 stars Shadows and Strongholds by Elizabeth Chadwick (Goodreads Author)	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This is the first novel I ever read by Elizabeth Chadwick: I picked it up in the bookstore of beautiful Ludlow Castle, one of the book's main settings! :) Now that's good marketing! I loved it. I'm a fan of genre fiction and this is a captivating hist...more
Aug 07, 2012 08:15am · see review
Philippa rated a book 5 of 5 stars The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I am grateful to Christopher Tolkien who all those decades ago organised his father's work into a coherent whole, thus giving us The Silmarillion. This amazing invented mythology is set thousands of years before the main events in The Lord of the Rin...more
Aug 07, 2012 07:59am · see review
Philippa voted on the list Best Books Ever
Aug 07, 2012 05:06am · like · Philippa's votes · everyone's votes · vote
Philippa rated a book 4 of 5 stars The Woman in Black by Susan Hill	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This is how you write a classic ghost story! Hill cleverly employs a refined Edwardian tone for her narrator and achieves a spine-chiller worthy of Daphne du Maurier. Don't be deceived by Arthur Kipps's calm, mild, very English narration: the man is...more
Aug 07, 2012 04:19am · see review
Philippa rated a book 5 of 5 stars Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I adore this book, and couldn't put it down the first time. It's a classic quest novel and a beautiful, brutal depiction of the futility and devastation of war (in this case, the American Civil War). Frazier's lyrical, descriptive writing is just gor...more
Aug 07, 2012 04:01am · see review
Philippa rated a book 5 of 5 stars Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Probably my favourite Victorian novel. A highly intelligent, compelling Gothic drama. Whilst the story is wonderfully Romantic (with a big R), featuring hints of murder, mystery and the supernatural, Charlotte Brontë also subverts Romantic stereotype...more
Aug 07, 2012 03:48am · see review
Philippa liked a quote “Only part of us is sane: only part of us loves pleasure and the longer day of happiness, wants to live to our nineties and die in peace, in a house that we built, that shall shelter those who come after us. The other half of us is nearly mad. It prefers the disagreeable to the agreeable, loves pain and its darker night despair, and wants to die in a catastrophe that will set back life to its beginnings and leave nothing of our house save its blackened foundations.” — Rebecca West like
Aug 06, 2012 08:47am · more quotes by Rebecca West
Philippa liked a quote “I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is: I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat, or a prostitute.” — Rebecca West like
Aug 06, 2012 08:45am · more quotes by Rebecca West

Philippa’s Profile

Philippa’s Bookshelves

rssPhilippa's Recent Updates

Quotes Philippa Likes

Philippa’s Friends (17)

Listopia Votes

rss
Philippa's Recent Updates