David C. Downing's Blog, page 8

ORIGINS OF GOLLUM: In the year before he started writing THE HOBBIT, J. R. R. To...

ORIGINS OF GOLLUM: In the year before he started writing THE HOBBIT, J. R. R. Tolkien wrote a poem about a a creature named Glip, who lived in a "cave of stone" with "sharp white teeth" and "eyes that gleam green jelly." Tolkien further describes Glip as "a slimy little thing sneaking and crawling under fishy stones." Though Tolkien said that Gollum's name derived from the choking sound in his throat, it's interesting to note that in Old Norse the word for gold is "goll," and Gollum's entire identity seems swallowed up by his obsession for the ring of gold.

If you haven't heard about the first installment of Peter Jackson's "Hobbit" tri...

If you haven't heard about the first installment of Peter Jackson's "Hobbit" trilogy coming out in December, then we're sorry to hear you've been in a coma or in solitary confinement the past six months. Here's one of the trailers, in case you haven't seen it either.


THE HOBBIT Trailer - 2012 Movie - Official [HD]
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Trailer 2012 - Official movie trailer in HD - starring Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Cate Blanchett - Bilbo Baggins, a Hobb...

Bilbo's house as reconstructed in New Zealand. Not sure how he would feel about...

Bilbo's house as reconstructed in New Zealand. Not sure how he would feel about having a modern sign attached to his thatched roof. Also, if there are ringwraiths in the neighborhood, would you want to install some kind of security system?

Here's the ultimate vacation for all you closet hobbits out there--a trip to the...

Here's the ultimate vacation for all you closet hobbits out there--a trip to the Hobbit Trail in New Zealand, like traveling around Middle Earth as recreated in Peter Jackson's films. No need to take your razor--hairy feet are welcome!


New Zealand’s Hobbit Trail
travel.nytimes.com
With the first of three Hobbit movies about to be released, New Zealand is preparing for the next wave of Tolkien tourists, from the hills of the Shire to the peaks of Mordor.

"Looking for the King" author David C. Downing will be speaking on "Faith and Fa...

"Looking for the King" author David C. Downing will be speaking on "Faith and Fantasy" on Monday, October 8, at 11 a.m. in Brinser Lecture Hall at Elizabethtown College. Downing will discuss Lewis and Tolkien's contrasting strategies for expressing their faith in their fantasy writing.

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An image from the upcoming Hobbit movie. Kids, when you go trick or treating thi...

An image from the upcoming Hobbit movie. Kids, when you go trick or treating this Halloween, if you come to a house like this one, it would be best to skip it!

Here's a perceptive article from the Wall Street Journal on why The Hobbit conti...

Here's a perceptive article from the Wall Street Journal on why The Hobbit continues to resonate with readers on its 75th anniversary.


The Grown-Up Pleasures of 'The Hobbit'
online.wsj.com
Power, greed, poetry: J.R.R. Tolkien's classic book, celebrating its 75th anniversary, isn't just for kids, writes Corey Olsen.

For those of you who haven't seen it, here's the second trailer for the upcoming...

For those of you who haven't seen it, here's the second trailer for the upcoming Hobbit film, the first of a trilogy. If they can stretch The Hobbit into a trilogy, shouldn't LOTR been at least nine films?


The Hobbit Official Trailer 2 [HD]: There And Back Again
The second official trailer for 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey', part 1 of Peter Jackson's Hobbit Trilogy. Starring Martin Freeman (Bilbo Baggins), Ian M...

For some reason, Gollum quotations aren't as inspiring as Gandalf quotations.

For some reason, Gollum quotations aren't as inspiring as Gandalf quotations.

INKLINGS Q & A: When Tolkien was asked about Gandalf's role, what biblical being...

INKLINGS Q & A: When Tolkien was asked about Gandalf's role, what biblical being did Tolkien compare Gandalf to?

A: Tolkien called Gandalf "an incarnate angel," an emissary sent to help all those opposed to the diabolical Sauron. According to Tolkien, Gandalf's mission was to "train, advise, instruct, and inspire" those willing to fight Sauron, but not to do their job for them. Tolkien goes so far as to compare Gandalf's role to that of the angel in the Book of Acts who helps Peter escape from prison, but who leaves the disciple to accomplish his tasks voluntarily and on his own. (Letters of JRRT, 202-203).