Phil's list--one down

[Philip]

Just finished Two Towers--really read the last 100 pages in full sprint. It's an incredible book, and I'm really not sure why I stopped after Fellowship many years ago. I'm looking forward to Return of the King.
Pressing on . . .

[C. (Comment, never msg).]

At this point you can't help blowing through it. I hope you started with "The Hobbit", which ought to be cited as novel one.

[Cath]

I stopped - many years ago - after reading The Two Towers and have also never read The Return of the King. I too have no idea why. LOL! I think The Hobbit is my favourite of the lot though.

[Philip]

C. wrote: "At this point you can't help blowing through it. I hope you started with "The Hobbit", which ought to be cited as novel one."

I have read Hobbit a couple of times, and am currently reading it to my youngest son. Reading Hobbit and Two Towers simultaneously has heightened the pleasure of each.

I think what surprised me most about the end of Two Towers was how moving it was--the way Tolkien writes Sam's response to events (to not give anyway details) is powerful. Brilliant writing, brilliant book--but then that's not a new insight, eh?

[Philip]

Cath wrote: "I stopped - many years ago - after reading The Two Towers and have also never read The Return of the King. I too have no idea why. LOL! I think The Hobbit is my favourite of the lot though."

I'm thinking that I'll be picking up Return of the King this weekend--I want to know what happens (I've never seen the movies), and I'd like to finish while the details of TT are fresh.

[C. (Comment, never msg).]

I am astounded but with gladness for you, that your experience of those films is to come. I understand not seeing them yet. I've done the reverse with "Harry Potter"; not read them but love the films. I felt more detail comes from books and it's best not to spoil them. Knowing how a film goes isn't bad - there's still much to see, emotions to feel. As a coincidence, my fiancé & I are seeing "The Hobbit II" tomorrow.

[Barbarac]

Cath wrote: "I stopped - many years ago - after reading The Two Towers and have also never read The Return of the King. I too have no idea why. LOL! I think The Hobbit is my favourite of the lot though."

I should go back and re-read these too. I loved them when I read them in my teenage years. But the Hobbit was my least favorite. I haven't even seen the first 2 movies yet because I didn't care for the book.

[C. (Comment, never msg).]

I've just seen "The Hobbit II". It's fantastic! When I read it as a child, I couldn't care less about fantasy or science fiction (including "Star Wars"). As a result I absorbed nothing, recalled nothing. I enjoyed the book very much as a grown-up and am a great FAN of the films!

[Barbarac]

C. wrote: "I've just seen "The Hobbit II". It's fantastic! When I read it as a child, I couldn't care less about fantasy or science fiction (including "Star Wars"). As a result I absorbed nothing, recalled..."

Hmmm, I'm more the opposite, I liked fantasy and scifi more when I was younger. But I'm still going to watch the Hobbit movies, I'm sure. I really enjoyed the Lord of the Rings ones.

[Bev]

I read The Hobbit back in high school--but it was one of those "have to" reads so I really didn't enjoy it. I keep thinking I should go back and given Tolkein another go since so many of my friends love these books so much. I just need to go get them and stick them on the TBR stack for next year...

Good luck with your climb, Philip!