The Hobbit was actually the first epic fantasy that I ever read. Prompted by my husband (who was my boyfriend at the time), I read it expecting nothing. After, fantasy is what I mostly read. Not that I didn't read fantasy before (I read lots of historical romance, so yeah...fantasy of another kind.) But The Hobbit was the book that launched my love into reading and writing fantasy fiction.
So back to The Lord of the Rings. I actually procrastinated reading the books until AFTER I started watching the movies. I did, however, listen to the abridged audiobooks while driving to our honeymoon local. (woah...that came across totally geeky...lol). It was between the 2nd and 3rd movies that I picked up and read the books.
I can't say that I LOVE the books. They get pretty long winded at times. I'm not sure I would've liked them as much if I hadn't listen to/seen the story before, but I can now respect the legacy they have become.
So for my answer, I love (respect) The Lord of the Rings, because of the fantastic world Tolkien created. And I always adore a hero's journey, where even the smallest of people can do amazing things.
What about you? (And if you've only seen the movies...I'll let you cheat this time.)
I liked hearing about how you got into these books. I was nearly the same. I started reading the HOBBIT when I was younger, but never finished it for one reason or another and then when the LOTRs movies started coming out, I thought I better read them. I read them once or twice and then also listened to them with my husband on a very long drive. I love the books, but also agree that they can be long-winded in all the wrong places.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite thing about this series is the struggle between good and evil. It very much relates to life. Like you noted, the MC is such a small person and at times I feel very small, with maybe no voice at all and similarly don't think I can be heard or make a difference in such a huge world, but the point is that anyone can make a difference, I think. And I really liked that point. Most of my favorite stories revolve around the good vs evil plot point. It's never tiring for me and I love life lessons.
Thanks for the post. Really like this idea.
Ah, you think you sound geeky? My husband and I used to write Tolkien-themed poems to each other while we were dating!
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question:
I loved LOTR because it showed me that little people can do big things, that everything happens for a reason, that good will always prevail--and because the descriptions of what the hobbits eat always makes me hungry. :)
hi miss kristal! i didnt ever read those books but for sure i saw all the movie stuff lots of times. i love it cause of lots of action and cool characters. and for sure its neat that little guys could finish first.
ReplyDelete...smiles from lenny
The Hobbit was the first 'adult' book I ever read. Then I muscled my way through The Lord of the Rings in 8th grade and it has been my favorite set of books ever since. I love it because of the incredible world Tolkien created, and because of what was at stake for the characters. I mean, they just couldn't fail, and the odds were so overwhelming. I think that's what did it for me.
ReplyDeleteBecca @ The Bookshelf Muse
Lord of the Rings is my favorite trilogy. I try to read it once a year or at least every couple of years. I've seen the movies (and the behind the scenes features) more times than I would admit in public. I write fantasy, and can date my love of fantasy to the first reading of these books.
ReplyDeleteI love Lord of the Rings, because these stories are the ultimate adventure stories. I love Tolkien's language and imagery.
The Lord of the Rings was the first book I ever read, and it will always be my first love. In fact, I need to read it again, soon. I used to do it every year.
ReplyDeleteI watched the movies first and then read the books. I had to wait until I was trapped in Russia for a month surrounded by books in Cyrillic and Russian language television so I had no other choice about what I was going to read. It's sacrilege for a fantasy writing English teacher to say but I liked the movies better. I connected to its amazing story better that way.
ReplyDeleteI adore Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn.
I read The Hobbit and the LOTR trilogy over the course of two years from the time I was ten years old to twelve years old. I read it with a dictionary by my side, determined to slog through the elaborate prose. It was one of the best and toughest reading experiences of my life. But, I wouldn't change a minute of it. Tolkien taught me that some stories are worth the sacrifice.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read the Hobbit yet, but I plan on reading it as soon as I get the chance this semester. I first read Lord of the Rings when I was in sixth grade, and loved every minute of it. Like you, I love it in large part for the world Tolkien created, and how beautifully flawless it is. I love the characters, and that even though they're not necessarily 'human' I can relate to them as if they are. I love the classic good vs. evil in the story, and Frodo's struggle to hold on to the good. And I love all the side stories that add to the veracity of Tolkien's world. Though he can get long winded by many standards (and sometimes mine), the writing is amazing and has definitely taught me a lot.
ReplyDeleteI read them back in junior high or high school. (Can't remember which) The thing I enjoyed the most about the books was the description of Frodo's flight from the Shire. The description of traveling through the woods, not knowing what to do next, was so vivid to me I've never forgotten it.
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