Reading LOTR for the first time - a journal

[IronParrot]

I found this to be a most interesting read. It's a chapter-by-chapter account of the first time its author read LOTR from beginning to end. Some of the observations there are very interesting, and reminded my own first impressions (i.e. that the Prologue is really a pain to get through without having read the rest of the book). Although I was a lot younger then, a notorious skimmer, and didn't pick up as much in the way of detail. I also found it interesting how this first-time perspective of LOTR looked at things like the dramatic structure of the book, and the surprises that most of us no longer see as surprises because they are so familiar (Gandalf the White, for example).

Go check it out.

[Shadowfax]

That's very intersting; thanks for the link.

[Gwaimir Windgem]

Quite interesting, indeed.

[Wayfarer]

It was.

[Bombadillo]

Awww... I wish I wasn't lazy so I would feel like reading all of it. THat has the potential to be really cool and interesting.

[Falagar]

That's one of the best reads I've done in a long time...
Very funny, seeing how her interest grew as she went along.

[Wayfarer]

Yes.

I would have been happierif she'd done more than a brief overview of each chapter, though.

[Coney]

hehe............was lovely to see the change in her skepticism to her breaking out in tears at the end, guess we all did a bit of that

[Laurus Nobilis]

That was a very interesting link! Besides, it's always nice to see people learn to appreciate the Professor's work.

[markedel]

Interesting. It's a unique experience.

[azalea]

Thanks a lot, Gwaimir, you just made me fritter my day away reading that journal! That was really great. Now I really want my husband to read it, so I can experience it with him as he experiences it for the 1st time. I liked seeing the comments made about the "upcoming" movie, too.

[Sheeana]

It was funny how she kept saying, "X had better not die or I'm going to be very upset."

[Gwaimir Windgem]

Originally posted by azalea
Thanks a lot, Gwaimir, you just made me fritter my day away reading that journal! That was really great. Now I really want my husband to read it, so I can experience it with him as he experiences it for the 1st time. I liked seeing the comments made about the "upcoming" movie, too.

Me? That's a good thing, but how did I do it?

[azalea]

OH, I'm so sorry! I meant Iron Parrot! A very bad Parrot to post extremely interesting yet very time-consuming links! (See, I had been on the one page for so long that I forgot who originally posted it! I guess i just saw your avatar and automatically posted your name, Gwaimir.)

[Jonathan]

Perhaps this opening Prologue was a sort of sadistic screening test. Any reader who managed to drag their way through the entire thing without running away screaming would deserve to read the rest of the story.

Hehe, the prologue deserved such a comment . It was not fun at all when I read it the first time.

Also, had to cringe at Gandalf warning Frodo one last time NOT use the Ring. Surely Gandalf should know that this is the best way to guarantee that Frodo -will- use the Ring at some point. That's one of the cardinal rules of fairy tales and mythical legends, after all -- the best way to prod a Hero into doing something is to tell him or her NOT to do it.

So true, so true . The author did a great job analyzing LotR.

[cassiopeia]

I wasted half an hour reading this site. Quite interesting. I do think the prologue is a little dry for the first time reader; I probably felt the same way when I first read it, though now I devour it. I kept smiling smugly when the author kept thinking Sam/Frodo/Merry/Pippin was going to die. Though I got the feeling she would be more upset if Bill the Pony died. I liked how she wanted to re-read parts now she had more knowledge of ME. At least she got to read it before seeing the movie.

[Linaewen]

Originally posted by cassiopeia
I wasted half an hour reading this site. Quite interesting. I do think the prologue is a little dry for the first time reader; I probably felt the same way when I first read it, though now I devour it.

Exactly the same for me. I was so bored the first time, but now I waste a lot of time reading and rereading it...

Thanks for the link IP. Haven't read much yet but seems interesting...

I especially like this bit:

I was also pleased to find that Tom Bombadil is obviously a morning person. I should try waking up Jeff that way and see how he reacts..."Ring a ding dillo! Wake now, my merry husband! Ring a ding dillo del! derry del, my hearty! If you come soon you'll find breakfast on the table. If you come late you'll get grass and rain-water!"

[Valandil]

Valandil's "LotR Book-bump of the Day"... seems especially appropriate with our Discussion Project going on (and *cough-cough* currently stalled)

[Nerdanel]

Thanks, Val! Interesting indeed! And good luck everyone involved in the Discussion Project!