Once upon a time, in a 2014 interview with Rolling Stone, George R.R. Martin made a few comments about The Lord of the Rings and the flaws he saw therein. While he stated that he is a fan of Tolkien and of The Lord of the Rings, Martin declared that Tolkien had a "medieval philosophy" … Continue reading The Grim, the Dark, and the Light of Middle-earth
JRR Tolkien
Classic Remarks: Which Classic Do You Love Because it was Recommended to You?
Classic Remarks is a meme hosted by Krysta and Brianna at Pages Unbound. Each week, they pose a question about classic works of literature in order for readers to engage in a continuing conversation about elements of classic literature, the literary 'canon', and the timelessness of story. If you're interested in participating, you can find … Continue reading Classic Remarks: Which Classic Do You Love Because it was Recommended to You?
Movie Review: Tolkien
Tolkien Directed by Dome Karukoski Starring: Nicholas Hoult, Lily Collins, Colm Meaney, Derek Jacobi, Patrick Gibson, Anthony Boyle, Tom Glynn-Carney Written by David Gleeson and Stephen Beresford Released: May 10, 2019 (USA) On the surface, the life of author John Ronald Reuel Tolkien does not seem like prime material for a Hollywood biopic. He was … Continue reading Movie Review: Tolkien
LotR Reread: You Can’t Go Home Again
Chapter VIII: The Scouring of the Shire Of all the things that Peter Jackson left out of his Lord of the Rings films, I've heard the most complaints about the exclusion of 'The Scouring of the Shire'. I get it. This is where we see just how much the four traveling hobbits have grown during … Continue reading LotR Reread: You Can’t Go Home Again
LotR Reread: The Road Home
Chapter VI: Many Partings Time has passed. It's after mid-summer and things are great. Aragorn is king, Arwen is queen, and the world is rebuilding and making itself anew. But Frodo and the hobbits want to go home. I can't blame them. Who wouldn't want to go back to the Shire? But Frodo wants to … Continue reading LotR Reread: The Road Home
LotR Reread: A Whole New World
Chapter IV: The Field of Cormallen Frodo and Sam have saved Middle-earth, with a little help from Gollum. The Ring has been destroyed and Sauron has fallen. We come back to the Black Gate where the armies of the West are making their last stand, and Gandalf suddenly notices that the Eagles are coming. These … Continue reading LotR Reread: A Whole New World
LotR Reread: “Here at the end of all things…”
Chapter III: Mount Doom This installment is early. Why, you ask? Well, it's March 25th. For Tolkien fans, that means it's Tolkien Reading Day! And why is Tolkien Reading Day on March 25th, and not on September 22nd (Frodo and Bilbo's birthdays) or on January 3rd (Tolkien's birthday)? Tolkien Reading Day occurs on March 25th … Continue reading LotR Reread: “Here at the end of all things…”
Lotr Reread: The One Where Sam Simply Walks into Mordor
Book VI Chapter I: The Tower of Cirith Ungol So. There Sam was, below Cirith Ungol having knocked himself out by flinging himself against the orc door in a desperate attempt to get into the tower to rescue Frodo, who wasn't actually dead, just comatose from a massive dose of monster-spider venom. Fortunately for everyone … Continue reading Lotr Reread: The One Where Sam Simply Walks into Mordor
LotR Reread: Once More Unto the Breach
Chapter IX: The Last Debate Legolas and Gimli are walking through Minas Tirith on their way to the Houses of Healing. Gimli thinks the place needs improvements in its stonework, and Legolas thinks it needs more gardens. Both vow to send their people to improve the city, assuming they win the hopeless war, but in … Continue reading LotR Reread: Once More Unto the Breach
LotR Reread: The King Returns! Sort of.
Chapter VII: The Pyre of Denethor We're stepping back in time by several hours to the morning of the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, and heading back into Minas Tirith. The Lord of the Nazgûl has just left the city gates. Gandalf is about to head out into the battle, but Pippin stops him with … Continue reading LotR Reread: The King Returns! Sort of.
Traveling in Books 