[Evil Agent]

I just thought it might be nice to have a loose discussion of some of your favorite parts of the Lord of the Rings.

Nothing set in stone, just kind of rambling!

There are too many to list, of course, but I'll give it a shot:

My girlfriend just started reading "Fellowship" for the first time, and I read a bit of it out loud to her. Namely the section where Frodo first leaves Hobbiton, and sets out for his new house at Crickhollow. I don't know why, but this whole section has always been one of the most "magical" for me. I know nothing really happens, and it takes a LONG time to leave the Shire (WAY longer than in the movie). But that's what I like.

The advantage that this part has over the movie, is that you really get a feeling of how helpless these hobbits are when they set out into the world. Even a trip through the Shire seems HUGE. You really get a sense of their tininess, and then by the time they're lost in the Old Forest, you're really worried for the little guys.

Plus, you get to see way more of the Shire!

Any other thoughts?

[bcunderdog]

"The Riders of Rohan have come."

Gives me goosebumps everytime I read that sentence.

[Loras Tyrell]

Definitely the departure from the Shire, I love the way Tolkien can make you totally immersed in that peaceful, little world. Nothing much is happening, and still I'm totally mesmerized.

But the apex of all literary moments will always be the very last chapter of the book. Tolkien could describe peace and prosperity as no other ever could.

SPOILER?

I cry almost every time I read that part. Sam has to stay behind for several reasons, and let his master and the others from the fellowship go on alone, and then Sam goes home to the waiting Rose, and that magic last sentence...

I choke just thinking about that.

Greetings
Artaxiad

[Frostmourne]

"THE EAGLES ARE COMING"

[Evil Agent]

Yes!!! Although, do you think Tolkien used the Eagle's as a cop out? I mean, they saved the day like 10 times, including in the Hobbit and the Silmarillion!

[Gildor]

Yeh the eagles have quite a few of achievments to there name,

B
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S
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Rescuing Gandalf ( twice )
Saving Frodo and Sam
Chasing off Nazgul
Retrieving Throin's Party from Goblins
Assisting in the battle of Five armies
Spying for Manwe
Finding that one armed elvish prince, forgot his name
probably some others...

not bad when you think about it :p

[Frostmourne]

Ya your right, Tolkien must have liked eagles or something...

[Jacquin]

My favourite moment has to be in the Mines of Moria when they are reading the record of the last days of the dwarves and it all starts to happen again. Just thinking of it sends shivers down my spine.

[Holbrook]

For me its the fact that Tolkien sat down and began writing LOTR some 150 yards from where I was born. I didn't find this out until a year ago, when reading how Tolkien based the Shire on certain places. He was in my village recovering from wounds received during his service as an officer in WWI. He, and his wife were staying at the home of a family member.

In fact the village I remember as a child could have been Hobbiton, it is a very strange feeling....

[Frostmourne]

Wow, that would be cool, do you guys all live in holes in the ground?