LotR - Germany's favorite book! - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Estelyn Telcontar · 10-05-2004, 10:48 AM

The Lord of the Rings has been chosen as Germany's favorite book! In a non-representative vote, sponsored by one of the public TV channels, it topped the list, with the Bible coming in second. I was surprised by the result, as the German translation of the book is not so outstanding, but apparently it still fascinates enough German-speaking readers to be able to win over books originally written in German.

There are certainly some explanations for this result - the movies caused a renewed interest in the book, the media-active age group of the 14 - 29-year-olds rated it highest, and it is the only book by its author that is in the limelight - other books, such as the Harry Potter books and books by German authors such as Herman Hesse and Thomas Mann were listed individually, which caused the votes for their authors to be split. Nonetheless, it shows the impact the book makes even when translated!

Congratulations, Tolkien!

(For those who can read German and would like more information, here is a link: Das Grosse Lesen)

Mithalwen · 10-05-2004, 11:36 AM

I have to say I am a little surprised - but then the giants of German literature are poets rather than novelists in the main. And if it has the same criteria as "The Big Read " then it it is a vote for the "favourite " book rather than finest novel - which at the risk of being flamed again - is not quite the same thing. That said, it would be my desert island choice over Middlemarch, say...

WIth the English competition, I got so annoyed at the people who said that it won only because of the film. Yes, many people probably read it (or in my case reread it for the first time in years) because of the film but LOTR won the Book of the Century poll in 1999/2000 - long before the film was released. Having said that Delia Smith's complete cookery course ranked pretty hightly too, so quite what that says about my compatriots I wouldn't like to say. Just have to be grateful that Rosemary Conley's Hip and THight diet didn't make the cut.

**The Saucepan Man** · 10-05-2004, 11:55 AM

To add a related link (and for those who might be interested), the UK's "Big Read" is discussed here:

All British Tolkienites here.

Child of the 7th Age · 10-05-2004, 11:59 AM

Esty, Mithalwen,

What actually suprised me was the reponse in the British press to the news. See this article from the Guardian on the popularity of LotR in Germany.

Hmm....sounds like the same old saw: that people turn to Tolkien as a way to escape in times of trouble. I don't know enough about the appeal of the book in Germany or the current economic conditions in the country to know if there is a grain of truth in the Guardian article, but it sounds a bit fishy to me.

If anything, I think Tolkien's popularity underlines how very international our culture has become: how a book from one country can attract so many people from so many different backgrounds and diverse locations, despite the lanuage barriers.

Interestingly, I just got a paperback German copy of The Hobbit the other day. If things ever settle down here, I thought I would use it to brush up on my very rusty language skills. (I can read some German because of my background in grad school, but unfortunately can not speak it.)

Lalwendë · 10-05-2004, 01:01 PM

I think that Lord of the Rings has won every UK based poll for about the last ten years. And with each new list of results we get the usual criticism!

The Guardian article was interesting - especially where it claims the popularity of the book is due to harsh economic conditions in Germany. Surely this is a bit of a misnomer as the UK economy is strong, and it's also the most popular book here. The usual literati case of making the nose fit the (horn-rimmed) glasses?

Mithalwen · 10-05-2004, 01:10 PM

It wasn't so much that I was surprised it was popular ... more that it was so popular that it overcame national pride... Although I find the languages and history fascinationg - I have to admit that LOTR is one of my literary comfort blankets.....

Estelyn Telcontar · 10-05-2004, 02:29 PM

Thanks for that link, Child! It was interesting to read the British reaction. Comparing the two lists, though, I would say that the British list is much more inclusive of escapist literature than the German list. The latter includes quite a few historical novels - which happens to be my favorite genre. I have the top 50 books list here, and it's very international indeed. As to the interpretation about the economic situation and escapism, I question its validity. The Germans are good at complaining, but I doubt that they are worse off than people of other countries.

10-05-2004, 10:48 AM	#1
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	LotR - Germany's favorite book! The Lord of the Rings has been chosen as Germany's favorite book! In a non-representative vote, sponsored by one of the public TV channels, it topped the list, with the Bible coming in second. I was surprised by the result, as the German translation of the book is not so outstanding, but apparently it still fascinates enough German-speaking readers to be able to win over books originally written in German. There are certainly some explanations for this result - the movies caused a renewed interest in the book, the media-active age group of the 14 - 29-year-olds rated it highest, and it is the only book by its author that is in the limelight - other books, such as the Harry Potter books and books by German authors such as Herman Hesse and Thomas Mann were listed individually, which caused the votes for their authors to be split. Nonetheless, it shows the impact the book makes even when translated! Congratulations, Tolkien! (For those who can read German and would like more information, here is a link: Das Grosse Lesen) __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

10-05-2004, 11:36 AM	#2
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,458	I have to say I am a little surprised - but then the giants of German literature are poets rather than novelists in the main. And if it has the same criteria as "The Big Read " then it it is a vote for the "favourite " book rather than finest novel - which at the risk of being flamed again - is not quite the same thing. That said, it would be my desert island choice over Middlemarch, say... WIth the English competition, I got so annoyed at the people who said that it won only because of the film. Yes, many people probably read it (or in my case reread it for the first time in years) because of the film but LOTR won the Book of the Century poll in 1999/2000 - long before the film was released. Having said that Delia Smith's complete cookery course ranked pretty hightly too, so quite what that says about my compatriots I wouldn't like to say. Just have to be grateful that Rosemary Conley's Hip and THight diet didn't make the cut. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

10-05-2004, 11:55 AM	#3
The Saucepan Man Corpus Cacophonous Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A green and pleasant land Posts: 8,390	To add a related link (and for those who might be interested), the UK's "Big Read" is discussed here: All British Tolkienites here. __________________ Do you mind? I'm busy doing the fishstick. It's a very delicate state of mind!

10-05-2004, 11:59 AM	#4
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	Esty, Mithalwen, What actually suprised me was the reponse in the British press to the news. See this article from the Guardian on the popularity of LotR in Germany. Hmm....sounds like the same old saw: that people turn to Tolkien as a way to escape in times of trouble. I don't know enough about the appeal of the book in Germany or the current economic conditions in the country to know if there is a grain of truth in the Guardian article, but it sounds a bit fishy to me. If anything, I think Tolkien's popularity underlines how very international our culture has become: how a book from one country can attract so many people from so many different backgrounds and diverse locations, despite the lanuage barriers. Interestingly, I just got a paperback German copy of The Hobbit the other day. If things ever settle down here, I thought I would use it to brush up on my very rusty language skills. (I can read some German because of my background in grad school, but unfortunately can not speak it.) __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote. Last edited by Child of the 7th Age; 10-05-2004 at 12:03 PM.

10-05-2004, 01:01 PM	#5
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	I think that Lord of the Rings has won every UK based poll for about the last ten years. And with each new list of results we get the usual criticism! The Guardian article was interesting - especially where it claims the popularity of the book is due to harsh economic conditions in Germany. Surely this is a bit of a misnomer as the UK economy is strong, and it's also the most popular book here. The usual literati case of making the nose fit the (horn-rimmed) glasses? __________________ Gordon's alive!

10-05-2004, 01:10 PM	#6
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,458	It wasn't so much that I was surprised it was popular ... more that it was so popular that it overcame national pride... Although I find the languages and history fascinationg - I have to admit that LOTR is one of my literary comfort blankets..... __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

10-05-2004, 02:29 PM	#7
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Thanks for that link, Child! It was interesting to read the British reaction. Comparing the two lists, though, I would say that the British list is much more inclusive of escapist literature than the German list. The latter includes quite a few historical novels - which happens to be my favorite genre. I have the top 50 books list here, and it's very international indeed. As to the interpretation about the economic situation and escapism, I question its validity. The Germans are good at complaining, but I doubt that they are worse off than people of other countries. __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'