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05-05-2012, 07:37 AM | #1 | |
Princess of Skwerlz
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles)
Posts: 7,500
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Hobbit2 - An Introduction
Welcome to our second Chapter-by-Chapter discussion of The Hobbit! Many are looking forward to the movie(s), and we are preparing by rereading the book. This thread gives general information on it as well as on the discussion.
The previous discussions were titled "The Hobbit", so if you click on the "Thread" link at the top left of the CbC sub-forum index, you will find them on page 4 in the alphabetical list. The new threads will show up on the first page, since they begin with "H" instead of "T". Those who would like to may read up on the previous discussions, but we will not reference them directly, since we want to offer a clean slate for all participants. I will not give much introduction for each chapter this time - just a brief opening, then you are welcome to jump in with your thoughts, feelings and opinions. I am using Douglas Anderson's The Annotated Hobbit for my rereading and recommend it for interesting insights into details. John Rateliff's The History of the Hobbit has been published since our last round, so its insights are available to enrich our discussions as well. Hammond and Scull published The Art of the Hobbit last year, and we can use it to comment on Tolkien's pictures. Another possible comparitive reference is the graphic novel of The Hobbit, illustrated by David Wenzel. If you have other secondary literature, please do post about it! I have written a chapter in Music in Middle-earth that has a section on "The Unexpected Concert" in the first chapter. The Annotated Hobbit includes not only a number of reviews of the book which were new to me but also a paragraph summary written by Tolkien for its publishing. Here it is: Quote:
I look forward to your posts!
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'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...' |
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05-05-2012, 07:30 PM | #2 | |
Cryptic Aura
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 5,996
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Quote:
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I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away. |
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05-15-2012, 09:02 PM | #3 | ||
Blossom of Dwimordene
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: The realm of forgotten words
Posts: 10,371
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Boro's post in Roast Mutton sparked some thoughts that I think are more suited to be posted here.
Quote:
--- I marvel at my own skill of bringing Turin into everything. --- Quote:
And even after that moment he retains all that he had before - except his peace of mind, of course. He only gains. Like Merry and Pip, with their philosophical conversation in the Houses of Healing. They all could return to their past selves without losing anything, only with gaining. And in TH, unlike LOTR, there aren't that many people who are otherwise, so there is no bitter comparison.
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You passed from under darkened dome, you enter now the secret land. - Take me to Finrod's fabled home!... ~ Finrod: The Rock Opera |
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05-16-2012, 07:44 AM | #4 |
Stormdancer of Doom
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Did some reading last night and also this morning (on the bus) in the introduction to The Annotated Hobbit. I haven't yet finished that introduction... Just popping in to say how surprised I am to be enjoying the details even of the publishing... what artwork showed up when... loved the comments on the dust jacket. It really is amazing!
One question regarding the dust jacket of the Annotated Hobbit-- it has a similar artwork (to the original TH dust jacket) of trees in a faded faded pine-green, that is labeled "Mirkwood". Tantalizing. What one can see of it is gorgeous. Where did it come from, I wonder? Is it authentic Tolkien? I don't remember seeing it before in Tolkien's works. I wonder whether it is explained as the book goes on, or who did it-- occurs to me someone might have done it in imitation of Tolkien's style (clever if they did)-- I need to check the inside to see if it talks about where that artwork came from. Love the color plates... Haven't enjoyed an introduction this much in a long time. Tolkien's intro to the Hobbit (Esty quoted it above) was incredibly poignant to read today. "...They do not like noise."
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...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve. |
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