The road to becoming a Tolkienologist

[Anamatar IV]

I have been pondering over this for a while. When we all read each of these books we didn't INSTANTLY become learned in tolkien lore or we didnt love the books so much. So what was the "road" that you followed to become a Tolkienologist (meaning not just knowing your tolkien-loving your tolkien)

So questions to think about:

When you finished the first tolkien book you ever read did you immediately read the next? Did you even know what else JRR Tolkien wrote?

Why did you read the first book you read?

How many times did you read the books before you joined this guild?

Why did you read the books a second time?

[Hirila]

There was one day in my life when I was about 13 years old I went into the library and got the Lord of the Rings. I had heard it existed and I was curious.
And I was delighted with what I read. But it was not until one or two years later that I took the Hobbit and read it. The my parents bought me the LotR and I went and read Unfinished Tales in the library. My brother bought me the Hobbit in English and I hought the Silmarillion, English, too. And I went into the library and read the LotR in English. Then, after graduation I bought the Books of Lost Tale. I had become a Tolkien addict.
Up to now I have the read the LotR, the Hobbit and the Sil several times. Uncount times. Plus the UT, BolT and other books by Tolkien, Smith of Wootton Major, Roverandom (my absolute favourite!) and Farmer Giles of Ham.

I think it is mostly curiousity that makes you read Tolkien. You have heard of him and want to know him. And when you have read him for the first time and have liked it chances are quite good you read it more often. That's all that's in it.

[gate7ole]

Originally posted by Anamatar IV
So questions to think about:

When you finished the first tolkien book you ever read did you immediately read the next? Did you even know what else JRR Tolkien wrote?

Why did you read the first book you read?

How many times did you read the books before you joined this guild?

Why did you read the books a second time? [/B]
Well, my answers will be probably identical to most here. I first started reading by an advice of a friend. As soon as I finished the first book, I bought the second etc. I had read the books twice before joining the guild. And finally, I read them for the second time for many reasons, but one major was that after so many new names and facts, each book had to be reread under a new perspective.
But IMO, the real question to the way of becoming a great Tolkienologist is whether you're intrigued by the "abilities of the Master stone at Eressea", by the "boundaries of the old kingdom of Dale", by the "question of the change of fate of Luthien" and you're ready to search every page and find the bits of information that will give hints to the answers.
If someone has answered affirmatively, then s/he is on the right track.

[Anamatar IV]

I think my answers to the questions would actually be quite different:

I read the hobbit in 5th grade: I was in San Fransisco for the summer and I was in a book shop with OLD OLD OLD books but they were all boring ones with lame titles.;) and the hobbit had the funniest title I had ever heard.:D So I read the hobbit and for a year at school people joked with me that I read the hobbit. It's a funny story-I didn't even know who wrote that book!

I didn't read the fellowship of the ring for about a year-I went to the library and took it out...got to around Bombadil when I said "this is too boring" and I chucked it back at the library. The came the movie:D The movie got me motivated to read Fellowship of the Ring. When I was done with that I bought TTT and RotK on amazon---read them both in a week. So then I found this message board...tried to act smarter than I was in Tolkien lore (;)), over the summer I re-read the books and then I get an invite from Grond to this guild. I read the Silmarillion not only to experience the "master piece" of tolkien but also 'cuz I didn't know half the things that were being said here. And you know...tolkien wrote it:rolleyes:

Now I am reading UT...loving every bit of it.:D

[Eöl]

Yea speaking of not knowing Tolkien when they joined this guild, that was me. Wow.....I wish I could see my old posts. Anyway, my friend was reading LotR and so I borrowed them after he was done and I had by then seen the movie twice. So I read them all, and read The Hobbit soon after. After that I re-read LotR because I couldn't remember it, then decided it was time to figure out who exactly Beren and Luthien and Turin were. I loved the Silmarillion, after I finished I read LotR again and then re-read the Sil. I recently finished UT and just started BoLT Part 1. So yeah, basically it was the advice of a friend that started my whole craze.

[Lhunithiliel]

Me......
I was (I still am!) a great SF-fan. But I didn't use to be a great fantasy-fan, I admit. I love reading stuff as I call it "space-stories".
All of a sudden, my daughter decided to give me for a Christmas present the book LOTR. I had seen it on the market but it was "fantasy"-genre, so I never showed any interest. However, I was extremely surprised to receive it as a present! I remember (it was one year ago) it was a dull Christmas holiday, so I started reading the book because I didn't have anything better to do.
I admit, I had never before heard of Tolkien!
So, I read the book for one week! I was reading all day and till late at night.... I, a desperate TV-fan ;) , gave up watching anything on TV, I refused to go out, I didn't want to get involved in any conversation whatsoever, I hardly remembered the meal-times.... C R R R R R A Z Y!
When I finished reading the book, I put it away with the thought: "What an interesting story!"
Two days passed.....Then another two-three..... And I was surprised to realize that I was thinking very often about that story! Questions came to my mind and I was saying to myself :"I shall have to check this...."
So, one week later, here I was again with the book!

And so it all started. The book was in translation. Then I found the Silmarillion and the Hobbit (translated again) and I read them. I thought (I still do) that the right order to read the books should be: the S.>>the H.>>LOTR.... So, I read them once again in this order.
I loved the Silmarillion best, however!
Then I searched for some information on the net. Then came out the film, then I found the forums..... Thanks to some forum-friends I have found the English texts of UT and the greater part of HoME, AND thanks to a forum-friend now I have two magnificent editions of the LOTR and one of the Hobbit in English!
It's funny, but this Christmas was also Tolkien-touched. All the way from USA I received those marvellous books and the Ext.DVD-collection!
Now, I am an irrevocably enamoured Tolkien-fan and I enjoy it immensely studying his writings!
***********

I wish to thank you all for being here!
I can share my interest with you!
Unfortunately, I don't have any Tolkien-fans around.....except for a few friends of my daughter, who had judged me thus: "If she's a Ringer, she's cool!" :D But most people my age look at me in a mixture of surprise and reproach if I ever start talking about Tolkien! :(

So,
THANK YOU FOR BEING AROUND!!!!!!!! :D

[Eledhwen]

My mother bought Lord of the Rings for me when I was about ten - which was a good enough reason for not reading it! I remember The Hobbit being around too - also unread.

I was 46 by the time the films were due to be released, and I decided (I don't know why) that I should not see the films before reading The Hobbit. It helped my understanding of the first film enormously, and without having read the books, I was totally uncritical of the film, which I thought was excellent.

After seeing FotR, I immediately went out and bought Lord of the Rings in three volumes and spent the following five days reading them all (what housework?). I then went back and read them all again twice more.

I got The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales out of the library to read, and after reading them realised I needed my own copies. I read some of HoME, plus The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, Bilbo's Last Song (a beautiful poem), Smith of Wootton Major (I felt I had to read this as I live in Wootton Bassett), and Roverandom. I continued to re-read LotR at the same time, though it was becoming embarassing to be caught with it yet again!

I was aware of Tolkien's Christianity through reading the works and biographies of CS Lewis, and was surprised at how much Biblical truth is reflected in Tolkien's work - even when he had deliberately edited all religion out of LotR (The Bible is the only book I've read more than LotR).

I am reading LotR again at the moment (I'm in Nan Curunir) and I never cease to be amazed at how I can read it yet again and still be hooked by the story, which still makes me cry. I have never wanted to read any other fiction more than once.

Like Lhunithiliel, I have friends who have read Tolkien, but no-one who is hooked like me, and I have to check my conversation so I don't start to sound like a Tolkien anorak. I have a grown-up daughter who I talked into reading LotR. Like me, she is an artist, musician and writer, and she understands my enthusiasm if she doesn't quite share it.

I would like to say "thank you, friends" to all of you on this forum, most of whom are much younger than me. We come from all over this bended world, but share a heart-home in Middle Earth.

I also look forward to the day when I can say "thank you" in person to Professor Tolkien; and I wonder in my imagination at the revelries and jesting there might have been in heaven on his eleventy-first birthday.

[Grond]

Well, the story of my life in Tolkien is already on this site somewhere, but.... I do love talking about Tolkien. I started reading Tolkien in my late teens. A friend had a copy of the Two Towers on the College Team Track Bus and when he finished it, I began reading it. We were traveling from Natchitches, LA to Memphis, TN so there was plenty of time. I read it from cover to cover... twice during that weekend trip and track meet. Then, I realized it was only part of the story!!!! Boy, did I feel stupid. Thanksgiving break was right around the corner, so I bought the four book set of the Hobbit and LotR and settled down for a quiet and isolated Thanksgiving holiday.

During that week, I read all of these wonderful books. I was hungry for more so quickly found Smith of Wooten Major and Farmer Giles of Ham. I also found Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.... but, alas, I could find no more. You see, this was in 1973 and the greatest of Tolkien's historical works were not yet published.

I waited with baited breath for the release of the Silmarillion in 1977 and rushed to the book store when it was released. Much to my sadness, the first part (The Ainulindale) read like the bible and I put it down for a month. I started back by reading the Akallabeth and was again mesmerized. I read Of the Rings of Power. Then began from the front again. I then reread it again in its entirety.

Unlike Walter, when I find a book I love, I reread it over and over. I take it with me to the bathroom, find my favorite parts (Helm's Deep, Battle of Pelannor Fields, Confrontation with Shelob) and read them over and over. My obsessing isn't limited to Tolkien. I also read Trevanion and Herbert the same. McCaffrey and Rice are on the list. Duke Leto Atreides doesn't have as much meaning to me as Frodo and the Middle-earth characters, but it's close.

Reading gives one an outlet into the potential of the world and the human race. It gives alternate ways we could and should lead our lives. It gives us therapy when we're need it. It teaces life lessons when we need couciling. Thank God, I love to read. The world would be a pretty boring place without books. (BTW, I play tennis, golf and have a married life too!)

But, every year, I have a ritual to read the LotR twice, Hobbit once, Silmarillion once, Unfinished Tales once and I am rereading the HoMe book by book again. That doesn't mean I won't pick up Shibumi or Dune or The Vampire Lestat and reread them every now and again; or Red Storm Rising or Hunt for Red October either... but I always come home to Tolkien in the end. :D

[Froggum]

I don't remember when I was first introduced to Tolkien. I was so little I have no memory of my initial introduction. But I do remember my Dad reading The Hobbit to me when I was in preschool. And then he bought me the cartoons. Not, I repeat, not the Bakshi ones. Anyway, I saw those about a thousand times and I eventually got ambitious enough when I was in 5th or 6th grade to begin reading the books. It took me several tries before I got through one on my own, but when I did, I kept going and I've been re-reading them ever since.

[Mithlond]

I was at the local library studying for some school exams with two mates of mine when we decided to take a break and look around like library for some books, i wasnt a big reader back then, and we were just sort of mucking around.
Then my friend pulls out this big red book from the shelf, we read the cover: The Lord of the Rings.
My friend then said he had heard of it before and he was going to take it home, but for some reason i also had an urge to take it home and read it. I said i'd lets flip a coin to see who gets to take it home.
I won the flip and took the giant book home.

That's how it began for me, i read LotR first, then went and picked up a copy of the Hobbit.
A few weeks later i was talking to another friend of mine and he mentioned the Silmarillion, so i picked up a copy of it also and read it.
From here i was pretty much hooked on Tolkien, i read LotR,Hob and Silm two or three more times after that, then picked up UT and HoMe.

Like Grond (and im sure many others here), i go about reading Hob, LotR and Silm once a year, every year.

[Beleg]

i was randomly searching the web, i was only 10 years old then, when i read something about a book The Hobbit. Then i had recently seen the book in a bookshop. i persuaded my mother to buy it for me and read it without great understanding. 3 years later and 2 years ago, i was just flipping through my collection when i saw the old, battered copy of hobbit lying. Out of boderom i took it and starting reading and in one sitting finished it. Then on that day i read the hobbit again and from there on it has become my habbit to read hobbit almost every month. I immediately started searching for Lord of the rings and finally getting it, finished it in 2 days.

*
When you finished the first tolkien book you ever read did you immediately read the next? Did you even know what else JRR Tolkien wrote?

Why did you read the first book you read?

How many times did you read the books before you joined this guild?

Why did you read the books a second time?*

1. Nope. yes in the case of UT and Letters after Sil.

2. Yes.

3. Out of boderom

4. Sil, UT, Part of the letters, Lotr, Hobbit.

5. For fun.

[Mrs. Maggott]

I was twenty-seven when I first read the "LOTR". I had read another book, "Hiero's Journey" (a "quest journey" book) which I enjoyed very much. I then I heard that this book (or books) as well were about a "quest journey". Unfortunately, I had a great deal of trouble getting through the beginning of the book since I had never read "The Hobbit", I was not particularly interested in the anthropology of these imaginary creatures. Still, after two tries, I finally got into the story - and was hooked! For many years, I read the book once a year, beginning on September 22nd.

Of course, as soon as I finished LOTR, I went out and got The Hobbit which I used to read in May in the same way I read LOTR in the fall. And, of course, as soon as The Silmarillion was released, I bought and read that as well. However, I will tell you that I was quite disappointed in Sil. Not in the writing, needless to say, but I found it quite depressing. I did not expect another LOTR (we had been told that the book was not going to be that), but I still had difficulty dealing with all those tragedies, disasters, betrayals, murders etc. etc. etc. Sil is not an "up beat read".

I have read Tolkien's original bio, of course, and now have purchased and read bits and pieces of all the stuff that has been released since T's death by his son Christopher. I cannot say that I have read these all thoroughly since personal time constraints do not always permit that kind of effort. But I do read when and what I can.

[Tuilin]

I heard about tolkien for the first time when I was on a walk to somewhere with school and when we came there some man read a part of the bilbo/gollum conversation in the hobbit to us. I thought it sounded exiting and when I saw the book in the library I wanted to read it, but it was some sort of a fancy edition with a wierd cover(i thought so then) and it was nearly half a meter high and very heavy so I didnt bother with taking it home and reading it.
Later my dad got the hobbit from a friend who said it was very good and my dad told me about it and I wanted to read it(we were always fighting about who got to read the book because we were reading it at the same time). Then I waited for a long time(some weeks) for my dad to get the books in german (because I thought they sounded wierd in norwegian) and read them and loved them. Then i re-read the hobbit and lotr(in english this time, and found them better in english).
Then I read the Sil(loved it). Right now Im trying to get my dad to buy me more books(I have given up norwegian bookstores).

[pohuist]

I first read Hobbit when I was 5, it was an illustrated children's edition with pictures and dragons and other stuff. I didn't remember anything, including the author till in high school I happened across a copy and read it again. This copy had a last page with the list of other works by Tolkien. Since that time I had a longing for LoTR, but Tolkien was impossible to find in my neck of the woods. 2 years later to my profound joy I received it as a present and it overexceeded my wildest expectations. Immediately after finishing, I turned it over and started again, and the rest, as they say, was history. The Sil and BoLT followed soon thereafter, but then I stumped upon a problem -- UT wasn't to be found anywhere. I searched for a couple of years in vain and finally gave up hope. That was about 10 years ago. I took consolation in re-reading LoTR -- lost count how many times. These days I usually read bits and pieces, poetry in there never ceases to amaze me, I also enjoy the language enormously.

Aafter the movie came out there was a resurgence of interest in Tolkien and UT went into re-print and was finally available and read non-stop from cover to cover. So, now I am a proud owner of UT, the Sil, the Hobbit (of course) all read many times and "the Letters".
Most of all, however, I cherish my old (the original 1 volume Unwin's edition) and, unfortunately, much battered copy of LoTR that I owned for the better part of my life and that I refuse to part with (it was and will be never loaned out to anybody). It has travelled with me through 3 continents well over 5,000 miles and that's the book I'll take with me if I am only allowed to take one book when I go somewhere for an extended period of time (over 1 year).

I found this forum at the same time I got UT and it has complemented my Tolkien's knowledge tremendously. Love you all, guys.

[Manveru]

Originally posted by Anamatar IV:
When you finished the first tolkien book you ever read did you immediately read the next? Did you even know what else JRR Tolkien wrote?
Oh Yeah!! I started with 'The Silmarillion', next was 'The Hobbit' and 'The Lord of the Rings'. I've read 'On Fairy-stories' and 'Leaf by Niggle', too. All works were marvellous.
Originally posted by Anamatar IV:
Why did you read the first book you read?
Once I came across this 'fine' name of Tolkien and that interested me. I read 'The Silmarillion' and fell in love with Middle-earth. IT was my 'little spark that starts the great fire';)
Originally posted by Anamatar IV:
How many times did you read the books before you joined this guild?
I found this forum quite late...in June this year. Till that time I read 'The Silmarillion' (2 times), 'The Hobbit' (2 times) and 'The Lord of the Rings' (also 2 times--I'm now in progress for the third time;))
Originally posted by Anamatar IV:
Why did you read the books a second time?
I LOVE THEM!! :D If I only have time I like to refresh my memory;)

[Lhunithiliel]

Say, Manveru, how popular is Tolkien in Poland?
I mean BEFORE the Hollywood block-busters....
What was known about him and his books?

Here it was next to nothing.

I wonder how popular he used to be before the films even in England !
I studied in an English Language High School and had teachers from the island, but no one, not once ever said anything about Tolkien! We spoke about Chauser, Shakespeare etc... but I never learned anything about T!
Later, I entered Univercity in Russia and I studied there English language and Literature for 5 whole years and still nothing about Tolkien.!!!! :confused:

I recently talked to an American about Tolkien and he said he was popular in the times of the "hippies" especially the "Hobbit" :eek: :eek: :eek:

So, I wonder .....and in fact this question has been in my head for some time. I remember I even opened a thread... Unfortunately, it died away... :(

But we could talk it overe here :)

[Manveru]

When I started reading Tolkien, nobody from my surrounding never heard about him and his works (it was about 3-4 years ago). Extremaly popular in my country was (and still is) A. Sapkowski (and his ''Witchman saga''--great works: 5 volumes;)).
I've also studied English language and literature for 3 years... now I'd like to continue this... and I never heard of Tolkien on our English literature classes (only Shakespeare and stuff like that--during these 3 years I paid little attention to English literature;)I prefered American:D). But now I'm going to study further in English literature (what an amazing change--thanx to Tolkien, of course;)) and even to write my MA degree diploma project (I don't know if this is an English equivalent--Polish: ''praca magisterska'') on Tolkien:cool: Oops...I think I've strayed back a little from the path of our topic...
Thanx to PJ's film (FotR-February 2002) a great deal of people in Poland started to read and intrest in Tolkien's world. I think that's good, but ... why so late? Though... never is too late, right?

[Lhunithiliel]

Good for you to want to continue studying English literature.... although not much is Tolkien-like ;) :D
And I see that with LOTR and "co" the situation in Poland was the same as here.
Ah! The power of the art for the masses !!

I wonder, what brought you to this forum?
The majority here are western-Europeans and Americans...a few Australians too... But from Eastern Europe - with you we become 7 :
4 Bulgarians (Gil-Galad; Finduilas, Melian and me - all of us here in our Guild! ;) )
1 Russian
1 Slovenian (Ithrynluin - he used to be here with us, but then left for another guild and now is a Moderator!!! A "big shot"! :D)
1 Polish :D

[Grond]

Lhun, I can't help you with the European information on when Tolkien became popular but here in the United States it was during the late 60's and early 70's. It seems to me that it was around 1967 that the slogan, "Frodo Lives" started appearing (spray painted) on subway cars in NY City. This was during the "Hippie" years in the states and The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings gave an alternative universe to the harsh reality of the Vietnam War that was ongoing at the same time. The popularity again fizzled out shortly after the "disastrous" Bakshi animated cartoon and sales remained steady but small in the states as the interest was passed mainly from parent to child. (My oldest read The Hobbit by the time he was in the 5th grade but my twins didn't read any of the works until the movie came out.)

Hope this gives you some more insight. :);)

[Lhunithiliel]

This, Master, is what I have heard when speaking to some Americans...:rolleyes:
Can you explain WHY, please? What comments have you got on the fact that the hippies liked Frodo so much?
I would really like to see the conection! Was it just an escapade?

Besides, I have heard that perhaps of this connection betwen the book and the hippies, the book itself was long considered as "non-grata".:confused:

Ah! The vicissitudes of fortune and time....:rolleyes:

[Manveru]

Originally posted by Lhunithiliel:
I wonder, what brought you to this forum?
The majority here are western-Europeans and Americans...a few Australians too... But from Eastern Europe - with you we become 7 :
4 Bulgarians (Gil-Galad; Finduilas, Melian and me - all of us here in our Guild! )
1 Russian
1 Slovenian (Ithrynluin - he used to be here with us, but then left for another guild and now is a Moderator!!! A "big shot"! )
1 Polish
Wow... nice 'group'... really a minority;), but who cares?

As for my reasons for joining this forum, hmm... I stated 'these' quite a few times (I guess;)):
1. LOVE FOR EVERYTHING CONNECTED WITH TOLKIEN!!
2. I'd like to share my knowledge (little, but ...;)) with other people, who are as 'crazy' about Tolkien as myself;) and learn as much as I can from them in exchange (and thanx to that extend my 'tiny' knowledge;))
3. Have a lot of FUN doing 'above'^:D

Is that an answer to Your question, Lhun?

[Lhunithiliel]

Ai, Manveru!
I have read "all of these" :D

What I meant was what winds brought you to TTF in particular.
With me - it was a pure coincidence.
I used to be in some other forums as well, but here I felt most among friends (***knocking on wood*** :D)

[Manveru]

Oh...I see what you mean now *hits the wall with his head* (ouch...that hurt--I must stop doing so;)).
I've participated on other forum (it was...I mean still is--if I have time;) SF-FANDOM.com...I started there, though also from June 2003:D) and sent some posts there. I've been looking for some contact with Michael Martinez (since he is busy at the moment--I participate little, but still it is a great community)...
And then...totally by chance (and through google.com;))...I've come across thetolkienforum.com and been amazed with its atmosphere and all. I've started looking through the posts, guilds and... the rest you know;)
I am glad to find YOU ALL...
It's great to be here:D

[Lhunithiliel]

Originally posted by Manveru
[B] I've been looking for some contact with Michael Martinez (since he is busy at the moment--I participate little, but still it is a great community)...

Are you saying that you are in a forum where THE "Parma Endorion"-M.M. participates himself????? :eek: :eek: :eek:
If this is so, and if you hear from him these days, tell him I'm his greatest fan!!!!! I MEAN it!! :D

And then...totally by chance (and through google.com;))...I've come across thetolkienforum.com and been amazed with its atmosphere and all. I've started looking through the posts, guilds and... the rest you know;)
I am glad to find YOU ALL...
It's great to be here:D
Yeah.... It is great to have you here! :D

[Manveru]

Originally posted by Lhunithiliel:
Are you saying that you are in a forum where [B]THE "Parma Endorion"-M.M. participates himself????? :eek: :eek: :eek:
If this is so, and if you hear from him these days, tell him I'm his greatest fan!!!!! I MEAN it!! :D
Yes... the One and Only;)
You should visit www.sf-fandom.com some time... It's worth doing so...
I'm also a big fan of his essays. If you are too (and I see you are;)) you probably know this site (http://www.merp.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=index&catid=&topic=8) :D He writes his essays there once a month, I think. And the best way to go to is his own site (http://www.xenite.org/main/site_map.html) (but you've probably known all this;))
Originally posted by Lhunithiliel:
Yeah.... It is great to have you here! :D
THX AGAIN

[Beleg]

Are you saying that you are in a forum where [B]THE "Parma Endorion"-M.M. participates himself?????

Michel Martinez participates in many forums, namely Entmoot for example.
He is a fine scholar and some of his essays are pretty enlightining yet he uses supposition far too much for my liking.

[Ithrynluin]

Originally posted by Lhunithiliel
Are you saying that you are in a forum where THE "Parma Endorion"-M.M. participates himself????? :eek: :eek: :eek:


Several of us are members of Sf-fandom, and Michael Martinez is a great Tolkien scholar. However, he can be obnoxious and arrogant at times...just ask Tar-Elenion. :rolleyes:

[Lhunithiliel]

Well, well, welll........:rolleyes:
Live and learn, Lhun! Live and learn!!!!

So, you, guys know him!!
Well, lucky you!! :D

Because from what I have read from him, I like a lot. We seem to share similar opinions on many things...although I am light-years away and behind his knowledge! :o :o
******
Edited for:

Why don't you drag him around here! ;) :D

[Finduilas]

I feel uncomfortable to ask but.....Who is Michael Martinez...no actually,I already found out who he is but what has he written and is there any possibility for any of you guys(girls;) ) to have them as an e-book?

[Manveru]

He's written ''Visualising Middle-earth'' and ''Parma Endorion-essays on Middle-earth''. His newest book is titled: ''Understanding Middle-earth'' and is about to appear in near future (I think 'fall' 2003;)).
He's also written a lot of essays concerning Middle-earth...
''Parma Endorion'' is eligible as an e-book...try here (http://www.xenite.org) :D

[Finduilas]

:) Thanks, Manveru.Thanks so much.:)
I'll read what's available in the Internet so that I don't get in these confusing situations anymore...:)

BTW, is it necessary for me to have the Adobe Reader in order to be able to download and read the book?

[Manveru]

No problem, Finduilas... You're welcome:D

[Manveru]

Originally posted by Finduilas:
BTW, is it necessary for me to have the Adobe Reader in order to be able to download and read the book?
As for Adobe... to download it's not necessary, but if You want to read it I think that it is a 'must have'...
Try searching the web for it (I don't remember the site...if I'm to recall my memory I will post a link, but I'm sure You find it;)).
Have a nice time reading the book:D

[Finduilas]

Originally posted by Manveru
As for Adobe... to download it's not necessary, but if You want to read it I think that it is a 'must have'...
Try searching the web for it (I don't remember the site...if I'm to recall my memory I will post a link, but I'm sure You find it;)).
Have a nice time reading the book:D

:) :) :)
Thanks again..:)
I already found it and I'm downloading it. I'll return to the book a few days or months....;) later, after I read it.:)

[Gil-Galad]

Originally posted by Finduilas
:) :) :)
Thanks again..:)
I already found it and I'm downloading it. I'll return to the book a few days or months....;) later, after I read it.:)
You bad,bad downloading girl.............;) :cool: :p

[Finduilas]

Originally posted by Gil-Galad
You bad,bad downloading girl.............;) :cool: :p

LOLOLOLOL!!!!!:D :D :D
GG's drunk again.....:D
Yeah, I am bad and yeah I am downloading....cause of the many songs you gave me to download....;) :rolleyes: :D

[Gil-Galad]

Originally posted by Finduilas
LOLOLOLOL!!!!!:D :D :D
GG's drunk again.....:D
Yeah, I am bad and yeah I am downloading....cause of the many songs you gave me to download....;) :rolleyes: :D
Drunk?!Who?!Me?!never!:p :cool:

[Lhunithiliel]

Hey kids!!! Behave! :p :p :D

BTW, Manveru, as far as I understand M.M. has onle one free on-line e-book. Right? I mean the "Visualizing of ME" is not available on-line?

Oh.....to think of it.... knowing M.M.!!!!!!

And do you, guys know that we have too a few distinguished schollars here on TTF? Maerben, Jallan (he has too a published book on languages in Tolkien writings as Maedhros has told me).

I wonder whether the TTF- Turgon and the "One Ring"-Turgon are one and the same person... :rolleyes:

[Finduilas]

Ammm...can I again ask something...
I downloaded the Adobe Reader ok, and I also tried to open the book with this program but ..it didn't open. There was a message which said that the file was damaged. So what do I do next?:confused:

[Manveru]

Hmm... If the message says that the file is damaged, try downloading it again (maybe it wasn't downloaded well).
And you better try to have the latest version of AR (although I don't think that is causing the problem--I have AR 5.0 and it works with ''PE'').
BEST OF LUCK:D

[Manveru]

Originally posted by Lhunithiliel:
BTW, Manveru, as far as I understand M.M. has onle one free on-line e-book. Right? I mean the "Visualizing of ME" is not available on-line?
Yup, that's correct... I mean as far as I know ''Parma Endorion..." is the only 'legal' e-book that is available on the Internet.
Originally posted by Lhunithiliel:
And do you, guys know that we have too a few distinguished schollars here on TTF? Maerben, Jallan (he has too a published book on languages in Tolkien writings as Maedhros has told me).
Wow... it's good to know;)

[Finduilas]

Originally posted by Manveru
Hmm... If the message says that the file is damaged, try downloading it again (maybe it wasn't downloaded well).
And you better try to have the latest version of AR (although I don't think that is causing the problem--I have AR 5.0 and it works with ''PE'').
BEST OF LUCK:D

:D Yes!!!!!! The Luck was useful!!!!:D
I finally got it and I'll read it now.
Thanks ome more time!
Oh,after that can we have a discussion here?

[Lhunithiliel]

I was thinking about the same, Findi. :)

I was about to open a thread about M.M. and his works...

How about it?

[Manveru]

Great... I'm in... *signing with both hands*;)

[Finduilas]

So am I !
We are after you, Mama!!!!!:D

[Lhunithiliel]

Yeah, but do we have the necessary knowledge?
Shall we wait a bit untill we read more - at least what we have available?
To start talking on a subject one should have some solid background and knowledge and opinion ... Then we can discuss and share opinions...:rolleyes:
Let's give us some time to read and research.... and I promise I'll open it.
I hope I haven't disapointed you! :o :(
But I'd like to see a thread like this REALLY work...
Who knows...one day THE M.M. himself might even come to take part in the discussion IF we make it a good one.

So, here is my suggestion:

Let's read. Say.... 2 weeks?
And then we'll start the thread...

Agreed? :cool:

[Manveru]

2 weeks... That's fine with me...

So we read what we can find, right? Not much I guess... I have ''PE'' and some of his essays. Some could be found at merp.com (if I remember well--two) and older ones at suite101.com (I hope the links work;)). I don't think I can get ''Visualising Middle-earth'' in my country... I haven't even asked in bookshops (I think they don't have it:()... So I'll be limited just to these 'shards' of MM's works;)
What about You? (I guess I worry too much;))

Let's read... 2 weeks of 'great research' ahead of US:D

[Lhunithiliel]

It seems I have almost the same things.
I can tell you right from now that one of my favourites is "The crazy Captain of ME" Great! :D

But as I said...let's read and then discuss.

Oh! I can't wait! :D

[Finduilas]

LOL, I'm very nervous too!
Lhun, I want to thank you again for that essay...THANK YOU!

But now I'm sorry I now I'm probably pissing you off already but can I ask for something more.....

Amm....what should I read..?:o I mean appart from the PE and the essay Lhun sent me I don't know whatlse to read in order to prepare myself!!!!!:eek:
If possible can someone please post the links to the essays which we have to read...please!

[Manveru]

Here (http://www.merp.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=56&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0) is the place where MM posts his essays. He also wrote for suite101.com, but I must find it on the web... I'll post later (but I'm sure you'll find it ;)).
I have an idea (maybe a smart one;)). If someone finds some essay or something related to MM, she/he will post the link here, ok?
What do you think about that:confused:

[Lhunithiliel]

Findi, my dear, PLEEEEEEEEEASE fix this out:

The essay Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth is NOT by M.M. but by Tolkien himself and it is a part from HoMe 10 - volume! It IS a wonderful piece of writing and a Tolkienologist must read it! :) :D

But it is Not.......I repeat ... NOT by M.M.

Hehe!

Manveru, I agree on that idea!!! But wouldn't it be better to do this link-posting in the newly open thread about M.M....when we open it? Just a thought.... Although it might be done here as well....:rolleyes:

[Finduilas]

Originally posted by Lhunithiliel
Findi, my dear, PLEEEEEEEEEASE fix this out:

The essay Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth is NOT by M.M. but by Tolkien himself and it is a part from HoMe 10 - volume! It IS a wonderful piece of writing and a Tolkienologist must read it! :) :D

But it is Not.......I repeat ... NOT by M.M.

Ammm....sorry! I'll remeber it! Sorry it won't happen again!:(

BTW, Lhun should we read the articles from the suite101.com too or only the essays cause there are 215 both essays and articles and it would probably take some time to raed them all!:)

[Manveru]

Originally posted by Lhunithiliel:
The essay Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth is NOT by M.M. but by Tolkien himself and it is a part from HoMe 10 - volume! It IS a wonderful piece of writing and a Tolkienologist must read it!
I'd really want to read it, but unfortunatelly I haven't got HoME now! Can I get it some other way?

And about that posts: yeah, sure... why not;)

[Lhunithiliel]

Hmmmmmm...... Daaaa......
(which means Yeeeeeeees..... :D)

Shall we have MORE time then - for reading, I mean?

[Lhunithiliel]

Originally posted by Manveru
I'd really want to read it, but unfortunatelly I haven't got HoME now! Can I get it some other way?

And about that posts: yeah, sure... why not;)
LOL :D
We can end up in prison for this , people!

I'm quite serious! We are violating the copyrights of the Tolkien Estate !!!! :eek: :eek: :eek:

And Findi, I didn't want to embarrass you, my dear! :)

[Finduilas]

Originally posted by Lhunithiliel
Hmmmmmm...... Daaaa......
(which means Yeeeeeeees..... :D)

Shall we have MORE time then - for reading, I mean?

So...we have to read everything?!!!!:eek: OMG!!!!
But there are some not so serious articles...for example about Legolas and that stuff....Should we get deep into them too...!
Wol, Internet here I come..!:D

So how much time......a year? ..or probably two..?;)

[Lhunithiliel]

Well.... my "Da........" was a way of reflecting on these matters.

I think we should concentrate on PE first.
For this 2 weeks will be enough, I think. Then we can probably proceed with other articles...

Opinions?

[Manveru]

No objections on that... I'm in...;):D

[Finduilas]

Yes, I'm in too...

Right, so let's begin...See you here again after 2 weeks ;)

[Finduilas]

I'm sorry for the double post but I'd like to ask something:

Lhun or if someone else knows, the essay you sent me, Athrabeth Finrod Ah Andreth , remember? Well, there's written that it's a part of a book...which book is it a part of?
I want to know because after I finish the essay and PE I may read the book too if I find it.

[Lhunithiliel]

It is the X-th volume of the History of Middle-earth, Findi.

Most ...if not all of this volume is very useful to read!

******

Meanwhile, while you, Manveru and me are reading PE, I was thinking.... in what way are we to organize our small M.M. reading discussion?

I'll open a respective thread. All right! What then?

Ideas?

Manveru?

[BlackCaptain]

Originally posted by Anamatar IV
When you finished the first tolkien book you ever read did you immediately read the next? Did you even know what else JRR Tolkien wrote?

Why did you read the first book you read?

How many times did you read the books before you joined this guild?

Why did you read the books a second time?

This might be a little late to post my answers, but please forgive me!

1. No, I did not. I had no idea that Tolkien even wrote anything more than the Hobbit. I just figured all the other books in the little box marked Lord of the Rings were guids for something of some sort... Iduno I was crazy

2. 6th grade, Book Report, no time left, THANKS MOM! She brought me up stairs and got out a book she said she loved called 'The Hobbit.' Very reluctant to read it I was... But now I'm reluctant to put it down. I thought to myself 'This guy uses too many words'. Hahahahahaha how that changed...

3. 2 and a Half time with Lord of the Rings, Silmarillion 1 and a Half, UT I'm only halfway thru...

4. To keep up with people like you guys!:D

I hope I'm qualified for whatever! HAha

[Khôr’nagan]

I first read TTT, then RotK, then The Hobbit, and finally FotR. After doing so, I did not know that there were more books about LotR, and I didn't find out until that upcoming Christmas (of 2002). I was looking at the book my dad was reading and asked what it was about. He said Middle-Earth and LotR, and I started asking all about any other books. After the start New Year I read the Silmarillion, and I have read since UT, BoLT 1&2, and LoB.

I first started reading LotR after seing the movie of FotR. I started with TTT because I wanted to see what happened next, and I quickly ran through the Trilogy and The Hobbit.

I started reading LotR because I instantly fell in love with it (in the movie). I percieved the great and vast depths to the storyline, and I was uncontrolably drawn to it.

I have (just this past month) reread the Hobbit, FotR, TTT, and RotK. Including this, I have read each of them twice. I have only read the other things once.

I reread The Hobbit and LotR trilogy because I just loved them so much, I was bored, and I felt like adding to the number of books/pages I read this summer, (I have, thus far, read 6797 pages from a total of16 books this summer).

All in all, The Lord of the Rings and Tolkien's Middle-Earth are the best pieces of lierature that I have ever read.

[Hirila]

Perhaps we should also mention the following:

I have lately gone through a phase of my life, where I didn't want to hear anything about Tolkien. I had been so busy all the last year, always coming around, posting, thinking, writing, discussing. And all of a sudden... I just found it boring. Talking things over and over again just seemed... stupid.
So I took a break. Of course I had many other things to do during that time, arrange a seven month trip to San Francisco, coping with university, enjoying time with my boyfriend. But during that time, which has now lasted for about three or four months, I had absolutely no drive to come back to the Guild and the Forum itself for full time, as I was here before.

Now that I am almost settled in that new town, that new situation in my life for the next half year, I have found that I will have plenty of time to come back to the forum. But should I really use this spare time for sitting in front of my computer? Posting stuff to complete strangers who are sitting in front of their computers? Is there really no other employment for my time?

I finally decided: No! There is no other way for me than to come back and try to catch up with what's been going on. I realized I had missed the forum, the discussions, the sillyness in the RPGs. The poetry and the prose. In fact: I missed the Tolkienish part of my life! So from today on I will say: Beware! Guild of Tolkienology: I have come back! And though I don't have any ideas on how to bring new life here, I will try to revive whatever part I think is of interest to me.


What do you think, dear friends and co-members of the Guild:
Is it good to take a break when you feel you are not able any more draw anything out of the theme (Tolkien) for yourself. When you feel that all that stuff is only a bore for yuo, isn't it better to take a step back and just watch for some time, without contributing actively. Because then, when that phase is over, you will see if what you have done before that break is really part of your life. When you live alone for some time, don't you think you can appraise and appreciate better the life you had before?!


This is my contribution to "The Road to Becoming a Tolkienologist". Think about it. I am only 21 years old, but what I have written above, may be the wisest thing I will ever say in my life.

[Manveru]

Originally posted by Hirila:
When you live alone for some time, don't you think you can appraise and appreciate better the life you had before?!
I tried that "lonely-exercise" about 18 months ago (more or less;)). I was totally isolated... I was barely meeting with my friends (actually I delimited those meetings to a 'tragic' minimum). I managed till June 2003 (nearly 15 months of solitude!!!). And... I kinda started to like it;) No... actually I started missing people, and... I "crept out of my hidden abode." I felt a strong need to communicate with others. Although I've been a Tolkien fan for a few years (and I've had Internet connection for some time-since 2002), it wasn't until this summer that I started to post on SF-FANDOM (http://www.sf-fandom.com) and then came across that finest of all fora dedicated to Master T. (http://www.thetolkienforum.com). :D I don't know whether it helped me... maybe You tell me? How am I acting? Like a hermit or a recluse?;)

As You can see, Hirila, I've lived Your little theory... and I agree with that. But... I don't feel like trying it out again... not in the nearest 'thousand years'.:D

As far as Tolkien-related-matters are concerned... I think that I won't feel like 'fed up' with it... ever. It seems to me like 'neverending story'(;)) and I'm still hungry for more.:D

[Hirila]

I guess what you did, Manveru, was the ultra-hard test to "my little theory" as you call it.

Fortunately I have never been in a state were I wanted to seclude myself from many parts of this world. Though I sometimes think about it. But it is a thought too frightening to me. I like the society of people around me. But sometimes, it just gets too much. And then I retreat for some time from that little part of my life that's not giving me pleasure any more. This sounds like I'm a hedonist but... come on guys... who is not???
And then, when that little part of my life really was part of my life and not only some employment to waste time, then I will find I need to go back. And then you can find new pleasure in it.

[Manveru]

Originally posted by Hirila
I guess what you did, Manveru, was the ultra-hard test to "my little theory" as you call it.
You can call that ultra-hard;) In fact it wasn't easy. It required very strong will (and to be completly "frenetic";)). But it helps when you want to "soften" your soul a little...

:D

[Melian]

Well,well,well.
It's good to see I'm not the only hermit here. I've been hiding this fact for a while, but reading through his thread made me speak up. I've had the solitude period myself.
About a year and a half ago, I suffered a bitter break-up. I was so nihilistic, that I let my grief take control over my life. I was perfoming bad at school, I had pushed my friends and relatives away and I had decided to quit coming at TTF. I don't know why. Just needed that time,I guess.
That's the reason you see I was registrated like 2 years ago, but I have so few posts...
Anyway, we should keep moving. That's the sense of life. As my favourite Paulu Coelho says in "The Fifth Mountain"---happiness is for the strong--those who manage to thread thier path, those who outdo the misfortunes, those who never let the river of sorrow to wash them away. Getting more and more philosophical and with the help of some soulmates (there were some left), and with an event that happened last summer and showed me how fragile life is....I realized I should LIVE.
So I'm back.:)It's worth it. I found love.

[Finduilas]

Well, now I am in this kind of period...:(
I seem to not need friends and try to push them away because I only hurt them...:(
I don't want to watch them suffer because of me...that's why they would cope better with life without me...

[Melian]

Of course they don't do better without you! We both know this. You're only in that phase of denial and that's all. Evryone's gone through such time!!!
Let me tell you that every cloud has a silver lining! I contemplate on that certain period of my life when I thought there was no sense in anything. At that time GG came to my rescue (together with a few sympathetic souls). We had known each other for about ten years, but at that very time we started being friends. We were united by mutual misery and we talked about Tolkien. I introduced him to the forum and then he introduced you! Do you realize what a wonderful outcome it is ??? I'm extremely happy and proud that he is here, that you are here, and that I am back!
And just recently, I found Manveru, or he found me...so everything is going to be alright---you just need a certain word or a sign and lo! --things will get fixed!!!
If you think no one loves you, I'd object. I do!:)

[Manveru]

Melian's right. Don't 'linger' in this "state" for too long... Loneliness is a 'killing thing' (whether it's chosen or not;)). And you have friends who look out your come back...
Originally posted by Melian:
If you think no one loves you, I'd object. I do!:)
Me too:D. Like a sister, of course. Sorry, but my winged heart is already taken;)

[Gil-Galad]

Originally posted by Finduilas
Well, now I am in this kind of period...:(
I seem to not need friends and try to push them away because I only hurt them...:(
I don't want to watch them suffer because of me...that's why they would cope better with life without me...
Really?!
I don't think so!Who suffers because of you?!It's not me!
But I suppose who do you have in mind!Don't listen to him or I'll have to go back to Bulgaria and have a serious conversation with you!
You are a great friend and not only I know it,but also your classmates and neighbours!

[Valandil]

*ahem*

Ah... I'm not sure I totally understand...

I've been posting in topics of interest in this forum, as I would any other.

But am I supposed to be some official 'Tolkienologist' to post in this forum?? :confused:

[Arvedui]

No, you are not.

This section, as well as every other, is open for all. the only exception behing a little corner behind a curtain where the mods and admins hide to plot against the members... :D

[Gil-Galad]

Exactly :)!

Well,this thread is left from the time when HoT was The Guild of Tolkienology and there was membership.

But now The Halls of Tolkienology is an open society and everyone is most welcome :)

Except for the small corner behind the curtain where the mods and the admins make their plots against the members ;) :p