I realized this after I started reading and noticed that the only things I remembered from the first time was that there were Bilbo and Gandalf, trolls, dwarves, Gollum and the ring and a dragon. I managed to forget every single detail.
All together it's a nice, light introduction into what is to come next. So much so that I kept wondering how in the world did the Hobbit author manage to evolve that world so much to come up with the rest later. Although it seems LotR was written at almost the same time (or very soon after).
This just proves I will need to read LotR again soon. :)
Anyway, The Hobbit is a fantasy story of a quest to which Bilbo only reluctantly agrees to (as their resident burglar) and the dwarves and Bilbo have all sorts of extraordinary adventures from which he returns changed (and richer).
We also learn of the goodness and resilience the hobbits display and it's easy to agree with their matter-of-fact world view (at least I hope so, I don't think some would be as generous of both spirit and material things as Bilbo is).
There is one thing about Hobbit though, although not as strongly presented, that is a continuing feature of all Tolkien work (I've read so far) - there is always a tragic part to the story.
Which makes me wonder what will they do about that in the movie...?
Hi Ines,
ReplyDeleteI'm a fan of actor Richard Armitage, and the trailer suggests he makes a very impressive Thorin Oakenshield. Can't wait until the first of the films comes out here.
The Hobbit was read aloud to our class when I was 9, by our young and enthusiastic teacher (who did all the voices). It was great being read to, and I've never forgotten the pleasure. I've read The Hobbit to my son twice (and read LOTR to him twice too).
I got my son the LOTR audio discs for Christmas, so I'll be able to listen too.
[Changing tack to the film of Harry Potter/DH2, how do you think Snape got the Sword into the lake near Harry *without* the book's Phineas Nigellus portrait link? Maybe they filmed an explanation but edited it out to save time?]
cheerio, Anna in Edinburgh
Hi Anna,
ReplyDeletetrailer makes the whole movie look very impressive. :)
It is so lovely that you had such a great teacher, it sounds like she instilled love for books in many of you. Which you are now forwarding to your son.
(I love the fact that you read him both the Hobbit and LotR)
Good question about the sword in HP.
Hmm, I only saw the movie once (I've been meaning to watch it again but never got around to it) - I also thought there were some parts missing for the story to connect as it did in the book.
I don't remember if there was possibly a scene during Snape's dying remembrances that might explain the sword...
Now when I'll watch it, I'll look for the missing link. :)
I was completely obsessed with the LOTR films and then the books- and now I haven't watched or read them for quite a long time- I'm looking forward to the Hobbit but think i need to reimurse myself. I never liked the Hobbit as much which I think is why I hadn't read the LOTR books before actually- but I will want to see this- they make very good and true adaptations
ReplyDeleteRose, I believe I was lucky then in my choice of reading LotR first and then Hobbit some years later. :)
ReplyDeleteNow I have a wish to see the movies again (the extended ones).
I read LOTR, The Hobbit and Silmarillion. I loved LOTR movies and now I have seen The Hobbit teaser and it's great to see that world and those characters again. I'll have to re-read the books too :)
ReplyDeleteIsa, that teaser trailer is just plain teasing! :)
ReplyDeleteI really can't wait for the movie now, and then it will only be the first part. Aaarghhh!
(I will definitely watch again the LotR movies one of these days now) :)