James’s Comments (group member since Sep 05, 2017)

James’s comments from the J.R.R. Tolkien Epic Reads group.

I’ve always loved that too Missy. It makes me want to grab my pack and follow it to new places

Mauricio Antonio wrote: "I am a brazillian graphic designer and illustrator. I am also visual artist poet and writer. I started to read Tolkien after the movies. Although I played Fantasy Role Playing Game a long time ago."

Welcome! I am sorry about the late response, but we are glad to have you join us. How do you like the books compared to the movies? They are different in many ways.

Welcome Tamara! I love your thoughts on Tolkien, and have to agree. I read Lord of the Rings, and loved it, so I started reading everything Tolkien I could find. I loved the history and language elements of the Silmarillion, and think the darkness of some of its tales better reflects real life. I’ve always loved the tales of Turin. We’re glad to have you with us and look forward to hearing more from you. We’re reading The Two Towers at the moment but I’d love to hear your thoughts on anything Tolkien.

Welcome, Jordan! We’re glad to have you with us. We’re currently in the middle of reading The Two Towers. For December, we’re finishing book four and starting book five with the story shifting back to Frodo and Sam. We focus on two chapters a month, and look forward to any thoughts you wish to share on them or the books as a whole.

Very true, Mary. These are little shocks before the big one, helping us prepare, perhaps.

I'm finishing up the 4th chapter (I know, I'm way behind...) and about once a page, at least, I notice a line or two that are simply beautiful. I have to stop and roll them off my tongue once or twice to let them sink in.

Tolkien has a gift for writing prose that scans as poetry. It is beautiful and enriches the experience of reading for me.

Mary, I love that! I know exactly what you mean, lol.

How is everyone enjoying the read this month? I've been traveling and doing inventory around my district for work over the last three weeks, and it has interrupted my reading. I feel like I've just come out of a fog to realize I'm way, way behind on reading...
As I struggle to catch back up to everyone, I wonder you are enjoying The Two Towers. The story generally captures me here, and I rush through reading these chapters, trying to catch up to what everyone is doing. I'm glad we're reading these at a measured pace, it really reminds me of how much there is to find in these chapters.
Tolkien gives a clear picture of Rohan, the politics of their court and struggles with Saruman, and a real sense of the oppressive quality of an old forest. It is easy to close my eyes and picture each scene.
Does anyone else feel that sense of realism from the descriptions? I'd love to know how these chapters affect you.

Welcome Emilia! It’s never too late to join the fun (I hope that’s what we’re having, anyway)!

I love the background of reading you listed... I know it well. We’re currently starting chapters 3-4 of The Two Towers in August (that’s today, eek!).

Please feel free to join any of the discussions we’ve had, start a new one, or just tell us what you’re thinking at the moment. Eileen and I love reading everyone’s thoughts on Tolkien, and it’s always nice to have someone new to share our own thoughts with.

I’ve been re-reading the histories myself and look forward to reading your thoughts on them.

In the past, I've always rushed through book 3 in a hurry to find out what Frodo and Sam are doing. Reading it slowly has been interesting. "The Departure of Boromir" is an interesting chapter. It feels so odd to have Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli stop in the middle of a high action situation to give Boromir a proper funerary send-off.

They're in a hurry to follow the orcs and rescue Merry and Pippin, they're in a hurry to find Frodo and Sam, they need to decide where to go next... and they stop to cut boughs, lay Boromir out in the boat with his weapons and his enemies', then sing three verses in his honor. It is almost surreal.

It always bothered me that Aragorn and Legolas could improvise a poem so quickly, but it seems more likely that it is meant to be a common style of poetry said over the fallen, that they adapt on the fly. It has also been nice to read that poem carefully and realize how well written it truly is. Many times I've struggled to find any rhythm to it while reading, but I didn't this time. I think because I didn't rush myself this time, and in slowing down found the rhythm of the verse. I still need to read chapter two, and I'm looking forward to it.

That’s great Sydney! I’m so glad you loved the book. It’s been one of my favorites too. July is coming soon, so you’ll be able to keep going with The Two Towers. I can’t wait to keep reading either

I’ve been trying to pay attention to Boromir while reading, looking for any sign of his treachery. I think there are some interesting quotes that I’ll try pulling together into one thread soon. For now, what do you think of Boromir’s behavior in this chapter. Did it surprise you? If you’ve read it before, or seen the movie, did you feel any different this time through?

I’m just reaching that point in the story, but I’m curious what others feel or notice.

That’s great, George! I’ve never picked up on these before, but I’m glad they’re there. I’ve wondered if it was a Nazgul, but then it made no sense for them not to get involved if it was, so it never fit. Good catch!

I’d agree offhand. I’m glad you mentioned it... I didn’t notice. I’m going to read the passage again.

That’s awesome George! I’m looking forward to it even more.

I'm looking forward to revisiting those scenes, Mary. As Eileen mentioned, I don't remember that chapter very well. I have a vague memory from years ago of a sense of wonder at their description, and hope I find it again.

Basically, yes. I think it’s tied to the quote you mentioned about “power according to the possessor.” She is able to augment her abilities with the use of the ring, but that ties them to it, so that if it’s power weakens, the effects brought by its use wane.

It is her power that cloaks the wood, but the ring amplifies that ability, and entwines it to the ring’s fate. When it fails, things wrought with it fail also.

Yes, George, I think that’s it. If Sauron gets the ring they will be revealed to him. He can’t see them initially because he had no hand in crafting them. I’m not sure if they come under its control, or if they are just revealed to him. I think it somewhere says they are masked from his knowledge because he didn’t craft them, but they are open to its control if Sauron gets the ring.

Either way, their power is tied to it in some way. They will diminish if it is destroyed, or be controlled by the one ring if wielded.

Generally, I prefer the book in all cases to movie interpretations, but the end of ‘The Bridge of Khazad-dum’ is unique for me. Partly, it’s the music and soundtrack, but that shift from pounding music and dramatic tension with Gandalf hanging from the bridge saying “Fly, you fools!” to the silence of the next scene, and the company weeping and staggering over the rocks outside is so poignant.

It’s one instance where the visuals of the film capture the feeling of the moment so much better than the text on the page. I never felt slighted by the text, but I distinctly remember that scene from the first showing in the theater really capturing the moment so perfectly. It put my feelings as a reader right up on the screen, and made the sense of loss at Gandalf’s fall visceral and real.

Excellent point Tara. I think it’s important to remember that part of the Fellowship’s hope for success comes from the unhorsing of the riders and the belief that the spies of Mordor will be watching the roads and areas of perceived threat. They believe success lies in secrecy, hence a trek through the wild, a small company with little strength of arms, etc.

Direct flight by eagles would be too visible, even if they don’t suspect anyone choosing to destroy the ring over using it. Their success lies in being secretive not open, and taking the hard road into Mordor and the crack of doom, rather than an easier path.