Tolkien Day | Pad Patter Monday March 25th

[Angela Toucan]

The calendar says that it's Tolkien Day in celebration of the author's contribution to literature. The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings have become British Classics.

Have you read them?
One of my Primary School teachers read extracts of the hobbit to us in class and I was enchanted by it. My dad bought me a copy when I was about 9. I then moved onto the Lord of the Rings a year later.

Do you own any of those books?
My copy of The Hobbit is falling apart. The Lord of the Rings might not last much longer, particularly if the teenagers get interested.

Have you seen any of the films?
I saw the first Lord of the Rings film in the cinema before I had children. My in-laws got me a copy of the extended DVD box set for my birthday. I couldn't go the the cinema for the other's and had to wait for my birthday presents. I re-watched the first half of the Fellowship of the Ring last week.

What are your favourite Tolkien places?
The Shire and Hobbiton obviously, but I'm also interested by the ruggedness of Rohan. It reminds me of studying about the Anglo Saxons and Vikings when I was at school.

Who are your favourite Tolkien characters?
I think my favourites are Sam and Éowyn

 

[Angela Toucan]

I'm remembering seeing a "Hobbit Door" during one of our outings, and have found it in my gallery

 

[Karen]

I think we read The Hobbit in school when I was younger, but I found it difficult to get into it. I don't think I've read any of the Lord of the Rings books either. I have seen most of the movies, but they didn't really grab me either. My sons both loved them though!

 

[tanteva]

I really really want to like Tolkien, and I have tried. There are gems in there - I love the hobbit life style & Gandalf has some really good sayings. But ...... gee .... it's boring. We have all the books. Both in English and in a Swedish translation.

Tried to read LOTR three times & gave up. Then I forced myself (yes, I really had to force myself to finish) by listening to it as an audio book. But I never got hooked, and only listened to the first book. When the first movie came, I bought it, and thought NOW!!! ... But I only saw half.

Then all the movies came to Netflix & hubby and I saw them all together. I managed to get through them, but it was more of "assigned project" than any enjoyment. Love the scenery - it's very beautiful movies. But ... it's boring. All they do is walk and walk and walk, then some talk, and then back to walk, walk, walk.

I'm really a bit sad about this. I'd really want to be a part of those who find the magic in this.

Guess I'll stay a Potterhead. LOL

 

[umyesh]

I read them in high school over Christmas break for assigned reading. I think we own them but they’re buried in a bin in the basement. We’ve watched the movies many times. I’ll have to think more about favorite places and characters…

 

[HavaDrPepper]

Can't say that I have ever read any of them or seen any of the movies.

 

[dawnmarch]

I read The Hobbit in highschool and then the LOTR books in college I think. LOVED all of them and I really liked the movies which was surprising since I usually hate movies of my favorite books. I used to own the books but I've gotten rid of most of my hard copy books now and those are ones I could easily download from the library. I'm not sure I have favorite places or characters -- I don't think it's a world I'd want to actually live in.

 

[tanteva]

I read The Hobbit in highschool and then the LOTR books in college I think. LOVED all of them and I really liked the movies which was surprising since I usually hate movies of my favorite books. I used to own the books but I've gotten rid of most of my hard copy books now and those are ones I could easily download from the library. I'm not sure I have favorite places or characters -- I don't think it's a world I'd want to actually live in.

Wow - that's really strange to me! Getting rid of books I mean. I really LOVE having a book in my hand, touch the paper, turn pages. I really don't like reading on my tablet, only done it a couple of times, when the proper book has been unavailable for some reason. Don't you miss books?

 

[janedee]

Have you read them?
Like Angela, one of my early school teachers (maybe Grade 2) read us excerpts from The Hobbit. I absolutely loved it. I can't remember how old I was when I got it, maybe eight or nine. I also read The Hobbit to my girls when they were young. I read and re-read the Lord of the Rings series as a teenager and I think they are responsible for my love of the Fantasy genre.

Do you own any of those books?
Yes, I still have all my original copies.

Have you seen any of the films?
Yes, many times. I remember seeing the original version of The Hobbit and being very disappointed in it. Then, years later, when my girls were teens, the Lord of the Rings series came out and we went to see them. We still will have a Lord of the Rings marathon once in a while.

What are your favourite Tolkien places?
Hobbiton, for sure. I was so disappointed to miss seeing it when we were in New Zealand. We had a torrential downpour that day and so didn't get to go there. I was always fascinated by Rivendell too.

Who are your favourite Tolkien characters?
There are a few - Legolas, Sam, Galadriel.

 

[dawnmarch]

Wow - that's really strange to me! Getting rid of books I mean. I really LOVE having a book in my hand, touch the paper, turn pages. I really don't like reading on my tablet, only done it a couple of times, when the proper book has been unavailable for some reason. Don't you miss books?

I miss books a little bit but I mostly have switched to audio books and I love being able to listen to books while I do other things -- driving, cleaning, working out, etc.

 

[Scrapping with Liz]

Have you read them?
I have read Hobbit. I start LoR but could only make it half way through the first book. I do want to try again!

Do you own any of those books?
Yes! All of them plus almost every other Tolkien book as my son LOVES them. He's read them all several times. He knows so many details and wants to tell me about them ALL the time. LOL!

Have you seen any of the films?
Yes. All of them. They aren't my fave. Too graphic for my taste.

What are your favourite Tolkien places?
The shire. I want to live there.

Who are your favourite Tolkien characters?
Samwise Gamgee - the best friend ever.