Lord Of The Rings - yet another read

I picked up my old one-volume copy of LOTR the other day and couldn't resist reading the introduction which led me to read the first chapter and the rest is history, I'm reading it again! Having said that it is some time since I last read it and in the meantime I've watched the excellent (though not perfect) films many times.

This time through is very different. I'm reading it more slowly and with a little more attention to detail but mainly literally savouring the wonderful atmosphere of this world that Tolkien has created. Don't misunderstand me, I think Peter Jackson did a wonderful job on the films and the unique atmosphere he created taking advantage of the wonderful diverse scenery of New Zealand is truly amazing.Add to the wonderful cinematography Howard Shore's brilliant score and that these films become uniquely special.

But the films don't even come close to the book - after all this was Tolkien's medium as a writer of prose and poetry and as a philologist and a scholar. I'm not going to comment too much on what the films left out - I guess that there were difficult decisions and the constraints of time although as I have said elsewhere I was disappointed with the ending (I happen to think that the scouring of the shire and Saruman's end etc. are vital to Tolkien's overall plot). On the other hand the films do bring something to the book. I happen to think that most of the characterisations and casting were brilliant with few disappointments (although Frodo for some reason could be rather annoying at times!).

And so the re-read is going well. I am currently at the edge of Fanghorn and the Rohirrim are catching up with the Uruk Hai and their lesser compatriots. Some highlights - well there is the whole journey from Hobbiton to Bree, Farmer Maggot and his mushrooms, Old Man Willow, Tom Bombadil and the Barrow Wight, Butterburr and the Prancing Pony, the Council of Elrond at Rivendell, the mines of Moriah and the Bridge of Khazad Dum - on and on I could go but then THE magical moment when they arrive at  Lothlorien and that most wonderful description of their arrival at Cerin Amroth, the ancient heart of the elven kingdom. There are passages in LOTR which I can read over and over again and still feel the sense of wonder and yes - real joy as I read them.

But I must rejoin Merry and Pippin bouncing along on the backs of the orcs as the Rohirrim race after them ....... ooh what wonders still lie ahead!

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