Brevity by Dan Thompson for January 23, 2012

She had to Frodo at the tattoo artist for that one..

Her mother has Bilbo on her left breast.

She’s the one with the draggin’ tattoo.

And I like that, Baslim.

And the road goes ever on and on…

Does the word trilogy ring a bell.? Show us your tribute to Gandolf backpiece. What dark recess hides your ode to Golem?

Looks like she smells something questionable.

Those books weren’t written when I was a child, and there are too many adult books I’d rather read. (when not watching silly TV shows, I try to spend the rest of my time wisely).

The Toon is cute tho, aging flower child! I have a wreath of purple flowers with ivy and grapes to wear with my toga when we have a Greek/Roman event.

That’s more like an Elisha Wood tattoo. Anyway, Hobbits rock!

I think you’ve stated it very well, Baslim. It’s interesting that J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis were close friends and both had a way of imparting great truths in a way that still interests us today.

Martin Free Man is the new Bilbo Baggins. Any relation to YOU, Number Six?

Dazz — I tried to read The Hobbit in high school, so I resisted the Rings trilogy till about 10 years ago when a friend gave it to me in one volume and insisted I read it.

She said I had to promise to read a whole chapter before I quit.

I assure you I was not a child — and I had trouble even putting it down to go to sleep.

The story is one of the most compelling and absorbing I’ve ever read.

It’s a massive work of scholarship, fantasy, yes, but with ancient cultures and landscapes so beautifully imitated and described that you’d think they were archeological studies.

I’m absolutely amazed that someone so into SCA would disparage it, when it’s a blueprint for perfect roleplay.

Try it — but make the same promise — a whole chapter before giving up — and I bet you won’t.

The Hobbit is a bit more juvenile, but I did like it once I read the other books, and I really wanted that bit of backstory.

I even regret all the years I didn’t read it, just because I mocked people who named their babies Frodo.

(Yes they did, and sorry, I’d still mock them. But maybe a kitten…..)

i read the Hobbit in junior high , and LotR in high school. as a freshman. everyone gave me a hard time for reading that “fairy” stuff. they also gave me a hard time about the science fiction i was reading. now look at what the kids are reading. go figure. my nephues were as upset as i was when Anne Mcafrey died.

Anne McCaffrey passed away? I know everyone has their time, but I’m sad anyway. I loved the Pern books. I’ve always enjoyed the sci fi/fantasy genre, whether intended for children, adults, or both. The quality of writing is not dependent on the age of the intended audience. Some of the better written ones draw heavily on the classics, which is great fun as a reader. (Anyone familiar with “A Winter’s Tale” has got to see the humor in how many times Hermione Granger was frozen in some way and came back to life.) My father, on the other hand, dismisses the entire genre as childish (actually most fiction containing character development). We don’t see eye to eye on many things…. Have a good evening, everyone!

Frodo?

one ring to rule them all