Let's talk favorite moments in books. We all have them- certain scenes, certain moments that are totally awesome, or a great twist that turns the whole story on its head. Character reveals, you name it- the sky's the limit. Today I want to talk about a scene from Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien. Sam and Frodo are on their way out of the Shire, fleeing the Black Riders, when they come upon elves in the forest. They stay with them for a night and this is their first experience with elves.
'These are High Elves! They spoke the name of Elbereth!' said Frodo in amazement, 'Few of that fairest folk are ever seen in the Shire. Not many now remain in Middle-earth, east of the Great Sea. This is indeed a strange chance!'
'I am Gildor,' answered their leader, the Elf who had first hailed him. 'Gildor Inglorion of the House of Finrod. We are Exiles, and most of our kindred have long ago departed and we too are now only tarrying here a while, ere we return over the Great Sea. But some of our kinsfolk dwell still in peace in Rivendell.
I'll be honest, the first time I read The Lord of the Rings as a kid I was not very interested in the Shire stuff. I was bored actually... talk about farmers and which hobbit family lives where, and elves in the woods... I was like get on with it. Probably the second or third time too- but as an adult I actually like that part of the story now, because I appreciate the Shire and what it represents. The pastoral nature of it, a sense of innocence that will soon be lost- I find myself actually preferring this part of the story, before we get into chases and orcs and all that. It's not just the Shire either- the Old Forest, Tom Bombadil as a nature spirit, the desolate landscape that used to be the thriving North kingdom of the Dunedain (Aragorn's people)- it's just fascinating to me. But my pick for a favorite moment would be Sam and Frodo meeting the elves...
I see these and I wonder...have I ever read them. I went to the library yesterday because my "card" expired. I hope to start "checking" out books like these and "ketchup" on some books I may have missed. Happy reading, Greg. :-)
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental My TT
Oh man, it's been too long since I re-read this. I know I read the trilogy seven or eight times in high school and at Uni but I definitely haven't touched my poor paperback copy in the last five years. I recently told my husband we should re-watch the movies when we were listening to the soundtrack but maybe I should re-read the books first (and it would be great to have reviews for the blog).
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the books that made the biggest impact on me as a reader, it helped form my taste in fantasy.
Wow, 7 or 8 times. That's awesome! I'm not sure I've read it that many, and am probably overdue. I'm thinking of diving into Fellowship as there are some interesting Tolkien events going on around the blogosphere right now- and it has me thinking about them.
DeleteIf you do re- read them at some point it would be fun to see your thoughts!
That's a great moment. I didn't read this book until I was a freshman in college. I definitely thought some parts were slow then, but loved the moments with Tom Bombadil.
ReplyDeleteI really like Bombadil now too- I didn't appreciate him when I was younger, but I certainly do now. In fact that whole section might be one of my favorite parts.
DeleteThat is a great moment! I watched the movies before I ever read the books and I was not interested in the shire in the movies. However, I really enjoyed it in the books. And I love any part with Sam! :)
ReplyDeleteYeah that's a fun part of the story. I appreciate it more than I did when I was younger... :)
DeleteGood choice - you've really reminded me of how much I need to reread LoTR! :)
ReplyDeleteWith every reread/rewatch of LotR, I find myself preferring the beginning of the story too! That innocence is lost too soon and Hobbits are such kindred spirits, it's sad that they have to see how harsh the rest of the world is. Especially since it's not just the harsh world in normal times, but with the rise of Sauron O.O
ReplyDeleteExactly! I like those scenes so much more now than I did, and in fact would like to know more!
DeleteI love that moment too. :-) I came into Lord of the Rings as an adult, having seen the first movie before even thinking about trying the books. I fell in love with the books. The Shire is such a peaceful place. Life is simple there. I think that really hits home by the end of the books. You really do get to see the innocence lost. I have seen the movies many times over, and I would like to reread the books at some point.
ReplyDeleteI would too, or Fellowship anyway. I think it's my favorite of the books because there is so much world building going on- and we get to see rivendell, which is one of my favorite places!
DeleteI wish I lived in a hobbit-hole, seriously :) I love the part where they venture to Bree in the rain, and then have to hide in the Prancing Pony.There's a peaceful feel in the Shire.
ReplyDeleteBut I do like the part where they arrive at Rivendell. The Last Homely House is so beautiful, actually.
Nice feature, Greg. By the way, my family watches the trilogy movies of LOTR back to back on Christmas Day. Kind of a recent tradition, because in the afternoon everyone is tired but peaceful.
You, sir, have just made me miss the Shire to a rather great degree. I think it's time for a reread. I think it's been a decade since I last read LOTR. How's that even possible?
ReplyDeleteLove this!
Ha ha glad I could help! :) I miss the Shire too. It's been a long time since I read them too, I'm thinking of having another go at some point.
DeleteI read The Hobbit in fourth grade, but I never read TLOTR series. I do remember my aunt dragging me to one of the movies when I was 12 or so, but I agree with your interpretation of the scene from what I do know.
ReplyDeleteI have read The Hobbit three times (I think) And know I read Fellowship Of the Ring, but I can never remember whether I read part of The Two Towers and none of Return Of the King, or all of The Two Towers and part of Return Of the King. Ha ha. All I know for sure is that I fdid mot ever finish the trilogy. Seeing all of the movies a billion times hasn't helped my memory either. I guess it is time for a re-read of the trilogy. I should buy them in hardcover because I have no clue where my PBs are. I have The Silmarillion (did you know Jackson is doing a movie?) and The Book Of Lost Tales in HC, so I should give them a read, too. :)
ReplyDeleteAh love this prompt... made me think of my own favorite scenes. I get what you mean by not being into the Shire stuff when you were younger. It just sounds so simple and boring there! But yes, as I got older, I too started thinking of it as such a comforting and cozy place to call home. Something safe. Something normal.
ReplyDeleteSo I have never read The Lord of the Rings books. The books intimidate me! I did see the first two movies though :)
ReplyDeleteI've realised that I don't have that many vivid memories of reading Fellowship! (Actually, I've got one, and for some reason it's Tom Bombadil and the Barrow Wights... I'm not sure why.)
ReplyDeleteIt's been awhile since I read the books but my favorite memory is of Tom Bombadil. Was a character that just jumped out and stuck with me.
ReplyDeleteMy two favourite parts (I love the whole book so this is difficult) are when the riders attack the Prancing Pony and the flight to the ford, they both scared me when I was small and still give me chills now!
ReplyDeleteGreat choice, Greg! I have a hard time narrowing down to one favorite scene in Fellowship (and the same would apply to the rest of the LOTR Trilogy). But I do love the first real conversation that Frodo and Gandalf have about The One Ring, and the Balrog scene at the Bridge of Khazad-Dum. Not only does the latter always send shivers down my spine, but it's heartening to see Aragorn step up and take the lead after Gandalf falls.
ReplyDeleteIt's been so long since I've read any Tolkien! I read 'The Hobbit' in 6th grade and it spurred my love for fantasy. I read the LOTR trilogy in highschool and The Silmarillion right out of highschool and that was still ten years ago! I'd love to revisit Middle Earth soon!
ReplyDeleteWhen I first read LOTR I didn't like the Shire stuff. I want to reread it so maybe I'll like it the second time around
ReplyDeleteMolly @ Molly's Book Nook
I just pulled out my very yellowed set of The Hobbit and LOTR trilogy to see how old they are. They were the 1966 to 1970 paperback versions (available for $.95 each). I'm pretty sure they were new when I got them as I started reading while in high school. I named my bluish/grey cat Gandalf and he was a wonderful companion for 17 years.
ReplyDeleteI read them again when my son was in college to encourage him to read the newer set I gave him. I do like the scene when they meet the elves but I think one of my favorite scenes would be when Gandalf first shows up - first for Bilbo and later for Frodo.
Confession time - I've tried to read this series on a few different occasions, but I just can't do it. I WANT to love it, but I can't get through it. For now, I've given up, but maybe someday I'll pick it up again.
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction