[Marileangorifurnimaluim]

Hi Brian, welcome to the Downs. Great topic.

My dad gave it to me. He's an avid and ecletic reader and noticed I was into Andre Norton and LeGuin, had devoured Alexander Lloyd. I'd read the 'Screwtape Letters' and liked it.

He scanned his shelves and said, "hmmm. Well, you're too old for Narnia really, besides I don't think I have them anymore. Ah! Maybe you'll like this."

Maybe.

I was at the dinner table still reading, when Dad made me finally put down the Fellowship to eat.

One of the most memorable moments was when I was reading the Fellowship in English class. (I tested six years ahead of my classmates so tended to ignore the class and ace the exams - a system that earned me a consistent 'B,' and put me below the geek radar screen for the school bullies.)

My frustrated English teacher saw me reading in class again, and kicked my chair.

Well, it was attached to the desk, and the whole ensemble rotated 45 degrees before we came blinking to a stop. I picked up my desk, moved it back into place. And went right back to the book without a pause.

I seem to recall the entire room roaring with laughter.

He took the book away of course. But I had plenty of time to read during Social Studies. I'd memorized the text book in the first month, and noticed that all Houghten-Mifflin had updated since the 50's was the pictures.

Maril