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**lindil** · 04-23-2003, 11:43 AM

I am with Saucepan Man on all points.

I too gained a newfound respect for The Hobbit[and the early part of the FotR esp, Bombadil] over the last few years as I first began to read the books to my very young girls.

The Hobbit, despite being less mature [interms of it's tatrget audience and JRRT's own powers as a writer] is still a tour de force of a kids book. The way it weaves in moral conundrums [esp the arkenstone business at the end] and deals with grey areas such as 'good elves' being excessively [but not in their terms of reference] harsh, and Bilbo busting them out.

There are a lot of gems in the book as long as one does not hold it too the same standard as the LotR [or the even more polished and mature writings in his later years such as the Wanderings of Hurin, The Narn i hin Hurin, Athrabeth Finrod ha Andreth, the Last versions of the Early Silm Chapters,The Druedain, Aldarion and Erendis etc. ].

I find that the various types of story, the varrying POV and interactions of the races all give the Legendarium and depth surpassing all other fiction [and most non-Fiction!]and having some of it written from the pov of a formerly provincial [but still not too world-wise] hobitt encountering the Big World, adds too it all.

That being said, if I ever finish the Translations from the ELvish PRoject, I would love to recast the Hobbit in a more adult tone [which JRRT also wished to do, and if I recall correctly did some serious and unreleased work on] incorporating the Quest for Erebor stories and what little we know of the expulsion of the 'necromancer'.

I have while on long driving trips, had extremely vivid ideas for recastin the Hobbit into a PJ like [minus the abusive'creative vision' thing [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img] ]

And having it start with Ian McKellan [in disguise, we do not yet know it is Gandalf]sneaking into Dol Guldor] and getting the key and map and learning it is in fact Sauron, with a narrow escape... etc and reporting to a suspicious Christopher Lee with the rest of the White Council looking on...

Well anyway I won't get started [well, I won't go on!] but I think it could make an excellent PG-13ish film especially if one builds on PJ's base of Rivendell and such [heck we Legolas could even be in it assuring instant success [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

Anyway, if anyone finds they are down on the Hobbit, try reading it to a little'un.

Seeing it through their eyes [as JRRT did when he was writing it] will make all of difference.

04-23-2003, 11:43 AM	#25
lindil Seeker of the Straight Path Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: a hidden fastness in Big Valley nor cal Posts: 1,680	I am with Saucepan Man on all points. I too gained a newfound respect for The Hobbit[and the early part of the FotR esp, Bombadil] over the last few years as I first began to read the books to my very young girls. The Hobbit, despite being less mature [interms of it's tatrget audience and JRRT's own powers as a writer] is still a tour de force of a kids book. The way it weaves in moral conundrums [esp the arkenstone business at the end] and deals with grey areas such as 'good elves' being excessively [but not in their terms of reference] harsh, and Bilbo busting them out. There are a lot of gems in the book as long as one does not hold it too the same standard as the LotR [or the even more polished and mature writings in his later years such as the Wanderings of Hurin, The Narn i hin Hurin, Athrabeth Finrod ha Andreth, the Last versions of the Early Silm Chapters,The Druedain, Aldarion and Erendis etc. ]. I find that the various types of story, the varrying POV and interactions of the races all give the Legendarium and depth surpassing all other fiction [and most non-Fiction!]and having some of it written from the pov of a formerly provincial [but still not too world-wise] hobitt encountering the Big World, adds too it all. That being said, if I ever finish the Translations from the ELvish PRoject, I would love to recast the Hobbit in a more adult tone [which JRRT also wished to do, and if I recall correctly did some serious and unreleased work on] incorporating the Quest for Erebor stories and what little we know of the expulsion of the 'necromancer'. I have while on long driving trips, had extremely vivid ideas for recastin the Hobbit into a PJ like [minus the abusive'creative vision' thing [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img] ] And having it start with Ian McKellan [in disguise, we do not yet know it is Gandalf]sneaking into Dol Guldor] and getting the key and map and learning it is in fact Sauron, with a narrow escape... etc and reporting to a suspicious Christopher Lee with the rest of the White Council looking on... Well anyway I won't get started [well, I won't go on!] but I think it could make an excellent PG-13ish film especially if one builds on PJ's base of Rivendell and such [heck we Legolas could even be in it assuring instant success [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] Anyway, if anyone finds they are down on the Hobbit, try reading it to a little'un. Seeing it through their eyes [as JRRT did when he was writing it] will make all of difference. __________________ The dwindling Men of the West would often sit up late into the night exchanging lore & wisdom such as they still possessed that they should not fall back into the mean estate of those who never knew or indeed rebelled against the Light.