Join the CbC discussion! - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

davem · 04-22-2005, 03:45 PM

So what's happening?

Has everyone given up on this? Three posts on the current chapter so far is a bit sad!

Do people find book four itself boring, or have people just given up on the project? I remember when this project began our esteemed Esty also started a HoME read along thread which managed to run for about half a dozen chapters before fizzling out. Will the main project go the same way, or are people just waiting for book five, when things get 'interesting' again, with the big battles & high adventure?

I wonder if the movies haven't played some part in shaping people's view of the story by emphasising the Aragorn/Legolas/Gimli storyline & making it seem more interesting.

On the other hand maybe Sam got it right when he said to Frodo that at this point some readers/hearers of the story would say 'Shut the book now Dad, we don't want to read anymore.'

Is it that people find the Frodo/Sam/Gollum storyline too 'dark' & oppressive, or is it that they simply find it too boring? If its the latter, what does that say about us as readers & as Tolkien fans? I have to say that this part of the story has become increasingly meaningful & significant to me as I've grown older, so I've actually been looking forward to this part of the story. How about others? Maybe a more significant question would be, who do readers consider the 'real' hero & central character of LotR to be - Frodo or Aragorn - & how much of a part has PJ played in shaping that opinion?

Whatever, we still have about six months worth of discussion to go - & that's if we limit ourselves only to the main chapters & Aragorn & Arwen, & don't stray into the rest of the Appendices.

Is there enough interest in the project to sustain us to the end of the Road? Or will we fall before the end. Speaking personally I'm going to carry on with it, even if I'm the only one posting & nobody reads what I post! I've learned a great deal over the months - from other posters &, if it doesn't sound too smug, from my own personal discoveries & the connections I've made. I've probably paid more attention to the text in this reading than in any of my previous readings & my appreciation of Tolkien & his work has increased immensely as a result.

Well?

Maédhros · 04-22-2005, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Has everyone given up on this? Three posts on the current chapter so far is a bit sad!

Do people find book four itself boring, or have people just given up on the project? I remember when this project began our esteemed Esty also started a HoME read along thread which managed to run for about half a dozen chapters before fizzling out. Will the main project go the same way, or are people just waiting for book five, when things get 'interesting' again, with the big battles & high adventure?

Did you really expect for people to continually post in the book discussion? As the discussion moves on, it looses the novelty aspect of it and becomes routine, people get bored and tired. It is as simple as that.
I was involved in a similar book discussion in another forum and the same thing happened.

Quote:

Is there enough interest in the project to sustain us to the end of the Road? Or will we fall before the end. Speaking personally I'm going to carry on with it, even if I'm the only one posting & nobody reads what I post! I've learned a great deal over the months - from other posters &, if it doesn't sound too smug, from my own personal discoveries & the connections I've made. I've probably paid more attention to the text in this reading than in any of my previous readings & my appreciation of Tolkien & his work has increased immensely as a result.

Good for you.

Hilde Bracegirdle · 04-22-2005, 05:30 PM

Sigh, if only there were more hours in the day. And that I didn't get 'Websensed' everytime I try to access the Barrow-downs at lunch!

But I'm in it for the long haul, I believe.

littlemanpoet · 04-22-2005, 08:22 PM

I have the time, but I'd hate to re-start somewhere in the middle of the story. See, I just started The Hobbit again for the first time in over ten years with the intention of reading straight through at about a chapter a day if I can pull it off. That way I might catch up by the time you guys reach RotK. Yeah, it means I'm missing out now, but - oh, I don't know! I just don't want to start in the middle. Please try and convince me that it's worth it.

Formendacil · 04-22-2005, 09:14 PM

Okay, LMP, I'll try.

However, it is a very unconventional tactic I will take!

First of all, a big confession to make: I haven't read a Chapter of the Lord of the Rings properly in about two months. And I haven't read a single chapter of the Lord of the Rings in congruence with the CbC discussion since I've joined the community. And I'm not ashamed of it.

But Formendacil!!! you say, That's wrong!!!

Is it?

I would think that my contributions to the threads have been insightful and intelligent to a certain extent. Besides which, allow me to point out that I have read the Lord of the Rings so many times that the basic and complex storyline (if very little of the exact wording) is well-grounded in my head. And I would think that this ought to be the case with many or most of the "older" Barrow-downers set. In addition, there is Estelyn's marvelous discourse opening up the discussion that refreshes the memory, has it perchance forgotten in which chapter Faramir and Frodo have their farewell discourse, to name one example.

So am I saying that you shouldn't read the chapter??? Of course not!!! What I am saying is that it isn't 100% essential. What I do (or have started trying to do) is post my general impressions about the chapter, what it's highlights are for me, and make replies to any interesting points and ideas brought up in the previous posts on the thread.

My general point is that our well-experienced Barrow-downers should not feel that they NEED to read the Chapter prior to joining the discussion. This is a very noble pursuit, and definitely to be encouraged, but for those of us in the club that remember the plot details down to what happened to the lebethron staves, then it shouldn't be necessary to read the book.

I still have the book on hand in case I remember a specific reference I want to look up, or if (for some unearthly reason) I can't remember how something went, then I can check. And for those readers who DON'T belong to the half-memorised club, then look at this as a stimulus to reread, or at least browse. ONE chapter of Tolkien is NOT that much!

Estelyn Telcontar · 04-23-2005, 01:53 AM

Thank you, davem, for your impassioned plea and for your steadfast and always interesting contributions. I too am sad to see less participation recently, but I find your thoughts on the connection between the passages we are going through and the general lack of interest quite fascinating. I hadn't thought of applying Sam's comment to it, but find it very appropriate! Actually, we may be mirroring the plodding of Frodo and Sam's journey...

Yes, Maédhros, something new always gets more attention, but I am happy that there are still a number of members keeping up with us, and perhaps there will be a pick-up of interest when we get to more exciting chapters in RotK.

There is a slowing down of posting all over the forum since the movies; for many of us, real life and its demands catches up with us, and we must move on to other tasks. However, it really doesn't take long to read a chapter; I have made it a habit, almost a tradition by now, to read the next one Sunday afternoon, so that I can write my introduction that evening or Monday morning.

I agree with Formendacil though - if you don't have the time to read each chapter anew, just drop in and comment with memories of previous impressions or using the knowledge you already have. Or skim the chapter just to refresh your memory. The more people post with their ideas, even if only briefly, the more ideas get sparked in others, and one thought can generate a fascinating discussion!

I hope that was enough to encourage you to join, LMP!

davem · 04-23-2005, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esty

I hadn't thought of applying Sam's comment to it, but find it very appropriate! Actually, we may be mirroring the plodding of Frodo and Sam's journey...

er... I now recall it was Frodo's comment

- Will check quotes before I post in future....

Anyway, I think the point still stands....

04-22-2005, 03:45 PM	#1
davem Illustrious Ulair Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In the home of lost causes, and forsaken beliefs, and unpopular names,and impossible loyalties Posts: 4,240	So what's happening? Has everyone given up on this? Three posts on the current chapter so far is a bit sad! Do people find book four itself boring, or have people just given up on the project? I remember when this project began our esteemed Esty also started a HoME read along thread which managed to run for about half a dozen chapters before fizzling out. Will the main project go the same way, or are people just waiting for book five, when things get 'interesting' again, with the big battles & high adventure? I wonder if the movies haven't played some part in shaping people's view of the story by emphasising the Aragorn/Legolas/Gimli storyline & making it seem more interesting. On the other hand maybe Sam got it right when he said to Frodo that at this point some readers/hearers of the story would say 'Shut the book now Dad, we don't want to read anymore.' Is it that people find the Frodo/Sam/Gollum storyline too 'dark' & oppressive, or is it that they simply find it too boring? If its the latter, what does that say about us as readers & as Tolkien fans? I have to say that this part of the story has become increasingly meaningful & significant to me as I've grown older, so I've actually been looking forward to this part of the story. How about others? Maybe a more significant question would be, who do readers consider the 'real' hero & central character of LotR to be - Frodo or Aragorn - & how much of a part has PJ played in shaping that opinion? Whatever, we still have about six months worth of discussion to go - & that's if we limit ourselves only to the main chapters & Aragorn & Arwen, & don't stray into the rest of the Appendices. Is there enough interest in the project to sustain us to the end of the Road? Or will we fall before the end. Speaking personally I'm going to carry on with it, even if I'm the only one posting & nobody reads what I post! I've learned a great deal over the months - from other posters &, if it doesn't sound too smug, from my own personal discoveries & the connections I've made. I've probably paid more attention to the text in this reading than in any of my previous readings & my appreciation of Tolkien & his work has increased immensely as a result. Well? __________________ “Everything was an object. If you killed a dwarf you could use it as a weapon – it was no different to other large heavy objects."

04-22-2005, 09:14 PM	#5
Formendacil Dead Serious Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Perched on Thangorodrim's towers. Posts: 3,328	Okay, LMP, I'll try. However, it is a very unconventional tactic I will take! First of all, a big confession to make: I haven't read a Chapter of the Lord of the Rings properly in about two months. And I haven't read a single chapter of the Lord of the Rings in congruence with the CbC discussion since I've joined the community. And I'm not ashamed of it. But Formendacil!!! you say, That's wrong!!! Is it? I would think that my contributions to the threads have been insightful and intelligent to a certain extent. Besides which, allow me to point out that I have read the Lord of the Rings so many times that the basic and complex storyline (if very little of the exact wording) is well-grounded in my head. And I would think that this ought to be the case with many or most of the "older" Barrow-downers set. In addition, there is Estelyn's marvelous discourse opening up the discussion that refreshes the memory, has it perchance forgotten in which chapter Faramir and Frodo have their farewell discourse, to name one example. So am I saying that you shouldn't read the chapter??? Of course not!!! What I am saying is that it isn't 100% essential. What I do (or have started trying to do) is post my general impressions about the chapter, what it's highlights are for me, and make replies to any interesting points and ideas brought up in the previous posts on the thread. My general point is that our well-experienced Barrow-downers should not feel that they NEED to read the Chapter prior to joining the discussion. This is a very noble pursuit, and definitely to be encouraged, but for those of us in the club that remember the plot details down to what happened to the lebethron staves, then it shouldn't be necessary to read the book. I still have the book on hand in case I remember a specific reference I want to look up, or if (for some unearthly reason) I can't remember how something went, then I can check. And for those readers who DON'T belong to the half-memorised club, then look at this as a stimulus to reread, or at least browse. ONE chapter of Tolkien is NOT that much! __________________ I prefer history, true or feigned.

04-23-2005, 01:53 AM	#6
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Thank you, davem, for your impassioned plea and for your steadfast and always interesting contributions. I too am sad to see less participation recently, but I find your thoughts on the connection between the passages we are going through and the general lack of interest quite fascinating. I hadn't thought of applying Sam's comment to it, but find it very appropriate! Actually, we may be mirroring the plodding of Frodo and Sam's journey... Yes, Maédhros, something new always gets more attention, but I am happy that there are still a number of members keeping up with us, and perhaps there will be a pick-up of interest when we get to more exciting chapters in RotK. There is a slowing down of posting all over the forum since the movies; for many of us, real life and its demands catches up with us, and we must move on to other tasks. However, it really doesn't take long to read a chapter; I have made it a habit, almost a tradition by now, to read the next one Sunday afternoon, so that I can write my introduction that evening or Monday morning. I agree with Formendacil though - if you don't have the time to read each chapter anew, just drop in and comment with memories of previous impressions or using the knowledge you already have. Or skim the chapter just to refresh your memory. The more people post with their ideas, even if only briefly, the more ideas get sparked in others, and one thought can generate a fascinating discussion! I hope that was enough to encourage you to join, LMP! __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

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04-22-2005, 05:30 PM	#3
Hilde Bracegirdle Relic of Wandering Days Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: You'll See Perpetual Change. Posts: 1,480	Sigh, if only there were more hours in the day. And that I didn't get 'Websensed' everytime I try to access the Barrow-downs at lunch! But I'm in it for the long haul, I believe.

04-22-2005, 08:22 PM	#4
littlemanpoet Itinerant Songster Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Edge of Faerie Posts: 7,066	I have the time, but I'd hate to re-start somewhere in the middle of the story. See, I just started The Hobbit again for the first time in over ten years with the intention of reading straight through at about a chapter a day if I can pull it off. That way I might catch up by the time you guys reach RotK. Yeah, it means I'm missing out now, but - oh, I don't know! I just don't want to start in the middle. Please try and convince me that it's worth it.