Did JRRT encourage new ME stories?

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Thena brings up a very interesting point about translations. Here in Germany, there are two translations of the LotR, one several decades old, the other was done in 2000. The first is considered better by a majority of book fans, as far as my subjective impression goes; it uses a more formal, old-fashioned language which is appropriate for the tone of the original, though it can be a bit dry.

The second was an attempt (unsuccessful, is the opinion of very many readers!) to modernize the language. It has been heavily promoted by the publisher, of course, and those who can afford only a paperback version have no choice - the older translation is still available, but only in expensive hardback.

Some of the language in the modern translation is like a badly written fan fiction, in my opinion. I am sure Tolkien would not have approved of such things as Sam calling Frodo "Boss", for example!!

However: "For some, the only glimpse. For some the awaking." Has it been positive in introducing a generation to the books? Probably - like the movies. Does it convey the spirit of Tolkien? Only partially - there are plenty of fan fictions that do better! But it's authorized, and for those who cannot read the original (which many German-speaking readers prefer if they know enough English to do so), it's all there is.

Originally Posted by Morthoron

Is the BD Fan-fiction forum for all intents and purposes dead? I posted an offering there starting a week ago, and have not received one scathing review regarding my impudence as an American to dare to add my scant and colonial abilities to the Middle-earth cosmology. Granted, since the tale does not concern hobbits there are no mentions of lunch or dinner, nevertheless (and harkening back to the original premise of the thread), I am wondering if such work that is not wedded to an RPG format is welcomed here any longer.

Oh, and the story can be found here...
http://forum.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin...107&p=1#000001
...your comments and critiques are welcome.

Morthoron, I could be facetious and give the usual answer that we're all dead on the Downs at any rate, but I must concede that the fan fiction forum does make a rather dead impression at times. It may the Barrow's Sleeping Beauty, in need of some stout princes to hack their way through the Hedge of Forgetfulness and kiss it awake again! It's good to be reminded of new stories when they are posted there - and it's good to remind authors of unfinished stories (*whistles innocently) that readers may like to find out what happens next. Perhaps I should start a sticky thread for posting about the fan fiction forum - announcements of new stories, etc. could go there.