How have you read it? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Laitoste · 10-11-2005, 05:57 PM

Up until now, I have always read the book straight through. Many times, however, I would get sidetracked and end up putting it down for months. Currently, I have picked up the habit (entirely from 'Downers) of reading my favorite chapters. I am intrigued by the idea of following each thread of the story, though, and when I actually have time (too many humanities classes), I will try it.

I usually tend to get stuck with Frodo and Sam, especially in the Dead Marshes and the Plateau of Gorgoroth. Although the latter is growing on me, because some of my favorite quotes come from the journey through Mordor.

Eonwe · 10-11-2005, 07:19 PM

i read straight through the first time, but skipped some "boring" (were they really

) parts. but i started my first annualy reading last year. i thought that i'd better do this, cuz i found myself reading random parts, usually just my favorite (pelennor fields, bridge of kazad-dum, last debate, scouring of the shire, to name a few) over and over. i was getting stuck in a rut, so i read straight through (i think this was actually the first time i had sat down and forced myself to read everything stragiht through). interestingly enough, im finding it kind of hard to start it up again this year. maybe ill make it my bi-annual reading...

Holbytlass · 10-16-2005, 02:01 PM

I read it straight through once or twice a year.
I do read the Fellowship the most up until the council. To me, it seems to be a story unto itself; merriment, adventure, scariness and (unlike Fallenstar

) I like hobbits. Same with Scouring of the Shire, about hobbits that I love and a story unto itself.

When not reading straight through, I skip Helm's Deep most often. Even though, it didn't have everything in it, I do appreciate the movie because I understand that part better.

I have not, to this day, read all the 'lays' and poems, Ugh!! they're too long!! Every once in awhile I'll force myself to read one all the way but it is so torturous.
*ducks, while eggs being thrown at me*

luthien-elvenprincess · 10-17-2005, 05:20 AM

The first couple of times I read it straight through. But now, when I read it, I start skipping chapters beginning in TTT. I follow the Frodo and Sam chapters until I reach Mount Doom. Then, I go back and read the chapters about the rest of the fellowship until I reach THe Field of Cormallen. Then, I read the rest of the book to the end.

I like the continuity of the story that this type of reading gives. I going to employ the idea of using another character to follow through the story...for instance, Pippen.

I usually skip the poems and the songs...I find them long and boring. I usually skim through them just to find answers to quotation questions!

Guinevere · 10-17-2005, 02:37 PM

Quote:

I have not, to this day, read all the 'lays' and poems, Ugh!! they're too long!

Quote:

I usually skip the poems and the songs...I find them long and boring.

What a pity! Do you generally dislike poetry, then? I love most of the poems in LotR and I even know my favourite ones by heart! (No need to look them up

) Tolkien's language is so beautiful!
Already when reading "The Hobbit" for the first time, the dwarves' song delighted me, (even if I had to look up a lot of ancient words in the dictionary)
And I never would have thought that I would develop a taste for alliterative verse, but now I relish "Out of dark, out of doubt, to the days rising... etc" !

It does credit to Tolkien that his works appeal to so many different people with quite different tastes. Some are more Hobbit lovers, some prefer the heroic battles - there is something for nearly everybody.

Kath · 10-17-2005, 04:23 PM

I love the songs and poems but I often find that they break up the story too much for me. If I just pick up one of the books and read from any old place and there happens to be a poem I will then read it but if I'm really into the story and I've begun from the start of a book then a poem just seems to be in the way.

I did learn the Oliphaunt song by heart though!

littlemanpoet · 10-17-2005, 08:28 PM

In my first couple of readings I skipped some of the Elvish songs, but not the Hobbity ones. But Tolkien's poetry has grown on me and now I consider them to be integral to the story. In a certain sense, to me anyway, they are the story.

10-11-2005, 05:57 PM	#1
Laitoste Wight Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Behind the hills Posts: 164	Up until now, I have always read the book straight through. Many times, however, I would get sidetracked and end up putting it down for months. Currently, I have picked up the habit (entirely from 'Downers) of reading my favorite chapters. I am intrigued by the idea of following each thread of the story, though, and when I actually have time (too many humanities classes), I will try it. I usually tend to get stuck with Frodo and Sam, especially in the Dead Marshes and the Plateau of Gorgoroth. Although the latter is growing on me, because some of my favorite quotes come from the journey through Mordor. __________________ "If we're still alive in the morning, we'll know that we're not dead."~South Park

10-11-2005, 07:19 PM	#2
Eonwe Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: In a world grown ever smaller. Posts: 678	i read straight through the first time, but skipped some "boring" (were they really ) parts. but i started my first annualy reading last year. i thought that i'd better do this, cuz i found myself reading random parts, usually just my favorite (pelennor fields, bridge of kazad-dum, last debate, scouring of the shire, to name a few) over and over. i was getting stuck in a rut, so i read straight through (i think this was actually the first time i had sat down and forced myself to read everything stragiht through). interestingly enough, im finding it kind of hard to start it up again this year. maybe ill make it my bi-annual reading... __________________ I've got bridge club on Wednesday, Archery on Thursday, Dancing on a Friday night!

10-16-2005, 02:01 PM	#3
Holbytlass Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: May 2003 Location: The Party Tree Posts: 1,042	I read it straight through once or twice a year. I do read the Fellowship the most up until the council. To me, it seems to be a story unto itself; merriment, adventure, scariness and (unlike Fallenstar ) I like hobbits. Same with Scouring of the Shire, about hobbits that I love and a story unto itself. When not reading straight through, I skip Helm's Deep most often. Even though, it didn't have everything in it, I do appreciate the movie because I understand that part better. I have not, to this day, read all the 'lays' and poems, Ugh!! they're too long!! Every once in awhile I'll force myself to read one all the way but it is so torturous. ducks, while eggs being thrown at me __________________ Holby is an actual flesh-and-blood person, right? Not, say a sock-puppet of Nilp’s, by any chance? ~Nerwen, WWCIII

10-17-2005, 05:20 AM	#4
luthien-elvenprincess Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: what are you doing here? did you come here to eat my popcorn? Posts: 1,031	The first couple of times I read it straight through. But now, when I read it, I start skipping chapters beginning in TTT. I follow the Frodo and Sam chapters until I reach Mount Doom. Then, I go back and read the chapters about the rest of the fellowship until I reach THe Field of Cormallen. Then, I read the rest of the book to the end. I like the continuity of the story that this type of reading gives. I going to employ the idea of using another character to follow through the story...for instance, Pippen. I usually skip the poems and the songs...I find them long and boring. I usually skim through them just to find answers to quotation questions! __________________ York Peppermint Patties taste better than Pearson's Peppermint Patties! But, Junior Mints are the best!

10-17-2005, 04:23 PM	#6
Kath Everlasting Whiteness Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Perusing the laminated book of dreams Posts: 4,533	I love the songs and poems but I often find that they break up the story too much for me. If I just pick up one of the books and read from any old place and there happens to be a poem I will then read it but if I'm really into the story and I've begun from the start of a book then a poem just seems to be in the way. I did learn the Oliphaunt song by heart though! __________________ “If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”

10-17-2005, 08:28 PM	#7
littlemanpoet Itinerant Songster Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Edge of Faerie Posts: 7,066	In my first couple of readings I skipped some of the Elvish songs, but not the Hobbity ones. But Tolkien's poetry has grown on me and now I consider them to be integral to the story. In a certain sense, to me anyway, they are the story.