one thing to change them all

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by obloquy

I would take out whatever it is that appeals to teenage girls. =) =) =)

Would that be all the sword fighting and the wizards and the really cool dragons and the balrogs and the unnaturally large spiders and so on then?

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

I would add whatever it is that appeals to teenage girls.

I am guessing it would mean more: sword fighting, wizards, really cool dragons, balrogs, unnaturally large spiders and so on.

[Suldaledhel]

It has always been a desire of mine for Fingolfin to have borne witness to Feanor's death. After re-reading the passage recently, I have wondered if there was the potential for a final redemption for Feanor, having paid so great a price for his pride. Perhaps their grievances could have been set aside, or perhaps final words of bitterness could have been exchanged. Either way, that is the foremost aspect of the books I would change.

[the guy who be short]

The clear distinction between good and evil. At the age of thirteen, I more or less replanned the Lord of the Rings so that, just when Middle-Earth appeared as though it would collapse completely, the orcs would offer their arms to Gandalf and battle their oppresive leader. I'd give them a chance to repent.

[Gil-Galad]

for myself, i would always leave some evil still in the world, i never liked having absolute hope, just taking it step by step

[Kath]

I'd not take out but perhaps make more gradual Eowyn's change from warrior-princess to full time wife and mother. It is very sudden and seems out of character to me.

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Gil-Galad

for myself, i would always leave some evil still in the world, i never liked having absolute hope, just taking it step by step

There's plenty still left, sadly. I think that is one of the most satisfying things about LotR, that Frodo can have put himself through all that torment, and that there is this new, wonderful King in the shape of Aragorn, but despite the downfall of Sauron, there will still be evil in Middle-earth. That's what the Long Defeat is all about, no matter how much the good people go on fighting, no matter how hard they try, bad people will still come back and no victory is final. I often think that's why Aragorn is called Estel, or Hope, that he shows that there is still hope and depsite the Long Defeat it's still worth struggling.

If I were to change a thing in LOTR, it would be to not give several names for one Mountain or land. When you read the book to people who are not familiar with it, they get confused.