Markreads.net: The Lord of the Rings

[Galadriel55]

I've read the first chapter. My, I'm taking so many things for granted! I forgot how to be confused about these things. I'm so used to knowing why the Ring does strange things and etc that it's like a nice breeze on the face reading comments from someone who doesn't. And Mark has been attentive enough to catch Gandalf uncloaking. (I just glossed that over on my first read)

I often felt the urge of posting a reply with all the explanations and references, as I would have on the Downs. I had to keep reminding myself that this is not the Downs and that Mark is on his first read, so I have to be patient: he'll find everything out on his own.

Originally Posted by Mr. U

How did a self-described geek manage to remain so radically unspoiled about LotR in this day and age?

It's possible. I mean, he knew some things. He makes a list of them. It's like asking me to make a list of what I know about the Twilight series - I'll tell you there are vampires involved and lots of teenagers, but not much beyond that. Sometimes people talk about things and you can't help finding out about the popular stuff, but you can purposely stay away from them.

I can relate to Mark, because generally I stay away from popular things as well. Just on principle. I guess I'm lucky that when I was introduced to LOTR I didn't have such a principle yet.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Ah yes, this actually is really interesting! I have read just about one chapter (I had to find the Uruk-hai - as that is possibly my favourite chapter of all ), and I must say it is really refreshing. I mean, the excitement of Mark's when he does not know whether Pippin and Merry will make it out of there alive... he still seems to have thought that even Éomer might have seen the Hobbits and lied to Aragorn! - and all... really, it is good to read this, since we have all forgotten mostly how it is to be "still in the middle of the story" (as Sam Gamgee would say).

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

I can relate to Mark, because generally I stay away from popular things as well. Just on principle. I guess I'm lucky that when I was introduced to LOTR I didn't have such a principle yet.

I have the same principles, in fact, I am very (in)famous for that. Fortunately, when I introduced myself to LotR, I didn't know it was famous Or, it certainly wasn't much known around here, anyway.

[Eönwë]

Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

I have the same principles, in fact, I am very (in)famous for that.

Says the Harry Potter fan...

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Eönwë

Says the Harry Potter fan...

First, "Harry Potter fan" is hardly a word I would use for myself. I wouldn't include it in the list of my top favourite books or anything. These places are reserved for others (with LotR on the prominent place).

Second, Harry Potter is in fact a very good example, because it is one of the cases of me going before the flow. I have read it (the first volume, obviously) before it became famous and at the time when nobody really knew what it was. At least around where I live for about half a year still nobody knew that any Harry Potter existed (I stumbled upon it randomly since my grandmother used to work as a librarian and somehow got her hands on it).

So, no way, Steve. I know very well who I am

[Eönwë]

You know I was joking...

[Marileangorifurnimaluim]

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

I'm so used to knowing why the Ring does strange things and etc that it's like a nice breeze on the face reading comments from someone who doesn't.

Yes, that's exactly it.

And Mark has been attentive enough to catch Gandalf uncloaking. (I just glossed that over on my first read)

Hee.

I often felt the urge of posting a reply with all the explanations and references, as I would have on the Downs. I had to keep reminding myself that this is not the Downs and that Mark is on his first read, so I have to be patient: he'll find everything out on his own.

His spoiler policies are pretty strict, but discussion of Tolkien's letters, posting fan art, and links to fanfic are all appreciated.

Mark has a particular request for orc fashions.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

I often felt the urge of posting a reply with all the explanations and references, as I would have on the Downs. I had to keep reminding myself that this is not the Downs and that Mark is on his first read, so I have to be patient: he'll find everything out on his own.

Postscriptum: He will also join the Barrow-Downs on his own, eventually

Wonder if we should advertise after that...

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

Postscriptum: He will also join the Barrow-Downs on his own, eventually

Wonder if we should advertise after that...

How did you know? What? The tone of surprise? Umm...

[Eruhen]

So, I've seen this going around my friends list on FB and on the 'Downs, so I thought I'd take a look. This is something else! It's great to see someone with the same excitement I had the first time I read the books. I also am tempted to post a comment with an ad for the 'Downs after he finishes.

Also, did I climb in the WABAC Machine? Mr. U? Maril? I feel like I'm back in 2003.

[Marileangorifurnimaluim]

Originally Posted by Eruhen

Also, did I climb in the WABAC Machine? Mr. U? Maril? I feel like I'm back in 2003.

Isn't this amazing? I didn't expect any familiar names (save the Wight, of course) -- and here you all are. Esty! Mr. U! Eruhen! Is Mithadan still about?

[Eruhen]

Originally Posted by Marileangorifurnimaluim

Isn't this amazing? I didn't expect any familiar names (save the Wight, of course) -- and here you all are. Esty! Mr. U! Eruhen! Is Mithadan still about?

He pops in from time to time. So do H-I, lindil, and aiwendil.

And, I just got back from a 1200-mile road trip, so it's time to go on a Markreads bender. And figure out the spread on how long it will take him to join the Downs.