The Tolkien Coming of Age Club

[Estelyn Telcontar]

I know there are quite a few "I was reading Tolkien before the average Barrow-Downer was even born!" site members - this thread is for us! Since I don't know the average site age, I have just picked 18 as the legal coming of age. So how many of you have been reading LotR and other Tolkien books for at least 18 years? Please tell us how long ago you first read the book(s); if you like, your age at that time and what prompted you to read Tolkien.

I'll make a start: I first read 'The Hobbit' and 'Lord of the Rings' 29 years ago. My trusty 1973 Ballantine's paperback edition is still serving me well, by now heavily underlined and still carrying the dedication written by the boyfriend who gave them to me way back then! (No, only the books survived; the boyfriend has passed from memory, becoming legend, then myth! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] ) The back cover has the Tolkien quote:

This paperback edition, and no other, has been published with my consent and co-operation. Those who approve of courtesy (at least) to living authors will purchase it, and no other.

That was necessary because of the illegal printing of the book by Ace earlier, which started the LotR craze in the USA at that time.

How about the rest of you "geezers" out there?!