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I have read and reread Lord of the ring and the Hobbit tuns of times.They are known for being the first (and very often,the best) fantasy books of all times.
I read them first only 5 years ago,I was told they were great-and was not dissapointed.
I am currently reading R.A. Salvatores Drizzt related books (in order, I am starting Passage to dawn)IMO they are more compelling, have more of a pull on you than Tolkein.
Finally the question.Do you think that you liked Tolkeins books strictly because of the story? or did the fact that they have been around for a few decades and have tons of followers increase your appreatiation(sp?) of the books?

The Drizzt books are very exciting and are very good reads (only drawback being the cheasiness of the plots in certain books). The Lord of the Rings books are unquestionable 'better' though. I say this because of the sheer amount of depth involved in the stories. There is greater character development and a more complex plot. Both series are great reads though . And I think that my appreciation for LOTR is based on merit as opposed to reputation. I read 'Portrait of a Young Man as an Artist' because of reputation but it was the worst book I've ever read .

Thanx for your reply!

I will just make this quick as I am pressed for time.

Tolkien has practically made a WORLD and culture, not just a story with sequels. There is immense characterization of all of its members - whether as an individual or groups of races.

The elven language --- ahhh yess... it surely amazes me how Tolkien get to invent them (though I have read (Fable?) that Tolkien had derived some of them from certain languages).

Originally posted by Morlock:
<STRONG>They are known for being the first (and very often,the best) fantasy books of all times.</STRONG>

Now don't get Fable started on that again... Hmmm, if I could remember the topic title he posted his essay on why Tolkien wasn't the first (or best) fantasy writer, I would dig it up for you...

As for me, well, I've just started reading LotR, and I'm enjoying it so far...

Originally posted by Georgi:
<STRONG>Now don't get Fable started on that again... Hmmm, if I could remember the topic title he posted his essay on why Tolkien wasn't the first (or best) fantasy writer, I would dig it up for you...
</STRONG>

Thanx for the reply and warning

@Fable: please dont put too much into this topic. Lets just say I concede to any points you may have.

[ 11-19-2001: Message edited by: Morlock ]

Originally posted by Morlock:
<STRONG>@Fable: please dont put too much into this topic. Lets just say I concede to any points you may have. </STRONG>

There's that fighter spirit I so love to see. Three cheers for Morlock, bravest of them all.

Muwa-HA-HA-HA-HA...!!!

I have read and reread Lord of the ring and the Hobbit tuns of times.They are known for being the first (and very often,the best) fantasy books of all times.

You're certainly entitled to think the LOTR is the best, but there were literally several thousand fantasy books published from 1875 onward (discounting quite a lot of fantasy earlier) in Europe and America. They were extremely popular, and some of them remain so. Opinions are one thing; but let's keep our facts straight.

Originally posted by fable:
<STRONG>Muwa-HA-HA-HA-HA...!!!

I have read and reread Lord of the ring and the Hobbit tuns of times.They are known for being the first (and very often,the best) fantasy books of all times.

You're certainly entitled to think the LOTR is the best, but there were literally several thousand fantasy books published from 1875 onward (discounting quite a lot of fantasy earlier) in Europe and America. They were extremely popular, and some of them remain so. Opinions are one thing; but let's keep our facts straight. </STRONG>

OMG!! He has returned! Someone set up the crash barriers! He's gonna overload my system!!

IMO, Icewind Dale Trilogy and Dark Elf Trilogy are more fun and faster reading, but such comparison to LotR is almost like comparing an Action film to a romance film. LotR has plenty of action, yeah; but it reads more slowly and has times when you're like "When's something gonna happen!?" This isn't a mark against LotR though because you're not asking that question just because of the sudden lack of events. You're asking because what is going on has greatly increased your desire to see "what happens next." In IWD Trilogy and Dark Elf Trilogy, there is a lot more action time and less "What's going to happen next?" I'm almost done with the third book of the LotR trilogy. So far, though Salvatore's Drizzt books may be more fun and faster to read, I think LotR are better written books. I especially like the songs! and Legolas! *glomps Legolas but backs away when threatened by Gimli*

Originally posted by Georgi:
<STRONG>Hmmm, if I could remember the topic title he posted his essay on why Tolkien wasn't the first (or best) fantasy writer, I would dig it up for you...</STRONG>

Found it!
For anyone who's interested...
[url="http://www.gamebanshee.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=9&t=000763"]It's in here somewhere under all the spam[/url]

Originally posted by Georgi:
<STRONG>Found it!
For anyone who's interested...
[url="http://www.gamebanshee.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=9&t=000763"]It's in here somewhere under all the spam[/url]
</STRONG>

thanx for the link.
Whoevers interested: The movie of "Lord of the Rings" release dates all over the world: [url="http://us.imdb.com/ReleaseDates?0120737"]http://us.imdb.com/ReleaseDates?0120737[/url]
this link is to the best site in the world about any actor/movie/crew member, it has everything, and I mean everything about anything movie-related.

IMDb has almost everything on anything movie-related Their info isn't 100% reliable either. Very useful resource though

Originally posted by Georgi:
<STRONG>IMDb has almost everything on anything movie-related Their info isn't 100% reliable either. Very useful resource though </STRONG>

Could you be more specific or give an example? from what I've seen everything they have is reliable.

IMO, Tolkein is the best fantasy I've read. Story, plot, description, just sheer fantastic writing and damn good reading.

The fact that others like it didn't matter to me.

Originally posted by Morlock:
<STRONG>Could you be more specific or give an example? from what I've seen everything they have is reliable. </STRONG>

Sorry, I can't remember any specifics really... but their info on movies varies, for some movies they have everything you could want to know, other movies they have little more than a title. True though, most of the times I haven't found the info I wanted on there were when I was looking for technical specs for movies my uni filmsoc was showing. With regard to cast listings, etc., it's pretty good. As for accuracy, I believe parts of it, such as plot summaries, quotes, and reviews are posted by registered members, and are not checked up on, so there might be inaccuracies.

[ 11-19-2001: Message edited by: Georgi ]

I would say reputation. Come on the guy's family is cashing big time. Besides who believes that stuff anyhow???

Just the other day, I was having a pint of mead with Gandalf and Frodo. Frodo asked me if Georgi like Hobbits? I told him, I would have to ask her. Then Sam wanted to know too.

So Georgi, would you go out with a couple of Hobbits????

Originally posted by Darkpoet:
<STRONG>I would say reputation. Come on the guy's family is cashing big time. Besides who believes that stuff anyhow???
</STRONG>

Far too many people. Hell is being caught in an eternal Trekkie, Star Wars and LOTR convention.

Originally posted by fable:
<STRONG>Far too many people. Hell is being caught in an eternal Trekkie, Star Wars and LOTR convention. </STRONG>

Hell nothing, that is Limbo. The worst place you can be.

Originally posted by Darkpoet:
<STRONG>Hell nothing, that is Limbo. The worst place you can be. </STRONG>

Surely there's nothing neutral (which I associate with Limbo) in being carded by somebody dressed up to look like a Klingon, or being introduced to "my husband, an accountant" with a cardboard magic wand and cotton, Gandalf(tm) beard.

Well, there is admittedly one thing worse. Being stuck in a city full of mimes.