tolkien, master story-smith

I finished The Lord of the Rings last night. I'm almost certain that this is the fifth time I have read it. The first time was in the fall of 1996. The second was in the spring/summer of 1997. I am pretty sure I read it again during my Auburn years. Then I read it before the first installment of the movie that shall not be named was released in theaters. I tried again after the second installment of the unnamed movie but couldn't shake the images of anathema out of my imagination enough to have a peaceful read. So it has been several years since I have journeyed through the rich realms of Middle-Earth. It was good to go back.

At first I still had some imagination issues. I thought it would be the visual impostors that would tax me but it was the bad acting that proved a constant thorn. When I read the conversations in the book I couldn't help but read them in the super-cheesy over-acted ways in which the movie actors delivered them. But after the first volume those ailments healed for the most part.

Every time I read it I trudge a little bit through the first book. I often wonder, when in Moria for instance, why it is that I thought this book was one of the best ever. I like it, but it isn't awesome. But then, after the fellowship breaks up and Boromir gets riddled with orc arrows, things get real good. I think it is partly because it is too crowded in the first stage of the journey. Also, there is no clear plan or direction for the fellowship and the danger isn't quite as urgent as it becomes later. But without the first part there is no second.

I was going to say some stuff about how great the story is and how I love this or that character of this or that part or this or that line but I don't want to anymore. But if you are one of the few people who haven't read it through all the way then I urge you to press on with it. There are so many rewards in this book. It will enrich your understanding of our world, of art, history, literature, mythology, of Christ, of character, faithfulness, truth, beauty, and on and on.