I wonder if it’s being around my family where the women are Democrats, the men Republicans that has made me less inclined to write about politics. To be sure, when we do get together, there is often much political banter, though others might use a stronger word to describe our exchanges.
Just over five years ago, during all the hoopla over the release of the Lord of the Rings movies, my passion for the story (and its surrounding mythology) was rekindled (well, it had never been extinguished). I re-read the trilogy, the Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales while exploring the various volumes of his notes, drafts and sketches.
I bought the box set of The History of the Lord of the Rings even as I had previously perused the volumes, thought I would never read them as they were merely his original drafts of the story, never fully fleshed out. When I was cleaning my apartment at the beginning of 2007, I decided to give these to a local thrift store, given that I already had the hardcover editions.
Well, a few weeks ago, while browsing in an LA bookstore, I chanced upon the first volume, I chanced (if chance it was) on the first volume of that set, The Return of the Shadow, and started reading. I was fascinated both by how much of the original story was there in Tolkien’s original drafts, yet how much of the tale’s essence had yet to emerge. I wanted to read on.
Feeling I owed something to the bookstore for allowing me the pleasure and privilege of perusing their treasures, I decided to buy the book and have been hooked ever since. Normally, I read the trilogy (or listen to it in my car) every year or so. This reading will be a bit different as I’ll be reading the drafts rather than the final version.
What an amazing story–how it stands up over time. Much like the great myths that I have been studying in my graduate work.
Aargh, my eyes! Real Tolkien geeks don’t call it “the trilogy”… 😉
I’ve been calling it the trilogy for as long as I can remember.
As I said… *Real* Tolkien geeks… 😉
It is one novel, “The Lord of the Rings”. It happens to have 6 part divisions. Publishing it as 3 volumes (2 parts per volume) was a purely economic decision: paper was expensive in postwar Britain, and the publisher wanted to see if such a large, unusual work could gain any readers on the first couple parts. They could have as easily made it 2 volumes, or 6. The volumes do not stand as distinct novels. Their titles were invented and at least one of them (The Two Towers) barely fits. Higher-priced, fine editions of LOTR restore the author’s artistic intent by publishing it as one novel, one volume.
This sort of thing is to be contrasted with, say the Star Wars trilogies (Original and Prequel). They are true trilogies, i.e., related-but-distinct works. Lucas originally drafted Episodes 4, 5, 6 as one movie but realized it would be far too long, then divided them. Episode 4 comes to its own conclusion and its pacing and other artistic qualities (e.g., acting) mark it as distinct from Episode 5.
Sorry, girls, but I never could get into Tolkein, not even as a student mumblesomething years ago.
However, I find the Harry Potter series very entertaining and definitely am looking forward to the final 2 movies in the (ahem) trilogy.
Regards,
Peter H.
I can’t remember if I read the LOTR or if what was read to us in grade school. Either way, I love the story, but not enough to be a “geek”. Just like Star Trek. Like the shows, but not enough to be a Trekkie. Not to mention the fact that I have a life and my virginity disappered long ago.
#3
That reminds me. Years ago I bought a book called The Bounty Trilogy. I didn’t know that the story of the HMS Bounty was three separate books (apparently). Apparently, they were printed in 1932, 33 & 34. I wonder if they were printed separately for similar reasons.
#4 septology?
GPW,
I used to read Lord of the Rings every year too, usually when fall really starts settling in, but haven’t been able to bring myself to it the last couple years — at least until I can get that insufferable pussy of an Aragorn, Galadriel’s CG-assisted freakout, Arwen’s hot-potato necklace and other atrocities from the movies out of my head. I fear they have damaged my reading of Tolkien for a very long time. OF course, that won’t prevent me from seeing the Hobbit on opening day. sigh.
I’ve never read the unfinished stories though. Although I have read the Silmarillion, and Tree and Leaf.
Unfinished Tales! excuse me!
Sssh! Nobody tell AE about Bender’s Game.
ILC, I see your point about not calling LoTR a trilogy, but I didn’t know Tolkien aficionados weren’t supposed to use the term.
It is one continuous narrative, broken up into three books. Still, since I first experienced the story as three books, for me, it will always be a trilogy.
Or maybe I’m just saying this because two days ago, I drove past the branch of the Hamilton County Library where I first borrowed each of those three books.
LOL @ V the K. That looks brilliant!
Let me express understanding of your geekdom.
I got to meet Ed Greenwood at Origins, to the subset of geeks known as D&D players, he is our Tolkien, his Realms as rich as Middle Earth.
So I understand your post. Whether it be one or three or six books
Livewire–never really got into D & D though I tired. Seems there’s a similarity though between the imaginary realms.