Welcome to Litsy!

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

To my #FellowshipOfTolkien companions and all #Tolkien fans!

Fellow Tolkien enthusiast Ads has launched his very own podcast devoted to The History of the Lord of the Rings.
Ads started reading The Return of the Shadow more or less at the same time we did. I invited him to come along, but in the end he fell so behind he decided against it.
But now he's doing this!

Come along. It'll be a grand adventure!

https://t.co/5No2dhoBn6?amp=1

30 likes

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

#YearOfTolkien
#TeamTolkien2ndAnniversary
#ThereAndBackAgain

The character that eventually morphed into Aragorn was initially the Hobbit Trotter. He too was a ranger and he too had an interesting past.
I became surprisingly attached to him.

BookwormAHN I would of loved a full backstory. There were hints of it that sounded fascinating 💚 5y

Daisey Agreed! I completely enjoyed this idea as far as it went and would have happily read more backstory of the hobbit Ranger. 5y

36 likes2 comments

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

#YearOfTolkien
#TeamTolkien2ndAnniversary
#ThereAndBackAgain

The first character to bear the name 'Frodo' was Frodo Took, one of Bingo's cousins and one of his compenions.
Christopher Tolkien points out that Frodo Took isn't the predecessor of Frodo Baggings, still there is some kind of melancholy in Frodo Took that somehow transferred to Frodo Baggings.
I became very attached to him.

BookwormAHN I saw that too. Mostly I'm just glad Tolkien didn't stick with Bingo. 5y

32 likes1 comment

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

#YearOfTolkien
#TeamTolkien2ndAnniversary
#ThereAndBackAgain

Tolkien wasn't particularly enthusiastic about writing a sequel to The Hobbit. He wrote four beginning before being reasonably happy and go on with the story.
In the first two, Bilbo was going to be the main character. In other two, his adopted nephew Bingo was the main character.

BookwormAHN I'm so glad he changed his mind 💚 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @BookwormAHN Me too! 5y

30 likes2 comments

wordslinger42

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

Tonight is a night of catching up! I'll be reading this book for #LOTRHistory & also catching up on #LitsyLove 😊 Thank you to everyone who has written to me & thank you so much for being patient!

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💗💌💗 5y

JazzFeathers How did your catching up go? I'm preparing the new schedule today with a start on Monday 😊 5y

wordslinger42 @JazzFeathers I think I can be ready!! And my book should be here by tomorrow or Monday, so that will be perfect 😄 5y

31 likes3 comments

BookwormAHN

Return of the Shadow | J. R. R. Tolkien

pick

I really enjoyed reading Tolkien started writing the Lord of the Rings. I still can't imagine cheering on a Bingo Baggins, which was Frodo's original name. I did enjoy Peregrin "Trotter" Boffin the ranger hobbit. The picture above is of Trotter from The Notion Club Archives found on Google. Unfortunately he isn't wearing his wooden shoes in the picture ?
#YearofTolkien #LOTRhistory

TobeyTheScavengerMonk All the name permutations blew my mind! 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa I agree, I got attached to Trotter as we read, but Bingo would have never been the same. 5y

83 likes2 comments

Return of the Shadow | J. R. R. Tolkien

pick

I know there are some who feel publishing these History of Middle Earth books is excessive, but I am so incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to read this creative process. I love seeing the development of the characters and the story. I love the unexpected twists, the thoughtful confusion, and the anticipation of watching integral and beloved pieces of the story emerge through that process.

#YearofTolkien #LotRHistory

swishandflick Great pic! 5y

Daisey Today was also my last day of school so I celebrated with an afternoon of books. I finished most of this in the hammock with storms in the distance and came in to read the last chapter about Moria when it got too dark to read outside. 5y

Daisey @swishandflick Thanks! I was glad I got distracted by the sunset for a few minutes and caught it. 5y

See All 10 Comments

Naj Love the pic! Looks like you're having a great time 😊 5y

SheilaChew Love this pic! Where was it taken? 5y

Tanisha_A Beautiful picture! 5y

Daisey @Naj @Tanisha_A Thanks! @SheilaChew I‘m in Missouri. 5y

SheilaChew Love that sunset. I‘m currently in California but I‘m from Iowa. 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa Beautiful picture and very atmospheric for darkening clouds as you got to Moria! 5y

Daisey @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Thanks, I thought it was a perfect photo for my review. 5y

77 likes10 comments

Return of the Shadow | J. R. R. Tolkien

It‘s a chilly, rainy evening, so I curled up with a hot cup of tea and the pets for another chapter of Tolkien. I enjoyed seeing the the first developments of the fellowship in this chapter.

#YearofTolkien #LotRHistory

LauraJ Everything about this photo is just right! 5y

BethM Love the mug! 5y

JazzFeathers You're almost caught up! 5y

See All 10 Comments

Daisey @LauraJ @BethM Thanks! It was a pretty perfect way to end the evening. @JazzFeathers Only 2 more chapters! I‘ll definitely finish this week. 5y

wordslinger42 @Daisey @JazzFeathers @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I'm sorry I fell behind guys. I was invited to a couple launch teams & reading those books & life in general kind of took over my time the last few weeks! I will work on getting caught up 😊 5y

Daisey @wordslinger42 I completely understand! I‘m almost caught up, but life has definitely been affecting my reading time lately as well. 5y

JazzFeathers @Daisey @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @eanderson @wordslinger42 @tdrosebud @BookwormAHN Gals, life has her ways, but we will prevail! 💪😆 Ahem... what l wanted to say is let's all get caught up and go from there 😁 5y

eanderson @JazzFeathers I‘m behind again. The weekend‘s hit and I completely forget and then it takes 2-3 days after to pick up my book. I am enjoying it. Just preoccupied. I will get caught up! 🤗 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @JazzFeathers I completely agree! 5y

Daisey @eanderson @JazzFeathers @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Same here! I‘m pretty sure my summer is also going to stay super busy, so I‘m good with waiting a bit and reading slowly. 5y

72 likes10 comments

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

pick

Once again it's incredible how the structure is already in place although so many things are different. I didn't expect Moria to be already there, as l know her.

I really really loved this book. True, all of the HoME is fantastic, but these volumes about the Lord of the Rings is particularly involving. I'm loving it.

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

31 likes

Return of the Shadow | J. R. R. Tolkien

I finished the Third Phase today, and there were some incredibly interesting ideas there! I thought the possible backstory of Peregrin and Trotter was intriguing, but the initial emergence of Treebeard as an evil giant was what really caught my attention. Also, this was a really great example of one of Tolkien‘s original manuscripts.

#YearofTolkien #LotRHistory

JazzFeathers I love Trotter's arc, l'll be sorry to see him go... though that means Aragorn will appear. Tolkien gives us some tough choices 😂 5y

Daisey @JazzFeathers I agree that it has been really interesting to get to know Trotter, but at the same time Aragorn is one of my favorite characters so I‘m ready to see him come into his own as well. 5y

48 likes1 stack add2 comments

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

pick

It‘s amazing how a story you know so well can be so different and inthralling! I still want to know what happened to Odo during his disappearance! And Trotter, I love how that character is changing and merging before our eyes, but as always with Christopher Tolkien‘s histories I find myself deeply touched by the care he took to share his father‘s writing process with the world, it is both inspiring and insightful.

#YearOfTolkien
#LOTRHistory

Riveted_Reader_Melissa How‘s everyone doing? I feel like that one left at a bit of a cliffhanger, even if we knew it was coming. I know a bunch of us are at different stages finishing this one up, between the end of school, holidays, and just plan catching up...do you want to hold off on starting the next one until the beginning of June. More time? Less? @Daisey @JazzFeathers @eanderson @wordslinger42 @BookwormAHN @tdrosebud (edited) 5y

BookwormAHN I'd rather like to saint Christopher Tolkien for putting all these books together. Also I'll be finished by tomorrow night so whenever is fine with me. 5y

Daisey I‘m still about 4 chapters behind, have a busy weekend planned, and next week is the last week of school. So, I doubt I will finish until sometime this next week. I can probably be ready to start the next book a week from now, but I‘m good with waiting until the beginning of June as well. 5y

See All 14 Comments

Daisey Also, great review! 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @BookwormAHN Right! It really is the best account of the writing process I‘ve seen put together....and so interesting to see how ideas shift and come together. Plus it‘s a great story in all those variations, which doesn‘t hurt either.😉 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Daisey I don‘t think you are the only one who got backlogged with this one, and I know some in the US will have Memorial Holiday weekend family plans coming up too...that‘s why I thought some leeway/catch-up time might be the way to go. I‘m flexible either way, I just want to keep the group mostly together, at least in the same book. 😉. And summer is almost here, good luck grading finals and papers...your summer break is almost here. 5y

Daisey @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Thanks! This week was the tough week; next week will be fairly low key. I just have a couple classes‘ finals left to grade and end of year paperwork. 5y

JazzFeathers I'll be finish by tonight, but l don't mind wIting for the start of June to start the next one (am at the post office right now to collect it 😊) l much prefer that we are all on the same book. That's the way to go as far as l'm concerned. 5y

JazzFeathers @BookwormAHN @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Christopher is just amazing. I heard lots of people (even fans) who make fun of him, saying he's taking advantage of his father's writing and l really don't see how they can say that. His devotion is so clear to me. 5y

JazzFeathers I'll miss Trotter when the time comes. I'm getting attached to him. 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @JazzFeathers Yes, it is! The way to go far is to go together.... we have our own Fellowship going on here, and I don‘t want to leave any readers behind. 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @JazzFeathers I agree, so devoted and painstakingly so...the amount of time and effort this took, definitely a labor of love. And the insights to the writing process I find so interesting, like a peek behind the curtain at your favorite magic trick. 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @JazzFeathers I‘ll miss Trotter too, I wish he‘d have stayed and Aragorn appeared... I‘d have been good with 2 rangers😉 5y

Daisey @JazzFeathers @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @BookwormAHN I agree! In all my reading of biographical information and these books, Christopher‘s lifelong interest in his father‘s world and his devotion are abundantly clear to me. I‘m so glad he was willing to to put forth the effort and share this work because I find the creative process so fascinating. 5y

71 likes1 stack add14 comments

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

Certainly, the Caradhras chapter had a long way to go.
I enjoyed Christopher's commentary on Trotter here, the fact that his personality seemed to merge with that of the other hobbits, which may have been one reason why Tolkien finally decided to make him a Man (it would go with his early comment 'too many hobbits') l also really like his considerations about the complex relation between Trotter and Aragorn.

BookwormAHN I would have loved a back story for Pippin/Totter but I'm really glad he becomes Aragorn. A ranger hobbit would not of been as good. 5y

JazzFeathers @BookwormAHN They are two very different characters in spite of the similarities. Personally, l'm getting very attached to Trotter and l wouldn't mind spending a bit more time with him 😊 5y

30 likes2 comments

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

I‘m almost to the end... but I don‘t want it to end! It‘s amazing how a story you know so well can be so different and inthralling! I still want to know what happened to Odo during his disappearance! And Trotter, I love how that character is changing and merging before our eyes , but I want to know more about this version of what would later become Pippin and Aragorn.

#YearOfTolkien
#LOTRHistory

JazzFeathers I've loved the History of Middle-Earth so far, but this part dedicated to LotR is truly special 😍 5y

62 likes1 comment

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

Well, this is where we really see that Tolkien didn't have a clues where his story would end up 😆
While the rest of the chapters so far had already reached the final form (we're talking the first half of Fellowship), the Council of Elrond doesn't come near to even the idea of it, though here are introduced a couple a favourite characters: Gimli (who might die in Moria) and Boromir the Man of Ond.

Daisey I have an odd sense of anticipation reading this. It's not about what will happen, but when will the characters and events I know emerge. That's a very different reading experience than normal. 5y

JazzFeathers @Daisey That's very true. I've realised more than once that l'm reading this book as if l didn't know the story, waiting every development as if it were a plot twist. 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @JazzFeathers and @Daisey I completely agree, the story you know and love, but in such a completely different twist...it‘s all new again. And I‘m loving watching the story develop and twist, sometimes despite Tolkien‘s plans....keep Odo, Bingo, etc. 5y

35 likes3 comments

Return of the Shadow | J. R. R. Tolkien

I should really be grading finals, but it was a pretty long day at school so I‘m enjoying a chapter of Tolkien instead. I‘m still several days behind the schedule, but I‘m appreciating the discussion of the Third Phase. At the moment, I think I‘m still most intrigued by the curiosity about and development of Trotter as a character.

#YearofTolkien #LotRHistory #TeachersofLitsy

JazzFeathers I've just discovered what his true identity is 😏 5y

Daisey @JazzFeathers That was definitely a fun little twist of an idea. 5y

65 likes2 comments

eanderson

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

I love Treebeard! #YearofTolkien

JazzFeathers I had read in the past that he was initially intended to be evil. I'm happy Tolkien changed his mind 😊 5y

43 likes1 comment

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

l love me a chapter about notes! 😆
So fascinating that at such an early stage and considering all the tranformation the book would go through, Tolkien already had envisioned the structure of the entire story, more or less as it is now.

Loved the character arc of the original Pippin. And surprised that once again Tolkien hesitated, undecided, at this point, though Christopher notes that this is when WWII broker out.

29 likes

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

I can't wait to read what this story is about, it sounds so different from the one l know. The Giant Treebeard who keep Gandalf captive, Odo who disappears and then reappears. Trotter so mysterious.

I'm loving it.

Riveted_Reader_Melissa I totally agree! 5y

33 likes1 comment

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

I so enjoyed this chapter and l'm so excited to read this phase of revision. Christopher says Tolkien took a completely different path at this point of the writing of Lord of the Rings and l can see it here. I'm expecting to read a 'new story'.

It was so strange, but also so lively to see Aragorn's name first proposed as The name of Gandalf's horse. I'm loving seeing all these tidbits appear in the text 💙

26 likes

eanderson

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

Scanned over a lot because I was really behind! Catching up now and hoping to keep up with everyone.

JazzFeathers 😊💪🏻😀 5y

38 likes1 comment

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

All caught up and onto the Third Phase!

You know, this is really just making me want to reread the completed version again too, and soon!
#LOTRHistory
#YearOfTolkien

JazzFeathers Confession: l'm posting my impressions about this book on my Veronese WhatsApp chat and my friends are saying that l'm making them want to read the book again. So we might do our own readalong, probably reading one chapter a week. Would you gals want me to keep you posted, so that maybe we go at the same time as well? @Daisey @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @eanderson @wordslinger42 @tdrosebud @BookwormAHN 5y

BookwormAHN Yes, I'm all in for a reread 🙋🏼‍♀️ 5y

Daisey @JazzFeathers Absolutely keep us up to date! If it‘s going to happen as we continue these, I‘m not sure I‘ll be able to fit it in, but I would be willing to try or at least follow along. 5y

See All 16 Comments

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @JazzFeathers Funny, I was thinking after this one maybe I should read “The Final Phase”, before the next History book. 😂 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Daisey If we can‘t now, maybe at the end of the LOTR History books we should pause and reread the original story. I know @wordslinger42 and I talked about that while we were reading The Hobbit, that we wanted to reread the original series once these histories were finished. I think it would be very interesting to see what we notice after all the larger histories and backstories. (edited) 5y

JazzFeathers @Riveted_Reader_Melissa That would work. When l talked with my friends, they asked when l'll be finished with the Histories and l estimated more or less end of this year. So we are shopping for the beginning of next year, if nothing changes. Would that work? @eanderson @wordslinger42 @tdrosebud @BookwormAHN 5y

JazzFeathers Of course l'm talking History of Lord of the Rings, not the entire History of Middle-Earth 😉 5y

tdrosebud Ugh, I'm so far behind, planning to catch up over the next few days now that work had settled a little bit. With what little I've read though, I was thinking a reread afterwards would be necessary. 5y

wordslinger42 @JazzFeathers @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Daisey I am definitely up for a reread of the originals after the Histories! I never get tired of the stories 😊 5y

wordslinger42 @JazzFeathers @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Daisey Also, did you gals know it's Inklings week?! There's a blog called The Musings of Jamie, & she is doing giveaways throughout the week in celebration! 5y

JazzFeathers @wordslinger42 Never knew it existed a Inklings week 😱 Why just thid week? Curious. I have to check that blig out. Thanks for mentioning it 😊 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @JazzFeathers I think a plan to start 2020 with the original books sounds like a great plan. 😉 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @tdrosebud Yea, I‘m glad you are enjoying it as you read! 5y

BookwormAHN Works for me 😺 5y

Daisey @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @JazzFeathers @wordslinger42 I'm completely in favor of reading the history of the LotR books and then rereading the final stories again! Also, never heard of Inklings week, but I'll have to look it up. 5y

wordslinger42 @JazzFeathers Her blog says that on May 11, Tolkien & Lewis met for the first time at Merton College for a faculty gathering & it's to honor that! May 11 is International Inklings Day & now they've turned it into a whole week's celebration! Supposedly, that's why the movie Tolkien is being released this week! 5y

62 likes16 comments

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

After reaching the part of story with Tom Bombadil, Tolkien once again started from the beginning... and now our Frodo appears.

Although the story didn't change a lot (apparently, Tolkien was Mary created a clean manuscript in place of the message he had at that point) he added some remarkable new ideas: concerning hobbits and the tempation of Gandalf.

31 likes

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

OH, wow! This is quite a different version from that in the book.
On one hand, l'm sorry Tolkien had to renounce the joke Bingo played on Maggots. But on the other, l really like the version in the book.

BethM Are you guys getting the new movie?! 5y

37 likes1 comment

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

Firgot to post last night. It was an easy read since the chapter moved so close to the text in that Christopher only presented a few passages.
It surprises me a lot that Tolkien achieved almost the final text at such an early stage. But it is actually quite characteristic.

27 likes

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

Have you noticed?
TolkienGandalf 😆

@Daisey @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @eanderson @wordslinger42 @tdrosebud @BookwormAHN

BookwormAHN Good catch 😸 5y

rretzler 😀 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa I did! Orlando made me chuckle...I thought if that had been his original name for a certain elf, that would have been even more funny/odd. The odd coincidences to the later film actors is already really surreal at times. 5y

See All 6 Comments

Daisey I haven't gotten to this point yet, but those are great! 5y

JazzFeathers @BookwormAHN @rretzler @Daisey It is quite a remarkable coincidenze, especially considering that none of these names is particularly common (l'd say that Viggo is actually quite uncommon). Still, a friend of mine told me that as long as l don't find the name Peter Jackson in there, l don't have anything to worry about 😂😂 5y

JazzFeathers @Riveted_Reader_Melissa lndeed they are. I learned about he hobbit Vigo in a fb group and l thought it was quite remarkable that such an unusual name should belong to one of the actors from the film. Then l found Orlando, and l thought it was really quite odd. Then yesterday night l found Miranda. This is surrial alright. 5y

34 likes6 comments

Return of the Shadow | J. R. R. Tolkien

Slowly but surely continuing on with Gandalf for company, although probably only another page or two from this point tonight.

#YearofTolkien #LotRHistory #CatsofLitsy

JazzFeathers Did you name your kitty Gandalf? 😍 5y

Daisey @JazzFeathers Yes! 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa Gandalf is so snuggly! And definitely a book cat! 💙 it! 5y

See All 6 Comments

Daisey @Riveted_Reader_Melissa He really is and puts up with me moving (or taking photos) many times before finally getting fed up and curling up somewhere else! 5y

rretzler 😻 5y

Erofan Cutie 😻 5y

59 likes6 comments

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

I love! I love! I love!
I adore! I adore! I adore!!!

So many awesome elements entered this this chapter. First of all SAM!!!!!! 💚
I would have loved to know more about why Tolkien decided to stray from the 'family' theme of the group of Hobbits and insert Sam, but well... it's already great to see Sam finally appearing.

And then the One Ring! Here's where the rimes of the Rings g first appeared.

36 likes2 stack adds

Return of the Shadow | J. R. R. Tolkien

I finished The First Phase tonight, and I‘m continuing to thoroughly enjoy all the discussion of the early drafts. The last chapter really shows the combination of confusion and thoughtfulness involved in trying to work out the details of the story.

* To be honest, I took this photo of my delicious home cooked supper over the weekend and never got around to posting, but I had leftovers tonight so it works.

#YearofTolkien #LotRHistory

JazzFeathers Confusion and thoughtfulness. That describes it perfectly. 5y

Daisey @JazzFeathers It‘s so true! I‘ve read a handful of books that demonstrate an author‘s writing process and generally find them fascinating. This is, of course, my favorite because of my love of the created world and final published story, but the teacher and writer in me also truly appreciates the sharing of the difficult process. 5y

57 likes2 comments

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

Christopher says that "The textual situation is in fact of fearful complexity in this part, the manuscript being constituted from two 'layers', and the earlier of the two being constituted partly from new manuscript and partly from the typescript of the fourth version."

I'd so love to see that manuscript ?

29 likes

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

I'm. Totally. LOVING IT!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, yes, the notes have always been my favourite parts, but these about the LotR are so emotional, l'm not sure why.
Reading Sam's name for the first time was so great. It's such a strange experience to see the story so slowly come into its self.

It was fantastic also seeing The One Ring emerge. That's really something happening right under our eyes 😍

43 likes

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

Here's the schedule for the second half of the book.

How are you getting along, gals? I'm all caught up 😆

@Daisey @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @eanderson @wordslinger42 @tdrosebud @BookwormAHN

wordslinger42 I am just a couple days behind but will be caught up today 😊 I am really loving this book!! 5y

JazzFeathers @wordslinger42 Me too. And l'm totally fascinated with Trotter! 5y

wordslinger42 Yes!! It's so interesting to see elements of Strider in a hobbit! 5y

See All 18 Comments

BookwormAHN I'm a few days behind as well, but I'm really enjoying it. Mostly I'm glad he decided to change Bingo to Frodo 😸 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @JazzFeathers I‘m finding Trotter fascinating too, and I‘m really glad about Frodo too @BookwormAHN , Bingo just isn‘t the same. 5y

Daisey @JazzFeathers @wordslinger42 @BookwormAHN @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I‘m in agreement with all these comments. I hope to get caught up today, and Trotter is a fascinating aspect of this story‘s development. And, yes, Frodo is just better! Looking forward to continuing on with this readalong. 5y

eanderson I‘m really behind but I‘m definitely trying to catch up and I‘m enjoying seeing the differences! 5y

JazzFeathers @Daisey @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @eanderson @wordslinger42 @tdrosebud @BookwormAHN On enother group where l share my impressions of this readalong, someone commented that it's incredible he went through so many changes. As a writer myself, l don't find it strange, especially considering he wasn't completely sold on writing this stories. I can clearly see him groping around in search of the right idea. 5y

BookwormAHN You can also see how he began to add in elements of The Silmarillion and I wonder how far he was with that tale. 5y

wordslinger42 @JazzFeathers I'm a writer, too, & it's not surprising to me either! My story is constantly changing & growing until the idea is just right! 5y

JazzFeathers @BookwormAHN Well, from what we have seen in the previous 5 volumes of The History of Middle-Earth, he had already written it twice, basically from begin to end 😊 5y

JazzFeathers Cool @wordslinger42 l didn't know. What do you write? 5y

wordslinger42 @JazzFeathers A couple different things! I'm writing a Christian fantasy series (editing the first book now!) & I just started working on a Christmas story! What about you? 😊 5y

JazzFeathers @wordslinger42 wow! I've always been fascinated with Christmas stories, but have never written one. At the moment l'm revising a story that l plan to serialise on my blog. Is a Snow White retelling (very looked, actually) set in 1920s Germany. Hey, if you ever need a beta reader... 😉 5y

wordslinger42 @JazzFeathers I love fairytale retellings!!!! And how funny, I'm thinking of serialising my story also! Not sure how I'm going to go about it, but I love the idea of releasing a story bits at a time! I will need beta readers eventually! 😊 I'd be happy to beta read for you, too! 5y

JazzFeathers Oh, thanks so much! 😘 l'm writing the entire story, then l plan to release one chapter a week. At the moment, l'm just writing the story, but l suppose l'll have to work the ending of every episode with cliffhangers and whatnot. If everything goes smootly (finger crossed) l'll start posting in September. How about you? 5y

wordslinger42 @JazzFeathers I'm so sorry I forgot to respond to this! I love the idea of a chapter a week! Let me kmow if you need any help with getting the word out about it when you're ready 😊 I'm hoping my story can be ready by December! I haven't decided how many parts I'll split it into, but I have some time to figure it out! 5y

JazzFeathers @wordslinger42 Same here! Give me a short when you start posting. Let's do this! 😀💪 5y

30 likes18 comments

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

Great chapter and clearly a pivoting one - no wonder Tolkien wrote it three times.
It is clear that the story was moving. Elements of the Silmarillion are profusely intriduced. Clearly something is changing in Tolkien's vision of the story.

Tolkien wonders twice who is Trotter. Christopher said in one of tge last chapter we are going to discover it. Can't wait!

31 likes

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

Can't say l'm off to a good start for #24B4Monday #25inFive Yesterday l was away all day and had no chance to read. Today l caught up on my #YearOfTolkien read with Apache's help.
Let's see whether l can log in some more time before going to bed.

Clwojick Sweet baby! 🐱🐱🐱🐱 5y

LauraJ Good tabby! 5y

tpixie such a sweet kitty! #CatsOfLitsy 5y

37 likes3 comments

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

Fragmented chapters are harder to follow. This one is mostly summarised, because it has changed very little in subsequent revisions.
It's still quite weird to see Strider in Trotter. Here the wild hobbit shows his knowledge of ancient lore, just like Aragorn will do... though in a completely different context.

28 likes

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

“Their statement, as terse as you might expect, says simply that they did not “approve of, authorize or participate in the making of this film,” and that “they do not endorse it or its content in any way.”

Article here: https://news.avclub.com/upcoming-j-r-r-tolkien-biopic-disavowed-by-the-authors-1...

Riveted_Reader_Melissa I thought you might find this article interesting @YearofTolkien 5y

JazzFeathers I've read it a couple of days ago. Personally, l see it more as an attempt to keep the viewers allerted that this is the fictionalisation of the life of a real man, rather than a saction of the film itself. Just my impression #YearOfTolkien 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @JazzFeathers That was mine as well, it sounds like they make that statement even about fictionalizations of his fiction, if he isn‘t here to give his input/seal of approval personally, they don‘t claim it. 5y

53 likes3 comments

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

So here it is were The Silmarillion started to infiltrate itself in The Lord of the Rings.
I really liked the passage about Beren and Luthien. I didn't think it would be there, given how much l see it intertwined with Aragorn's story and character, but l loved to see how it might be one of the elements which prompted Trotter's tranformation.

27 likes

Return of the Shadow | J. R. R. Tolkien

I thought the version of this poem in The Adventures of Tom Bombadil and The Fellowship of the Ring was fun, and I think this version is fun as well. It‘s so interesting to see the earlier drafts of Tolkien‘s writing.

#YearofTolkien #LotRHistory

37 likes

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

The atmosphere of this part of story is so reminescent of the published version, there are even passages l recognise. And still the Hobbits are so different (in a strangely familiar way) from the ones l know.

l'm fascinated with Trotter. He acts a lot like Stider, but also he's definitely a Hobbit.
Christopher anticipate that he has a story that will be revealed before disappearing from the narration. Can't wait!

30 likes

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

I read the first half of this chapter last night, but was so tired l didn't manage to post about it.

I'm totally, totally loving this first draft of LotR. It's so strange to see the story l know so well, which is not at all the story l love so well 😆
There are so many things that are already the once l know, but also so many others that are totally different. It's fascinating.

Daisey Exactly! 5y

30 likes1 comment

Return of the Shadow | J. R. R. Tolkien

I'm feeling behind on this readalong, and I'm really enjoying this chapter. The hobbits of Bree and Trotter are fascinating to me. Additionally, it's been a frustrating day and I want to hide from the world with a book. I read for a few minutes with my students, but I wish I could just keep reading through my plan time.

#YearofTolkien #LotRHistory #TeachersofLitsy

JazzFeathers I'm totally loving these first draft of LotR. I'm fascinated with this story l recognise and still is so very different from the one l know. 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa It won‘t take long to catch up, but yea I know how you feel...to much going on this month and my reading is a scattered mess. 5y

Daisey @JazzFeathers @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I‘m not at all concerned about catching up once I have a bit of time. It‘s really just that I want to avoid all responsibilities and read! It‘s amazing to me how similar some aspects are to the finished book while other parts are in such a different form. Absolutely fascinating! 5y

See All 6 Comments

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Daisey I completely agree there...real life responsibilities are the worst! 5y

JazzFeathers @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Daisey l'm quite lucky l'm off today and the rest of the week (bank holiday here in ltaly). I won't read today because l'm off to a LotR festival (l'll post photos), but l hope to get a lot of read in in the next days. My blogging challenge is also all nice and scheduled. I can take a rest after three months of intense activity and work. Ahhhhh! 5y

Daisey @JazzFeathers That sounds fantastic! Enjoy, and I‘m looking forward to whatever photos you share! 5y

50 likes6 comments

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

Wow!!! I couldn't wait to get to this part, after l read about Trotter in the History of the Hobbit.
I love Bree, l love the mixing of recessione and people. This hobbit Bree is very different, but that's why is so interesting.
And l suppose that in Trotter we'll have the first mysterious hobbit ever!

Daisey I‘m really looking forward to this section as well but got a bit behind in my reading with a very busy Easter weekend. 5y

37 likes1 comment

Return of the Shadow | J. R. R. Tolkien

I read the Tom Bombadil chapter last night, but it was late and I wanted to think about it a bit more before posting. Sometimes I enjoy Tom Bombadil more than others, but I found the notes here about him having been in Middle-Earth for so long really fascinating. I don‘t think there‘s ever a clear explanation of who or what he is and this mystery makes him even more intriguing to me.

#YearofTolkien #LotRHistory

JazzFeathers The info that he is an Aborigene actually made things a little clearer for me. I interprete it as Tom was born in Arda together with Arda. In this sense, the Valar are strangers who 'fell' on Arda, and even the Elves and Men who woke up in Arda were created elsewhere, in the music of the Ainur, before Arda existed. l interprete Tom as completely 'other' and this accounts for his freedom and indipendente. Probably why the Ring has no power on him. 5y

Daisey @JazzFeathers I do think the comments here help make it a bit more clear, but I still find him a mysterious and intriguing character. 5y

57 likes2 comments

wordslinger42

The Return of the Shadow | Christopher Tolkien

I'm coming down with a cold, & it's rainy & freezing, so seems like as good a time as any to snuggle up with a good book & a cozy blanket ☔
Up next for tonight will be "Serafina & the Black Cloak"!

#LOTRHistory

cobwebmoth Feel better soon! 5y

Catsandbooks Hope you feel better! 💕 5y

wordslinger42 @cobwebmoth @Catsandbooks Thank you 💜 5y

See All 8 Comments

JazzFeathers Feel better soon! 5y

wordslinger42 @JazzFeathers Thank you!! 💜 5y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I got your beautiful card and it‘s smells so good!!!! 💜💜💜 5y

wordslinger42 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Aww yay!!! I'm so glad you like it! 💜 5y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I hope you feel better soon!! 5y

29 likes8 comments

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

Another summarised chapter, since the final version is very similar to the first draft.
But l loved to read the plan for the chapters up to Rivendell, where Bree is only mentioned and there's no Weathertop.
Can't wait to read on.

Daisey I‘m visiting family this weekend, but I hope to get to this chapter tonight. 5y

34 likes1 comment

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

I did read this chapter yesterday night, but l was so tired l didn't post about it.

Fascinating chapter! It is actually only pieces of it, because the chapter about Tom Bombadil is very similar to the one that was eventually published. Christopher only published the few differences.

But there is a passage where Tom defines himself as an 'Aborigene'. I'm telling you, this has opened a new world to me!

wordslinger42 I just read this chapter and the chapter for today! Tom Bombadil is one of those characters that I am always left wanting to know more about! I also thought the Aborigene comment was extremely interesting!! 5y

29 likes1 comment

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

#YearOfTolkien #LOTRHistory

As always, l enjoyed reading the preparation work for the story.
i didn't know Tom Bombadil was already an independent character before enter ingresso Lord of the Rings.

29 likes1 stack add

Riveted_Reader_Melissa #YearOfTolkien 5y

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

I loved this passage....

“If you go looking for Adventure, you usually find as much of it as you can manage. And it often happens that when you think it is ahead. It comes on you unexpected from behind”.

“It is not your Shire alone, nor for ever,” (...) “The Wide World is all about it. You can fence yourselves in, but you have no means of fencing it out.”

^True That! And boy that seems prescient to our current political wall discussions. 🧐

Riveted_Reader_Melissa #LOTRHistory 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa I find myself thinking about the second bit a lot, after living through the war I‘m sure it did make Tolkien realize that you could ignore the wider world in your Shire, or on your island, England, but you can‘t stop it from coming in eventually. (edited) 5y

JazzFeathers @Riveted_Reader_Melissa l remember that passage from the publish LotR. I agree, Tolkien probably learned it from the war. Besides, l'm coming to think that LotR is how Tolkien came to cope with both World Wars. We can read them in every line, if we bother to scrap just a little. 5y

65 likes4 comments

The Return of the Shadow | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

All caught-up again! Phew!! But yes you were right, quick reading.😉

#YearofTolkien
#LOTRHistory

JazzFeathers And seriously l'm loving it. This may be my favourite among the History of Middle Earth books so far. And l'm saying a lot. 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @JazzFeathers Yes, the beginning stories that are so different and yet so much the same are so great to read. I‘m glad he eventually settled on Frodo instead of Bingo instead. 😉 5y

JazzFeathers @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Me too. And l know that Frodo Took isn't Frodo Baggings but it seems to me that he already has an air of who Frodo Baggings will be. He's the contemplative kind just like 'our' Frodo. 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @JazzFeathers I felt the same way, even as C.T. says multiple times that this isn‘t the precursor for our Frodo, he reads like he is to me personality-wise. 5y

51 likes4 comments