Should I read....? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

mormegil · 04-22-2005, 11:35 AM

That was helpful, thank you. However I was also wondering if you enjoy reading them?

oops I was reading the site and came back and didn't refresh to see the new posts...anyone else enjoy reading it or dislike it and why?

Snowdog · 04-22-2005, 11:43 AM

Like I said, they were basicly like reading an encyclopedia to me. I'm not much for repeated alternate and early versions of the same stories. I did like reading parts of #10 & #12, but as far as a 'storybook reading' like The Lord of the Rings, they weren't that enjoyable to me.

Lalwendë · 04-22-2005, 01:31 PM

Volumes 6 to 9 will give you many alternate versions of LotR, and if you're interested in the writing process yourself, then they are also interesting in that respect as they give a tremendous insight into the process of creating a book. Volumes 10 and 12 are favourites with me, as they include some of the stranger stuff, such as about Elvish reincarnation and marriage customs, and abandoned stories, which are fascinating to read.

If you have a look on Amazon, then you should be able to see a fairly good synopsis of what is in each book, but you can't beat browsing them in the bookshop, or even the library if you're lucky enough to have a branch which stocks them (like I did).

Did I enjoy them? Of course, as they have a load more Tolkien stuff in them!

But don't expect anything like the narrative found in LotR and The Hobbit. If you've read Unfinished Tales then you'll probably enjoy them, but if daunted I always say choose the ones which interest you most (at the risk of not understanding all the references straight away).

04-22-2005, 01:31 PM	#3
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	Volumes 6 to 9 will give you many alternate versions of LotR, and if you're interested in the writing process yourself, then they are also interesting in that respect as they give a tremendous insight into the process of creating a book. Volumes 10 and 12 are favourites with me, as they include some of the stranger stuff, such as about Elvish reincarnation and marriage customs, and abandoned stories, which are fascinating to read. If you have a look on Amazon, then you should be able to see a fairly good synopsis of what is in each book, but you can't beat browsing them in the bookshop, or even the library if you're lucky enough to have a branch which stocks them (like I did). Did I enjoy them? Of course, as they have a load more Tolkien stuff in them! But don't expect anything like the narrative found in LotR and The Hobbit. If you've read Unfinished Tales then you'll probably enjoy them, but if daunted I always say choose the ones which interest you most (at the risk of not understanding all the references straight away). __________________ Gordon's alive!

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04-22-2005, 11:35 AM	#1
mormegil Maundering Mage Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 4,651	That was helpful, thank you. However I was also wondering if you enjoy reading them? oops I was reading the site and came back and didn't refresh to see the new posts...anyone else enjoy reading it or dislike it and why?

04-22-2005, 11:43 AM	#2
Snowdog Emperor of the South Pole Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: The Western Shore of Lake Evendim Posts: 660	Like I said, they were basicly like reading an encyclopedia to me. I'm not much for repeated alternate and early versions of the same stories. I did like reading parts of #10 & #12, but as far as a 'storybook reading' like The Lord of the Rings, they weren't that enjoyable to me.