How have you read it? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Guinevere · 08-19-2005, 02:46 PM

My first reading (which was not so long ago - only 4 years!) was of course in the normal order (first the Hobbit, then LotR, Appendices, Silmarillion.) I never felt an urge to skip anything (though I remember that I felt a bit exasperated in the Treebeard chapter). I am not a quick reader, I often reread the last bit , when taking the book up again after a pause.
My sons have the books in the German translation, and when my younger boy started reading them, I read together with him, all the time comparing with the original (because I was very disappointed by the translation!)
After having read the Silmarillion and Tom Shippey's excellent book (Author of the Century) I reread many parts of the books, because I understood many things much better now, but not from cover to cover.
Another reason to reread parts of the books were the movies: especially after TTT I reread all the parts that seemed "wrong" in the movie, eg the scene where Gandalf heals Theoden, all the Faramir chapters... the altered movie-characters made me love and appreciate the book-characters all the more.
Also, I had joined the BD and started to frequent the "quotable quotes" and ever since it is like Eruanna wrote:

Quote:

This usually happens when I've read a certain section for research purposes, found what I want, and then found myself reading much further because I can't put the book down!

And now I started reading from the start again for the chapter-by-chapter discussion.

Elrowen Tinúviel · 08-22-2005, 11:52 AM

The first time I read them all the way through without skipping a page.

Lately I have been reading little bits and pieces for reference. (Alas! All of my books are packed and I must make do with the few I can find at the library.

) But when they're not packed, I tend to read them while skipping over much with Frodo and Sam - same as Lalaith, I prefer the Fellowship's journey over that of the Ring.
I re-read the Battle of Pelennor fields over and over.... same with "The Steward and the King".

Also, (to my sister's dismay and irritation), I re-read any and all Elvish over and over... and then I talk incessantly about the Elves and Rohirrim whenever I find someone who is even remotely listening.

-Elrowen

yavanna II · 08-24-2005, 06:44 AM

When I first read the trilogy, I read everything in order...

...except when it came to the RotK, where I skipped Book 5 and proceeded to Frodo, Sam, and Gollum....

I think I did that because I happened to have an entrance exam, and I was applying for a scholarship--you know the usual stress when reviewing for those kind of tests. However I wasn't able to put down RotK because I can't wait to see what happens to the Ring... till my dad locked up my books for me to seriously review. I finished all LOTR several months later, when the scholarship results were given... and I was sooooooo glad they did.

Rune Son of Bjarne · 09-24-2005, 04:37 PM

As i would like to hear witch part of the books you find most interesting, exciting . . .

I my self allways reed all of the books in order, unless i am just refreshing my memory.(by this i mean reading just one or two pages) This i do manly because i keep on finding passages in the books witch i have forgotten or not noticed. this intrigues and excites me so i can not make my self skip a part of the book, so not to mis out on anything i read it all.
Allthoug i do often have a craving to skip over the last half of The Two Towers and go straight to the beginning of the Return of the King.
(Just like littlemanpoet)

Raefindel · 09-25-2005, 09:32 AM

The first time I read it I read every jot and tittle.

Since then I always skip Treebeard. It moves so slowly and I can't take the fact that they can't make a decision!

Guess I'm just one of those hasty folk!

Kath · 09-25-2005, 09:37 AM

Hmm, on a recent reading I have found that I occasionally skip past the songs and poems. I think because I want to get on with the actual story.

Glirdan · 09-25-2005, 09:41 AM

I read it begining to end. No skipping. Mind you, when I do read it, I sometimes end up skipping a few scentnces here and there. Next time I read it, I'll probably do it the way you did littlemanpoet, just to see what it's like.

Laitoste · 10-11-2005, 05:57 PM

Up until now, I have always read the book straight through. Many times, however, I would get sidetracked and end up putting it down for months. Currently, I have picked up the habit (entirely from 'Downers) of reading my favorite chapters. I am intrigued by the idea of following each thread of the story, though, and when I actually have time (too many humanities classes), I will try it.

I usually tend to get stuck with Frodo and Sam, especially in the Dead Marshes and the Plateau of Gorgoroth. Although the latter is growing on me, because some of my favorite quotes come from the journey through Mordor.

09-25-2005, 09:32 AM	#5
Raefindel Sword of the Spirit Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,313	The first time I read it I read every jot and tittle. Since then I always skip Treebeard. It moves so slowly and I can't take the fact that they can't make a decision! Guess I'm just one of those hasty folk! __________________ Blessed be the Lord my Strength, Who trained my hands for war and my fingers to fight. Psallm 144:1

09-25-2005, 09:37 AM	#6
Kath Everlasting Whiteness Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Perusing the laminated book of dreams Posts: 4,533	Hmm, on a recent reading I have found that I occasionally skip past the songs and poems. I think because I want to get on with the actual story. __________________ “If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”

09-25-2005, 09:41 AM	#7
Glirdan Energetic Essence Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Where Lark Nor Eagle Ever Flew Posts: 3,285	I read it begining to end. No skipping. Mind you, when I do read it, I sometimes end up skipping a few scentnces here and there. Next time I read it, I'll probably do it the way you did littlemanpoet, just to see what it's like. __________________ *I'm going to buy you a kitty, I'm going to let you fall in love with the kitty, and one cold, winter night, I'm going to steal into your house and punch you in the face!* Fenris Wolf

10-11-2005, 05:57 PM	#8
Laitoste Wight Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Behind the hills Posts: 164	Up until now, I have always read the book straight through. Many times, however, I would get sidetracked and end up putting it down for months. Currently, I have picked up the habit (entirely from 'Downers) of reading my favorite chapters. I am intrigued by the idea of following each thread of the story, though, and when I actually have time (too many humanities classes), I will try it. I usually tend to get stuck with Frodo and Sam, especially in the Dead Marshes and the Plateau of Gorgoroth. Although the latter is growing on me, because some of my favorite quotes come from the journey through Mordor. __________________ "If we're still alive in the morning, we'll know that we're not dead."~South Park

08-22-2005, 11:52 AM	#2
Elrowen Tinúviel Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: East of the Sun, West of the Moon Posts: 45	The first time I read them all the way through without skipping a page. Lately I have been reading little bits and pieces for reference. (Alas! All of my books are packed and I must make do with the few I can find at the library. ) But when they're not packed, I tend to read them while skipping over much with Frodo and Sam - same as Lalaith, I prefer the Fellowship's journey over that of the Ring. I re-read the Battle of Pelennor fields over and over.... same with "The Steward and the King". Also, (to my sister's dismay and irritation), I re-read any and all Elvish over and over... and then I talk incessantly about the Elves and Rohirrim whenever I find someone who is even remotely listening. -Elrowen

08-24-2005, 06:44 AM	#3
yavanna II Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: in my own little world Posts: 142	When I first read the trilogy, I read everything in order... ...except when it came to the RotK, where I skipped Book 5 and proceeded to Frodo, Sam, and Gollum.... I think I did that because I happened to have an entrance exam, and I was applying for a scholarship--you know the usual stress when reviewing for those kind of tests. However I wasn't able to put down RotK because I can't wait to see what happens to the Ring... till my dad locked up my books for me to seriously review. I finished all LOTR several months later, when the scholarship results were given... and I was sooooooo glad they did.