Quote:
Originally Posted by WillAdams
Removing Bombadil and the Barrow Downs seriously detracts from how moving Merry's part in the slaying of the Lord of the Nazgul is --- I'm sorry, tossing a bundle of swords onto a bed is a cheap substitute.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cearbhallain
It's always tempting to decide by not deciding, or to decide by default. Thematically I think it makes a point about responsibility and follow through.
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Agreed. The Bombadil side-trip adds to the main story and generally to the richness of the world. Bombadil, sui generis, is possibly the first sentient being to inhabit Middle-Earth, and still he lives.
The compromise I've made is to usually read the Bombadil portion but to skip the lion's share of rhyming and singing.