WHy TOLKIEN and LOTR is overrated!!! - Page 2

no.guru · 06-06-2009, 11:06 AM

I'm into sf & some fantasy. I've started reading LOTR once or twice but it just never impressed me. Haven't seen the movie(s), either, and don't tell me about them because I don't care.

You can tell me about Tolkein's historical achievement, but the acorn is no better than the tree.

Edit: OK, now I've perused the thread a bit, and I don't mean to feed anyone who may be trolling. If someone loves LOTR, great, but I don't. That's the problem when a particular work is revered by so many. There's almost no way it can live up to the hype.

I'm sure it's the same with the original Star Wars movies for many. I'm sure many ask what all the noise was about, but I saw them as a child and teen when they were new. They will always be powerful for me.

Sweetpea · 06-06-2009, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hidari

Enjoyed that tirade. Anyways. If anyone does NOT LIKE LOTR please post here. Hey It was a good series. BUT It aint Shakespeare!!!

I rather like the fact that it ain't Shakespeare. Never really liked his stories.

It took me about 3 tries to finish the series. But, as with some other books, while they may start slowly (at times the pacing is too slow) once I'm halfway, the plot takes hold of me and I have problems putting the book down...

But I hardly ever listen to "popular votes" for books. A lot of books people adore, I don't like, or vice versa.

no.guru · 06-06-2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

But I hardly ever listen to "popular votes" for books. A lot of books people adore, I don't like, or vice versa.

Ain't it the truth. If it's on the bestseller list I wonder what's wrong with it!

astra · 06-06-2009, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

I rather like the fact that it ain't Shakespeare. Never really liked his stories.

Don't feed the troll

Sweetpea · 06-06-2009, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by no.guru

Ain't it the truth. If it's on the bestseller list I wonder what's wrong with it!

Yep, me too

Besides, most often those are boring books!

Quote:

Originally Posted by astra

Don't feed the troll

But, it's the truth! I did read a book about Shakespeare I liked... Or was it a short story?

No, it was a book: Ruled Britannia by Harry Turtledove

astra · 06-06-2009, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

But, it's the truth!

But we are in the same boat

Dr. Drib · 06-06-2009, 11:59 AM

I don't normally post here anymore [I have other places to visit], but I saw your post and a light-bulb came on -- but that's only because I flipped the switch on my way to the bathroom.

Seriously: I do have three important comments/points I would like to make:

1) I admire your courage to say what's on your mind and to tell "everyone else" exactly what you think about this series.

2) I totally and completely disagree with your opinion. (I'm stating mine, just as you stated yours.)

3) You have my utmost respect. I admire your honesty. Good luck!

Don

desertgrandma · 06-06-2009, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hidari

I am just trying to pour a little water on the fire. I find the reviews of Tolkien to be too lopsided at times. That is all. And, as a reader of many types of Fiction as yourself: You can appreciate that there are many good writers out there. I just find it tiring when faced by a phalanx of LOTR maniacs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hidari

This is worth posting just to get people angry for no reason. I could go into my own reasons for the BORING parts of LOTR but I will let a few of the links below help people to guide their way out of Middleearth:

Yes, It will be fun to see Fantasy Freaks have a heart attack at anyone who would actually post an anti-LOTR thread. Fact is, I read the LOTR several times as well as other of Tolkien's works. I think he was a very interesting person. And, I loved to read him in my youth. BUT:

Enjoyed that tirade. Anyways. If anyone does NOT LIKE LOTR please post here. Hey It was a good series. BUT It aint Shakespeare!!!

See what happens? OP starts inflammatory thread. Doesn't like author, or all those who do. Admits to wanting to get people angry for no reason.

TROLL. Let it die.

carandol · 06-06-2009, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hidari

Hey It was a good series. BUT It aint Shakespeare!!!

Shakespeare? Huh. OK, he wrote some good plays, but it ain't Beowulf!

pdurrant · 06-06-2009, 03:39 PM

Oh yes, they're still used in various parts of England, and possible in places in the US.

Perhaps it's worth pointing out that in LOTR Tolkien uses them in reverse of their original meaning (which he notes at some point in the appendices).

When thee and thou were commonplace, they were used as the public pronoun, and you was reserved for close friends and family. Rather like French vous and tu, if I recall my 'O' level French correctly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Absolutely. "Thee" and "thou" are alive and well in the area in which I live.

hidari · 06-07-2009, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

See what happens? OP starts inflammatory thread. Doesn't like author, or all those who do. Admits to wanting to get people angry for no reason.

TROLL. Let it die.

YO GRANNY. I was not Trying TO FLAME or TROLL or whatever you call it. Just Having Fun. It is the Lounge not the Big Brother Section 42.7 WARD.

I am sure your supporters will come to your rescue If I have offended you in anyway.

hidari.

PS. I hereby have no opinion. Does that make you happier?

HarryT · 06-07-2009, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Oh yes, they're still used in various parts of England, and possible in places in the US.

Perhaps it's worth pointing out that in LOTR Tolkien uses them in reverse of their original meaning (which he notes at some point in the appendices).

When thee and thou were commonplace, they were used as the public pronoun, and you was reserved for close friends and family. Rather like French vous and tu, if I recall my 'O' level French correctly.

No, you've got that back to front. Thee/thou is the equivalent of French tu or German du. You is the equivalent of French vous, German Sie.

pdurrant · 06-07-2009, 05:48 AM

Yes - you're right. I remembered it wrong. :-(

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

No, you've got that back to front. Thee/thou is the equivalent of French tu or German du. You is the equivalent of French vous, German Sie.

Over · 06-07-2009, 07:22 AM

LotR was the first fantasy book I've read (in my country fantasy books we very rare and obscure, and being young I couldn't import fantasy books, nor did I know they existed

).

There are many excelent fantasy books nowadays... But none of them inspired a sense of awe, enchantment, and suspension of disbelief, like Tolkien's works did.

It's a black & white book, I liked that (although I also love grittier books with many shades of gray... But that doesn't have to be a rule!).

I loved the pace. I value many other aspects above action scenes and such. FOr me, two hobbit adventuring for the first time to the outter limits of the shire was a great adventure for me. The sense of something wonderful about to happen has always been more appealing to me, then the marvel itself. I love the beggining of the journeys more than their climaxes.

And then, a full realized world, with races, cultures, languages, myths...

For me, Tolkien will always be the master. Maybe because I'll never be that young and naif again.

lilac_jive · 06-07-2009, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hidari

YO GRANNY. I was not Trying TO FLAME or TROLL or whatever you call it. Just Having Fun. It is the Lounge not the Big Brother Section 42.7 WARD.

I am sure your supporters will come to your rescue If I have offended you in anyway.

hidari.

PS. I hereby have no opinion. Does that make you happier?

She's right. You're a troll. Go back under your bridge.

06-06-2009, 11:06 AM	#16
no.guru Crazy like a Posts: 229 Karma: 2368978 Join Date: May 2009 Device: Sony PRS-T1, Sony PRS-350	I'm into sf & some fantasy. I've started reading LOTR once or twice but it just never impressed me. Haven't seen the movie(s), either, and don't tell me about them because I don't care. You can tell me about Tolkein's historical achievement, but the acorn is no better than the tree. Edit: OK, now I've perused the thread a bit, and I don't mean to feed anyone who may be trolling. If someone loves LOTR, great, but I don't. That's the problem when a particular work is revered by so many. There's almost no way it can live up to the hype. I'm sure it's the same with the original Star Wars movies for many. I'm sure many ask what all the noise was about, but I saw them as a child and teen when they were new. They will always be powerful for me. Last edited by no.guru; 06-06-2009 at 11:16 AM.

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06-06-2009, 11:59 AM	#22
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 45,441 Karma: 59592133 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: KINDLE: Oasis 3, Scribe (1st), Matcha; KOBO: Libra 2, Libra Colour	I don't normally post here anymore [I have other places to visit], but I saw your post and a light-bulb came on -- but that's only because I flipped the switch on my way to the bathroom. Seriously: I do have three important comments/points I would like to make: 1) I admire your courage to say what's on your mind and to tell "everyone else" exactly what you think about this series. 2) I totally and completely disagree with your opinion. (I'm stating mine, just as you stated yours.) 3) You have my utmost respect. I admire your honesty. Good luck! Don

06-07-2009, 07:22 AM	#29
Over Wizard Posts: 1,462 Karma: 6061516 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cascais, Portugal Device: Kindle PW, Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2", OnePlus 6	LotR was the first fantasy book I've read (in my country fantasy books we very rare and obscure, and being young I couldn't import fantasy books, nor did I know they existed ). There are many excelent fantasy books nowadays... But none of them inspired a sense of awe, enchantment, and suspension of disbelief, like Tolkien's works did. It's a black & white book, I liked that (although I also love grittier books with many shades of gray... But that doesn't have to be a rule!). I loved the pace. I value many other aspects above action scenes and such. FOr me, two hobbit adventuring for the first time to the outter limits of the shire was a great adventure for me. The sense of something wonderful about to happen has always been more appealing to me, then the marvel itself. I love the beggining of the journeys more than their climaxes. And then, a full realized world, with races, cultures, languages, myths... For me, Tolkien will always be the master. Maybe because I'll never be that young and naif again.

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