LOTR/Hobbit, DVDs

[junediamanti]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, > > 5) The Sil.- I once read 
that it takes 100 read throughs to 
> > understand the Sil., and I believe it. 
June:
It takes one!

 The more times you read it 
> > the more sense it makes.  As you learn who's who and why the 
Minis 
> > Tirith isn't the same Minas Tirith you get the stories 
underneath 
> > the confusing style, and they're all great, and even fun after a 
> > fashion.
> > 
> Geoff:
> > 
> The problem with the Silmarillion is that I have to read with one 
> finger permanently anchored in the genealogical tables at the back 
> because I am asking myself things like: "Is this guy a man or an 
> elf?" "Now who is this guy's father?". It's interesting but slow 
> progress. Some parts of the Silmarillion are extremely good - the 
> Elves' crossing of the Helcaraxe in the First Age and the betrayal 
> and destruction of Gondolin come to mind.

June:
Not anymore for me.  The Silmarillion was always the book that was 
written for me.  I read it in 1977 (as soon as it came out) and 
stayed up all night to read it in one sitting.  I'm good on 
geneology (I could follow the family trees in "I Claudius") so can 
generally always fix any character in their place.  Golden moments:

1.  Earendil gets to the blessed realm and it seems that no one is 
there.  He's just about to leave when Eonwe calls to him. 

2.  Hurin's last stand at the Nirnaeth Arnoediad: "Aure Entuluva!"

3.  Beren saying to Thingol "The quest is fulfilled: even now a 
Silmaril is in my hand" and then showing the fact that his hand is 
gone.  

4.  Morgoth having a very dark design indeed when he meets Luthien.

5.  Glaurung the dragon looking at Niniel/Nienor and her realising 
just what her true relationship with Turin is.

6.  Morgoth enmeshed in the web of Ungoliant and the Balrogs to the 
rescue.

Tolkien can't always do character or dialogue, but boy can he do 
story!  Just my all time fave book.


June