X-Google-Language: ENGLISH,ASCII-7-bit X-Google-Thread: f996b,6a02530e3f68dedd X-Google-Attributes: gidf996b,public X-Google-ArrivalTime: 2002-03-12 06:38:58 PST Path: archiver1.google.com!news1.google.com!newsfeed.stanford.edu!headwall.stanford.edu!hub1.nntpserver.com!btnet-peer0!btnet-feed5!btnet!bt !not-for-mail From: "Anonymous" Newsgroups: alt.ascii-art Subject: Re: Nerd Boy, episodes 209-216 Date: Tue, 12 Mar 2002 14:36:20 -0000 Organization: Anonymous, Plc Lines: 42 Message-ID: References: NNTP-Posting-Host: 193.37.170.80 X-Trace: pheidippides.axion.bt.co.uk 1015944199 14659 193.37.170.80 (12 Mar 2002 14:43:19 GMT) X-Complaints-To: postmaster@axion.bt.co.uk NNTP-Posting-Date: 12 Mar 2002 14:43:19 GMT X-Newsreader: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72.3612.1700 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4.72.3612.1700 Xref: archiver1.google.com alt.ascii-art:15544 Poster wrote in message ... >I have my copy of the Hobbit and the "Lord of the Rings - Trilogy" > >The Hobbit, I have read atleast 3 times, the Lord of the rings... Haven't >been able to get past the first chapter... > It's slow to start - something like 17 years pass before Frodo actually leaves. Once he goes, though, and the Black Riders (Nazgul) start to enter the story, that's when it really starts to pick up. The first parts of the book really help to set the scene and to build up a contrast between the cheery normal lives of the Hobbits, happy and safe in the Shire, against the bleak darkness and misery suffered by all the Free Peoples at the hands of the dark lord of Mordor towards the end of the first book. The second book (the Two Towers) is where the real fighting against Sauron's armies begins, with the introduction of the Uruk-Hai Orcs. The third book (the Return of the King) is mixed in contrast again - the 1st half deals with the One Ring and the struggle to destroy it, and the 2nd half deals with the return home to the Shire, and the ending of the Fellowship. It's a fantastic work, and you really do need to struggle on past the first few chapters - at least until after they meet Tom Bombadil. See the film as well; that really helps your understanding of the book no end, and it certainly enhanced my appreciation of Tolkien's efforts in creating Middle Earth. -- Graeme Porter -^-_ _ / [_][_]_:_ Proud owner of a 1978 /| _||_ v Pearl Fiberglass Shell kit | / \ | -=/=\\____//=\=jaa