what are you reading right now? - Page 30

BeardofPants · 02-09-2003, 03:16 AM

Changed my mind... I'm reading Northern Lights by Philip Pullman instead. Very readable. Been reading it all day, and I'm almost finished! Been a while since I devoured a book like that.

**crickhollow** · 02-09-2003, 06:36 PM

War in Heaven

Huan--the when you watch the TT, do you see Theoden as a sort of "old Beowulf", seeking death and glory?

Cirdan · 02-09-2003, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BeardofPants
Changed my mind... I'm reading Northern Lights by Philip Pullman instead. Very readable. Been reading it all day, and I'm almost finished! Been a while since I devoured a book like that.

Where did you find that one? It's not even in print yet here in the US.

Shadowfax · 02-09-2003, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Huan
Beowulf is just plain incredible. And it is indispensible in an understanding of Tolkien. The Rohirrim especially have a lot of Beowulf in them: the sentry who does all the "who goes there?" to Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, and Gandalf at Edoras is taken wholesale from Beowulf and his men's approach to Heorot. And Bilbo taking a cup from Smaug is based on a bit of Beowulf! But LOTR as a whole owes much to Beowulf's sensibility: that sense of an age ending, things going where fate has decided, that kind of sadness of a something that once was great doomed to pass with the wind, but first here's some awesome fights with two ogres and a dragon!

I totally agree with that! I've read about a quarter of Beowulf and I'm seeing some of these similarities. But what was really interesting was that from when I first started it, it really felt like Rohan, or I guess I should say Rohan seems like it was inspired by Beowulf. (There's even someone named Eomer.) So yeah, I'm basically loving it!

cassiopeia · 02-09-2003, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Huan
Cassiopeia, Beowulf is just plain incredible. And it is indispensible in an understanding of Tolkien. The Rohirrim especially have a lot of Beowulf in them: the sentry who does all the "who goes there?" to Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, and Gandalf at Edoras is taken wholesale from Beowulf and his men's approach to Heorot. And Bilbo taking a cup from Smaug is based on a bit of Beowulf! But LOTR as a whole owes much to Beowulf's sensibility: that sense of an age ending, things going where fate has decided, that kind of sadness of a something that once was great doomed to pass with the wind, but first here's some awesome fights with two ogres and a dragon!
The what-I'm reading update: just finished Stephen Ambrose's Band of Brothers, which was so very good. Now juggling Philip J. Caputo's A Rumor of War, a memoir of one man's experience in the Vietnam War, Mapping Human History, a book about what our species' DNA can tell us about the species' history as a whole and why bigotry is therefore stupid, and the graphic novels Batman: Dark Victory and House of Java, a black-and-white independent.

I havn't actually gotten past the introduction of Beowulf yet, since I'm juggling a couple of books at once (including Tolkien's Roverandom, I'm very excited about finding that!). I'm going to read Band of Brothers as well, I just watched the series on DVD and it was very good.

BeardofPants · 02-10-2003, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cirdan
Where did you find that one? It's not even in print yet here in the US.

Oh, this doesn't bode well. I bought it from a dusty little bookshop somewhere. They had the 3 in a box set, but I only had enough money for the first book, so I bought that. Unfortunately, the only copy they had of the second book was in the box set, so I was kinda counting on borders to have the second one... But if you don't have it over there, then dammit, I'm gonna have to buy the boxset anyway.

[/end ramble]

Oh, and I finished it -- Very good read. Now, if I can only get my hands on the second one. *sigh*

Cirdan · 02-10-2003, 01:36 AM

It may be worse than that since it was the Spanish language edition listed on Amazon. What is the publish date? It looked to be 2002 but that could be just that version.

Finished UT, BTW.

billiam · 02-12-2003, 02:29 PM

The Breaking of Northwall - Paul O. Williams

This is the first book (of 7) in The Pelbar Cycle

BeardofPants · 02-12-2003, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cirdan
Where did you find that one? It's not even in print yet here in the US.

I just found out that it's called "Golden Compass" over there. I'm not sure why they changed it -- must be one of those dumb yank things.

Cirdan · 02-12-2003, 02:47 PM

Oh, the Darl Materials trilogy! It was referenced here earlier.

Another dumb yank thing:

Quote:

From the Amazon reader reviews

"His Dark Materials" is well-written, but since its target audience is pre-adolescent children, it deserves two stars at best. This is NOT a book for children. It is staunchly anti-Christian, and the author has spoken at length about his disdain for Christianity. His motivation for writing this trilogy was to create an atheist version of C.S. Lewis' "Chronicles of Narnia." Characters include a homosexual angel, and the books are suffused with pointless violence and sexuality. God, of course, is portrayed as a sadistic kill-joy who wants to ruin everyone's sex life. If you're a recaltricant atheist who idolizes the ACLU, hates the pledge of allegiance, and thinks that the United States is a "Christian fundamentalist theocracy" on par with Afganistan, then I suppose these books are great for your children. If you're sane, stay away from them."

Ummmm... well, it isjust one point of view.

Radagast The Brown · 02-12-2003, 04:48 PM

I have read from my last post (a month ago?) to now one book... pretty boring, but I had to read it when I started. It called Forbiden magic, I think.

Sicirus · 02-12-2003, 09:44 PM

I am reading a book for school that is pretty good. its called Dust Tracks On A Road By Zora Neale Hurston.

Huan · 02-13-2003, 01:57 AM

Crickhollow, actually I don't see "old Beowulf" when watching TTT, because Peter Jackson's characters are all indesicive and mamby-pamby until they finally come to some big last-minute decision at the very end, which is neither the way of Tolkien nor of Old English poetry. Old Beowulf and Old Theoden (in the book) are just as seize-the-day as they were in their youths. Incidentally, in Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics, Tolkien says he doesn't think Beowulf's dragon is a particularly successful one, in terms of communicating how awesome (in the true sense of the word) a dragon should be. This once, I disagree with the Professor.

cassiopeia · 02-13-2003, 03:52 AM

I finished Beowulf! I really liked it. I was surprised I actually got through it, because I had never read that type of work before. I enjoyed reading the small things which Tolkien borrowed for his works as well. I still haven't got Dune yet, still waiting for the library to get it in....

Sicirus · 02-13-2003, 07:10 AM

i've never heard of the book by Tolkien called Beowulf. IS it good?

Cirdan · 02-13-2003, 09:29 AM

Beowolf is not by Tolkien. It is an old English tale. The language is a bit archaic but it is iteresting to see how some of it inspired Tolkien.

***Khamûl*** · 02-14-2003, 12:23 AM

Isn't there going to be a new found Tolkien translation of Beowulf coming out sometime? That's the version I'm going to buy.

I'm still working on The Art of War, btw.

Cirdan · 02-14-2003, 12:31 AM

Yep. Someone found at Oxford while researching Tolkien (like digging for treasure).

Huan · 02-14-2003, 01:19 AM

Is this true!!!???? Oh my god!!! Oh it will be so good. I spent a semester translating Beowulf from the Old English, and if this is true, I just can't wait to see how Tolkien put all those "faithful" translators to utter shame. He's one of the only medieval translators I've read who attempt to preserve the original English words when they are words we're still using, rather than resort to fancy Latin-derived words "modern" readers will supposedly understand better.

Celandine · 02-19-2003, 02:19 AM

i am reading 'Island of the Blue Dolphins' by Scott O'Dell

02-09-2003, 03:16 AM	#581
BeardofPants the Shrike Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Francisco, CA <3 Posts: 10,647	Changed my mind... I'm reading Northern Lights by Philip Pullman instead. Very readable. Been reading it all day, and I'm almost finished! Been a while since I devoured a book like that. __________________ "Binary solo! 0000001! 00000011! 0000001! 00000011!" ~ The Humans are Dead, Flight of the Conchords

02-09-2003, 06:36 PM	#582
crickhollow The Buckleberry Fairy/Captain Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Washington State again (I miss Texas). Posts: 1,345	War in Heaven Huan--the when you watch the TT, do you see Theoden as a sort of "old Beowulf", seeking death and glory? __________________ A day will come at last when I Shall take the hidden paths that run West of the Moon, East of the Sun.

02-10-2003, 01:36 AM	#587
Cirdan Elf Lord of the Grey Havens Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: somewhere else Posts: 2,381	It may be worse than that since it was the Spanish language edition listed on Amazon. What is the publish date? It looked to be 2002 but that could be just that version. Finished UT, BTW. __________________ There exists a limit to the force even ther most powerful may apply without destroying themselves. Judging this limit is the true artistry of government. Misuse of power is the fatal sin. The law cannot be a tool of vengance, never a hostage, nor a fortification against the martyrs it has created. You cannot threaten any individual and escape the consequences. -Muad'dib on Law The Stilgar Commentary

02-12-2003, 02:29 PM	#588
billiam Sapling Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: In a hole in the ground... Posts: 7	The Breaking of Northwall - Paul O. Williams This is the first book (of 7) in The Pelbar Cycle __________________ "Where there's life there's hope - and need of vittles!" - the Gaffer

02-12-2003, 04:48 PM	#591
Radagast The Brown Elf Lord Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Israel Posts: 6,975	I have read from my last post (a month ago?) to now one book... pretty boring, but I had to read it when I started. It called Forbiden magic, I think. __________________ Lalala... poof! AboutNewJersey.com - New Jersey Travel and Tourism Guide

02-12-2003, 09:44 PM	#592
Sicirus Elf Lord Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Down the road on your left...No your other left. Posts: 1,825	I am reading a book for school that is pretty good. its called Dust Tracks On A Road By Zora Neale Hurston. __________________ "I know less then half of you half as well as I should like. And I like less then half of you half as well as you deserve." Bilbo Baggins

02-13-2003, 01:57 AM	#593
Huan Elven Warrior Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Oxford, MS Posts: 274	Crickhollow, actually I don't see "old Beowulf" when watching TTT, because Peter Jackson's characters are all indesicive and mamby-pamby until they finally come to some big last-minute decision at the very end, which is neither the way of Tolkien nor of Old English poetry. Old Beowulf and Old Theoden (in the book) are just as seize-the-day as they were in their youths. Incidentally, in Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics, Tolkien says he doesn't think Beowulf's dragon is a particularly successful one, in terms of communicating how awesome (in the true sense of the word) a dragon should be. This once, I disagree with the Professor. Last edited by Huan : 02-13-2003 at 01:58 AM.

02-13-2003, 03:52 AM	#594
cassiopeia Viggoholic Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Australia Posts: 1,749	I finished Beowulf! I really liked it. I was surprised I actually got through it, because I had never read that type of work before. I enjoyed reading the small things which Tolkien borrowed for his works as well. I still haven't got Dune yet, still waiting for the library to get it in.... __________________ Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is, never try.

02-13-2003, 07:10 AM	#595
Sicirus Elf Lord Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Down the road on your left...No your other left. Posts: 1,825	i've never heard of the book by Tolkien called Beowulf. IS it good? __________________ "I know less then half of you half as well as I should like. And I like less then half of you half as well as you deserve." Bilbo Baggins

02-13-2003, 09:29 AM	#596
Cirdan Elf Lord of the Grey Havens Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: somewhere else Posts: 2,381	Beowolf is not by Tolkien. It is an old English tale. The language is a bit archaic but it is iteresting to see how some of it inspired Tolkien. __________________ There exists a limit to the force even ther most powerful may apply without destroying themselves. Judging this limit is the true artistry of government. Misuse of power is the fatal sin. The law cannot be a tool of vengance, never a hostage, nor a fortification against the martyrs it has created. You cannot threaten any individual and escape the consequences. -Muad'dib on Law The Stilgar Commentary

02-14-2003, 12:23 AM	#597
*Khamûl* Slacker Warrior Admin Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,759	Isn't there going to be a new found Tolkien translation of Beowulf coming out sometime? That's the version I'm going to buy. I'm still working on The Art of War, btw. __________________ "If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you." Gandalf to Pippin Psalm 107:31

02-14-2003, 12:31 AM	#598
Cirdan Elf Lord of the Grey Havens Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: somewhere else Posts: 2,381	Yep. Someone found at Oxford while researching Tolkien (like digging for treasure). __________________ There exists a limit to the force even ther most powerful may apply without destroying themselves. Judging this limit is the true artistry of government. Misuse of power is the fatal sin. The law cannot be a tool of vengance, never a hostage, nor a fortification against the martyrs it has created. You cannot threaten any individual and escape the consequences. -Muad'dib on Law The Stilgar Commentary

02-14-2003, 01:19 AM	#599
Huan Elven Warrior Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Oxford, MS Posts: 274	Is this true!!!???? Oh my god!!! Oh it will be so good. I spent a semester translating Beowulf from the Old English, and if this is true, I just can't wait to see how Tolkien put all those "faithful" translators to utter shame. He's one of the only medieval translators I've read who attempt to preserve the original English words when they are words we're still using, rather than resort to fancy Latin-derived words "modern" readers will supposedly understand better.

02-19-2003, 02:19 AM	#600
Celandine Elven Warrior Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 168	i am reading 'Island of the Blue Dolphins' by Scott O'Dell __________________ If you look in a mirror it surely would crack My mind works like lightning, one brilliant flash and it's gone You can do it a trot, you can do it at a gallop, you can do it at a rate so your heart don't palpatate, just don't be late, do the PUYALLUP and in the morning i'm makin' WAFFLES We're off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of oz. Because, because, because, because, BECAUSE of the wonderful things he does. I am a banana. All around the mulberry bush, the monkey chased the weasel, the monkey thought it was all in fun, POP goes the weasel Do you think Chelsey's smart? Texaco, star of the American Road! You can trust your car with the man who wears the star at the big bright texaco star!! TEXACO FOREVER!!! It's texaco.com http://www.texaco.com/texaco/

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