The Fireside

Well, that was an enjoyable Tolkien Week, as well as Hobbit Day. To celebrate, I organized a "Rather Merry Gathering" at the Mill St Ottawa Brewpub on Hobbit Day. I had a few pints of their Portage Ale on draught, and bought their fall mixed pack for take home. I ordered the most hobbit-y item on the menu: the mushroom flatbread. It was great to see everyone, as it's been a few months. I primarily did this, because "The Hobbit" turned 80. If it wasn't a milestone event or To lkien anniversary - well, the pub still may have happened anyway, for Hobbit Day. Then, I began reading "The Annotated Hobbit". Next time I open the book, it'll be onto Chapter 4. Following this, I'll dive into Corey Olsen's "Exploring The Hobbit". I'll check out the podcasts (Tolkien Professor, Mythgard and Signum) sometime after I finish the book. That'll be two books off my reading list! (on my Kobo ereader, for travel and commute, I'm...

A picture is worth a thousand words, as the old saying goes. For as long as there's been Middle-earth books published (beginning in 1937), there have also been quite a few images over the years. Far too many to recount in a single post. However, I wish to acknowledge some as my absolute favourites. Before I do so, I wish to say that I hope I'm not breaching any copyright. I am uploading, or linking, these images and giving the artists their well-deserved due credit. If I don't know the exact official title of a piece, I apologize. I do however know the artists' names. The images, where applicable, come directly off their official sites. THE HOBBIT I am going to showcase these art pieces in order of publication of the texts which have been illustrated on artistic level. First up, is "The Hill: Hobbiton Across the Water" done by none other than Tolkien himself! Depending on the edition of The Hobbit  you own, this could very well be the first piece o...

Today is a very special day. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien turns 80 years old. As monumental as The Lord of the Rings  was for fantasy; those volumes wouldn't have existed if it weren't for The Hobbit . The Lord of the Rings  initially began as a sequel to The Hobbit , but the tale grew in the telling, as Tolkien often said. The Hobbit  somewhat did, as well. It is slightly long - for a children's book. The Hobbit  wasn't planned, or initially part, to be joined with Tolkien's mythology he was devoted most of his life to. It was in The Hobbit  that he dropped hints, breadcrumbs, and planted seeds. These would grow and flourish in The Lord of the Rings  (if you read them back-to-back, you'll see). It was intended to be fire-side reads for his children, as well some other fare, most of which can be found in Tales From the Perilous Realm . Not only did Tolkien write one of the best stories ever, he also gave it life. Tolkien provided artwork, runes, an...

When The Lord of the Rings  60th Anniversary Illustrated Edition came out a few year's back, I noticed how it was essentially an updated version of the Centenary Edition. I thought it would be neat if The Hobbit  and The Silmarillion  also got editions to "match." This post examines how I would like an 80th edition to be presented, and contain with that in mind. Please note, this is all wishful thinking on my part. - transparent slipcase - re-scanned paintings - chalk-white paper (original text?) - unjacketed book: the iconic image of Smaug on the front cover, Gandalf leaving the company at Mirkwood on the back cover - Thror's map as front endpaper [reverse of board] and Map of Wilderland as rear endpaper [reverse of board] - 1/4 bound burgundy ["spine colourization"] - dimensions would match the 60th anniversary of  The Lord of the Rings  illustrated by Alan Lee I think this would make a great edition, and would match quite well the 60th anniversary illu...

Good day all! I'm back. Well, I never left. Things have been busy, so apologies that I have not been posting and writing as much as I wished. Looking for work, domestic life, and enjoying my self (reading, shows, movies and games) has put my blogging onto the back-burner. Let's see what's new...... Let's start with TV. I watched Game of Thrones  Season 7, which is always entertaining. I watch the show to enjoy the spectacle of it. At this point, and looking back, I think it's safe to say that the show and the books have differed greatly ever since the Red Wedding has happened. I'm looking forward to both Season 8, as well as Books 6 and 7, and any other Seven Kingdoms material that Martin publishes. Regardless of when Book 6 is published, I'm going to re-read Books 1-5 anyway. I finished Book 5 sometime in 2012, so it's been awhile. That, and the books and the show are so different, by starting fresh with Book 1 again, it'll be better for my mind. I...

. When The Lord of the Rings  60th Anniversary Illustrated Edition came out out a few years back, I noticed how it was essentially an updated version of the Centenary Edition. I thought it would be neat if The Hobbit  and The Silmarillion  also got editions to 'match' that. This post examines how I would like a 40th (or 50th or beyond) edition to be presented, and contain with that in mind. Please note, this is all wishful thinking on my part. - transparent slipcase - re-scanned paintings - the most recent, and accurate, text setting of  The Silmarillion  [including Tolkien's letter] - chalk-white paper - unjacketed book: the iconic image of Maglor casting a Silmaril into the Sea on the front cover; Beren and Luthien being flown to safety on the back cover.  -  The Realms of the Noldor and the Sindar  map is located on the last integral page. The  Map of Beleriand and the Lands to the North  coloured by H.E. Riddett appearing on both...

Today is a special Tolkien-related day: The Silmrillion  is celebrating its 40th anniversary. As of this writing, there doesn't appear to be any celebratory editions, related publications or events; however, I wished to make note of the occasion. The Silmarillion  is the myths and legends of Middle-earth, and includes the epic history of the elves. It is a book, yes, but not neccessarily a "novel" in the sense that it has a narrative. The books reads more like a historic account, or more akin to mythic fantasy; much like The Bible , and other religious texts. Because of this, it is a slightly more difficult read than The Lord of the Rings , because of this (as well as the fact that it also covers the events from The Lord of the Rings ) it is recommended to read The Silmarillion  after The Lord of the Rings ; including the Appendices and post-story material. Other the years, there have been a few editions of The Silmarillion  (thought not as many as The Hobbit ...