The thing about my blog is that I'm so random it's not funny. I won't get into my personal life, since it's
not interesting… to anyone… except to say that you need to watch your books. That's right.
Watch your books. I'm doing some
house excavating since I'm trying to sell the old place and I've found books
that I thought were perfectly fine, except for a little age smell to them. Well, a word to the wise here, a book that
smells aged is only so much paper getting set to be recycled. Anything with mold or mildew won't make it in
a throwaway world.
We're not talking about classics, just some children's books that sat
too long in occasional humidity and sunlight.
How was I supposed to know that was a… okay, really, I didn't know they
were just sitting there like that, anyway.
Most of the books put away were in boxes and they were just fine… I
think. So… where I was going with this
is, when you store books away use dry containers, dry locations, maybe - I'm
going to experiment with a bacterial type of spray when I have to box most of
mine up… since I imagine they'll sit for a time before going on shelves. I'll likely use plastic tubs rather than
cardboard, or plastic bag liners… I'll have to find the best storage method
before I do. I already have books that
are in cautious condition but only for their age, nothing to do with mold or
mildew.
So, let's get to the real reason for this blog… books that have
inspired me in the past.
And this is a great time to bring up a book I've avoided because no one
has ever forgotten it. The Hobbit. Yes, it's a classic and most people have read
it a few times and seen versions of it animated, but it is now coming to the
big screen from the man who brought The Lord of the Rings trilogy to life,
Peter Jackson.
The Hobbit. It's the story of
young Bilbo Baggins and his adventure with the dwarves. The wizard Gandalf includes him as a final
lucky number to their group. We all know
how the story goes… if any of you don't I suggest reading the book. It is fun.
I have nothing against the Lord of the Rings movies, I love them, I'm
actually watching it(read - have it on in the background) as I'm writing
this. Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli, have
just entered the underground passage to meet the ghosts…
I used to read the four books… I include The Hobbit as a prequel and a
part of the set… every year. As my
library expanded I read them less often.
As my writing increased I barely read them at all. And then the movies came out and I have all
three in extended versions and I watch them again and again, more often than I
read the books. Of course that made me lazy about the books and I tended to
enjoy the movies.
Then, one day, when I had a job where I drove to work, I listened to
the undiluted CDs of The Lord of the Rings. It was
interesting to hear the difference.
There were parts where I wouldn't have recognized the movie was based on
the book at all. Even with an extended
version of the movie, Peter Jackson had to pare down the story… shorten
it. Then, since he wasn't making a
literary work, he had to add extra moments of drama and - what was missing from
the books - romance.
What? Didn't the books have
romance, you say. Well, not
exactly. Mr. Tolkien was a British
gentleman, but, while I do believe there was romance of a type in his mind, he
was all about the fellowship of the men.
His experience in life, with war and with teaching, was one of
fellowship… look at the Inklings… though they had females among them, it was a
fellowship of writers. Fellowships
aren't about romance, except in a pure sense, at least there was no sex but a
platonic relationship between fellows.
Obviously, by the title of the first book, we should realize the
direction Mr. Tolkien is going. Also,
keep in mind that a British idea of fellowship can be a bit different than an
American (United States) version of fellowship, in a general way. His story is about a group of men who come
together for a specific purpose, the disposition of a Ring, and grow close
through trials and tribulations. Even
the four hobbits grow through it all.
There is a great deal more depth in the books than in the movie, but a
great deal less romance. The elven
princess does not find the hapless ranger nurturing a wounded Frodo and make a
heroic stand at the river against the black riders. One version stands as a book and the other as
a movie. However, a princess of the
Rohirrim does take a hobbit into battle under her cloak. Mr. Tolkien was not against females, but his
story dealt with war and death and dying and I believe he wished to keep most
women free of that, at least in an idealized way.
Why have I written a (tiny) critique of The Lord of the Rings movie vs.
books? Well, it's because The Hobbit is
a similar story. There are no female
dwarves in the party. There is no
romantic lead in the book. Again, it's a
story of a fellowship, and it brings about the growth and education of one
hobbit… after all, he's the star of the show.
What Mr. Jackson and his team do with the story is yet to be seen, but
I anticipate the viewing of it. I'm
certain, simply from trailers and his previous work that it will be
enjoyable. I will wait to get all three
extended versions… I must.
Oh, right, yes, The Hobbit inspired me in both my reading and writing.
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