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Thursday, November 8, 2012

In a hole in the ground. . .

Today I finished a journey to Middle Earth and back. It was an adventure with my new friend Bilbo Baggins, a little hobbit who I happen to have a lot in common with. Well, in some ways anyway--the most important ways. We both love comfort; I think I can prove my half-hobbit-ness in a strong desire for round doors in the sides of hills. . .it may be a bit of a stoop, but I can just see myself sitting at Bilbo's table, or maybe inviting him to mine; sharing a cup of coffee, (Bilbo and I both understand the power of the caffeinated, aromatic stuff. pure comfort. i like this guy.) gazing out the window at the blue sky, curly-mopped hobbit children running to and fro (I've decided to adopt one,) and Bilbo's flower garden. We'd chat while munching cakes and tarts, emptying our mugs and re-filling them with tea--then more coffee afterward. More chatting and then more cakes or whatever we fancied. Because I am authentic hobbit in my eating habits.


On second thought, I must have some dwarf, several ounces, undoubtedly, in my linage. That's where the hotheadedness, grit, and courage come from. (ahem) Well, at least it explains why Bilbo calls, "watch your head!" when I come through his door. Because, with all my lack-of-height, Bilbo only comes to my elbow. Anyhow, I'm not at all like my friend in timidness--fine, I'm not as brave as most dwarves, and I'd DIE before taking on a swarm of giant spiders. . .but I do love adventure. And I can be very stubborn. But then, so can Bilbo.

He has his faults, of course. But the stuck-in-his-ways, selfish, sometimes cranky, chronic worrying and complaining, bumbling and bustling parts of him are what make Bilbo most endearing. Because under all the fuss, as we soon found out, there is a hobbit who will never abandon his friends, who thrives on peace and beauty, is resourceful, kind-hearted, and ultimately an excellent burglar.

So yeah. I finished The Hobbit. And I loved it with more than words can express. Somehow Middle Earth, on my short trip there, is more real to me even than Narnia. Narnia is the imagination, a bit like Neverland--but Middle Earth is REAL. Full of real people, real places, and real events. JRR Tolkien sweeps you into his mind and the hearts of his characters through a simple sort of imagery--every bend in the road, the smallest pebble--all described as if he were really there--saw the multitude, heard the clash of weapons in the Battle of Five Armies, flew above the earth in an eagle's talons, smelled the dragons breath, touched the boundless treasure trove in the root of the mountain. It's all written in such a human, simplistic way--the talent of a true genius, who, like CS Lewis, understood people and how they feel.


I was heartbroken when [spoiler!] Thorin, Kili, and Fili died. It's almost funny. . .I'm sitting there, holding my book, thinking, "this is a fantasy novel. . .and, and I'm choked up over DWARVES?" Which, btw, Richard Armitage is the perfect, perfect, PERFECT choice for Thorin. It's been difficult bringing the regal Mr. Thornton down to a dwarves level, but as I read, the more and more I loved the picture. Stern, pomp-ish bearing, dark eyes. He's going to be awesome. So is Martin Freeman as my beloved Bilbo. I truly can't imagine him any other way--it's like he's jumped right from the pages of the book. You have to love it when the imagining is done for you--that is, when the "look" is right. Ala, Martin Freeman.

After a recent discussion I've decided Kili and Fili just shouldn't be attractive; Bilbo says he never thought they were, but, well, you have to expect that sort of thing from Hollywood. (otherwise, he's pleased with the looks of the movie.) Though we seriously believe the charm of the dwarves lie in their capes; colorful hoods and all. Bilbo is considering writing to Peter Jackson and complaining, but I advised him against it. Also, we can't quite come to terms on the goblins--to me they resemble miniature Gollums (Bilbo thinks I should get my eyes checked.)

Roads go ever ever on,
Over rock and under tree,
By caves where never sun has shone,
By streams that never find the sea;
Over snow by winter sown,
And through the merry flowers of June,
Over grass and over stone,
And under mountains in the moon.

Roads go ever ever on
Under cloud and under star,
Yet feet that wandering have gone
Turn at last to home afar.
Eyes that fire and sword have seen
And horror in the halls of stone
Look at last on meadows green
And trees and hills they long have known.

The Hobbit: beautifully written, edge-of-seat adventure, fantastic characters, good lessons = 10 star rating. 

"You are a very fine person, Mr Baggins, and I am very fond of you; but you are only quite a little fellow in a wide world after all!" 

9 comments:

  1. Going through The Hobbit myself at the moment. Very whimsical...love the writing style!

    Sooooo are you going to see the Hobbit? I know my brother wants to see it with a friend and I'll be tagging along. Martin Freeman, HELLO. PERFECT Bilbo. And Benedict Cumberbatch. And Richard Armitage. And the chance to see my beloveded Gollum again. DT almost made it into this...then my life would have been complete. Sigh. Anyway. A great cast...good story...and no Frodo! I have a feeling this is going to be a great movie. ;) Hehehehe.

    Oh, and thinking of you...some of the kids' friends are spending the weekend and we're watching the trilogy tonight and tomorrow night.

    And you ARE a hobbit. That's the boys' nicknames for you and Anna. So they'll randomly be like, "Have you heard from the hobbits lately?" Just thought you'd enjoy knowing that. ;)

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    1. Gahhhhh. . .do they really? That's just hilarious. I knew I approved of those boys. They have taste. B) Fantasy and hobbits and LOTR's forever! Amen and amen.

      I already answered your question via email. So I won't divulge again. ^_^ But yeah, Martin Freeman IS Bilbo. I picked up the cutest, most colorful, adorable book yesterday (didn't have enough cash to buy it, :sniffle:) about the movie and just hobbits and dwarves in general. The forward was by Martin Freeman himself--and he said people have been telling him to play Bilbo for years. . .and he wonders if it's because he has a strange looking face or something or other. ^_^ Anyway, it made me smile largely.

      Oh, and hate to break it to you, but Frodo makes a cameo appearance. :smug:

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    2. Gahhhhh, I know. Nick told me. AGONY. :-P

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  2. Oh, you are so right! Narnia is the imagination, but Middle Earth is real. That's why I love it. And I can't wait to see Martin Freeman and Richard Armitage as Bilbo and Thorin. It should be great.

    I'd disagree with Bilbo about Kili and Fili, though. We have to have something to make up for the fact that Aragorn's not in it, right? Me, at least.

    I'm listening to sneak peaks (sneak sounds, maybe? Anyways) of the soundtrack right now. Wonderful. Hobbity. Dwarvy. And Middle-Earthy. :D

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    1. OOh, where are you finding sneak sounds? o.O The LOtR's soundtrack is on of my favorites; is it similar at all?

      Btw, after further consultation, Bilbo and I have both decided that Kili and Fili are fine. Very fine. B) So scratch any doubt in that department.

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    2. The Hobbit soundtrack is very like the LotR's, but it's more hobbity. Also less elf music and more dwarvish.

      If you go to Youtube and search 'ElyathProductions The Hobbit Soundtrack' it should come up. I heard from one girl in the US that she can't get it, but it works here in Canada, so...

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  3. Ah, you read it at last! The Hobbit is absolutely one of the *best* books I've ever read. It's one of those that can be read again and again and again (and yet again!).

    I agree with you wholeheartedly: Richard Armitage and Martin Freeman were *perfectly* cast.

    I don't think I've ever been as excited to see any film (EVER!) as I am to see The Hobbit. I would LOVE go to the midnight premiere of it, if possible. (And I am one who would usually rather wait to get the DVD and watch it in the comfort of my own room.)

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  4. The Hobbit is one of the best! I loved what you said about Middle Earth being real, compared to Narnia being imaginative. I've never before been able to quite put my finger on the difference between between my love for them. I am so excited for the movie! I think it is perfectly cast! We have tickets to the midnight premiere. :)

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  5. Ohhhh... I so enjoyed reading The Hobbit. I cannot wait to watch the movie and relive the adventure. LOVED your review of the book! :-) I know my love of food resembles that of a Hobbit, though I'm far too tall to claim any lineage with their fine kind.

    Oh yes, Richard Armitage will be perfection in the role of Thorin... and I was so impressed by how amazingly Martin Freeman fit the role of Bilbo (as I pictured him in my mind!).

    All this to say... I am waiting in breathless anticipation for this film to come out in theaters!

    Much love in Christ,
    Rachel

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