A blog for fans of J.R.R. Tolkien, from complete beginners to avid enthusiasts, exploring the author's imaginary world, influential writing and cinematic adaptations.
The following is a guest post written by Kayla Robbins.
Are you looking for a unique vacation destination for your next trip? Why not stop by Middle-earth? It may sound too good to be true, but there are actually several places throughout New Zealand that were featured prominently in the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films that are now open to tourists. Continue reading “5 Great Places in Middle-earth You Can Actually Visit”
I’m chuffed by the eager response asking me to post the paper I presented at this year’s Oxonmoot. Well, here it is in full (with a few additional notes) for your enjoyment, if such be its fate. Continue reading ““The Shadows Where the Mewlips [really] dwell” – Mapping the road to Mordor?”
It’s finally done! It took me over 2.5 years to complete this review of The Fellowship of the Ring. Well, I say “review” but in truth, it’s more of an analysis and an appreciation of the film.
Here’s hoping the next series of posts on The Two Towers and The Return of the King won’t take as long (yes, I said the same thing when I posted Part II of this review 7 months ago.)
I love Tolkien-related questionnaires. They’re always so difficult to respond and to pinpoint a specific character of text to like; but they’re fun and a great way to learn about yourself and your love for Middle-earth.
So, in honour of the second day of Tolkien Week, here’s a nice little set of questions put forward by fellow blogger, Hamlette on her blog.
I’ve been waiting for you to join in my festivities on this blog for over two weeks now! 😉
It’s 22 September and that means two things: Birthdays and Celebrations.
That’s right. If you’re in the loop of who’s who in Middle-earth, then you may or may not know that both Bilbo and Frodo Baggins celebrate their birthday today.
In honour of these two milestones in Middle-earth history, fans worldwide get to celebrate Hobbit Day (and Tolkien Week) in any way possible that demonstrates our love for the fandom. Continue reading “Happy Hobbit Day!”
If you have seen the films, you probably didn’t notice them. But if you’ve read The Lord of the Rings, you most probably remember them clearly. You’ve asked questions, but never got to any revealing answers.
It is ironic how, with all the appendices, letters and thousands of pages on Middle-earth’s history and detail, there are so many mysteries left unraveled by Tolkien.
Case in point are the Silent Watchers guarding the entrance to the tower of Cirith Ungol. Continue reading “What were the Silent Watchers?”
This is somewhat a Tolkien paper I had written a while back, with the expressed intention to publish it one day. When that day never seemed to arrive, I thought it would be suitable to post an edited version on this blog.
The following, although much abbreviated from the original, is still pretty long. So proceed with caution but, as always, please enjoy 🙂
It’s taken me some time to get around doing this, but finally the time has come.
Behold the questionnaire created by Myla Malinalda (from Middle-earth News) in which Tolkien fans need to do some serious self-examination about what it the Middle-earth stories really mean to us.
The questionnaire was originally designed for The Lord of the Rings; but can easily be adapted also for The Hobbit.
It’s tough to answer a single question in short; but it’s fun and enlightening, not just to others, but to yourself as well.
Go on, treat yourself! Get busy tackling these questions now 🙂
In the meantime, here are mine … (Part II to follow) Continue reading “Tolkien-themed Questionnaire: Answers! (PART I)”
Ranking all things Middle-earthWelcome to another installment of the Gaffer’s Elite. Last week we outlined the top cinematic battles from Middle-earth. This time, we’ll be looking at the songs.
I have had to limit myself by listing only appropriately termed songs. As much as they are beautiful, no melodies featured as background music in the films have been named – perhaps for another post …
These are songs specifically characterised by being vocal compositions sung by a character or an ensemble during the films.
Now if only they’d recorded the Elves singing “O Tra la la lally…”
**Updated: Includes Éowyn’s Lament. Big thumbs up to Denzel Caragos for jogging my memory!**
Having posted Part I and Part II, here continues the rest of the analysis.
To be honest, I never realized it was going to be so extensive!
Expect a conclusion round about the 5th Part … woohoo 🙂
*** Continue reading “Riddles, Rhymes and Lilies: The Mystery of Tom Bombadil (Part III)”
A Tolkienist's Perspective 