“The Shadows Where the Mewlips [really] dwell” – Mapping the road to Mordor?

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.

The entire novel of ‘The Hobbit’ in just 76 verses

Following my last post on discovering the first “fragmented” poem I ever wrote about The Hobbit, some of you kindly requested I put my appalling poetry skills back into use and complete the poem I had started.

That is exactly what I have done.

7 Fantastic Middle-earth Theories

Brilliant, thought-provoking theories that are debunked, unfounded and pretty much confirmed

I’ve decided to tackle 7 theories constructed by readers of Tolkien’s Middle-earth, that are rather extraordinary in concept and make perfect sense (though some can be disproved or contested).

There are many arguments in discussion around the characters and stories of Middle-earth; but I’ve decided to focus on a few which have struck me the most.

Starting from the impossible and busted arguments to the more plausible ones, here we go …

Character Profile: Bard the Bowman

–The race of Men’s own version of Legolas …

Now that The Desolation of Smaug has been released, I can continue discussing the new characters that have become part of the Hobbit story-line – comparing and contrasting them between novel and film.

‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug’ – Review

-Smaug has finally arrived!

As promised, here’s a much detailed review of the second installment in ‘The Hobbit’ Trilogy. Having seen the film three times so far, I’m able to delve into a bit more detail concerning the workings of the film.

‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug’: Quick Review

– A quick “spoiler-free” look …

I’ve just been to a screening of the second film in ‘The Hobbit’ Trilogy …

Yes? And?

‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’ Extended Edition: Review

I know I said I’ll continue posting my ‘The Lord of the Rings’ review, but since that is taking rather longer to complete, I thought I’d write a couple of posts on news that is more pressing and currently ‘hot’.

Dragons vs Wyverns: The Question of Smaug

– No ‘The Hobbit’ spoilers

I love dragons. They’re simply the most fascinating creatures in any mythology or fantasy story – capable of breathing fire and roaming the skies (among other things). Modern-day narratives seem to place these beings on the good side, and whilst still intriguing, I rather  prefer the good-old evil and nasty creatures from European literature.

Character Profile: Thorin

– Proud dwarf King, stubborn warrior, loyal friend … heartthrob 

Finally, after our 12 dwarves, we get to the one character who is actually fleshed out to the full in ‘The Hobbit’; the dwarf who, more so than Gimli, goes through a transformation of character and through whom we are actually introduced to one of the fundamental motifs in the novel – greed.

‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’: A review

– My very long review … (no really, very long)

Perhaps a little late to post this now, but better than never I guess! So here’s my review on the first installment of ‘The Hobbit’ Trilogy, written after copious amounts of repeat viewings and the span of a few months.