I read the Silmarillion several years ago (one of my favorite books ever), and on this LotR reread, I was struck by how interesting it was (for me) to read one small part of something that I now know is much more massive. I didn't experience any lessening of LotR, because it was just like reading a section of interesting, familiar history. But I'm sure that varies from person to person, and I can say that it wasn't as epic as it was, and the language might not impress me as much, but it was definitely like coming back to an old friend. I really enjoyed it - in fact, I'm having trouble not rereading it again right now.
It was like that for me while actually reading LotR post-Sil, but looking back reflectively now produces the feeling that everything truly was bigger and better back in the Elder Days... Arnor collapsed, Gondor is the verge of collapse, and the Elves had largely left - while the few Elves remaining and those Men of Numenor spend all of their time ruminating on that same past. My sentiment now is that everything in Arda is tired and old.
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
12/12/2011 04:25:26 AM
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Thank you for reposting these.
12/12/2011 04:36:06 PM
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Interestingly enough
13/12/2011 12:10:08 AM
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Re: Interestingly enough
13/12/2011 12:42:10 PM
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I think
13/12/2011 01:21:41 PM
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Probably, yes, but still no excuse for allowing the worldbuilding to overpower the story being told.
13/12/2011 04:00:23 PM
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We'll have to disagree.
14/12/2011 12:46:23 AM
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Re-reads after a long period of time can lead to surprising results
13/12/2011 01:02:23 AM
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The speech patterns were intentional, but not meant to be "archaic".
14/12/2011 04:02:55 AM
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Oh, I know that
14/12/2011 08:25:53 AM
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I love the dialogue in LOTR. a more modern voice would be terrible *NM*
15/12/2011 06:09:18 PM
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