Epic Tolkien Bookclub: Week Six

[sigridhr]

  Epic Tolkien Bookclub: Week Six (The Hobbit)
Chapter XI: On the Doorstep
Chapter XII: Inside Information

Rules

I very much doubt we'll require much in the way of formal rules, but just for the sake of formality and clarity:

• Discussion is welcome and encouraged, as is disagreement. Name-calling and personal attacks will be punished by forcing you to live in an AU where Tolkien was never born. 
  
• There is no spoiler policy in place. Although we're reading the Hobbit, please feel free to bring in things from other Tolkien works, any of the films, the History of Middle Earth, the Letters of JRR Tolkien, and, if you should like, other literary sources. 
• There is no such thing as too much geekery. Or taking the text too seriously.  
• If you have any concerns at any point, I'm the closest thing this gong show has to a mod, so feel free to get in touch. I can be reached either by PM through this site, or directly by email at sigridhr.lokidottir@gmail.com. 

Discussion on this post will officially run from Friday 15th February 2013 to Friday 22nd February 2013. However, the post will remain open after that point, so you're more than welcome to continue discussions on.

Comments

[gallifaerie.livejournal.com]

No matter how hard I try, I cannot make the key-hole and the moon-runes prophecy make sense in any kind of logical way, so I have given up trying
IKR, I really can't get my head around the significance of all that. Only that they all seemed to have forgotten what Elrond told them about Durin’s day until the last minute. You think you'd remember the only advice you got about to how to open the secret door when you in fact trying to open said door, but apparently not.

I love how Tolkien won't recount all of Thorin’s lengthy rambling to Bilbo when they finally get the door open. You have to love pompous!Thorin.

Smaug is so sassy though. I love how he's described as having 'rather an overwhelming personality.' I am sincerely looking forward to seeing what Benedict Cumberbatch is going to do with that in the movie.

I love, love, love, that Balin is the only Dwarf who will go into the tunnel with Bilbo
Yes, so much love for Balin! And even when Bilbo is beating himself him for telling Smaug too much about their journey so far, Balin reassures him that it's not his fault. Aww.

[j_quadrifrons]

Yup, nothing about the moon-runes and the door makes sense. It's very fairy-tale-esque; possibly Tolkien felt it was obligatory somehow?

Smaug is the greatest, and I also cannot wait to see what Cumperdink does with it. <3

[sigridhr]

You think you'd remember the only advice you got about to how to open the secret door when you in fact trying to open said door, but apparently not.

Hahahahaha. Bless them, they're such morons.