Epic Tolkien Bookclub: Week One

[sigridhr]

 *smashes a bottle of champagne over the post* And we're off!

Epic Tolkien Bookclub: Week One (The Hobbit)
Chapter I: An Unexpected Party
Chapter II: Roast Mutton

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 a barefoot gauntlet walk across a set of lego pieces. 
  
• 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 nerdy. Or too excited. 
• 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 11th January 2013 to Friday 18th January 2013. However, the post will remain open after that point, so you're more than welcome to continue discussions on. 

(I'm cheating a bit, as it's not quite the 11th here yet, but I want to get this up before I go to work tomorrow, and 6am posting is just asking for disaster). Have at it, guys! :) 

Comments

[sigridhr]

Elrond has such a laundry list of suffering, it's not even funny.

His uncles are left in the forest to die. His father turns into a star, his mother turns into a bird. He's raised by Maedhros and Maglor, who, respectively, toss themselves into a chasm and go wandering on a beach forever. He makes friends with Gil-Galad.

Gil-Galad dies.
His brother choses to become human.
His brother dies.

He gets married, has three kids, one of them also choses to die.
And his wife gets tortured and (possibly) raped by orcs and sails west.
His sons may or may not also chose to die.

It's a miracle Elrond didn't chose to die.

[anki_koda]

I guess that's what makes him so wise. I mean, with all the suffering you have three choices going mad, die or try and learn and help others. It is quite interesting actually how Elrond was always there trying to help or do something about it.

[sigridhr]

I sort of love everyone in these books, but I love Elrond more. So. Much. Love.

I like how he's described as 'kind as summer', even after all that. You're right – he took the shit life flung at him and made everything better for the people around him. And he's the most welcoming of all the elves we see – he'll pretty much let anyone stay over, and he fosters generations of Dúnedain kids.

[anki_koda]

I have this image of kid!Aragorn watching the Dwarves and Bilbo arrived and suddenly splash! they are covered in water, the Elves laugh and Elrond is just glaring at that spot when he knows Sragorn is hidding with the twins.

I just..I don't know... :) It makes me happy think about it

[anki_koda]

You know? I also find it interesting how much he appreciates Bilbo. I mean, Bilbo seems to be free to do as he like in his house and Elrond seems please by these.

[sigridhr]

Well, Bilbo did prove himself quite the BAMF. I'd show some respect to anyone who laughed at a live dragon and lived to talk about it. :P

[anki_koda]

Can you imagine him arriving to the land of the Valinor and looking around all 'oh, this is pretty'. and going on like totally normal and Elrond, Galadriel and Gandalf smiling behind him.