Isn't it sad that we can't see more and more of Middle earth adventures since Tolkien is dead?I mean,it is not like Star wars,always coming up with new stories or like World of Warcraft,constantly growing and becoming more complex...Too bad Middle earth is a closed book,never to be opened and "upgraded" again...Am I the only one who feels like this?
2007-12-26 10:01:10 · 8 answers · asked by Opera Phantom 5 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
yeah Ali,too bad...Anyway there are some books like unfinished stories and Silmarillion...I recently saw another book about Elves,but I don't know the name...But still,that is not enough for such a big world.
2007-12-26 10:15:00 · update #1
Jen-yeah,you are right about it,I already have a few stories I though of on my own...If Tolkien can't,I can,lol...
2007-12-26 10:17:13 · update #2
of course i've read the book...can you imagine anyone being so fanatic about this without reading the books,lol?
2007-12-26 10:30:51 · update #3
Debbie I do agree with you that LOTR is a closed book,but I think that more could happen in Middle earth itself...And yes,I have read Silmarillion and Hobbit too...
2007-12-26 10:32:39 · update #4
and no problem with long answers,this kind of debate requires long answers,lol...
2007-12-26 10:34:52 · update #5
Tolkien was a true genius that invented whole new world. He had a great knowledge about languages, mythology,history, and with all that plus his writing talent he created his magic.
He was living and writing in some other time, and I believe wasn't so oriented to profit. I am glad that LOTR didn't had same destiny as, for example, Harry Potter. But that is exactly what makes a difference, in the first place.
Tolkien's books can be read over and over again, especially LOTR. So Middle earth can't be closed, if you are a true fan.
LOTR is telling us ancient story about fight between good and evil, and even when the night seems darkest, good prevails. Today, more than ever, we can identify with that story, but we also can believe in Tolkien's ending.
When I think about your question now, I wish that many other writers lived longer, but that never comes to my mind.
I am just happy to be able to enjoy in their masterpieces, in this life time.
There are many books about Tolkien, or writers that were influenced by his work. Search among literature with similar content, but don't forget - you don't look for Tolkien, it's impossible.
2007-12-26 19:56:57 · answer #1 · answered by Jelena L. 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I can understand why anyone would want more Tolkien. He is definitely my favorite author, and Middle-Earth is one of my favorite places to be. If you have read the books, hooray!
Good for you. If you have only seen the movie trilogy, this
will be a bit hard to explain.
Middle-Earth is a "closed book" because of the story itself. The author wrote with an amazing amount of depth, and the plot is so complicated that a simple summary is nigh impossible. Assuming that you have seen only the movies, let me assure you that they cover less than half of the book's content. J.R.R. Tolkien started a world, as many have. But unlike most, he finished it, too.
Allow me to elaborate.
Stories like Star Wars or the World of Warcraft are practically designed for expansion. They are simple and basic enough that people can grab on anywhere and create a story of their own. In contrast, The Lord of the Rings is a totally finished work. I mean that there is simply no room for the type of "growth" as in most popular fantasy/sci-fi. Tolkien left no room for story possibilities in his plot. Therefore, fan additions are limited to weak imitations.
If it helps, Tolkien wrote two prequels to The Lord of the Rings: the Hobbit and the Silmarillion. The Hobbit was written before any, and deals with Bilbo's adventures. This is really a child's book ; lighthearted and a bit foolish compared to the other two writings.
The Silmarillion is entirely an Elven history of Middle-Earth, for those with an interest in the Fair Folk and a taste for lengthy sentences. Pretty heavy going, but interesting overall.
Sorry for such a long answer! I hope you find it useful. I've met
this question before and thought about it a bit. The Lord of the Rings is a literary rarity in its completeness, overwhelming in its intelligence and, so far, almost incomparable. Frank Herbert's Dune comes close but not quite enough. Tolkien's
book is meant to be enjoyed for what it is, free of "upgrades".
In a way this is sad, but life is like that.
2007-12-26 18:30:01 · answer #2 · answered by Elly 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I remember when I was in college and we heard that Tolkien had died. We were so bummed out, that there would never be any more books. Then one of the guys remembered "But now we can get the Silmarillion!" You see, Tolkien had said he would continue working on it until he died. It was not much consolation, though. That was the one fantasy series that became real to me. And now that the movie series is over, we just have to appreciate what we have.
2007-12-26 19:21:35 · answer #3 · answered by Snow Globe 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but the fact that we can't and it's sad is linked to the greatness of the books. Generally, the greater the author, the farther later imitations and attempts to carry on his work fall short. To my knowledge, for example, no one has tried to write more about Hardy's Wessex or Faulkner's Yoknapatawpha County. As for Shakespeare, John Fletcher wrote a sequel to The Tamingof the Shrew, The Tamer Tamed, about 1611 ( while Shakespeare was still living). Delightful as the idea of seeing Petruchio get his may be, Fletcher's play falls pretty flat in comparison with Shakespeare's. So those of us who lament that there is no more Tolkien will just have to do what lovers of Jane Austren do and read the same books over and over. (But aren't you doing that already? : ))
2007-12-26 18:24:31 · answer #4 · answered by aida 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's sad in a way, but in another way, the limited number of stories that we have is one thing that makes the ones we know so precious and valuable. Tolkien had true genious and talent in storytelling, and as such, we'll have only what he was able to set to paper during his lifetime to remember that by. Instead of letting yourself be sad for the stories he wasn't able to write in his lifetime, be thankful for the beautiful stories he has left for us. Read, re-read them and enjoy, and you can always use your imagination to fill in more of the adventures of middle earth!
2007-12-26 18:15:59 · answer #5 · answered by JenV 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I totally agree with you, Tolkien created sucha big and great world, I meen all the mythology, He made various cultures and religions, Tribes and races. Its so sad we won´t be able to read more about his great world....
2007-12-26 18:09:48 · answer #6 · answered by Alli 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
yeah it is really sad... :(
I love the trilogy and the hobbit
but he did write other middle earth books did'nt he?
I wish it could grow more though.
2007-12-26 18:07:53 · answer #7 · answered by Kim H 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
yes it is sad specialy if ur a fantasy lover ^_^ //////////
2007-12-26 18:42:44 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋