18 Comments
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Randall O. Watkins's avatar

The power of story, as described by Tolkien, is why I write. It motivates me to create new worlds in the hopes of ultimately pulling people into the overarching story of all things, the grand story God has written - the story of Jesus!

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Iona Olive's avatar

I also think about how hearing some of the deep lore from Gandalf transformed Pippin on his journey to Gondor. How when he met Denethor he really started to feel the weight of his participation and take responsibility for it (just getting back to that now rereading ROTK).

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Iona Olive's avatar

Ahhh I just reread Two Towers and exactly this! Such a touching moment.

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Filipa N. Frei's avatar

i love that part from the two towers so, so much. thank you so much, this post made my day. <3

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Kris Hultner's avatar

Say, in the readthrough of the Silmarillion, the 24 chapters thing is for the Quenta Silmarillion, the main story, but the book includes four other stories. Will the read through include those?

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Breanne Rodgers's avatar

The read-through will include everything in the published book of The Silmarillion.

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Andy Minshew's avatar

This is a beautiful passage/reflection and way of looking at it. Being autistic, I often look to characters in stories to understand/process what I'm going through. It's weirdly comforting that characters in LOTR often do the same, with stories in their own mythology they can look to for guidance.

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Kris Hultner's avatar

Same about an autistic looking to characters in stories to understand/process what's happening.

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Glenn's avatar

That’s a good passage. Two Towers is my favorite book in the trilogy.

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Breanne Rodgers's avatar

It’s such a good one!

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Sandra Gail Lambert's avatar

Your post has given me both solace and courage in this time of dread. Thank you.

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Breanne Rodgers's avatar

I’m so glad it found you when you needed it. ❤️

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Daneil Papas's avatar

Why does Sam always sound so much wiser though he's younger than Frodo. Lol I absolutely love their dialogue. I can imagine a conversation really happening like that in real life!

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Breanne Rodgers's avatar

I think they’re both wise in different ways. I love the dynamic they have together.

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Matthew Monger's avatar

Thanks for a great post! This part of the book has always been in of my favorites for exactly this reason. It really is fascinating how Tolkien weaves the meta-reflection on the value of stories into his story.

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Breanne Rodgers's avatar

Yes, I love that aspect of his work!

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Serra's avatar

I wasn't planning on crying this early in the day, but here we are... (good tears!)

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Breanne Rodgers's avatar

I'm happy to know this post could meet you where it needed to today. Tolkien's works often bring out the good tears for me too!

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