I am a BIG Tolkien fan you know?

　

I cannot remember exactly how old I was when I first read the Hobbit. (I haven't been to see the film, yet.) However, I do know I wasn't very old.

I also know that it moved me on a level I didn't then really understand, but I did know it enough to go on to read every scrap of Tolkien material I could lay my hands on. I lost count, a long time ago, how many times I have read Lord of the Rings. The number of times I have watched the movies is certainly now catching up!

Which is better?

Well, it depends entirely on if you prefer books or movies. If you prefer to use your own imagination, or let someone guide you in your imaginings.

I like both, and the films are certainly classics of our modern age.

However, when literature is of the quality, scope and majesty of that created by J.R.R.Tolkien, well, there is just no substitute for it; at least as far as I am concerend.

I have come across few modern writers who really challenge the man, although that probaly says more about my inadequate education than anything else.

One such writer I do recommend you look out for if you are a Tolkien fan, is a guy called Tim Severin. His "Viking" trilogy reminded me very much of Tolkien's style, and I certainly fell in love with "Thorgils" by page 8 of the first book, "Odinn's Child"!

Tim writes like Tolkien, but for grown ups!

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The whole story of Middle Earth is a sweeping, epic mythology that has so many Universal Themes running through it that personally, I think only a zombie, or a "golem", would fail to be moved by the tale when it is told well.

The obvious messages to me clearly being that even the little folk can make a big difference, that there are many ways of fighting evil, and war, and that when good and wise people pool their resources and put their minds together, great things will happen, if sacrifices are prepared to be made.

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Then, of course there is the subject of "The One Ring."

I found it fascinating to read an interview with Andy Serkis recently, where he talked about using the attitude and character of a steryotypical "Junky" to get in the right mind set for Gollum.

And he couldn't be more right!

I even have spotted one or two look's from the creature that I could have made myself at one time, especially the scene where Sam is trying to explain to Frodo why they must keep going.....

....."...Because there is some good in this world, and it is worth fighting for..." oh the look on Gollums face when he hears that!

And yet.....what is IT that Gollum, Bilbo, Frodo, Boromir, Denathor, Isildur, Saruman and of course SAURON are all either craving for or hoplessly addicted to?

Power of course.

And that for me is the main message of Tolkiens work. That strength in any form, though it can be a force for good in the right hands, is also a corrupting influence that can do great harms.

That, and that ABSOLUTE POWER is ALWAYS EVIL, WHOEVER'S HANDS IT IS IN!

And, like my hero from childhood, Gandalf the Grey, I have chosen "the way of pain."

Love Courage and Strength to you all.

A