I first read The Lord of the Rings as a high school freshman. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't entirely compelling reading. (By the way, I read the trilogy before reading The Hobbit and I'm not entirely convinced anything is lost by doing so.) I re-read the books after seeing the first film and found the reading much more enjoyable.

As for Dickens, I have tried to read A Tale of Two Cities several times (I think the opening sentence/paragraph is one of the best ever written in English literature) but just can't seem to stay with him. Odd, since I really enjoy reading Dumas. Come to think of it, I just may try again.

Oh, yes! Both LOTR films are great. I'm looking forward to Return of the King.

I also recommend watching the extended version of The Fellowship of the Ring on DVD.

Paul- On Dickens, That is exactly my opinion
I could have said about Dickens exactly what
you said and it would be absolutely true for
me. Maybe I should try again too.

The extended version has some nice additions
I really like the bit with the elves going to
Gray Havens to depart to Valinor, though that
is probably the smallest addition in the
extension.

I think Andy Serkis played Gollum!

Yes, the hobbit is actually in the works, because as you know the Lord of the Rings has already been shot in full. I am really awaiting a certain scene in the third, but I won't spoil it for those of you who don't know Frodo is impaled by an orc!!!!!!!!!!Just kidding . By the way the ints were GREAT.

Jakks

I really liked it too, especially the battle at Helm's deep.

From the information I have heard there is at present no plans to film the Hobbit, at least until the third film is in the can.
With the success of the first two films it is inevitable that the Hobbit will of course make its way to film but that is probably four to five years from now.

IceRaven,
If you visit NZ drop us a line, we don't get too many visitors down this part of the world!!

PS I live about 20mins from "Hobbiton" (Matamata) and just recently spent a working holiday in Queenstown where lots of the lakey mountainy scenes were shot. Just thought you would like to know

An extraordinary film. It will receive more Oscars than any other this year.

I rebuke those who prefer the movies over the book!!!!!!

the movie was amazing though im rereading return of the king now!

The books were great, but not everyone apprecieates his writing style. IT is a little different, and not everyone loves it. BUt the movies are easy for everyone to be amazed at. THey are colorful, accurate presentations of the already great books. I'm just starting Return of the King for fun. That's the third book to add to my current reading list, I don't even know if I will finish it before next Christmas, but I'll try.

It always makes me wonder really. No matter how 'great' or 'poor' a writer is from a 'professional' point of view it makes no difference to the enjoyment that thousands of people get from the book. I Think it just goes to show that writing is an art, and like most art cannot be defined by a set of rules.

THIS WAS MY FAVORITE OF ALL OF THEM....