Holts Reads The Hobbit!

[Prof. Rachel Selenia]

The big event of the year is coming closer and closer. The movie premiere of "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" has already taken place in New Zealand, but the rest of the world will have to wait until December 12, 13, 14 or even longer.

Now, there wouldn't be a Hobbit movie if it weren't for the Hobbit book. I guess that many of you have already read "The Hobbit", the pre-story of "The Lord of the Rings". Nevertheless, I hope you will join in this activity!

Over the next few months, we will read "The Hobbit" together here in the HOL Tolkien Society. Starting on December 12th, we will be reading one chapter in approximately 1.5 weeks (to allow for busy RL schedules), and during that time I will post some discussion topics or questions about the current chapter. Everyone who replies will receive 10 silmarils (for each chapter/post).

So go grab your copy of "The Hobbit" - or go get a copy if you don't already have one - and get ready for a fun reading experience together!

[Chantel Poole]

Love this idea! I've been meaning to re-read it

[Prof. Rachel Selenia]

I hope everyone's got their books ready, because now we're off!

Over the next week and a half (approximately) we will read the first chapter of The Hobbit. During this time I will post some questions or discussion topics. Everyone is then allowed to join the discussion! Every post/reply will be awarded with 10 silmarils.

In case you join us later during the activity, of course you are allowed to reply to earlier discussion topics as well while you are reading each respective chapter!

Okay then, let the fun begin!

[Prof. Rachel Selenia]

I trust you've all read the first chapter of The Hobbit? Let's see then if I can come up with something to discuss about it...

Well, to start off with... I have a question about the title of the chapter. In English it is called "An Unexpected Party". I take it as a fun play with words, since I believe "party" could mean both "a group of people" and "a feast/dinner/celebration". Now, I don't have my Swedish translation with me, but I think at least the old translation uses the "group of people" meaning. In a way I think this is the sad thing about translations - that certain things are lost in translation, so as to speak... What about you? Do you read the book in another language than English? If so, what is the title of this chapter? Any thoughts? And if you read in English, do you have any thoughts or reflections on this? Or am I the only one to focus on such small things as the use of one small word?

Next: this book has always been a children's book. Do you feel that it is a children's book when you read it? In what ways/in what ways not? Would it still be considered a children's book today, considering the language used in the book.

What is your opinion of Bilbo so far?
What is your opinion of Gandalf so far?
What is your opinion of the dwarves so far?


And now, off to read the next chapter!

Remember to join the discussion here, each post is worth 10 Silmarils!