Okay - so the word is out now due to discussion on others' blogs - I haven't read Lord of the Rings.
I've now finished The Children of Hurin.
SPOILER WARNING - if you haven't finished it yet, don't read on.
I was impressed by the story-telling and language. However, I was pretty disappointed with the ending. Long story short, everyone lives horrible lives and then dies. It was an intricately woven bit of literature, just not too cheery.
A curse is placed upon all of Hurin's kin and the story follows how this curse plays out. I'm glad Morgoth isn't a real life threat, although it chillingly reminded me of the One who is pure evil.
And when I say that everyone dies, I mean EVERYONE. Any character we get to know or like is a goner through various means. Hurin's daughter flings herself to her death while pregnant, his son is slain by an evil sword of his own will, Hurin's wife dies at the kids' burial site, then Hurin himself dies there too.
As an introduction to Tolkien, I may have chosen the wrong book. I was, however, advised to try reading The Hobbit, so I went to my local Christian book store and picked it up. I'm a sucker for hardback books and was so excited to find my choice there.
So my new reading adventure begins today. I'm sure it'll be fantastic and I already know that the main character makes it through the end alive because LOTR has Bilbo in it and it's a later date chronologically.
My daughter is knee deep into Harry Potter. She's now reading Chamber of Secrets and doing very well. I've come up with a new incentive. She's getting paid a penny per page, but will only recieve her money if she finishes the book. My theory is that she'll be encouraged to read bigger, more challenging books and therefore, be enriched further and develop a deeper love for reading.
It just wasn't working to have her read for a set period of time each day anymore. It worked for a couple of years, but now she ends up thinking of it like a chore instead of a privelage. It's the whole positive reinforcement thing.
So far, so good. I'll keep it up as long as it works. If it becomes ineffective, then I'll rethink and formulate a new attack strategy. Mwah ah ah...
4 comments:
YOU HAVEN'T READ LORD OF THE RINGS? Wow. I would never have guessed. The Hobbit is a great book, I hope you like it. It's definitely a bit more upbeat, though it has its depressing moments. But there's more magic there than anything, and there's more of it to be found in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. I can't wait for you to read them all. And if you REALLY want the full Tolkien tour, after those masterpieces, try to read/peruse The Silmarillion. It's tough, but to give you an idea of its scale in relation to the other books that recount the "history" of Middle Earth, all that happens in LOTR is mentioned in just a sentences before he moves on to other "historical" events. Totally mindboggling, and so fun to be a part of.
(Sara = Nerd)
Oh, and I used to have a blog many moons ago, and I've started another one. We'll see how long it lasts. I just have one request...don't mention my full name in relation to it so that I can keep it relatively anonymous :)
isaypeench.wordpress.com
No prob Bob! It'll be cool to keep updated by your blog. It's so fun. Hopefully, I'll continue to keep mine updated. I sped a fair bit of time on other people's blogs, so now, I'll add yours to the list.
I'm stoked to get to start The Hobbit and then on to LOTR.
Amy = Nerd too
I'm comfortable with my nerdiness. It's part of my charm.
I couldn't get through the Silmarillion-it seemed too Sci Fi for me...dunno.
I have read LOTR many times, though :)
Amy...
Can't thank you enough for your plug for me at your local bookstore. I still feel completely honored when people take time out of the day, going out of there way, and ask for my books. Sheesh. That's swell. As for Wayne, what a wonderful author, man of God, and dear friend.
Blessings on all you put your hand to!
CH
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