Bookaholic Anonymous discussion

In order to celebrate the release of the movie, let's stop for a minute to read and discuss the book (you may also discuss it in relations to the movie)!
If you've already read it feel free to start discussing, and if you haven't pick it up and read it together with me!

Just remember, spoilers must be hidden behind a spoiler tag so not to spoil things for those who haven't read it!
To tag just write: < spoiler > text < / spoiler > without the spaces!

Well, I started The Hobbit today! I like how it's told in a way that makes you think that it might be real; like the author is relaying information to enlighten us. It reminds me of in a way cause for a minute there you're like; "this is a fictional story.... right?"

Did you guys feel the same way?

As far as I understood from a friend, The Hobbit is closely related to WW2, so I think it's safe to say it is indeed based on Historical Events. I think that often, even if the author himself don't know it, the events and character developments in characters are based on historical events that effected the author.

I have seen the movie! It's quite lovely, but the first half of it (until the break :P) is way too long. My father fell asleep! (for the movie's defense, my father was definitely not sleeping the second half :>)

He borrowed from lots of sources but most heavily from Norse Mythology, including the theme about the evil ring and the names for many of the characters (even Gandalf is a dwarf in Norse mythology).

What may be of interest to us Jews is that he based the dwarves on Jews from medieval times and the Hebrew Bible.
Wikipedia: "The representation of the dwarves in The Hobbit by Tolkien was influenced by his own selective reading of medieval texts regarding the Jewish people and their history.[34] The dwarves' characteristics of being dispossessed of their ancient homeland at the Lonely Mountain, and living among other groups whilst retaining their own culture are all derived from the medieval image of Jews,[34][35] whilst their warlike nature stems from accounts in the Hebrew Bible.[34] The Dwarven calendar invented for The Hobbit reflects the Jewish calendar in beginning in late autumn.[34] And although Tolkien denied the allegory, the dwarves taking Bilbo out of his complacent existence has been seen as an eloquent metaphor for the "impoverishment of Western society without Jews."[35]"

Check out the Wiki page for more info on his influences. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hobbit

I can read this book again and again! It's so detailed and imaginative. One of my favourites when I was younger, I find something new each time I read it to appreciate. I cannot wait to read this novel to my children. :)