"One ring to rule them all, one ring to bind them...."

[NanDog]

A pretty good read on the Lord of the Rings trilogy films can be had here:

http://www.boundless.org/features/a0000860.html

Be warned that non-Christians may feel "out of the loop" as this review has a definite Christian bias. But then again, J.R.R. Tolkien had the same bias! I'm not saying I agree with everything this author claims but it is interesting nevertheless!

BTW, I've read "The Hobbit" twice and the trilogy four times and enjoyed the films immensely!

[beetlejuice]

"One ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them, in the land of Mordor where the shadows lie." ;D

[bigc73542]

The lord of the rings is extremely good escapist entertainment. I really enjoy reading them and watching.

[NanDog]

Okay, we're both misquoting! Full text is:

"Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie,
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In the land of Mordor where the Shadows lie."

We should know this by now, shouldn't we? :)

[NanDog]

bigc, it's not only some of the best "escapist" literature around but it's also a very moral/ethical/spiritual read! Read a bit about Tolkien and his beliefs and from where he gathered inspiration for these tomes! Lots of great cultural and spiritual research went into what some folks easily dismiss as "fantasy"! OTOH, if people just want to enjoy it as escapist fantasy, more power to 'em! It's like all books, what you take into the book determines what you'll get out of it!

[beetlejuice]

-{ Quote: "
We should know this by now, shouldn't we? :)
" }-

I haven't read The Lord of the Rings since I was in highschool. Let's see--Umm that was--Oh-Ahh-A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. ;D

[NanDog]

-{ Quote: " quoting: beetlejuice link=board=27;threadid=23899;start=0#msg141114 date=1078715478]
-{ Quote: "
We should know this by now, shouldn't we? :)
" }-

I haven't read The Lord of the Rings since I was in highschool. Let's see--Umm that was--Oh-Ahh-A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. ;D
" }-

I first read Tolkien at the urging of a friend nearly 25 years ago. I remember as I got deeper into the books, I felt as if I was in a place "a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away."

They are haunting books and full of meaning. I loved the films but, as with most films I see where I've read the books previously, it just wasn't the same. The films had awesome visuals and I loved them immensely but the books left me with the feeling that, yes, there are worlds and realities and truths that exceed what I currently know in the mundane and sometimes, just sometimes, I can visit those magical places in my heart, mind and imagination. That's when I know that even what I experience as "reality" is also a function of my heart, mind and imagination! In the long run, the ultimate truth of being, is that there is really not much difference between the two! YMMV! ;)

[bigc73542]

I do know that if I am planning to see a movie that has gotten a lot of good reviews I will read the book first if there is one. I have found that you get a lot more out of the movie if you read it first.Case in point 2001 a space odyssey. ;)

[NanDog]

"2001."

That was one instance where I saw the film first and read the book later. As I recall, the film left a better impression than the book (but I never was really an avid A.C. Clarke fan!) Although, come to think of it, it may have been my foxy date I took to "2001" back in those halcyon days of high school that have made me remember that flick with such fond memories! ;D

[bigc73542]

A soft sweet good smelling movie viewing partner can do that. ;)

[NanDog]

-{ Quote: " quoting: bigc73542 link=board=27;threadid=23899;start=0#msg141132 date=1078717693]
A soft sweet good smelling movie viewing partner can do that. ;)
" }-

:D ;D :D

[Uguel707]

I've got Arthur C. Clarke 's 2061: Odyssey Three. We don't have many English books in my little town...I was always wondering if I should read the other books 1-2 before this one ?

[NanDog]

Oh man, Uguel! I'm just getting into remembering that soft, sweet-smelling, good-looking date I took to see "2001" so long ago and you're asking me in which sequence to read the books??? Let an old guy revel in his memories without getting down to current facts! Hey, just kidding! ;D

Edit: I've always found it best to read any series in order!

[MikeBCda]

Aha, this is one more area where head injury gives me an advantage. ;) Memory is shaky at best -- but it has the silver lining that I don't have to worry about books or movies growing stale on me. Each time I read a book or see a film it's totally new and fresh to me, even if I've read or seen it a zillion times before.

With the help of pointed hints from me, this past Christmas my daughter gave me a boxed paperback set of the Rings trilogy, and I loved it it all over again even though it wasn't even close to what I thought I'd remembered about parts of its story-sequencing from ages ago. Would have loved The Hobbit too, but alas out of stock just about everywhere here and I've been to old and lazy to go back and recheck.

[solarpowered candle]

I think that Richard Wagner also portrayed that cycle that depicts humanities up and downs through out evolution in his massive "ring cycle" operas . The tug of war between that which we call good and that which we call evil.
I was living in the mountains in the southern Alps near Mt cook / twizal and Ohau where some of the ring was filmed, . A truely beautiful region , stark and extremely
ly beautiful .

[2dazed]

Bigc73542, I agree with you on 2001 Space Odyssey. It would've been a tricky movie if I hadn't read the book first.

I love Tolkien's works! I wish they'd make a movie on Terry Brook's Shannara series, or Robert Jordan's Wheel Of Time series. My husband says they probably never will. It'd take way too many movies to do the whole story. He's probably right. But it would still be nice to see on the big screen! ;D

[HandsOff]

...the title of this catagory sparked a memory. There is a skin in Spybots Search and Destroy called "Elven". It is sort of Lord of the Ringish. On the bottom part it shows an engraved golden ring and the quote that you mention above. I know those of you who use spybots and are reading this will surely want to install this!

-HandsOff

[2dazed]

HandsOff
Once I saw it, had to have it. Haven't changed it since! 8)

[MikeBCda]

More wish-they'd-make movies ...

All of the Arthur Clarke "Rama" ones;

Just about anything by Larry Niven, especially the Ringworld ones and the Motie books;

And just about anything by Spider Robinson, although the uninitiated would probably see those as plain old sitcoms.

Getting totally away from sci-fi, how about just about anything by James Patterson?

[2dazed]

Never read James Patterson, but I now alot of people like his books. Any suggestions in particular?

[MikeBCda]

-{ Quote: " quoting: 2dazed link=board=27;threadid=23899;start=15#msg142285 date=1078950604]
Never read James Patterson, but I now alot of people like his books. Any suggestions in particular?
" }-

Good grief, no -- I just grab new paperback releases of his as I spot them in the stores. Any of the ones about Alex Cross are slight favorites of mine, but I love 'em all.

And then there's Stuart Woods, who has such a similar style and "feel" to his books as Patterson that I'd swear they're close buddies. I was pleasantly surprised to get a reply (and not a form-letter, at that) to an email to Patterson, and he said they'd met once at a convention or the like.

Just remembered one more for movies -- how about stuff by Robert McCammon? He's very similar to Stephen King in style, to the point where I sometimes forget whose book I'm reading, but he never became the "name" that King did.

[2dazed]

MikeBCda

Oh, my! Swan Song all the way, buddy! The better equivelent to King's The Stand. Now Swan Song is a movie they need to make! Read that one? If you like Patterson & Woods, you should check out Barnes & Noble. They have alot of their books in their Bargain Dept. They're mostly hardcovers, but they're cheaper than the paperbacks.

[Detox]

I'm a decent James Patterson fan myself - just finished "Season of the Machete" now I know there must be a sequel out there - hafta look for it.

[MikeBCda]

-{ Quote: " quoting: 2dazed link=board=27;threadid=23899;start=15#msg142425 date=1078969625]
Oh, my! Swan Song all the way, buddy! The better equivelent to King's The Stand. Now Swan Song is a movie they need to make! Read that one? If you like Patterson & Woods, you should check out Barnes & Noble. They have alot of their books in their Bargain Dept. They're mostly hardcovers, but they're cheaper than the paperbacks.
" }-

Amen, brother! :D I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who saw a strong parallel between that and The Stand -- for my money, those two were the best-ever for each author. I think I first discovered McCammon via "Stinger".

Up this side of the border, Coles is a good source for over-the-counter, at least for new titles and reprints/re-releases. Technically they can special-order, but in practice their system doesn't work right so I go to Wordsworth's for anything special.

[NanDog]

2dazed, I remember the "Shannara" stuff from a long, long time ago. Jeez, 15 or 20 years ago or so? It seemed at the time, sort of in the genre of fluffed, watered-down Tolkien! But then again, at the age of 52, memories get clouded! :)

But I used to love that stuff! As we age, our tastes in reading materials change (got into real-life climbing, hiking and skiing stories 'cuz that is what I was doing for a lot of years!) but I still have a penchant for sf/fantasy. I don't know the other authors you guys are talking 'bout. They sound interesting. BTW, I love King and "The Stand" is my favorite King book! Any suggestions for a good read? TIA! :D

And HandsOff, thanks for the S&D skin reference. I'll have to check it out!

Edit: After reading these posts I started thinking about all my favorite sf/fantasy reads from the past and pulled a bunch of those old books from the closet (I'm a packrat, I keep things like that!) So what has happened with the Marion Zimmer Bradley series about Darkover and the Anne McCaffrey Dragonworld books? Remember, I haven't been reading this genre in quite a few years! Have these series continued? New and good books around now? Thanks, you guys!

[2dazed]

NanDog

I'll check into that Bradley & McCaffrey tomorrow. I'm a packrat too. My husband always says so. Specially when it comes to books. I have about 10 boxes of books in the cellar. I figure, if there's another flood, I'll start a new library for all us. ;D As HandsOff said, definitely check out that skin. It's great! I used to only read Non-Fict. Astronomy, cloning, etc. Anything to do with Science & Technology. I still do sometimes. My husband & I are Herpatologists, so I've been checking out books on getting different phases. Anyway, after living a life of reality, my husband came along & thru me 4 a loop. He introduced me to Brooks & Jordan. Never been the same since. I'm fixin' to start David Eddings. I suggest that, if you're looking for a new Sci/Fan escape.

MikeBCda

Absolutely their individual best! Gosh, McCammon is good! I need to read A Boy's Life.

[MikeBCda]

-{ Quote: " quoting: 2dazed link=board=27;threadid=23899;start=15#msg142874 date=1079056753]
Absolutely their individual best! Gosh, McCammon is good! I need to read A Boy's Life.
" }-

And for heaven's sake don't miss Going South, if you haven't already got/read it. ;)

[2dazed]

MikeBCda

Respectfully noted! ;)

NanDog

Don't know where you left off at, but the info I got was this:
Heritage of Hastur, Sharra's Exile, Stormqueen, Hawkmistress, The Shattered Chain, Thendara House, City of Sorcery, The Spell Sword, The Forbidden Tower, Star of Danger, The Bloody Sun, & The Winds of Darkover. There's also a trilogy called Cling Fire that's part of the Darkover series. Then there's: Dragonflight, Dragonquest, The White Dragon, Moretta:Dragonlady of Pern, Nerilka's Story, Dragonsdawn, The Renegades of Pern, All the Weyrs of Pern, The Chronicles of Pern:First Fall, The Dolphins of Pern, Dragonseye, & The Masterharper of Pern. There's also The Dragonlover's Guide to Pern.

[NanDog]

Thanks, 2dazed! Gotta get to the local bookstore and check out those titles. Some are familiar but many aren't. 'Course now the biggest problem is getting time to read good books! The last few years, I get home, make dinner, take the dog for a walk, brush teeth and get into bed with a good book, read two pages of good book, wake up at 3 a.m. with light on and book on floor! :D

[2dazed]

NanDog

Here's what I do: Get up, take care of better halves, fix coffee, go to work( Read on break time), come home, take shower, feed cats; ferret; & snake if need be, & read in between posts.

[Galadriel]

-{ Quote: " quoting: HandsOff link=board=27;threadid=23899;start=15#msg142257 date=1078947434]
...the title of this catagory sparked a memory. There is a skin in Spybots Search and Destroy called "Elven". It is sort of Lord of the Ringish. On the bottom part it shows an engraved golden ring and the quote that you mention above. I know those of you who use spybots and are reading this will surely want to install this!

-HandsOff

" }-


That was the skin I used for a long time.... hehe
Of course my favorite quote is in my sig. ;)

[dangitall]

Now, who would've thought there'd be so many sf/fantasy fans at a computer security site?! ;)

In my opinion, Tolkien was the best for his genre, but a few others - notably C.S. Lewis, Ursula K. LeGuin and Raymond Feist - have come close, and let's not forget the granddaddy of them all, L. Frank Baum.

My tastes in sf run the gamut, but I always come back to these: Robert Heinlein, Gordon Dickson, Clifford Simak and Julian May.

Somebody mentioned horror (in the form of Stephen King)? Everything in this genre pales before Ghost Story by Peter Straub, who co-wrote The Talisman with King.

[NanDog]

-{ Quote: " quoting: dangitall link=board=27;threadid=23899;start=30#msg143900 date=1079236797]
Now, who would've thought there'd be so many sf/fantasy fans at a computer security site?! ;)" }-

Well, we all kinda live in an otherworldly realm: the cyber-world. Doesn't it make sense we would be attracted to other realms such as the sf/fantasy world as well? BTW, as evidenced by many posts here, some of us live in some really strange realms! ;D

[DMo224]

-{ Quote: " quoting: dangitall link=board=27;threadid=23899;start=30#msg143900 date=1079236797]In my opinion, Tolkien was the best for his genre, but a few others - notably C.S. Lewis, Ursula K. LeGuin and Raymond Feist - have come close, and let's not forget the granddaddy of them all, L. Frank Baum.

My tastes in sf run the gamut, but I always come back to these: Robert Heinlein, Gordon Dickson, Clifford Simak and Julian May.

Somebody mentioned horror (in the form of Stephen King)? Everything in this genre pales before Ghost Story by Peter Straub, who co-wrote The Talisman with King.
" }-Some great authors. I agree with the list and would add Edgar Rice Burroughs and Anne McCafrey. I got books by all of those, and more! SciFi is great!

[P.T.]

I have to say, there's not much I don't read but I do have a few favorite authors. I have been a Dean Koontz fan for ages. Love, Peter Straub, James Patterson. And I confess to being a true crime junkie. (I think it's the idea of what makes a psycho tick sorta thing). Last but not least Ann Rice, I've read her for years.

[Galadriel]

-{ Quote: " quoting: P.T. link=board=27;threadid=23899;start=30#msg144095 date=1079276799]
I have to say, there's not much I don't read but I do have a few favorite authors. I have been a Dean Koontz fan for ages. Love, Peter Straub, James Patterson. And I confess to being a true crime junkie. (I think it's the idea of what makes a psycho tick sorta thing). Last but not least Ann Rice, I've read her for years.
" }-

Another Dean Koontz fan! hehe... I am one too. Peter Straub is also very good. Gotta love Stephen King too. And let's not forget J.K. Rowlings... yes I admit I am a Harry Potter fan! lol

[P.T.]

-{ Quote: " quoting: Galadriel link=board=27;threadid=23899;start=30#msg144553 date=1079355512]
Another Dean Koontz fan! hehe... I am one too. Peter Straub is also very good. Gotta love Stephen King too. And let's not forget J.K. Rowlings... yes I admit I am a Harry Potter fan! lol
" }-

I have one Stephen King book that is my absolute favorite. For the life of me I can't remember the name of it. I'll have to go find it and reread it. :thumbsup: I think J.K. Rowlings is a fascinating person. LOL writing her stories on napkins in coffee shops. You've gotta respect the intensity. I think I'd lose my train of thought. Seems like an interesting person. (BTW have watched some of the movies, never read the books, I'll have to look into them). :)

[2dazed]

Dangitall


-{ Quote: "Ursula K. LeGuin" }- I work for a bookstore, & I get her books in all the time. Been interested in her, but haven't gotten any yet. Afraid I'll be disappointed. I checked into the Earthsea series. It sounded good. I'm commited to David Eddings right now, but if you could compare her to someone, who would it be? Hint: I don't like Mercades Lackey.

Galadriel

Hi! How's it going? I love Koontz's Strangers & Watchers! First books of his I've read.

P.T.

-{ Quote: "Last but not least Ann Rice," }- I love her too! She owns a shop in the French Quarter in New Orleans. It's ran by her friends & family, but she does go there often. :)

[P.T.]

-{ Quote: "2 dazed,

I love her too! She owns a shop in the French Quarter in New Orleans. It's ran by her friends & family, but she does go there often. " }-

Hey, now that's cool to know. I never would have thought she'd have a shop in my old stomping ground. Wish I'd known it in the day.

[2dazed]

P.T.

So go back & see her! Tell her another fan sent ya! ;)

[P.T.]

You know that's an idea. It's too hot for me now though. (And humid). That would be a Nov.-Feb. trip for me.

[2dazed]

Yeah, guess I'm just used to it. You could sweat something off if you go at the wrong time. :P

[P.T.]

What can I say, I'm a wimp. I could go in late Feb. and then I could seehttp://img7.photobucket.com/albums/v18/pennydoggie/elefant1.gif LOL ;D

[MikeBCda]

Unless I missed it, we all forgot about one more great in the field (admittedly, that's just my own opinion of him) -- Clive Barker (do I have the name totally wrong?). "Weaveworld" was probably my favorite of his -- nowhere near the scope of, say, the Rings, but he sure gave it one heck of a try.

[dangitall]

Yes, Clive Barker had his moments. Another that no one has mentioned is John Saul. And, while we're at it, how about the grand-daddy of the horror genre, Edgar Allan Poe?

My favorite Dean Koontz? Dark Rivers of the Heart.

[DMo224]

We may have gotten a little far from the one ring, but I'm kinda' glad since I really like SciFi and Fantasy authors and books.

I don't put him with the "greats", but what do you think of L. Ron Hubbard, Battlefield Earth?

[NanDog]

MikeBCda: Yeah! I remember the "Weaveworld" stuff and the fact I really liked it. Digging back into the dregs of my memories (as I've said previously, I haven't been reading SF/Fantasy in awhile), I also remember a series about a guy who had Hansen's disease (leprosy) who's somehow transported to another world or existence. Anyone know what author and series that is? I sure can't remember. And also the "Well of Souls" books by ? Those were also favorites. Man, this is kinda fun--remembering all those great books I read in my halcyon days of youth! I gotta get back into this genre again! 8)

Edit to add: Oh yeah, how could I forget Frank Herbert and the "Dune" books?!

[MikeBCda]

-{ Quote: " quoting: NanDog link=board=27;threadid=23899;start=45#msg145325 date=1079496950]
I also remember a series about a guy who had Hansen's disease (leprosy) who's somehow transported to another world or existence. Anyone know what author and series that is?" }-

Hi Nan - might not be the ones you're thinking of, but the description reminded me of a couple that go waaaaaayy back. If "jaunting" rings a bell, then we're both thinking of a couple of great ones by (I think) Alfred Bester -- "The Stars My Destination" was the first one, and the second's title totally escapes me.

(Edit) Hours later, it finally returns to memory -- the other Bester book was "The Demolished Man".

[dangitall]

The only series I can come up with where the protagonist was a leper is The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever (aka The Illearth War)by Stephen Donaldson.

[2dazed]

NanDog

I'll check on that Well of Souls tomorrow.


About Clive Barker.. Was it A Great Mind that has Quidity in it? Where bad creatures were trying to come thru to our world from theirs using the Quidity place, or something. That was a good one. I think it had another book with it though. Took me 2 yrs. just to come across the first one.

[NanDog]

-{ Quote: " quoting: dangitall link=board=27;threadid=23899;start=45#msg145698 date=1079564903]
The only series I can come up with where the protagonist was a leper is The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever (aka The Illearth War)by Stephen Donaldson.
" }-

Thanks, dangitall! That was it. Digging deep into memories I can recall that I was very intrigued by this series since it had such an unusual main character. Other than that, don't remember much about the books. Oh well, that will make re-reading them all the better!

[dangitall]

It's been awhile since I re-read these myself, so I guess I'll have to dust 'em off and get right to it ... one of these days!

[NanDog]

-{ Quote: " quoting: dangitall link=board=27;threadid=23899;start=45#msg146020 date=1079615962]
so I guess I'll have to dust 'em off and get right to it ... one of these days!
" }-

Yeah, I know the feeling! I used to be able to get through a book in a few days. Now, with my hectic life and schedule, it's stretched into a few weeks or a month or more! Sheeesh....... ;)

[MikeBCda]

-{ Quote: " quoting: NanDog link=board=27;threadid=23899;start=45#msg146379 date=1079670882]
Yeah, I know the feeling! I used to be able to get through a book in a few days. Now, with my hectic life and schedule, it's stretched into a few weeks or a month or more! Sheeesh....... ;)
" }-

Welcome to the club. Personally, I'm a card-carrying official member of Procrastinators Anonymous -- or will be, if I ever get around to sending that application in. ;D

[NanDog]

Hmmm......Procrastinators Anonymous. Jeez, I'll have to think about joining! Hey, no really, I'm going to seriously consider being a member of such an august fraternity. This is a big step. Please give me some time.............ummm, I'll get back to ya! 8)

[DMo224]

-{ Quote: " quoting: NanDog link=board=27;threadid=23899;start=45#msg145837 date=1079580203]Thanks, dangitall! That was it. Digging deep into memories I can recall that I was very intrigued by this series since it had such an unusual main character. Other than that, don't remember much about the books. Oh well, that will make re-reading them all the better!" }-You can say that again about the UNUSUAL main character. :o VERY!!!

[dangitall]

Unusual? Perhaps, but I suspect that the leprosy went far in making him seem this way. Anyone who thinks Frodo or Beren had it bad should 'meet' Thomas Covenant.