It is a book that grows with you. What I find in it now is very different from what I found when I read it as a 15 year old. Different characters speak to me differently over time, and different themes emerge. But the enchantment always remains. And that vivid sense of a real place, a place we somehow know, just on the edge of memory.

@arlenhanson6262

Жыл бұрын

Agreed. I had an adventure when I read it first at age 11. Now I see a depth and themes I could not have seen at that age.

@benlewis5700

Жыл бұрын

Your last sentence expresses the sensation wonderfully. These days (I'm approaching 40) it's the melancholy that hits me most - the devastating sadness of beautiful things passing away.

@markcooper6042

8 ай бұрын

I also read it first at 15 and I still remember the shock and emotion I felt when I reached the 'far, green country under a swift sunrise' passage which still haunts and comforts me 50 years later.

@gabriellelovesJesus

Ай бұрын

Nice to discover that Ben considers Tolkien's masterpiece a genuine piece of hardcore literature.

@Novastar.SaberCombat

11 ай бұрын

"Reflect upon the Past. Embrace your Present. Orchestrate our Future." --Artemis 🐲✨🐲✨🐲✨ "Before I start, I must see my end. Destination known, my mind’s journey now begins. Upon my chariot, heart and soul’s fate revealed. In time, all points converge, hope’s strength re-steeled. But to earn final peace at the universe’s endless refrain, We must see all in nothingness... before we start again." 🐲✨🐲✨🐲✨ --Diamond Dragons (series)

For some of us LOTR is a lifetime event. I first read the LOTR around 1966. I can still recall the depth of feeling that I had afterwards of being emerged into a different world and a longing for the richness of that place and characters who seemed more real than the reality around me. I could not count the number of times that I have reread it, but I never tire of the depth of that experience. There is always something more in it. Truly it is unique. Tolkien had a depth of imagination that is a well that springs forth with insights that I still treasure almost 50 years later. I believe that he will be read and treasured hundreds of years in the future by any who would possess imagination and that is what it fundamentally means to be human. So as long as there is a spark of humanity left it will be viewed as one of the greatest examples of human creativity.

I just started my linguistics and literature degree and JRR TOLKIEN was the writer that inspired me study languages. I’ll never forget the day I picked up The Silmarillion

@BenjaminMcEvoy

11 ай бұрын

That is so exciting, Felipe! Wishing you all the best for your exciting degree :) It's fantastic to consider just how many people Professor Tolkien inspired with his work!

I learnt English because of Lord of the Rings. Since then it has been a huge adventure full of knowledge, and literature. Love your talks, accent and English.

I read the LOR year ago for the first time in English, and was so surprised by poetry in all Tom Bombadil's speach, because almost every russian translation emitted it, or presented it in highly reduced way. He was real word-enchanter, elder singer of charms. And then there was battle scene of rohirim by Minas Tirith, and it was so spirited, so rhythmic, so palpable and poetic, I almost felt the sound of hooves, of hornes, of swords, it was the most orgasmic scene I've ever read in English. And after LOR I lost my fear of Shakespeare, now I'm reading his poems in chronological order (Midsummer night's dream last weekend)

@alancawfield6549

Жыл бұрын

I could never get his poems/song out of my head for weeks, I just made up my own tune to go with it.

@ilushan1

Жыл бұрын

My dad read me LOTR in Russian when I was 8, since then I developed a ritual of rereading it about once a year. When I was 14 I first read it in English and the love I had for it grew tenfold. So yeah, I get you. Our translation does sort of suck( the songs of the elves and the poetry of humans get completely lost

Some years ago, I asked myself who the lord of the rings was. Gollum, Bilbo, Frodo, Sauron? Someone else? No. Then I realized that when reading the poem about the One Ring, that the One Ring was revealed as the Lord of the Rings. This meant, the entire story arc was one of how a villain (the One Ring) moved events along. So, as I reread The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings, I read them with the One Ring as the major character. Note how the One Ring interacts with and influences the various characters throughout the story. Note how Tom Bombidil didn't react to the One Ring at all. This way of reading will give you a nice new slant on the story.

@Novastar.SaberCombat

11 ай бұрын

"Reflect upon the Past. Embrace your Present. Orchestrate our Future." --Artemis 🐲✨🐲✨🐲✨ "Before I start, I must see my end. Destination known, my mind’s journey now begins. Upon my chariot, heart and soul’s fate revealed. In time, all points converge, hope’s strength re-steeled. But to earn final peace at the universe’s endless refrain, We must see all in nothingness... before we start again." 🐲✨🐲✨🐲✨ --Diamond Dragons (series)

@ImToastAlso

9 ай бұрын

Sam was able to give it up voluntarily as well. Sam, the real hero of the story.

I’m glad you took some time to go over Tolkien’s work because I truly believe he is one of the unsung Greats of Literature. He is not in the vein of Shakespeare, Tolstoy, Dickens meaning a great psychologist of character, but he is a grand inventor of mythopoetia and his world is unlike any other. He crafted with a love of beauty and with a devotion that other worlds lack. He is not fantasy, he is more. Tolkien is more akin to the ancients like Homer and Hesiod. His world is, for me, is worthy of being considered ancient mythology, it’s just that exquisitely crafted. But more than this I believe Tolkien saw himself as a “sub-creator” as he wrote in his poem “mythopoeia” to C.S. Lewis in favor of myth. J.R.R. Tolkien is one of the truly blessed writers given to mankind and he is worthy of being remembered. Great Job.

@Novastar.SaberCombat

11 ай бұрын

"Reflect upon the Past. Embrace your Present. Orchestrate our Future." --Artemis 🐲✨🐲✨🐲✨ "Before I start, I must see my end. Destination known, my mind’s journey now begins. Upon my chariot, heart and soul’s fate revealed. In time, all points converge, hope’s strength re-steeled. But to earn final peace at the universe’s endless refrain, We must see all in nothingness... before we start again." 🐲✨🐲✨🐲✨ --Diamond Dragons (series)

Hurray! Benjamin hasn't abandoned us, his reading fans! Hope you are well. Excited about dipping my toes in to Tolkien for the first time. Can you believe it has taken me 57 years? Love you!

@BenjaminMcEvoy

Жыл бұрын

Thank you, Mary Ann! I hope you’re keeping well too :) I’m so excited to hear that you’re journeying into the world of Tolkien. You have such an amazing adventure ahead of you ☺️🙏

Tom Bombadil is also one of my favorite characters in 'Lord of the Rings'. It's a shame he was omitted from the movie, but (and I admit this is petty) I do kind of like knowing that those who read the books have this character all to themselves, as opposed to those who only know the movies.

I read The Hobbit and LOTR for the first time when I was 15 in 1967. How well i remember sitting in study hall in a hard wooden seat after lunch reading, my algebra homework untouched. I've read the books at least 30 times since then. Right now I'm listening on audible. Not quite the same as reading, but i felt the urge to take the journey again, and it's nice to listen while hiking in the woods. Besides the Bible, LOTR has had the greatest influence on my life; it helped form the person I became.

You are incredibly articulate and informative.so many associations.Riveting.Thank you so much.I wish you had been my literature teacher in my youth.

Wow! Long awaited topic mate, these books got me into reading as a kid. As I l’ve grown older I’ve only appreciated this masterpiece more.

@BenjaminMcEvoy

Жыл бұрын

That’s exactly the same for me :) I have Tolkien to thank for my love of literature, and my love for his works only deepens with every passing year!

Hi Ben! I don't know if you remember me, but I was a friend of long ago! I was so so happy to find this channel. I've been bingeing your videos as I read and re-read my favorite classics, and every video leaves me feeling like my love of life and knowledge is being re-ignited over and over again. I love that in this video, as you're talking about the rhythm and beauty of Tolkien's languages, you're also channeling that poetry in your own words and intonations. Thank you for sharing your passion, it's infectious. I have to reread this series and linger on the songs, too!

Omg! You are so magical, soft spoken and eloquent! You hypnotise into the world of literature 😮

@BenjaminMcEvoy

Жыл бұрын

You're too kind 🙏😊

English is not my first language (Italian is), but I do appreciate the sound of your mother tongue, which I have been studying for many years now, and the strength of your passion about stories, myths and philology. Thank you for this hour of intelligent perspective on Tolkien, which I enjoyed very much.

@simoventuri

Жыл бұрын

@@Yesica1993 good! I too love my own language! “Vergine madre, figlia del tuo figlio, umile e alta più che creatura, termine fisso d’eterno consiglio, tu se’ colei che l’umana natura nobilitasti sì, che ‘l suo fattore non disdegnò di farsi sua fattura.” ❤

I discovered your channel recently this past week, and had been exploring your wonderfully well articulated and thoughtful videos. It's always wonderful to hear what you have to say!

@BenjaminMcEvoy

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! I’m so happy you’re here :) I really appreciate you watching! ☺️

I remember vividly reading the hymn to Elbereth for the first time. I must have been thirteen years old, and I read it so many times that I can still recite it today. For me, it works like a prayer, expressing belief or hope that there is good in this world, beauty, and truth, and language can reveal it. The poems, maps, landscapes and languages make Tolkien's world so real. Thank you for this absolutely beautiful video that makes me grateful for the existence of the Internet and KZread.

Your talk is an incredible gift, uplifting to the soul and also illuminating to this great work. Thank you for sharing from the heart and from your passion.

@BenjaminMcEvoy

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much, Joy! I really appreciate that ☺️🙏

I read classics and also a lot of fantasy and science fiction and The Lord of the Rings is still my favorite ever.

Stellar job as always my friend! Thanks so much for these videos, they are literally some of my favorites on all of KZread

Cant wait to sink into this video! I read The Hobbit endlessly as a girl, and only made my way through Fellowship as a teen. I’ve started them over as an adult and am halfway through Two Towers, so I’m thrilled with the timing 🥰

I’m currently reading it for the second time in my life. It’s my favourite story and always has been, and for me no other story comes close to my connection with Lord of the Rings. Living in New Zealand and rediscovering my own love of fantasy writing and the story ideas from childhood while exploring the South Island (which is the visual representation of Middle Earth thanks to Peter Jackson) was really special. Both times reading it I’ve gone on road trips around the South Island too and it makes the reading experience so rich, especially when I’m working on my own fantasy books still somewhat within the vast shadow of Tolkien… I am so deeply grateful to Tolkien.

LotR is a gift from old JRRT and for that I am so happy! I've read Tolkien since 1978 and it's a joy everytime that I either pull open a book or listen to an audio version. I love his rambling narrative, archetypal characters and the lore and geography of middle earth.....it's pure poetry for fantasy lovers....like all here. Cheers!

The text for this video is a masterpiece. And you narrated with passion and strength. One of the best videos I've ever listened to!!!

@BenjaminMcEvoy

6 ай бұрын

Wow! Thank you so much!! I really appreciate that :)

In a stunning example of alignment, I recently returned to LOTR, and here is your helpful introduction arriving at the same time! Your passion about and personal resonance with the books is palpable, Benjamin, and I appreciate that. Thank you very much, as always.

Your videos are a pleasure to watch. I've heard a lot of opinions and "takes" on LOTR, and as someone whose life has been profoundly changed by the works of Tolkien, I very much appreciate how in-depth you go and the insights you have. I fell in love with Middle Earth in the 6th grade, and I love being reminded that it means just as much to others as it does to me. Thank you so much for all the work you do.

It’s so nice to see a video from you again! Hope you’re well.

@BenjaminMcEvoy

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much, Pokhraj! I hope you’re keeping well too ☺️🙏

This is my favorite book of all time! Thanks for finally covering it.

Wow🎉 A long awaited topic has finally come from you! My evening today is bound to be perfect 😌 Thank you very much for this video 👏

@BenjaminMcEvoy

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for watching, Renat! I appreciate you ☺️🙏

Well, it's not everyday that I watch an entire 53-minute video on one sitting. And that means your video is an exception. Very well-made and presented. I like how you covered the beauty of languages and how they carry meaning, history, myth, legend. I am reading the LOTR for the first time this year. I've already read The Silmarilion, The Great Tales and The Hobbit, and now I'm almost finishing the main story. And I am already in love with Tolkien's creation! The poetry, the way he makes his world, his characters, even the "history of the story" (the historicity, as you said) feel so real, almost as a real history. I find it completely beautiful his main goal, to create a national epic for his country, and the way he combines different stories, different myths to create his own. And the feeling of nostalgia for a world that should be, but is not. Longing for a mythical past, a place from our childhood that we unevitably need to "destroy" in order to face the challenges of life.

I’ve been wanting to read LOTR for awhile. So this was very helpful. Can’t wait to read Lord Of The Rings

My two children, who are grown up now, one MDPhD and one JD from a top law school, growing up reading a lot of great books, the Lord of the Rings, and Terry Pratchett books were among the best loved. They read those books as if they were COMFORT CHICKEN SOUP on a cold winter evening. They kept enjoying them, I often see them reading the books again on Christmas breaks when they were home. 😂❤

Absolutely amazing video! Thank you for such an empassioned and inspiring look into words, language and the power of myth. Loved every minute! 🙏

Hey Benjamin, I discovered your channel two weeks ago, and I've binged all your videos since then! What would you suggest to those of us who want to make sure that we have read the right authors before starting with a new one? For instance, before reading Melville, I think it makes sense to read some Shakespeare. Is this even a good approach? I've realized that if that's what I want to do, all roads lead to the Iliad and the Odyssey.

Holy shit. I can't believe this video is happening. As a huge Tolkien fanatic, I'm sooo glad you're covering it!

@BenjaminMcEvoy

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for watching, my friend!! I share your deep love and excitement for Tolkien! :)

You're a good public speaker /narrator so it's lovely to hear you talking about Professor Tolkien who I dearly love :)

@BenjaminMcEvoy

10 ай бұрын

Thank you so much :) I really appreciate that!

Hi, I'm relatively new to the channel but I been checking it for a couple of months now. Seen quite a lot of the content here. And I've seen you mentioned sometimes Jorge Luis Borges as one of your favorite short story writers. And it make me wonder if: Have you ever read Latin American literature? For example: Julio Cortázar's Rayuela (Hopscotch, the English translation), or Gabriel García Márquez, Juan Rulfo (mexican writer), Elena Garro, etc... And if you haven't read Latin American literature, I highly recommend it. I'm positive you'll like it. There was this literature movement called "Magical Realism" (Realismo mágico). Keep up the good content, mate. :)

Please do a video on John Williams , who wrote Stoner and Augustus, two of the greatest novels and most heartbreaking I ever read! ❤

How cool! I read LOTR several times but I can't wait to hear about it through your lense and analysis!

@BenjaminMcEvoy

Жыл бұрын

Thank you, Emma!! ☺️

Newly discovered your Chanel Ben & am finding g some serious alignment already. I love my guilty pleasures of modern crime. But also generally read classics & Prize winners, as well as a few recommendations from NYT, Kirkus etc. This years Booker is a MUCH stronger field, I’m 70% through The Bee Sting and it’s absolutely superb, compelling writing, characters that are rich and fully fleshed-put & it just has a tincture of Franzen about it albeit with an Irish charm! Really enjoying your preferred classics list I recently re-read many of your apparent favourites, and may join the book club very soon, who knows!

It's a brilliant set of 4 books (if you include the Hobbit ). Incredible escapism from the books, it genuinely disappointing when you finish reading them each day and have to return to reality.

@BenjaminMcEvoy

Жыл бұрын

I’m completely with you there, Alan. The outside world falls away completely when I’m reading Tolkien. Such a magical writer!

@themachine7534

Жыл бұрын

Would also consider the silmarillion in that set too ,seeing as it was tolkiens main work of his life .

Heart of Kentucky. Hi Benjamin. I've listened to this class at least twice, and will check it out again. You are fantastic! Today is TRUTHFUL THURSDAY! Katie.

This was a great video, about a fantastic book. So glad you are a lover of Tolkien. I never fail to find something new and wonderful in this book. I read it each summer in my native English. The past few winters I have read it in Norwegian, which make me mention that moro is a Norwegian word meaning incongruously, fun. Thanks for what you do.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the Sagas. My favourite is probably Njáls Saga, but there are many good ones. Any chance of a video?

What an amazing video. I have never really approached literature in this way before, focusing on the beauty of the words that are telling the story. I have always been a story first person but now I feel like I have a different perspective on reading. I have read about 50 pages of LOTR after watching this and it felt very different so thank you for helping to open up my eyes a bit

Really pleased you've posted this. John Ronald is indeed someone to whom I owe a deep and obvious debt for both the enjoyment of his work, and my own literary career. XD I won't belabor the obvious - just, thanks for posting this. :)

Of all the languages Tolkien created, I think I love the Old Entish best, with all the Hooms and Hoopity-homs. Enjoyed this. Much thanks for sharing your insights, and good luck on your own Hero's journey.

I enjoy listening to you even though I don't read often. Thank you for this magnificent video.

I have been waiting for this video, Thank you 🙏🏼

@BenjaminMcEvoy

Жыл бұрын

Thank you, Baran! :)

I recently purchased The Hobbit & the 3 LOTR trilogy. I hope to read them soon. Thank you for your excellent lecture. On a different topic, I love the fictional book “Till We Have Faces” by Tolkein’s friend, CS Lewis. It is a relatively short book, but one of the deepest books I’ve ever read. The audio book by Nadia May (aka Wanda McCaddon ) is excellent. I did listen to an excellent lecture by philosopher, Peter Kreeft, before reading the book, because it is a very deep book which appears simple on the surface.

Thank you so much for this video. It made be sure of my love for words. I really found a treasure here today.

I’m constantly rereading this. I’m also expanding to Christopher Tolkien’s work meditating on his father’s works. I cannot stop. I’m on a lifelong OCD condition on this man and his writings. I LOOOVE THIS.

白居易， one of the most popular poets in ancient China, used a verb that had been mainly used to describe the sparks of the eyes in delight to describe the ecstasy of the ears. The employment of such creative verbal transplant made such a big difference that gives readers endless joy reading the peom.

Wonderful video Benjamin. I too used to skip the elvish language parts. After seeing this Im looking forward to spending more time on them.

@BenjaminMcEvoy

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much, Paul! :)

Hello Benjamin...I too was bought The Lord of The Rings Trilogy for my 15th birthday and immediately fell into the World, felt part of it and never wanted to leave. In fact on the day I finished the final book I cried as I was so sad I would not be there anymore. Now at nearly 60 years old that feeling has never left me. When I studied a Neuroscience course at Oxford I would go for a drink in the Eagle & Child pub where JRR Tolkien and C S Lewis would meet and that made me feel close again to that magical world...Childish...maybe...but I am happy with the feeling I have carried lifelong...Thank you for a Great video.

This has been the most in depth look at Tolkien I have ever seen! The pop culture surrounded around him seems to have shadowed the amazing languages and peoples he created for his world. C.S. Lewis and Tolkien were the two men who led me into the classics, like you. I'm glad to see that your favorite character (or one you hold in question) is Tom Bombadil. He is, indeed one of the coolest of the "Persona Dramatis" If I could also make a recommendation on a very cool reference book I believe you would enjoy. It's called Merriam Websters Encyclopedia of Literature. I find that it is the best encyclopedia for the mind of a fellow bibliophile. Thanks for all you do Ben, for keeping the GREAT BOOKS ALIVE!! Elen síla lúmenn’ omentielvo.

@ryancruz1876

10 ай бұрын

Tolkien didn’t create languages for his world. He created a world for his languages. Tolkien’s legendarium was always primarily a linguistic invention.

I just ordered the books online. Can’t wait to get started!

I’ve been checking everyday for new videos. Thank you for this, Ben. Always educational and a delight. 👏

@BenjaminMcEvoy

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! I really appreciate that ☺️🙏

Conceptual are often confound the key is to understand the rule of art work and aesthetic experiences they yield.

Thank you for your hard work! Amazing video!

Hey Benjamin, I'm not sure whether you remember or not but i read or watched I'm not quite sure, but you used the phrase 'from cradle to grave' in one of your blog posts and it really stuck to me as it was so beautiful and I came across the exact same phrase in the book Mother by Maxim Gorky and I wondered whether you had read it there. If you have read the book I'd be very interested to watch your review of it. Love from India.

Tolkien changed my life literally, thanks for the great video

Great video! Have you read Malazan?

🎉 Yipee :) I am very ready to celebrate J.R.R. Tolkien s words and worlds. Thank you Ben 🎉

I very much look forward to listening to this, your newest video. Your videos are nourishment for the soul.

@BenjaminMcEvoy

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much, Marian :) That is so lovely of you to say!

❤ there is only one way to read it: start and never finish ❤

I will be 70 this month, and i had never read anything by Tolkein until 3 months ago. I read The Hobbit a few months ago, and am halfway thru Fellowship now. They are so different from anything else i have ever read... so i am going slowly, but not sure i am understanding it well. I will persevere!

I’ve made four attempts at reading these books and always gave up after some 10 pages. I keep forgetting what I’ve read as I move forward, and I fear the huge commitment. But maybe now is finally my time!!

@joywells7335

Жыл бұрын

I’m listening to it with an amazing reader. That might work for you.

I needed this episode, just on the way to start LotR lecture

@BenjaminMcEvoy

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching, Jakub! :)

Read the books and saw the movies. That giant spider still scares the HELL out of me!

Hi Ben. :) Have you read "Silmarilion" or "History of Middle-Earth" books?

the difference betwen Tolkien´s LOTR and George R.R. Martin´s A song of ice and fire: Martin´s tale is the top of an iceberg, Tolkiens tale is a ocean ful of icebergs.

C.S. Lewis, Tolkien's friend also created a language for his Space Trilogy of the Hrossa and sorns on Malacandra in Out of the Silent Planet, which is a satisfying introduction for Dr Ransom to communicate, albeit if limited fashion with the different species.

So excited to follow along. An answer to a question that I’m sure was hypothetical: Who carries lore with him *and* has the capacity to reject the ring? Faramir, of course.

can I get the same video, just like this, about paradise lost? please 🥺

@BenjaminMcEvoy

Жыл бұрын

You can indeed :) I will have a Paradise Lost video coming out later this year!

@kdot78

Жыл бұрын

@@BenjaminMcEvoy thank you so much.

Loved it! Let's see... I read LoTR a few months back for the first time. I can't relay too many thoughts on it (none come to my immediate disposal), but I can say that I enjoyed it. However, from my own personal account concerning fantasy and the fantastical elements supplied to us through stories, I have discovered a disconnect between myself and those deeper truths found within them. I'm not sure why this is; it could be simply a matter of taste, but I find most of these stories hard to feel fully comfortable with. And I don't mean comfortable as in the process of reading them, but comfortable as it pertains to relatability. Again, I'm not sure why. On another note, I enjoyed the bookclub last year! I had to give it up this year, though, lol, which sucks since you're doing some really good books this year. I might try and squeeze into it again at some point. I bet it's really taken off by now! Anyways, till next time my friend!

Thank you, I like to think about Tolkien's and C.S. Lewis's conversations during their walks, Tolkien a Roman Catholic and Lewis an Anglican, read some of their letters to one another in a book of Lewis' letters. Lord of the Rings et al., a great read, Silmilliaron was enjoyable as well.

Wonderful video. As far as lore, world building and themes, I feel like Steven Erikson’s Malazan Book of the fallen series is the next best work I’ve seen in modern fantasy.

"Hey Benjamin, how many editions of Tolkien do you have? Benjamin says "hold my beer" lol

@BenjaminMcEvoy

Жыл бұрын

😂😂😂

Sometimes the great videos on KZread don't pop up. This was exactly what I wanted this evening.

@BenjaminMcEvoy

11 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for watching :) I'm so happy you enjoyed it!

Second viewing of this video! :) out of curiosity, can you read/understand any italian (my mother tongue)?

This came exactly at the right time! Im about to reread the series ❤ Hey, Benjamin, do you know of Dracula Daily? I think you'd love the project, seems right up your alley. Have a nice day!

This is one author I haven’t touched. I bought my daughter a set of Tolkien’s works. She hasn’t started reading them yet. She’s currently reading Cold Comfort Farm it’s part of my gentle push to have her read outside her high school curriculum.

This video is so inspiring. Thank you!

@BenjaminMcEvoy

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! I really appreciate that :)

This is amazing. Your best video yet!!

@BenjaminMcEvoy

10 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! I really appreciate that :)

Great timing I have a University class about Tolkiens works that starts in 2 weeks!! :)

@BenjaminMcEvoy

10 ай бұрын

That's so cool!! What an amazing class :)

This is a pleasant surprise! I was just thinking that I was due for a reread of these books. I don’t think I gave them the special attention they deserved.

@BenjaminMcEvoy

Жыл бұрын

I'm so happy to hear that, Umar :) I love rereading Tolkien. His work becomes all the more special with each immersion!

My favourite person on youtube talking about my favourite book! Feels like Christmas. I read the Silmarillion (for the first time) last year before rereading LOTR and it made the experience even better. 🧙‍♂️🧝‍♂️🧝‍♀️❤

@BenjaminMcEvoy

Жыл бұрын

Aw, thank you so much, Stephanie. I really appreciate that ☺️🙏 And that definitely does make the experience all the more rich! :)

Benjamin I love this video, please make more my friend. God bless!

@BenjaminMcEvoy

11 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! I really appreciate that :) God bless to you too, my friend.

Was thinking of picking this up at some point this year (although that won't be happening for a while as I've just started The Count of Monte Cristo lol). I absolutely adore the Peter Jackson films. Also, I just finished a back-to-back reading of Moby-Dick and Blood Meridian. Moby-Dick was phenomenal of course, but Blood Meridian absolutely blew me away. Took me about 6 months to read Moby-Dick, and then I finished Blood Meridian in just over a week - it was gripping, I just could not put it down. Will most likely be taking it a little slower on a re-read tho lmao.

@SimplyChrisVanDyne

11 ай бұрын

I totally agree with you about MD and BM. I'm still slogging my way through MD. But BM? Wow! I never really understood, nor appreciated, what the word 'sublime' really meant until reading BM. I have no other words for it. It has quickly become one of my favorite novels.

Benjamin, have you read Lonesome Dove? Id be really interested to see what you think. its one of my fav fiction novels of all time

@BenjaminMcEvoy

11 ай бұрын

I absolutely love Lonesome Dove! It's a strong personal favourite of mine. I'd like to have a chat about it at some point. I've read it several times, but you have reminded me that I'm definitely due for a reread :)

@tylermileslockett

11 ай бұрын

​@@BenjaminMcEvoy I never get tired of reading it. Larry Mcmurty's prose and characters are just *Chefs kiss". other westerns you can look into (and probably already have) are "True Grit", "Cold Mountain", and, i see youre a fan of Cormac Mcarthy, so you probably have read "All the pretty horses". Also, Lonesome dove is a part of a 4-part series, and while the other novels are worth reading, (the Comanche Moon novel with Captain Inish Scull character being a standout) they dont quite soar to the heights of LD in my opinion. The LD tv mini-series with Robert duvall and Tommy Lee Jones is also a classic!

Brillant and uplifting. Thanks so much. Not sure if I'll ever get to read it (because there's so much I haven't read yet and I'm middle-aged).

@BenjaminMcEvoy

9 ай бұрын

Thank you so much :) If you do get a chance to read it, I'd love to hear your thoughts. In the meantime, there's always Peter Jackson's superb film adaptations!

This was wonderful, Benjamin ❤

@BenjaminMcEvoy

11 ай бұрын

Thank you so much, my friend 🙏

omggg so excited to watch this!!

@BenjaminMcEvoy

Жыл бұрын

Thank you, Jocey!! ☺️

I don't know if this is part of the Hardcore Literature Book Club, but I think Dune and The Wheel of Time belong somewhere in it. Both are just absolute masterpieces in their craft for what they wanted to do, and they did them so well! But thanks for this video Benjamin! I read Lord of the Rings once but never understood how to read it, I forgot most of this story because I didn't vibe with it. But I'll give this a shot again because I have a better understanding of this story thanks to you! From looking at it with my own Christian faith and through language and my interest in The Great War, it seems vastly more interesting now.

Benjamin, this was quite brilliant.

@BenjaminMcEvoy

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much, Steve!

A fantastic video. I would love it if you covered Paradise Lost, too!

@SimplyChrisVanDyne

11 ай бұрын

The Hardcore Literature Book Club is reading Paradise Lost in Sept - Oct time frame. I'm sure Ben will do a "How to Read" video on it in the fall.

hey! I listen your bookish Q&A on spotify, episode 66. Some remark ( it doesn't seem to be on youtube) As french speaking person, about your recommandations about french litterature, I wouldn't go with Zola. I read all Rougon Macquart, and actually the only one who worth it are really the one who everybody recommended ( Nana, The drunkard, Germinal, In the belly of Paris, the beast within, the ladies paradise, maybe the kill and the work) and...did you ever read Jean Christophe from Romain Rolland? it would be in your interest I think, and a good introduction in french litterature for a beginner. and I'm surprised, in the movies and shows part, you didn't talk about "Succession"...its so much shakesperian. Keep your good work. ( I'm into Dombey and son and the divine comedy now...in french, Dickens is a bit too difficult to enjoy in english for my english level)

"You are not likely to believe me when I say that I still remember vividly, almost 50 years later, how strictly I disciplined myself with that book, forcing myself to read no more than a single chapter each evening. The catch, my out, the stratagem by which I escaped the bonds of my own law, was that I could read that chapter as many times as I wished; and that I could also return to the chapter I had read the night before, if I chose. There were evenings on which I reread the entire book up the point - The Council of Elrond, let us say - at which I had forced myself to stop."--Gene Wolfe, from "The Best introduction to the Mountains"