Books??!!, ummm the lotr books?

sooo... since there wansn't anything here posted just yet, i thought that i should start something off
I liked the books... because of the journey, but i like the movies cuz of the hotties eh eh eh *wink wink*

I enjoyed the books alot. It let my mind wander more than the film. I think the books got into more details, but I wont choose between the two. Both were wonderful in their own ways. I love the book and the film, equally.

~Pisces

I saw the movies first and read then the books, but I like both.
I think Peter did a great job to find all the men, elves, hobbits.... Can you imagine any better Gandalf than Ian McKellen for example. I mean he is Gandalf. And it's the same with everyone else. They're perfectly casted.

Ummm Pisces............They're are three books.........

As for the Books, my favourite has to be Fellowship of the Ring, and I'm still angry at PJ for leaving out Tom Bombirdil! Tom's the coolest of all the hobbits and his coats are available for half-price!

No, no! It's actually one book. But, Tolkiens uh, dude guy suggested way back when to make it into three. I know this, because I have ONE book in my room, entitled The Lord Of The Rings . Just like it's really just one film cut into 3 parts.

~Pisces

Actually Picses, your incorrect there are 3 separate books written as one. Because of the shortage of paper, J.R.R. Tolkien was forced to release his story as 3 seperate books. He wrote the Lord of the Rings Trilogy between 1941 to 1946 and they were published between 1954-1956. He wanted to release his story as one book but the publisher didn't have enough paper to publish the 1 book so they had it released as 3. JRR Tolkien was not happy with this decision but allowed it because he wanted his work(s) published. Now, I have a first edition of all three books that my father gave me when I was a child. They are all leather bound and the pages are fraying and turning yellow but they are 3 seperate books. I hope this answers your question.

P.S. Now you can get the trilogy in 1 book but back during Tolkien's era you couldn't.

I loved the books because they were able to go into more detail then film ever could.
I didn't read them until after the films - I think I was half way through ROTK before I saw the film.
I thought FOTR was the most enjoyable and easiest read.

I have to admit that for the first time in my life I prefer the films to the books. I can totally see the genius of Tolkien but fund his writing style difficult to engage with. That said, I may revisit the books now. As Clare said, they do go into more detail than the films ever could...so it would be nice to re-read the books now

Sssshhhh...don't telll anyone, but I've never read any of the books! I pronounced Tolkein 'pants' at the age of thirteen and that was it. I am trying Lord of the Rings now though

It is a difficult read, i have to admit, but once you kinda feel and understand the shape of the book... you can definately see how genius he is for writing it!

Did that make ANY sense??!! lol

~*Annalee*~

Just for reference:
The books were originally written as one, but had to be split into three, partly because of issues with paper but also because the publishers thought it would be better as three. Tolkien wanted to call ROTK The War of the Ring, but the publishers suggested ROTK and it eventually went through as that. I don't believe Tolkien ever liked that title
The book was first published in one volume in 1968, a few years before Tolkien's death. Can assure you that's correct cause I have a first edition of it

To me the books and films are too different to compare. I love them both equally, the book is a work of pure literary genius. Beautifully written.. I can't really read many other books now cause they seem pretty.. Well.. rubbish in comparison

True!

I was going to say something intellegent, but I forgot lol

~*Annalee*~

I've read the books - twice. Once before the film and then after to remind myself of the changes. I must admit that although they are amazing, the books can drag a bit (how much descrption do you need about Ents?), but they are addictive in that you never know where to stop reading. I always say "I'll stop here" but then HAVE to read a bit more! The Hobbit is really easy to read and is perhaps a more gentle introduction to the writings.