Middle-earth Journeys

Well, hello, here I am. Thank you, Iolanthe, for your encouraging words on the VW Hobbit thread!

I've wondered a while about joining here, too, but thought - what can a German Tolkien newbie contribute amongst all you specialists??

Compared to all of you, who discovered Tolkien very early in life, for me it happened only about one and a half years ago. Of course, it started with the LOTR movie trilogy, but after seeing the films, I immediately wanted to read the books, too. I had bought Fellowship years ago after first seeing this film in German, but never got very far - and got terribly mixed up with all the names, characters and locations.

But that other christmas, I got hooked on the books also. I bought the English version and immersed myself in it, reading all three volumes in less than 4 weeks. I am fascinated by Tolkien's language, which is special and not like "normal" English, at least from the viewpoint of a foreigner. I felt it had some antique touch to it, like the whole story was no "modern" fantasy novel, but a true medieval saga, which could have come right out of the 12th century.

So I did some research, found books on Tolkien and his writings (especially the book by Austrian medievalist Rudolf Simek on Tolkien and Germanic mythology, and "Tolkien the Medievalist", edited by Jane Chance). I especially followed the literary paths of the female characters (e.g. Eowyn being created after the Hervor saga) and the motif of the Healing King Aragorn.

But for a while, I've no longer had much time for it all, writing two books in one year - which will change again in due course, as I'm now preparing a volume on mythical beasts/the ancient and medieval bestiarium. And I long for reading Tolkien again and anew (there's still so much I don't know, like the Silmarillion - and I haven't even read The Hobbit yet ).

Now I'm looking very much forward to our discussion!

Welcome Athelin! It is nice to see you here. We may appear to be experts, but we most often have our books by our side and so it is easy to look that way. We all started by falling under the spell of Tolkien's words and stories. Who else could paint a picture with simple words like...

Rivendell
Withywindle
Silmarils
Aragorn
Dwimmerlaik
Weathertop
Mirrormere
Lathspell
Wormtongue
Mirkwood
Fangorn
Smaug
Hoarwell


LOL...I could (like the Road) go on and on.

Welcome, Athelin! I've seen your thoughtful posts over at VW and I'm glad you've found your way here. Don't be overly impressed by our so-called expertise. As a group, we're very knowledgeable, I think, but each of us has her (we're mostly women, as far as I know!) areas of specialization, which makes us more than the sum of our parts! Already, you have listed areas of specialization that will help us out. So don't be shy!

I'm glad you made it Athelin . I first read and enjoyed LotR, the Sil and the Hobbit a long time ago but my overwhelming Tolkien passion really is only recent and I've been reading Tolkien background material like mad over the last couple of years . I'm no expert either .

Your particular interests would be fascinating to discuss - I've recently been reading a lot about the mythological and poetic Germanic and Scandanavian background that inspired Tolkien and it's really helped flesh out his world for me!

Great to have you here.

hi Athelin, I think you will have a lot to contribute here, with your background!! Although I first read LoTR around thirty-five years ago I only recently returned to Tolkien's world - largely thanks to the films. So in many ways I'm a Tolkien newbie too!

Enjoy . . . !

:waving: Athelin! I'm the newbiest of newbies here. Sometimes I just read the posts in awe. But marbretherese is correct, you have a lot to offer in these conversations and especially if you find mythology interest. Relax and have fun.

Hi - I didn't know this site existed until I saw the link posted on V-W. I have been a Tolkien fan since the 1970's, but got off track over the years. After I finally got a computer about a year ago I came across V-W and my interest was rekindled.

I have forgotten quite a bit, I'm afraid, but look forward to learning new things, and relearning old ones on this site.

Welcome, shieldmaiden! I'm sure it'll all come back to you!

Oh my goodness I'm glad you found us here. There are a few of us who need to be brought up to speed but I find no matter what I read I learn something new. Welcome!

It's wonderful to have you here, Shieldmaiden! I'm sure you've forgotten stuff I never even knew .

Most of know me from the other forum , but if there is anybody here who is not a Viiggofan i will introduce me short.

I am living in Germany. I am older than 30 and i am a very busy mother . In my rare spare time i try to read books written by tolkien or i am looking what work viggo has done .

Yours Frauke

Welcome, phyloxera! You've got a great name! One of the activities you might be interested in here in our Yuletime poetry contest. I would love to see one of these poems in German.

We operate at a bit of a different pace than they do at Viggo-Works--it has been described as 'Entish'-- but we still have good discussions. I hope you'll feel right at home here.

oh i am not hasty, because my english is not good at all. A practice not much, but therefore i read Tolkien and try here to comunicate with you all .
Tolkien world is so complex.... we can discuss it till we have white hair and many grandchildren

Can you explain a bit about contest? Or where have i to look/read for?

Which name do you mean? Frauke? or phyloxera? (my nick is my own form of phylloxera,.. i have learned about winegrowing)
Frauke means little wife

yours Frauke

Phyloxera, look under the heading 'A Bit of Fun'. You'll find a subheading, '2009 Yule Poetry Contest', or something like that. We have a little Yule contest every year, but this year, there are specific rules for the poems. Our youngest member, Meliel, has already submitted a fine entry for this year's contest.

Your English is much better than my German! I had to acquire a reading knowledge of German when I was in graduate school and found it difficult. But I would enjoy seeing one of your poems in German, or in English if you would enjoy the challenge.

So do you make wine? What a wonderful hobby!

Hello Phyloxera and welcome . Nice to see a new member .