his passage is well-known to fans of J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. While the movie has spurred interest from a whole new audience, old fans have also seen a renewed interest in the classic tale of hobbits, dwarves, elves, men and many other creatures that could only come from a vibrant imagination. To a younger audience, "The Lord of The Rings" is just a movie when in fact it has been a much-read work from its first release in 1954.
These books are pieces that represent a whole work that has transcended generations of readers and has developed into something all ages seem to enjoy.
"We're selling for all ages (since the movie's release). There are editions for younger kids that we didn't have before," said Debbie McKillip, manager of Bookland in the Muncie Mall. "Parents have been buying for their younger boys."
There are not as many books published that are focused on young boys, as there are books for girls, who have "Sweet Valley High" and "The Babysitter's Club." Young boys are left without much material, save the intergender material such as "Harry Potter." In front of Bookland there is a display that has "Harry Potter" on one side and Tolkien on the other. Movie companions, boxed sets, picture books, action figures, posters and action figures are everywhere.
"(Tolkien) has always sold well," McKillip said. "But all the way through Christmas, Tolkien outsold 'Harry Potter.'"
While children have "The Hobbit" and softer versions of the more adult "Lord of The Rings," more mature readers have the original versions to contend with. They contain complicated stories, maps, never-ending details and scores of names.
In a 1971 BBC Radio 4 program "Now Read On..." interview, Dennis Gerrolt said to Tolkien that, "This seems to be one of the great strengths of the book, this enormous conglomeration of names - one doesn't get lost, at least after the second reading."
"The idea of camaraderie of all people against evil, the showing of weakness and strengths of people is all very appealing to read and one reading doesn't give it all to you," said senior philosophy student Adam Price. "There is great depth to the characters and their personalities. My favorite character is Gimli because of his depth and personality. It's also cool that he has an ax."
One thing readers of the works seem to agree on is that it takes more than one reading to get a good grip on the story.
"There is so much information that it requires further reading," said sophomore Sarah Cobb. "I have an interest in mythology and these books present a different kind of storytelling."
"The Lord of The Rings" is more than a movie and is by no means the beginning of the story.
"The Lord of The Rings" trilogy ("The Fellowship of The Ring," "The Two Towers," and "The Return of the King") was published between 1954 and 1956. Although Tolkien died at age 81 in 1973, his masterpieces were just beginning to gain recognition. "The Silmarillion" was published in 1977 and between the years of 1984 and 1996, 12 volumes of "The History of Middle-earth" were released.
Tolkien himself had his own perspective on why the world of Middle-earth has been so endearing.
"The Shire is very like the kind of world in which I first became aware of things," he said in the 1971 interview. "To have just at the age when imagination is opening out, suddenly find yourself in a quiet Warwickshire village, I think it engenders a particular love of what you might call central Midlands English countryside. Based on good water, stones and elm trees and small quiet rivers and so on, and of course, rustic people about."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
