Of Gollum, Frodo and Brandywine

Ray Kinsella

Don't waste yur time, by the time you get to the eight book its horrendous rubbish and a complete waste of time. i haven't touched it since 'Path of Daggers' came out, i have better things to spend €20 on. Regards Ray "Je Suis Mort De Rire"

Lost User

I liked WOT quite a bit. It's seriously wordy and not as good as LOTR, but what is? I just get concerned that Jordan will die before he gets done and the series will never finish. I read the 9th book "Winter's Heart" this summer and still only about half the bad guys are dead. Mike Mullikin "Real programmers don't document their code. It was hard to write - it should be hard to read!"

Steven Mitcham

The series will pick up around the middle of the second book. However, be warned, about 1/3 into the fourth book(The Shadow Rising) you will quit reading. I have yet to meet anyone, no matter how avid a fan, that could make it all the way through the fourth book without putting it away once. I will tell you that getting through the middle of that book is totally worth the ending. The series kicks ass, and the latest book (Heart of Winter) is probably the best, with the sixth (Lord of Chaos) coming in on its heels. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for [the one in authority] does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of Wrath to bring punishment to the wrongdoer -- Romans 13:4

Henrik Stuart

C.S. Lewis' Novels about Narnia are indeed very good for kindling an interest in books. Recently, at least for kids anyway, the much disputed Harry Potter novels have become a big hit among kids - to the point of obsession I might observe with my sisters. Another good recommendation is from the more serious parts of fantasy novels released by TSR, but I would recommend that the kids are around 9-14 before you try to read them aloud: The Dragonlance Chronicles by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman... truly wonderful trilogy.. must have read it at least 5-6 times by now. Their currently in-the-works trilogy: War of Souls seems very good, but I have yet to finish these as the last part won't come out until April 2002 I believe. For the War of Souls I would recommend that you have read both The Dragonlance Chronicles and Dragons of Summer Flame by the same authors to understand all of the plots in the War of Souls trilogy. Lastly, for the bit older audience again - not because it's particularly difficult, but more for the sad ending - The Cleric Quintet by R. A. Salvatore (also a TSR release). Truly wonderful work on his side for those of us who get tired with hearing about Drizzt and the gang who can take on the world blindfolded, hands tied behind their backs and lying in the guillotine meanwhile. :) LOTR is indeed a truly amazing novel and a lot of fantasy novels base on the storytelling techniques used by Tolkien. However, at least Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, avoid truly long and slow-paced passages like Frodo's, Sam's and Gollum's travels together (those 200 pages take a while to get through). -- Kind regards, Henrik Stuart (http://www.unprompted.com/hstuart/)

Christian Graus

Yeah !! The Stainless Steel Rat RULED. How about Piers Anthony ? He was great when he wasn't decending into being a dirty old man. Christian As I learn the innermost secrets of the around me, they reward me in many ways to keep quiet. Men with pierced ears are better prepared for marriage. They've experienced pain and bought Jewellery.

Christian Graus

I hated LOTR. After reading the Sword of Shannara series by Terry Brooks ( I travelled an hour by train to get to my Computer Operators course ( which I dropped out of because it was a pussy course, I knew more than the teachers, but so did my neighbours cat ), and one day I just stayed on the train and kept reading ), I thought LOTR was too obviously written for children. Did that sentence make sense ? Actually I think that was the Hobbit, and I went on to call myself the Hobbitt, because you had to have a l33t hAx0r name if you used an Apple ][ in those days, but I never actually read it. Anyhow, I don't really have time to read for leisure anymore, I have the latest CUJ/WDJ and a programming book by the bed ( currently ATL Internals ). But I used to love Harry Harrison, Piers Anthony, Terry Brooks, Terry Pratchet, Douglas Adams, Tom Clancy, etc. In later years I read a lot of history ( as in books of fact ) prior to starting up with programming again. Nowadays all I really read that is non-IT is Calvin & Hobbes, and Dilbert, and that not very often. Christian As I learn the innermost secrets of the around me, they reward me in many ways to keep quiet. Men with pierced ears are better prepared for marriage. They've experienced pain and bought Jewellery.

another

I think you are thinking of the Hobbit, not LOTR. I would agree that The Hobbit is written for children. LOTR is a different beast. Craig Dodge A catchy signature should appear here.

Christian Graus

I can't recall now if I looked at LOTR, or if I was told The Hobbit was a prelude and so tarred both with the same brush. Either way, I doubt I'd have time now. I probably won't see the movie either. Christian As I learn the innermost secrets of the around me, they reward me in many ways to keep quiet. Men with pierced ears are better prepared for marriage. They've experienced pain and bought Jewellery.

Chris Maunder

Are goats on or off topic? It's hard to tell these days. cheers, Chris Maunder (CodeProject)

Anna Jayne Metcalfe

Was he ever anything else? ;P Andy Metcalfe - Sonardyne International Ltd
(andy.metcalfe@lineone.net)
http://www.resorg.co.uk

"I'm just another 'S' bend in the internet. A ton of stuff goes through my system, and some of the hairer, stickier and lumpier stuff sticks." - Chris Maunder (I just couldn't let that one past ;))