5 x 5 CONTINUED: BOOKS

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Continuing 5 Facts about 5 Boooks (being my favourites).

This is the last instalment you may be happy, or sadddened, to heare.

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LORD OF THE RINGS

The Lord of the Rings is an epic high fantasy novel by the English author and scholar J. R. R. Tolkien (1892-1973). Set in Middle-earth, the story began as a sequel to Tolkien's 1937 children's book The Hobbit, but eventually developed into a much larger work. Written in stages between 1937 and 1949, The Lord of the Rings is one of the best-selling books ever written, with over 150 million copies sold.

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Facts:

1.

Tolkien was a devout Catholic. He served in the British Army during World War I and his experiences in the trenches, and his grief at his friends’ deaths, later influenced aspects of his fiction. He studied at Oxford University, where he later became a Professor of English Language and Literature. He also studied philology, a branch of linguistics that analyses the origins of languages.

Tolkien during WW1

2.

Some early critics of the books were harsh. In this excerpt from The Great British Dream Factory by Dominic Sandbrook, he quotes Edmund Wilson, who called the books “juvenile trash” in 1956. Philip Toynbee wrote that “today those books have passed into a merciful oblivion.” The Lord of the Rings is considered one of the greatest fantasy books ever written, and it has helped to create and shape the modern fantasy genre. Since release, it has been reprinted many times and translated into at least 38 languages. Its enduring popularity has led to numerous references in popular culture, the founding of many societies by fans of Tolkien's works, and the publication of many books about Tolkien and his works. It has inspired many derivative works, including paintings, music, films, television, video games, and board games.

3.

Sean Connery turned down the role of Gandalf because he didn't understand the script. Hey was considered for the role but he eventually turned it down and commented, "I never understood it. I read the book. I read the script. I saw the movie. I still don't understand it." Connery may have regretted this decision, his compensation for the job would have included a substantial percentage of the profits of the films. Actor Christopher Lee, who died in 2015, commented that, for decades, he had dreamt of playing Gandalf. By the time the films were made, he was well into his seventies and too old for the physical demands of the role. Instead he was cast as Saruman, the beginning of a major career revival that continued with George Lucas's Star Wars movies, Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, as well as Jackson's The Hobbit trilogy. Lee also had the distinction of being the only cast member to have ever met the esteemed author. Lee had read the LOTR books every year for 40 years before landing the role of Saruman.

4.

Aragorn and Arwen are cousins (63 times removed!). Basically Aragorn is a descendant of Elros, Elrond's brother. They were part of a race called "halfelves" who get to choose between elven and human existence. Elrond opted for an immortal life in Rivendell, while Elros chose to be human. This is probably why (many, many generations later) Elrond allowed his nephew to move into the elven enclave where Aragorn got very friendly with Elrond's daughter. It's also why Aragorn lives so much longer than other men.

5.

The Beatles tried to make their own LOTR movie. In his documentary, The Beatles: Get Back, Jackson revealed this tidbit. The fab four read (and loved!) LOTR in the late '60s and decided to make a feature film of their own, with Paul McCartney as Frodo, John Lennon as Gollum, George Harrison as Gandalf, and Ringo Starr as Sam. They hoped to get director Stanley Kubrick on board. But ultimately, they couldn't get the rights from Tolkien who wasn't keen on a pop group doing his story.

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