January 9, 2002 Why the Book Cannot Be Perfect Hey, Razors, don't you fear; this is not going to be a death threat, although I don't completely agree with what you wrote. Let me explain: You've pointed out the rather long-winded narrative, Tolkien's obsession to take note of the tiniest detail, the lengthy descriptions of places and histories, the flat (I guess one-dimensioned were your words) characters. You feel the story often gets lost over that, and your essay conveys that you somehow miss suspense and dramatic atmosphere; do I get you right? Well, in a way, you're right. If LOTR was the new Tom Clancy thriller or, let's say the new Barbara Wood novel, I'd completely agree with you and regret every minute of reading. But I don't think you can read LOTR the same way you read any other book. If you do so, your expectations will be deceived. I don't think it was Tolkien's attempt to write an ordinary fantasy novel with suspense, drama and thrill. It's more like some historical chronicle or something like that. Imagine that he spent years inventing every little detail of middle-earth; its history, its landscape, its creatures. His middle-earth is not just the pictureresque scenery for a powerful story, it has its own history. The characters appearing are not archetypes, they have their own history which dates back thousands of years... Whole middle-earth is the story. Tolkien wanted us to share this. And that's what's so great about this book. You don't feel like reading a novel, it feels so real. Of course, it is not as exciting to read as any other fantasy novel. Ever tried reading the Edda? Or that medieval Song of Roland? They're damn boring, in a way. But those ancient chronics are the basis for all those powerful tales and legends we know today. It's up to us to reveal that heartbraking lovestory between Arwen and Aragorn when reading through those few lines in the appendices, or to figure out Boromir's toils (liked your description; you put it exactly the way I felt it...). The film finally delivers what you missed in the book, and I think they fit perfectly. The book with its depth and rich details impresses you just as much as the film with its powerful pictures and emotions.
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