In foramine terrae habitabat hobbitus. (‘In a hole in the ground, there lived a hobbit.’)
The Hobbit, is one of the world’s most popular classic stories, appealing to adults as much as to the children for whom J.R.R. Tolkien first wrote the book. Translated worldwide into more than 60 modern languages, now Hobbitus Ille is finally published in Latin, and will be of interest to all those who are studying the language, whether at school or at a higher level.
In the great tradition of publishing famous children’s books in Latin, professional classicist and lifelong Tolkien fan Mark Walker provides a deft translation of the entire book. His attention to detail, including the transformation of Tolkien’s songs and verses into classical Latin meters, will fascinate and entertain readers of all ability, even those with only a minimal acquaintance with the language. Read this full post for the Press Release and pick up your copy today! [Get your Copy!] Continue reading “Hobbitus Ille: The Latin Hobbit – ‘In foramine terrae habitabat hobbitus.’”
Jonathan Handel, a contributing editor for The Hollywood Reporter, covered that tense period during the late summer and early autumn of 2010, when it looked as though the Hobbit production might leave New Zealand. Readers will no doubt remember the labor union issues that raised that threat and the negotiations between Warner Bros. executives and the New Zealand government. Handel has revised and updated his reports into a short book, The New Zealand Hobbit Crisis, available in print form and for Kindle. If you weren’t paying much attention at the time or just have forgotten some of the details, now you can read about that episode secure in the knowledge that The Hobbit‘s production remained in New Zealand!
The cover for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: The World of Hobbits Ethan Gilsdorf from Wired reviews several of the tie-in books for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.
I recently got my hands on the five movie tie-in books (published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, the U.S. publisher of all of Tolkien’s works). The titles are The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: Official Movie Guide and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: Visual Companion (these two are for adults, mostly); and The Movie Storybook, The World of Hobbits, and Activity Book (for kids, mostly; their titles are also preceded by the unwieldy “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”).
All are full-color, super glossy, and chock with images from Peter Jackson’s first film (and sometimes, a little bit beyond the first film), and all five include some minor insights, sneak previews and/or spoilers, depending on your point of view.
This month, J.W. looks at The Hobbit Storybook and gives away a Tolkien Encyclopedia in a contest. Meanwhile in his mailbag section below, he shares a riddle, talks about multi-headed trolls, and explains why The Return of the King DVDs were released both early and late.
In the United States, Tolkien publishers Houghton Mifflin Harcourt are releasing five books to tie-in with the first of Peter Jackson’s Hobbit movies – and they go on sale next Tuesday, 6th November. Here are the details:
Thanks to johobbit from the Silver Leaves journal team, who let us know that their journal issue number 4 is available now. She tells us, ‘Silver Leaves Issue 4 is hot off the press. The theme is Dragons and we are very excited about getting into the hands of Tolkien and fantasy fans. This is another superb issue, with contributors including Jef Murray, Colin Duriez, Alison Baird, Doug Adams, Tim Kirk, Peter S. Beagle, Constance Wagner, Anna Repp, and Ted Nasmith, among many other talented folk. Ordering information is available here. And always remember, ‘It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him!’ ‘
If you enjoy the journal and would like to contribute, they are currently accepting submissions for Issue 5, which is themed on The Hobbit. Deadline for submissions is 1st February 2013; further information here.
In foramine terrae habitabat hobbitus. (‘In a hole in the ground, there lived a hobbit.’)
