Ever wondered how to make acorns edible? Join Kili as she explains how to process this abundant nut, and learn just what Tolkien meant when he said Bilbo was so hungry that he could have eaten acorns… NOTE: I used acorns from California Live Oak, which are very bitter. If you have access to White Oak acorns, they’re much less bitter! [Happy Hobbit: Acorns – Episode 06]
Category: Tolkien
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.’”
You may have read recently that the Tolkien Estate has brought a lawsuit against Warner Bros., regarding Warner Bros.’ marketing rights for Lord of the Rings and Hobbit products. Our friend Erik Wecks has written a great piece for Geek Dad at Wired.com, clarifying some of the issues at stake and suggesting why the Tolkien Estate may have felt the need to take such action. For fans of Tolkien’s work, just how far is too far – when does a franchise become a sell out? Check out the excellent article here.
The latest edition of ‘Happy Hobbit’ has arrived in time for the Thanksgiving Holiday! Thanksgiving (and all feast holidays) are great times to gather family and friends, but how do you please a mix of dwarves, hobbits, elves and men at your table? Join Fili for some fun tips! [Happy Hobbit: Second Breakfast Thanksgiving – Episode 05]
The grandson of JRR Tolkien said he felt ‘suffocated’ by the legacy of his famous relative and feared never being able to emerge from his shadow.
Barrister-turned-novelist Simon Tolkien said the unstoppable success of the film adaptations of his grandfather’s classic Lord of the Rings trilogy caused a bitter feud within his family.
Mr Tolkien said the problems led to an ‘incredibly, dreadfully painful’ feud with his father Christoper.
The 53-year-old author of The Stepmother and the Inspector Trave trilogy said ‘nothing could prepare’ his family for the release of the films, which he said was like being ‘hit by a juggernaut’.
He said the success of the films, which grossed almost $3 billion worldwide, made him feel as if he had ‘disappeared’.
He told The Sunday Times: ‘It was like being hit by a juggernaut. One minute, I was Simon Tolkien, a barrister from London. The next, I was JRR Tolkien’s grandson. This might sound strange, but I began to lose sight of who I was. It was as if I — me, Simon — had disappeared. I felt suffocated.’
It was reported at the time that the family row stemmed from Mr Tolkien’s willingness to cooperate with director Peter Jackson despite opposition from the rest of the estate. However this was later denied.
Mr Tolkien said: ‘Maybe some people assumed it was about money…I don’t know.
‘In hindsight, I think all of my anger was being driven by this feeling that I was trapped. All I ever was going to be was the grandson of a very famous writer. That was the sum total of my achievements.’
He and his father have since managed to reconcile their differences and he even dedicated his latest book to his father. He said: ‘I guess I feel lucky that I got the chance to put things right with my dad.
Digital Spy sat down with Royd to get the Tolkien family perspective on Jackson’s adaptations, and discuss the time he spent in New Zealand bonding with the Lord of the Rings cast and crew.
When did you first get wind of Lord of the Rings being adapted as a live-action film? It was a very long development process…
“It was years before they filmed. I’d known Peter Jackson because I’d been a fan of his from Bad Taste and Braindead, from when I was younger. But I really had no involvement in the films at that stage – my first connection with them was at the first premiere in London, for The Fellowship [of the Ring]. That’s where I met Peter and other people from New Line.”