Rereads

[Gimly]

How many times did you read the LOTR ?
I did only once, some time ago, so I will re-read it after I'll finish the book I'm currently reading.

[Finglas]

I recently read it for the second time. I'm ashamed to say that I got terribly bored with it. It made a lot more sense the second time 'round (and after reading the Sil), but it wasn't as much fun and I oftimes had to force myself to read it.

[Putz0999]

I just finished my 35th reading.

I am still amazed by the complexity of Middle Earth and it's history. I still find "things" that I missed before.

I am a notorious re-reader, whenever I run out of "new" stuff I dig out a favorite and read it again.

Some other re-reads:
Dune (all books) about 10 times.
Thomas Covenant (all 6 plus Gildenfire), 8 or 9 times.
Mission Earth (L. Ron Hubbard, all 10 books), 4 times.
Foundation series (all books), 10+ times.
Robot series (Asimov), 8 or 9 times.
Stranger In A Strange Land, 10+ times.
Earth Abides (Sewell ??, Steward ??), 5 times.
The Stand, 5 times.
1984, 10+ times.
Tarzan of the Apes, 5+ times.
Have re-read many other stories too.

A good story is a good story. I usually gain some new insight each time I re-read.

Happy reading...

Putz :)

[emplynx]

Originally posted by Putz0999
I just finished my 35th reading.


35 are you sure?

I am on my 2nd. I just read for the first time last year...

[fireworks19]

5 or 6 times. I would like to try for a 6/7th time, but my *grits teeth* dear sweet little brother has my copy of the Fellowship and won't give it back.

I reread stuff all the time. Mostly LOTR, WoT, and Stardust by Neil Gaiman. The Shining a few times, especially after I saw the movie. Harry Potter. I get bored, ya know?

[cee2lee2]

At least half a dozen. I usually take a break for a few years before I reread it. I reread it early this past fall in anticipation of the movie. I always start with The Hobbit before I move on to the trilogy. Have to admit that I've never made it through the Sil.

[Renille]

I've given up on the Sil for the time being...NOT forever...but it's a book that takes sitting down and really concentrating to really read it well. Car trips are ideal, but I don't plan on taking any anytime soon, unfortunately. I'll be really busy over Christmas break...but maybe over Easter or next summer I'll be able to finish. Oh yes. I don't own a copy of the Sil...and reading it in three week incriments is extremely hard in my life...I really hate school. (Yes I know, all lousy excuses. But they are excuses nonetheless.)
Oh yeah...I'm on my second and a half time through LOtR...I think that's what it equals out to. (I'm a pick up/put down reader.)

[anduin]

Nine times.

[Gimly]

I will reread it after I'll finish the "Man form Mundania".
I have read Sil, but I was SO confused wuth all the manes which were all alike Fingol, Feanor, Fingolfin, Finarfin and so on, so I often got several pages back to remind myself what happened. I will reread it someday...

[Putz0999]

emplynx,

I can't be positive it's 35 times, but give or take 1 or 2.

I received paperback copies of the Hobbit, and LOTR in the early 70's. SIL in '79. I mark the dates inside the cover each time I re-read. When the covers started coming off the paperback set, I transfered the dates to paper (and taped cardboard to the covers) and started a new list in the hardback set, when I got them. I may have missed a couple of dates (it could be more than 35). I averaged twice a year for 10 or 11 years. The list of dates is getting long. The gap this time was 3 years since the last re-read.

When I read them this time, I had to take the paper book covers off. They were so beat up, I didn't want to damage them any further. I actually have three copies of LOTR (2 paperback, 1 hardback).

It may seem extreme, but I doubt 35 is the record.

I have collected Tolkein, Hobbit, and LOTR "stuff" for years. A Silver Anniversary calendar (1981 ??, still in the cardboard wrapper), several bumper stickers and buttons, a BIG picture of Gandalf (24x36). I have the "Lord of the Rings" LP by Bo Hanson. I recently added a set of bookmarks with characters from the new movie. I went to the premiere of the original animated Hobbit.

I am still in awe of Tolkien's mind for being able to create such a rich history. A history so complete that the LOTR is really "just an episode", and the Hobbit is an intertaining sidebar.

I am glad his son (Christopher) went forward with publishing the SIL and other material.

Happy Holidays,

Putz

[Strange-Looking Lurker]

Yes, I am very glad he did! I didn't find the Sil all that hard to read actually...it was very, VERY interesting! I've read LOTR only twice, if you count total read-throughs. I like to read my fav. parts several time per month.

[cee2lee2]

I like that idea of writing in the dates when you reread the books.

[ringbearer]

I actually lost count...about once a year since 1971.

[Kirinki54]

Originally posted by ringbearer
I actually lost count...about once a year since 1971.

Would that not be something like 30 times?
:D

[ringbearer]

The "key" word in my post was about! :D

[HOBBIT]

Twice. Well, if you count ben (bmilder) reading it to me 5 or 6 years ago. If you don't, then only one time. I'm planning on reading The Fellowship again soon....

[Lightice]

About 15 times.

[crow]

I am a rereader and cannot quite comprehend how others simply abandon books they enjoyed once they have finished. I'm not sure how many times I've read the Hobbit or LotR, but I'm estimating ten. Not bad for having discovered them a mere seven years ago, eh? Some books are trash and there is nothing to be gained by suffering through them again. Obviously, Tolkien's work is not in that category. The plots and subplots are complex, there is a detailed history behind it all, and the many place names are thrown around willy nilly. Rereading allows one to take in all the details and nuances that are so easy to miss in one casual read.