by J. R. R. Tolkien
(Re-read)
“‘I wish it need not have happened in my time’, said Frodo.
‘So do I,’ said Gandalf. ‘and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.'”
“‘He deserves death.’
‘Deserves it! I daresay he does. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them?'”
“He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom.”
This book is a tremendous ode to love of nature… love of home… love of the agrarian… and a spirituality of the earth and beyond.
And an adventure story. This is at least my third read, and I think I saw the Peter Jackson movies twice. The movies have enhanced my ability to visualize the action scenes of the book – I’m not good following action, as a rule. But the memory of the movie’s depiction of Gandalf’s capture by the Balrog – his last words, “Fly, you fools!!” – made the scene live for me.
Tytania 