Your thoughts on the Lord of the Rings series

[strangerep]

Just yesterday I wrote, sooner or later everything imaginable will already have been done. What then?

They'll start to study theoretical physics, which is surely never-ending.

 

[strangerep]

The Silmarillion was complicated and brutal [...]

Yes. It seems Tolkien was almost incapable of writing a story with a happy ending. He only managed it (grudgingly, temporarily) in The Hobbit.

 

[Bandersnatch]

About that Arwen quote, it has always seemed clear to me that this wasn't a factual complaint about a lack of good ferry service or maybe the selective racism of the ferrymen (ferryelves?) shooing away smelly naturalised humans - but a more metaphorical expression of her love and loyalty.
There are no ships that would take her anymore because she meant it when she made her choices. She had cast her lot with the humans and she is steadfast in her resolve. The ships are for elves, maiars, and select heroic individuals destined for immortal existence in the <totally_not_valhalla> - and she identifies as a mortal human (it's who I am, dad, don't try to change me!). She would not board one because that would make her fickle. Devalue the relationship with Aragorn from worthy of the greatest sacrifice to a summer fling in Middle-earth. On his deathbed Aragorn urges her to forget her vows and save herself - because he loves her so much. She refuses - for the same reason.
It's the greatest love story ever told, gosh darn it.

 

[Hornbein]

About that Arwen quote, it has always seemed clear to me that this wasn't a factual complaint about a lack of good ferry service or maybe the selective racism of the ferrymen (ferryelves?) shooing away smelly naturalised humans - but a more metaphorical expression of her love and loyalty.
There are no ships that would take her anymore because she meant it when she made her choices. She had cast her lot with the humans and she is steadfast in her resolve. The ships are for elves, maiars, and select heroic individuals destined for immortal existence in the <totally_not_valhalla> - and she identifies as a mortal human (it's who I am, dad, don't try to change me!). She would not board one because that would make her fickle. Devalue the relationship with Aragorn from worthy of the greatest sacrifice to a summer fling in Middle-earth. On his deathbed Aragorn urges her to forget her vows and save herself - because he loves her so much. She refuses - for the same reason.
It's the greatest love story ever told, gosh darn it.

I dunno. Why would any such ships come to Middle Earth? It's so over. Presumably if she were to hire a ship of Men it would be magically unable to approach Uttermost Westerness. Either that or it would fall afoul of stringent Numenorean immigration regulations.

 

[Vanadium 50]

ferrymen (ferryelves?)

Faeriemen.

 

[Rive]

About that Arwen quote, it has always seemed clear to me that this wasn't a factual complaint about a lack of good ferry service or maybe the selective racism of the ferrymen (ferryelves?) shooing away smelly naturalised humans

Well, regardless the love story part there is a quote somewhere that after the betrayal of Numenor every road became curved (a planet got established?) and only some chosen are allowed to take the straight path through the west seas by the grace of Valar

 

[Vanadium 50]

Like many books it has good points and bad points, some of which I have mentioned here.

I note that the thread title is "your thoughts" and not "your opportunity to gush on why it's the bestest bestest book ever!"