Hobbitwulf

J.R.R. TOLKIEN  is certainly not the only person to ever translate  the word "middangeard" in Beowulf as "Middle-earth"  -- but his word choice, obviously, is more conspicuous (and interesting) to us than it is in other editions. The recent publication of his version of the epic poem is hardly a mere tiber to his fans — that's "gift" … Continue reading Hobbitwulf

Etc.: Leonardo’s apocalypse, Hobbit style, and something Sherlockian

THE END OF THE WORLD, AGAIN: How many of your friends on Facebook posted "Well, I'm still here!" as their status update on Friday, Dec. 21? It was funny the first or second time, but the joke got old pretty quick, didn't it? That joke would have been even less amusing to the people of … Continue reading Etc.: Leonardo’s apocalypse, Hobbit style, and something Sherlockian

What to bring with you when you join Bilbo & Company: new in bookstores

Followers of J.R.R. Tolkien know what "The Hobbit" is: It's a prelude. A delicious dish, but not the main course. The adventures are wonderful, but the story plays out on a much smaller canvas than "The Lord of the Rings" -- though you wouldn't know it from watching the first installment of Peter Jackson's "Hobbit" … Continue reading What to bring with you when you join Bilbo & Company: new in bookstores