I’m home! I got back from the Isle of Wight at about 20:30 last night – long day! But that is not the subject of this post. Whilst away, I used my Kindle (a Christmas gift from Dave) for the first time, and delved into the wonderful world of The Hobbit!
Dave has been recommending that I read this for a long time, and it stands as one of his favourite books, but I never got round to it. Anyway, once I got a chance to sit and download some books to my Kindle, this was the first one that I opted for. I wasn’t intending to read it straight away, to be honest, as I also downloaded a Paul Finch book from his DS Heckenburg series that I was eager to get started on. But I was also conscious that I was only staying away for the week and wanted the challenge of finishing a book in that space of time. Needless to say, I was successful and polished it off (I finished the last 5% this morning).
Like a lot of people, we have been going to see the three films in the cinema, and obviously watched the last in the series just before Christmas.
I really enjoyed the films (though it took a few watches for the first one to grow on me) and I have enjoyed now comparing the original work, to the Peter Jackson vision in the movies.
Whilst watching all three films, Dave told me that there were inaccuracies that really drove him mad – for example, the random appearance of Legolas, who isn’t even in The Hobbit. I now share his opinion on that front! I do, however, prefer the visual style of the Dwarves in the movies, as opposed to the descriptions in the book of multicoloured hoods and the like (much like the 1977 animated version, which is a little Snow White and the Seven Dwarves for my liking!). The movies are definitely a more adult version of what was originally intended to be a childrens’ book though, which is perhaps why I preferred some aspects of them.
All in all, I am really glad that I have now read the book, and am really tempted to add The Lord of the Rings trilogy to my Kindle, to read in the future; though I have been told that they are written quite differently to The Hobbit, and are quite hard work. Any thoughts on this? I have now made a start on 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, by Jules Verne, which has been on my shelf for ages. As intended, I am alternating between physical and Kindle books, until I have finished all of my physical copies, as I have quite a few sat waiting to be read at the moment. At just 244 pages, it shouldn’t take me too long though. If I finish that this week, I will take my Kindle and a few other books on my next work trip to Guernsey and Jersey, on the 2nd February, as I will be away for 3 weeks and will need the evening entertainment!