Re: on a serious note... The Silmarillion
I think SILM is awesome, have read it twice and it is better than LOTR for me. The first time I read it, I did have Fonstad's Atlas of ME, so it helps with the places very well.
I think because I read SILM before seeing LOTR films, I enjoyed them so much more!
Some references:
- Gimli's "Never Trust and Elf" in Council of Elrond and Haldir's "We have not had dealings with the Dwarves since the Dark Days" has real meaning for me because I know what happened in Beleriand.
- Galadriel's "I will diminish and go into the West and remain Galadriel". (She is Noldor, the only one to be allowed back to Valinor who fled in pursuit of Morgoth)
- Aragorn's Song at Coronation (see my sig below).
- Gandalf talking to Pippin in Minas Tirith. "It is not the end.... white shores and beyond a fair green country". (He is talking about Valinor).
When I heard these lines in the movies, it meant far more to me.
About HOME, now that is like a College Course for sure! I only have gotten as far as I have because there are good tales in there, especially the first few drafts of LOTR with Aragorn being TROTTER the Hobbit. (I think of that everytime I watch an Eagle's Football game)
I am so stuck on Sauron Defeated in the Notion Club Papers, it is difficult to get through and appears so unrelated, but I know it has something to do with Atlantie (Numenor).
Read Unfinished Tales too, it has great stories about Tuor and Turin.
And the most tragic story of all is that of Turin Turambar and his poor father Hurin. It would be an excellent film on its own. And of course Beren and Luthien too. The Silm could be made as a series of films, it can be done, it should be be done. Naysayers will go on that it will not be done, but these are probably the same people who said LOTR would never be done.