[notdownwidems]

I started reading The Hobbit in 6th grade, but it wasn't until high school that I really was able to read it with comprehension. I was fifteen the first time I read The Hobbit and LOTR all the way through--my, what an exciting adventure! And I read it again every few years. Each time, I pick up on a new nuance that I've never seen before. Those books are truly classics.

I agree, I remember the first time I read the entire trilogy (sophomore in high school) I was so moved I cried when it was over. Truly the greatest classic of fantasy fiction I've ever read, if not of all time!

[exDemMom]

I was so moved I cried when it was over.

I still cry every time I finish those books. Poor Frodo wanted for so long nothing more than to go home to the Shire--but when he finally did go home, he was so damaged by the entire experience that he could not stay and enjoy the comfortable life he longed for.

I have a friend who looks at it a little differently. She thought that Frodo was very fortunate, since he was leaving to go live with the elves. Since the elves always seemed arrogant and condescending to me, I never thought that a very good deal.

[sneakers]

It’s been years since I read the books. I, too, first read them when I was 14 or 15 years old. I’ll have to get them out again.