Hello! So this is the last week of the group-read, and next week I’ll put up a post, linking to everybody’s reviews, so if you have catching up to do, this week’s the one!
Last week was a busy one, and so I didn’t get my post up, but Lynn and Matt did, so stop over and see what they had to say! For those of you that haven’t, you can do what I’m doing and club last week and this week together, but remember to add it to the link log below, so that we can come visit.
The wonderful Debbie over at The Wicked Queen’s Mirror has come up with some amazing questions for the week. Let’s get started!
1) Throughout the book there are many examples of greed (for both food and treasure). Why do you think Bilbo takes and hides the Arkenstone when he is later happy to ransom it for peace? Is it simple greed? Forethought? Or a convenient plot device?
2) Much has been written of Tolkien’s experiences in World War One and how the Lord of the Rings shows both the romantic, heroic aspects of war (Aragorn’s journey)but also the stark realities (Frodo’s journey). What did you think about the way the Battle of Five Armies was described? Did you feel these two aspects of war were represented?
3)What did you think about the role of the goblins in the Battle of Five Armies? Was it easy for you to accept their appearance and that the threat they posed would automatically unite the men and elves with the dwarves? Or did you find it too simplistic?
4) In ‘The Last Stage’ we are told Bilbo remained very happy to the end of his days. If you had been off on an adventures could you settle back to normal life so easily? Would you be content with only occasional visits to the elves?
I hope everyone who chose to read this with us is enjoying themselves. So, final stretch, get those pages turning, and tell us what you thought of the book!
– Tanya
Writers' Bloc 