New on my blog is the second half of my top 10 imaginary worlds. I get a bit deeper this time (or go on a bit more!), as these are ones that have shaped me as a writer.
Surprised to learn in Fonstad’s Atlas of #MiddleEarth that #TheShire is 21,400 square miles (55426 square km) — way larger than I was imagining! That would make it slightly smaller than West Virginia and larger than Switzerland. And that isn’t counting the later-added Westmarches or Buckland either.
Played some Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game. My Hobbits took on the Ruffians in the Scouring of the Shire campaign. At this point in the campaign, it's pretty even between the two sides.
“Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.”
― Neil Gaiman, Coraline
As great scientists have said and as all children know, it is above all by the imagination that we achieve perception, and compassion, and hope. --Ursula K. Le Guin
Too sedated from neuro illness to read much at the mo. But started The Children of Hurin by JRR Tolkien. Though skipped opening context/intro. I'm taking it as a story on its own terms, without overbearing Silmarillion-esque trappinggs that I find off-putting. Liking the epic/myth/tragedy combo. #Books#Reading#Bookstodon#Tolkien#MiddleEarth#Silmarillion#Fantasy#Mythology#Tragedy#neuro#Fiction
Rewatched the "Rings Of Power" recently and really liked it (again). Very much looking forward to season 2. Didn't realize that I'll be needing to wait at least another year before it comes out.
Though later fantasy inspired by Tolkien often makes dwarves anti-magic, in "The Hobbit" the dwarves cast spells to open doors, hide their buried treasure, and curse their enemies. They're also less mistrustful of Gandalf's magic than hobbits or humans are.
🎨 John Howe #FaustianFriday#litereature#fantasy#JRRTolkien#MiddleEarth#dwarves