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| I Love Sci-Fi/Fantasy Because... |
...of characters like Lord of the Rings' Bilbo Baggins.
Bilbo Baggins was no wizard. He was no magnificent warrior nor a fulfillment of prophecy. He stole away no princess to marry and ruled no kingdom. But he did something that has inspired me for decades.
He went on an adventure!
And what an adventure it was!
Through his eyes, I saw trolls and dragons, dwarves and gold. I witnessed him bantering with the coolest of wizards and riddling with the most tortured of souls. I beheld awesome landscapes and glimpsed a golden ring that would change not only his world, but mine as well.
Bilbo Baggins, who lived in a hole in the ground, was the first reason I loved science fiction and fantasy.
Eek! Another character I know nothing about! You probably now think I live in a hole in the ground like Bilbo to be this out of the loop, huh? Heh.
ReplyDeleteStill, very cool to learn about the character that first made you fall in love with this genre! :)
Ah, but a Hobbit hole means comfort!
DeleteI could never get into these books and I didn't care much for the LotR films but the Hobbit....the Hobbit I liked!
ReplyDeleteI think they did a great job with it and the character playing Bilbo (I can't remember his name...that guy..from Sherlock) was excellent. Totally believable and it really sucked me in.
I've heard many such comments regarding Martin Freeman's performance.
DeleteBilbo Baggins is one of the most unlikely heroes ever and I love him! The Hobbit is a great book and movie, and I can't wait for the next part of the movie to come out so I can see Bilbo again.
ReplyDeleteYup, looking forward to it too. :)
DeleteGood old Bilbo. He was my first great fictional love too.
ReplyDeletemood
Moody Writing
We share first loves. hmmmm... :)
DeleteIt's interesting to see how the Average Everyday Dude is portrayed in fantasy.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. And it was portrayed well.
DeleteHe was also the reason I loved fantasy. I, Robot brought me into sci-fi. Both in elementary school. That someone so unfamiliar with and averse to adventure could go on such an epic journey will always be an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteShannon at The Warrior Muse
Who can say no to an adventure when a wizard wants you to come along?
DeleteI love Bilbo, I'm so glad they made The Hobbit into a movie :) The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit are what introduced me to fantasy, as well.
ReplyDeleteThey did a fine job on the first Hobbit movie. But after seeing the quality of LOTR trilogy in the theatre, my expectations were high.
DeleteSweet post. :-)
ReplyDeleteI love Bilbo too. How he challenged himself to go beyond some well-established boundaries within himself.
We should all push our boundaries on occasion. In the books, he never regretted it.
DeleteI wonder if Tolkien realized exactly how many people he would influence.
ReplyDeleteI doubt it, but it sure was a lot of people.
DeleteI enjoyed the book and the films too although yet to see the Hobbit. I have to admit I didn#t get through all the LOTR books. I shall definitely be checking out the rest of your A to Z as I love fantasy and a little bit of sci-fi so be interested in what else you come up with.
ReplyDeleteI hope I don't disappoint. I tried to find a good mix between the two.
DeleteAww, this was such an endearing post. Loved it. :3
ReplyDeleteBilbo makes adventures fun!
DeleteHe was just an ordinary guy who stepped out of his comfort zone!
ReplyDeleteThat he did--and broadened his horizons in the process.
DeleteI love Bilbo's adventure and the fact that it didn't need to be propelled by or paired with romance the way so many stories are these days.
ReplyDeleteThere was much more romance in the LOTR movies than in the books, but Tolkien didn't seem too big on pushing the romance aspects, although he didn't shy away from then *too* much.
DeleteBilbo is my FAVORITE! love, love, love him!
ReplyDeleteMy life was never the same after reading that book.
DeleteI've not read the books, so I don't know the Bilbo of the books, but my kids coerced me into watching the movies, and I love the movie Bilbo. I love his scene with Sam at the end of Two Towers. :-)
ReplyDeleteThey are all definitely worth the read. The movies had to cut a lot.
DeleteRun Bilbo, run! Nice post Jeff.
ReplyDeleteLOL!
DeleteAn everyman of the most creative sort.
ReplyDeleteNice way of putting it.
DeleteDarn! After yesterday I truly hoped for an inspirational "hot guys" theme. Bilbo just doesn't make the grade for me! Although your blog still gets my vote since I am a Lord of the Rings fan. Wonderful characterizations in that story.
ReplyDeleteThis cracked me up. I suppose everyone is hot to someone. ;-)
DeleteBilbo Baggins is one of my favorite characters. :) Love your perspective!
ReplyDeleteThanks. He was a good character to tag along with.
DeleteBilbo is my favorite hobbit! I just re-read the book recently and still loved it. I would be just like him; I want an adventure, but I want some creature comforts, too, LOL!
ReplyDeleteThose books can be read every year and never get old.
DeleteI still haven't seen the movie The Hobbit.
ReplyDeleteThe only downside to seeing them in the theatre is the time between the installments.
DeleteAnd then he couldn't stop his feet. He's a great character and quite clever with puzzles as well. :)
ReplyDeleteHe could definitely our-riddle me.
DeleteOhhhh... this is too neat, Jeff. I love that you know where your passion for science fiction and fantasy stems from. And I can't believe you're doing the A-Z... Gaaaaah... You're so brave!
ReplyDeleteBrave. Yeah, that's it! Brave! Not crazy. LOL
DeleteYes! It's the adventure that draws us in.
ReplyDeleteLove Bilbo! One of the scenes I thought they did well in the films was the moment in Rivendell when he asks Frodo for a glimpse of the ring - and that horrible sudden change comes over him.
ReplyDelete