Bamfurlong -- or, Lin = LOTR geek

[linaewen]

Here's my trivial observation for the day:

I have always suspected that I knew the text of LOTR very well (after reading it at least once a year for 30+ years), but now I have proof. I was reading FOTR (my new revised edition copy that has a wee picture of Boromir on the back cover) and came to the part in A Shortcut to Mushrooms where Pippin says "I know these fields and this gate!" he said. "This is Bamfurlong, old Farmer Maggot's land. That's his farm away there in the trees."

Well now, I knew immediately that I had never read that before; since when was Maggot's farm named Bamfurlong? So, just to prove I wasn't crazy, I looked it up in my old battered copy of LOTR, and sure enough, that phrase wasn't there. My old copy reads: "I know these fields and this gate!" he said. "We are on old Farmer Maggot's land. That must be his farm away there in the trees."

Yay me! I spotted a change in the revised edition! And it pleases me no end! I think I'm over the Wednesday hump at last!

BTW, I am having a grand time rereading the LOTR books; I haven't read them properly since the films came out. I'm reading every word this time around, and it's great -- there's something about being be able to actually visualize Frodo for a change that makes my reading so much better. Frodo was for some strange reason the most ephemeral character for me in the past; now he is there for me. Boromir, of course, was always there in a rather omnipresent way -- can't wait until he turns up! Only 10 chapters to go...

Comments

[siradaono.livejournal.com]

GOOD EYE LIN!!!!
is your old copy pre 1994?? that was when the Second Edtion was first published i think. I bought a "NEW" never read 40th anniversary edition(1994), Hardback Single Volume, with a cover I had never seen, last Saturday. It was printed in 1994. Perfect condition! never opened, I say that was a treat for $12.00

I also have a 1966 three paper back set that I use for re-reading and carrying around, since the ONE volume is heavy even in paperback.

;-{>
i do go on so

[lin4gondor.livejournal.com]

Yes, my oldie is pre1994. It has a copyright of 1965, printed in 1975.

Here's what it looks like, worn corners and all.




This one was my third copy, I believe; I wore them out pretty quickly, hehe!

[siradaono.livejournal.com]

i may dare to scan my new editon (pun intended) cover for you, very beautiful.

[maidoforange.livejournal.com]

(((Lin))). I am so glad you are having fun rereading the books and got to notice that change! You are prompting me to a reread.

[lin4gondor.livejournal.com]

Replying to myself to see what it does. ;-)

Hello

[faramirgirl.livejournal.com]

My first set fell apart on me as I was reading them. So I went to Wal-Mart and found a copy of the books all in one big book. I have not read them since the movies but I hope to find some time to reread them after school.