This is one in a series of posts where the content is provided by a guest who has graciously answered five questions about their experience as a Tolkien reader. I am very humbled that anyone volunteers to spend time in this busy world to answer questions for my blog, and so I give my sincerest thanks to WelCZa and the other participants for this.

To see the idea behind this project, check out this page

I want to thank Donato Giancola for allowing me to use his stunning portrait of J.R.R Tolkien as the featured image for this project. If you would like to purchase a print of this painting, they are available on his website!

If you would like to contribute your own experience, you can do so by using the form on the contact page, or by emailing me directly.

Now, on to WelCZa‘s responses:

How were you introduced to Tolkien’s work?

Back at 1995(ish) I was playing local version of DnD and I loved it. And one of my friends/schoolmates I was playing it with told me, that I should read Hobbit and that DnD is based on it. So first I read borrowed Hobbit and next I bought it as well as the LotR and Silmarilion (I was around 15 so it wasn’t all at once).

What is your favorite part of Tolkien’s work?

Definitely The Two Towers and its battle of Helms deep, where Gimli and Legolas start counting killed enemies and compete in it. IMO it’s one of the most hilarious and touchy part of the story if not “The most…” (even besides destroying of The Ring).

What is your fondest experience of Tolkien’s work?

Definitely Lord of the Rings online. An MMORPG based on, well, LotR. There is nothing more to say.

Has the way you approach Tolkien’s work changed over time?

When I was young, Tolkien’s work was bible to me. Now it is just awesome saga, besides others.

Would you ever recommend Tolkien’s work? Why/Why not?

Definitely. Why? Short answer: Why not? Longer answer: Tolkien was a genius storyteller who even invented at least two alphabets (elvish and dwarven) and at least basics of two languages.