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 Maria 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 Maria Romeiras Amado’s responses:

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1. How were you introduced to Tolkien’s work?

I read The Hobbit very young, in a Portuguese translation that was around my parents’ library. Loved it. After that I remember the first animation movie. I read the LOTR and The Silmarillion years later. I am now 54 and usually read LOTR every other year. This year I just revisited The Hobbit. I also like to watch Peter Jackson’s LOTR trilogy.

2. What is your favorite part of Tolkien’s work?

LOTR for sure. Huge fan.

3. What is your fondest experience of Tolkien’s work?

The fact that my father bought The Hobbit for my brothers and me and years later I gave LOTR to my teenage son who is already an expert!

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

Of course. Over the tears we come to appreciate the beauty of the text, it is amazing, beautiful, alive. Even for non-native English speakers. But Portuguese tend to read books in their original versions.

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

For sure! It is a beautiful universe and a beautiful linguistic exercise to dive in. I am a 54 year historian and he is one of my favorite authors!