Tag Archives: saruman

The Villain Checklist: Risk

Posted on May 12, 2017 by NFB

In establishing what our villain wants and how they will go about getting it, the story we are experiencing will hopefully do one other thing of immense importance. All going well, it will establish the critical element of risk: Risk … Continue reading →

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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Posted on Dec 19, 2012 by NFB

Far over the misty mountains cold To dungeons deep and caverns old We must away, ere break of day To find our long-forgotten gold So, I wrote a brief piece on my expectations for this movie last week, bits and … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Reviews, The Lord of the Rings, TV/Movies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

The Lord Of The Rings, Chapter By Chapter: The Scouring Of The Shire

Posted on Mar 4, 2012 by NFB

(Updated on 2/3/16) A lot has been said about this chapter, which explodes the narrative back into action right before the final moments. The placing of it certainly draws attention. The point of the long drawn out farewells is a … Continue reading →

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The Lord Of The Rings, Chapter By Chapter: The Road To Isengard

Posted on Jul 8, 2011 by NFB

(Updated on 12/09/15) This is a short “deep breath after the storm” chapter, whose purpose is mostly to just get the central characters from point A to point B without too much fuss. But whereas other authors might have a … Continue reading →

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The Lord Of The Rings, Chapter By Chapter: The King Of The Golden Hall

Posted on Jun 24, 2011 by NFB

(Updated on 29/08/15) “The White Rider” is one of the worst chapters in the story, in my opinion, but we’re starting on a few brilliant chapters in a row, pretty much all the way to the end of Book Three. We’ve … Continue reading →

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The Lord Of The Rings, Chapter By Chapter: Treebeard

Posted on Jun 10, 2011 by NFB

(Updated on 18/05/2023) We’re heading back into the heavy fantasy stuff, starting now. Fangorn is a stuffy and old place. Tolkien gives it an interesting description, that of an ancient, almost undisturbed area, somewhere that has been free from the influence … Continue reading →

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The Lord Of The Rings, Chapter By Chapter: The Riders Of Rohan

Posted on May 27, 2011 by NFB

(Updated on 25/04/2023) The chase is on and our three multi-racial heroes are running day and night. The first paragraph of this chapter is one of my favourite pieces of descriptive writing in the whole book and sets up the … Continue reading →

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It Is Not War #4: Helm’s Deep, Part Two

Posted on Aug 24, 2010 by NFB

Part One, for those who aren’t caught up. And we’re back with Aragorn seeing red. This assault can’t work. The defenders don’t have the numbers to push the Uruks back at this stage. The escape route that leads to the … Continue reading →

Posted in It Is Not War, War | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

It Is Not War #3: Helm’s Deep, Part One

Posted on Aug 15, 2010 by NFB

We’re in the big time now. Before I start, I’d like to say that I’m quite pleased with the reaction to my first two posts, and thanks to all commentators and well-wishers. Right then. Troy was based off source material … Continue reading →

Posted in It Is Not War, The Lord of the Rings, War | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments