Sunday 26 September 2010

Locus Focus: Rivendell

This is my first post for the wonderful Locus Focus meme hosted at Shredded Cheddar.



Can you imagine Peter Pan without Neverland?
Lemuel Gulliver without Lilliput and Brobdingnag?
The Pied Piper without Hamelin?

A good setting is more than just a backdrop!

Join us every Saturday as we write about our favourite settings and the books that make them come alive!


I chose to write about Rivendell today. Rivendell is an Elven outpost that is a part of Middle Earth, a fictional realm created by J.R.R. Tolkien. To me, it’s a magical place. Elves live there, everything is beautiful and serene, and I like the mild climate. It’s never hot, and it’s also not too cold. So, I re-read the chapters from The Lord of the Rings (with a useful Appendix chapter) that involve Rivendell and now I’ll briefly present this magical Elven place.

Rivendell is situated on the edge of a river gorge and is well hidden from the rest of Middle Earth, surrounded by moorlands and hills. It is also called “The Last Homely House West of the Mountains” and I believe it’s not that far from the sea. Rivendell exudes peace, serenity and a sort of ancient comfort. I like to think it’s a storeroom of knowledge, too. I’ve always pictured it as a sort of beautiful and isolated Swiss resort, especially since Tolkien presumably based Rivendell on Lauterbrunen in Switzerland, which he visited.

I really fell in love with Rivendell when I first saw Peter Jackson’s movie adaptations of The Lord of the Rings. Now that’s a sight to behold! I wouldn’t like to live in Rivendell, but I would definitely like to have a summer cottage there or something like that. I think it’s a great place for reading, too. One could just perch themselves on a bench under a tree and enjoy themselves with a book in their hands, the sounds of the river humming nearby. Ah...

5 comments:

Enbrethiliel said...

+JMJ+

Thanks for joining this week, Irena! It's lovely to see another Tolkien setting. =)

I always felt a bit cheated when Tolkien said that there aren't many stories that take place Rivendell because when one is having a wonderful time, as everyone does who is there, there is very little to say about it. (As opposed to when one is having an awful time and there is suddenly everything to say!)

And I think I would like to live there--but I've always felt elvish inside! =P

Blodeuedd said...

Nice :D
I just came from livejournal and the question of the day was which world I'd like to visit, so I considered Middle Earth here by myself...cos elves are hot.

You're so right, would love to read there

Irena @ This Miss Loves to Read said...

@JMJ: Tolkien said that? But it's not true, one can write wonderful stories that take place in wonderful, beautiful places such as Rivendell. To each their own, I guess.

@Blodeuedd: Elves ARE hot.:)

The Insouciant Sophisticate said...

Rivendell is a beautiful place and the films definitely helped me appreciate it more.

BrendaC said...

Just found your blog, I really like your reviews and I am now following. Drop by and check out my blog if you get the chance at kittycrochettwo.blogspot.com. I look forward to some great reviews, have an awesome week!