Our first visit to Rivendell!

On a rainy afternoon I share and comment on Tolkien’s wonderful first description of Elrond’s house
If you'd like to encourage me with coffee and cake you can do so here www.buymeacoff...

[@lysetsfyrste]

I think it would be awesome if you were to make an audiobook of the entire hobbit, but also add commentary between the reading. I have never seen anyone else do that sort of thing, and i think would be the abseloute perfect person for it :)

[@adflicto1]

Never would have thought that Arthas was a Tolkien fan

[@anthonyhulse1248]

Sitting in the middle of a snowstorm here in Alberta. How I miss English rain, snowdrops and crocuses!

[@ursusthewhite9824]

By root and twig, you must be several hours just south of this old white bear wizard. Oh for springtime in the Alberta Rockies.

[@DorsetGirl]

I am in New Brunswick. I miss the English spring so much it’s almost painful. When I make enough money to buy property there I’ll be back in my shire quicker than one can say ‘Bilbo Baggins’.

[@evolassunglasses4673]

Best wishes to you from Essex England.

[@aletheuo475]

Ti's the tide of the bluebell at present my friend. They flourish in their thousands on the woodland floor. It's also very cold and windy, but the sun is waxing warm enough to thaw my numbness.

[@Glasshousebc]

Live on the ski hill, Kimberley, BC… had the blizzard not long after you matey… now onto more spring like weather.

[@CTSega]

Your videos convinced me to start re-reading Tolkien's works- they're just so timeless and fantastic. Thank you!

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

I'm so glad!

[@littleithephi]

Stumbled upon this channel on snowy day in the midswest United States. There are few people and channels that are able to honestly express themselves and organically grow their following and I'm so glad this man, Malcolm was able to do it. I look forward to hearing a tale and some wisdom every so often. Good on you, my man, good on you.

[@joegarry8983]

''Unless ye become as little children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of God''.

[@UNIRockLIVE]

Exactly

[@deandomino6732]

I genuinely believe that one of the worse things that could happen to a person is that we grow up. Simple child like faith in the Lord Jesus, that anyone can have. The most precious thing. That's a life worth living.

[@johnc6809]

Such an immense pleasure for me to hear you read one our favorite quotes from Tolkien. So beloved that my wife wants me to do a piece of Calligraphy for our own home, which I have dubbed “Woody End”, as it is all wood built, and I shan’t finish repairing and maintaining it in my lifetime!

[@bijkwakk120]

My dear Malcolm every time I get a notification of your videos of little slices of poetry and relaxation my day gets a little brighter, and as a young man you've also propelled my newfound pipe hobby, thank you so much Sir! keep in good health and spirits and I look forward for more of these little corners of peace.

[@DorsetGirl]

Reluctantly living in Canada and so homesick for my England and home county of Dorsetshire and the magical village of Sutton Poyntz. I love hearing Malcolm’s voice.

[@guycalgary7800]

Saddle up and head home , Canada is a frontier that isnt for everyone.

[@anamcaralaura]

Thank you for taking us to Rivendell today. Even thought I've been there a thousand times, it's still new. ❤

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@marybrewer2203]

May evil things never find their way into your home. Thank you for this visit.

[@diaboyos]

Thank you very much for your videos. You have no idea how relaxing they are and how much people really need them on a personal level.

[@geoffthecarpenter]

And so shines a good deed in a wiery word.....

[@lucasthedragon7680]

What I love most about your copy of The Hobbit is that it has the original hardback design that Tolkein himself had drawn and wanted as the standard version. The designwork alone is enough to marvel at with all of its iconography and various meanings, both in terms of the story of The Hobbit and in relation to the wider world that Tolkein had so lovingly constructed. The only thing that seems to be missing (and this might just be due to your copy's visual age) is the sun, moon, and wyrm all being colored red.

[@andrewhill1965]

I love the hobbit. He had such a way with describing these wonderful places

[@kjmav10135]

I first read The Hobbit in the summer between 2nd and 3rd grade. I still have a very clear place in my memory for Bilbo Baggins home with the round door. I wrote several grammar school bits of fan fiction about Bilbo and his adventures (though it wasn’t called “fan fiction” then!) in the third grade. My teacher also loved The Hobbit and encouraged my every story. Because of Tolkien and my teacher, I carry Rivendell and Hobbiton and all the rest around in my heart, too-in the part of me that, thankfully, never bothered to grow up.

[@bigal2696]

Thank you, for inviting us into your cozy, comfortable study

[@mnelson1960]

I failed "Tolkien." Tried to read Hobbit twice when I was a young adult and couldn't get past second chapter, so finally listened to it (as an old adult) and did not really enjoy it. But I could listen to you read it all day. You bring it alive with your comments.

[@opheliaspenpoetry]

Such a bright spot in my day. Thank you.

[@1nemann]

I'm re reading the hobbit for the first time in about 20 years and I just finished this chapter. Listening to you read it aloud is a treat. Thank you for all these great videos.

[@genem3785]

This truly warms the heart and soul. Thank you!

[@synthnerd4539]

I studied at Leeds, where Tolkien was briefly, and joined the Old Norse reading group, which I learned had been instigated by Tolkien back in his day. We'd sit around for two hours on a midweek evening and translate the old sagas, very conversationally, and trying not to use reference materials... And of course after we'd decamp to a nearby pub. There's great pleasure in being able to discuss all things wordy in this manner, and your videos remind me very much of those days. I miss them a great deal. Thank you.

[@michaelpayne8102]

Well done, one of the failings of the PJ adaptation is the portrayed animosity between the Dwarves and Elves while at Rivendell.

[@smoath]

Heart warming. Always glad I dropped in.

[@CantaloupeJones]

I stayed up late watching your videos and was pleasantly surprised you had a new one the exact format that I was hoping for. A LOTR sit and talk.

[@ChrisStewart_1980]

MG…you have definitely inspired me to take Tolkien off the shelf!

[@jfk1000]

Love this! I am always comforted by your content, kind sir!

[@danielbowen7621]

Lovely. I am so glad I found your channel. Thanks for letting us pop in. 😎

[@zoobee]

every new video of yours is a first visit to Rivendell. And your videos are alike to the cosiness you express inside safe from the wind and grey and rain.

[@greyfeather7857]

I have just finished re-reading The Hobbit. My late stepfather gave me a copy as a child. So good to hear you speak so fondly of this book 📕 Thanks for sharing your thoughts and time 🕰️🙏🏻

[@graciehogue6166]

So thankful for these videos. There is something really healing about listening to a kindred spirit who is also a fatherly figure talk about things that are true and beautiful, fiction or no. May the Lord bless you and keep you, Professor Guite. May He fill your sails on the sea of words and fill your pipe with the breath of many beautiful tales. ❤️

[@Vocatus2222]

It is always a pleasant surprise to see another of your videos pop up. Many thanks for taking the time

[@rambling_rob7035]

Wonderful, Malcolm. I use pipe cleaners as place markers in books too!

[@yusufsayed1583]

Good Evening 😊 Now that's a wonderful idea , using pipe cleaners as a book marker👌🏽Thanks for the read 📜 Have a wonderful day & Greetings from South Africa 🇿🇦

[@dennisvolpe7805]

Malcom, I 😘 be listening to you read book passages and smoking your pipe. It is one of the most relaxing things I get to enjoy. Currently laying here with the flu and enjoying your reading. Someday would also love to hear some of your favorite blends to smoke while reading during the rain.

[@mistac5050]

So glad that I discovered your channel last week and I will be happy to drop in and spend a few minutes with you every time that you invite me. Cheers.

[@davidlee3311]

Another wonderful reading, thanks.

[@paulwalker5822]

Another lovely visit to your study Malcolm. Thank you for bring the richness of Tolkien's writings to life. Imladris is a wonderful place to find ourselves in, even if for a short while.

[@TheMisterNebo]

You got a nice plug from AquaFPS for your channel, didn't even know this existed but loving the story telling! Subscribed, keep the stories coming :)

[@Unreconstructed_Georgian]

I just got to this chapter myself last night in the hobbit. I will be starting it tonight. The hobbit is one of my favorite Tolkien books, I ready it yearly!

[@mudlarkingmarionette]

What struck me here was the moon and her magic . What a beautiful image only being able to read certain things when the atmosphere in which they were written suddenly aligns again . Maps reveal sometimes where those that would rewrite history have embroidered . Elrond's house felt like a sanctuary .

[@GardnerGoldsmith]

Fantastic! I just discovered your channel! Thank you for the appreciation for so many dimensions of fine storytelling, and for creating that kind of atmosphere as you sat to shoot the video! All the best!

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

Welcome Aboard!

[@robertgross1655]

🎩Hi hail and thunder storms here on our boat. What a nice way to relax.

[@jsprunger6246]

Imagine Ai story telling but it draws scenes in real time and possibly animates them or just literally uses the book as a script for a movie.

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

That would be awful. We can’t let a machine do our imagining for us. Your mind is far better than ai

[@dudemonkfish4471]

Had a nice ride on my motorcycle this afternoon, a bit cold but invigorating.

[@kenthpedersen3220]

Thank you again sir. I wonder, if one might impose upon you to dabble a bit into our shared Viking heritage, to ask if you might consider reading a bit of Beowulf? Haven't yet done a deep dive, but it's a fascinating period of our history, and I plan to. Listening to you read, and watching you enjoy a pipe, and a pint, well, it's quite cathartic and it starts to make sense of a chaotic world. Thank you for that. Also, about to buy my first Peterson. I blame you, and thank you. Used to smoke a pipe when I was a kid living in Denmark and working at the Scandinavian Tobacco Company. Could you please recommend some tobaccos, and pipes? In honor of young rascals...feasting and smoking.... I'm leaning towards the Churchwarden Natural Silver Mounted Prince Fishtail.

[@Murph275]

YES I love me some Tolkien. Please keep up the videos. New subscriber loving these!

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

Welcome aboard!

[@fgcbird]

I wish you narrated audiobook novels! I checked out your prayer books just because your voice is so soothing. Maybe you could do some stories where the copyright has expired someday (: just a thought!

[@Banquet...]

What a wonderful channel. If you did a Patreon where you read whole books I would be signing up to that!

[@willburgessdontcare]

Your respect for the works of Tolkien in quite inspiring. Thank you for always making my day sir.

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

Thanks for listening

[@nealgarner6431]

In a world of uncertainty Rivendell seems the most idyllic place

[@thematchbox55]

Popped into the local charity shop today and got a hardback copy of the hobbit dated 1995 and the collected edition of the tales of Narnia for only £1 each.

[@manfrombritain6816]

when i read Tolkien i find myself one moment marvelling at his brilliance and in the next feeling a bit like... "he could have worded that much better". i suspect he was a very talented writer (and of course master World builder) but did not spend much time editing/rewriting/looking back. I imagine him drawing on his pipe, pondering what he wants to say next, and then gushing out a few pages before leaving it be as a spontaneous creation. in one of the documentaries about him, one of the biographers said Tolkien was basically winging it a lot of the time and i can believe it. in lotr you get such strange inconsistent pacing - more ink is seemingly given to farmer maggot than boromir's death and helms deep combined. the shire and old forest take up like 100 pages even after the quest has been established yet they don't really add anything to the story except flavour

[@Nifter71]

Actually, Tolkien endlessly re-worked and edited LOTR, and was painstaking in his attention to detail. I'm not sure he subjected The Hobbit to quite the same treatment, as it was perceived as a more whimsical work, although he did later change the Gollum meeting to fit LOTR as he had re-developed the concept of the Ring. What you are referring to is more likely his approach to writing the first part of Fellowship, which has that meandering dreamlike quality - especially while the Hobbits are exiting the Shire. I see much of that - especially the Bombadil part - as Tolkien expressing his love of nature, while also giving us an opportunity to get to know the characters of the hobbits before they're plunged into a more driving narrative. Certainly, commenters and analysts such as Tom Shippey have noted that Tolkien was indeed finding his feet in the earlier chapters of LOTR, and that he continued to do things that a 'professional' author would not throughout... failing to translate other languages for the reader, for example. And there are examples of this in The Hobbit too... Bilbo getting knocked out at the Battle of Five Armies and only learning about the specifics after the fact is one. Yet it always seems to work... and keeping the story Bilbo-centric, and not spending pages glorying in martial heroism was very much in keeping with the idea that Bilbo was just a small fellow in a big world after all!

[@Solitary_Scribe55]

@@Nifter71 Brilliant response. I find that the slow, meandering nature of the opening chapters, and indeed of the hobbits themselves, provides a great contrast to the gradual build-up of tension/threat beneath the surface, especially once the Nazgul come into the picture.

[@tomfool43]

As to the physical form of home, for me, Yeats has a nigh on perfect definition - 'old mill boards and sea-green slates, and smithy work from the Gort forge...' - what domestic architecture should be, and is for.

[@purasangrethrash]

It would be amazing to have an audiobook of the hobbit and the lord of the rings with your voice Malcolm!

[@thelightswitchflickers3161]

Classic Guite ❤

[@TohTomajohs]

Can u do a hour video? Or 3 if possible. Id love a whole video dedicated to a book review or even a recording of a book reading

[@devinreese1397]

The Hobbit can be fascinating because of the ways you mention where the figures have not yet become part of the Elves and Silmarillion legendarium, such as the Giants which are mentioned a couple of times, especially the storm giants. The trolls seem also more a figure of some iconic world than a monster in the hobbit, having yorkshire accents and such. This quality, and overall the entire way it fits together with he rest of the book gives it a sortof to me, bacchic or I can't find the word..... a great quality all its own vs tolkien's other work. Just as, though different, the Book of Lost Tales, and its earlier form of things, in many ways I prefer to the actual Silmarillion, but love them both.

[@williestroker7108]

Thank You Sir!!~

[@schaeffergoods]

More more more!

[@BrentFischer-cc8ge]

It's amazing - a pipe cleaner as a bookmark!

[@claudette4113]

Beautiful

[@Balloon_Juice]

Lovely stuff as ever Malcolm. Thanks for that. Listened to it whilst smoking some Fox's Hibernia in my Peterson Churchwarden. They complimented one another perfectly. 😊

[@mattrich680]

I've always been so impressed that though the swords were basically stolen goods from his kin, Elrond made no claim to them.

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

that's a very interesting point - I hadn't thought of that!

[@calceeveste3645]

I think fly and spiders was a turning point in the hobbit book, because it changes the cozy atmosphere to something more dark and serious. What do you think?

[@sneakerssnake2787]

So glad I found this channel! You sir are gifted, cheers 🍻 P.S. if you like maps you should know I’m watching this video from Sioux Falls, SD

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

Welcome aboard!

[@ddiesel5095]

Malcom always dropping bangers!!!

[@lukewilliams7264]

If only more men were like you!

[@Shyguy71588]

You should make money making audiobooks. You're a captivating reader

[@ethanp22]

Do you like any of E. M. Forster’s works?

[@christianhuber4054]

Lovelym

[@hobbitonpiper]

It’s always a toss up for me between the Shire and Rivendell as my “most favorite place” in Middle-earth. I suppose you can’t go wrong with either choice. :)

[@BadgerOfTheSea]

I think they both represent different parts of what is peaceful and good. The Shire is an agrarian paradise whereas Rivendell is a bastion of the classical world

[@thedreadtyger]

my favorite place in Arda is Bombadil's house 😊

[@inmyearthsuit]

Curious as to who is sharing your office and the person behind the camera... or shall we leave 'the man behind the curtain' to their most excellent work?

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

It is my wife who acts as your proxy!

[@delarow]

you are awesome!

[@croppy666]

Have you shared a Silmarillion delve my good man sir? Some thoughts please..

[@DublinOdinson]

Please record a reading of the Hobbit.

[@AroundTheBlock135]

My wife just bought me The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy paperbacks. My first time reading these, having seen the LOTR films. I've started with The Fellowship of the Ring, but I'm starting to think I should've started with The Hobbit! Any advice on this?

[@malcolmhart1795]

From a quick web search: "Many people start with The Hobbit, since it was published first and begins the story, then go on to read The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King (the three volumes of The Lord of the Rings)." HTH 💙 Enjoy!

[@Daniel-vi8ox]

Have you ever read the Witcher? I loved it I’d love to hear you talk about it

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

no, this is the first I've heard of it

[@jamestaylor9258]

Which bent pipe is that? Very nice.

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

A Peterson

[@jamestaylor9258]

@@MalcolmGuitespell Might I inquire as to which one it might be?

[@tonireed4123]

Yes, that is the perfect HOME; but is that not the Garden that we can have at any time when we clean our doors of perception as Blake said and regenerate in God . . for in every moment do not we choose Heaven, hell, or purgatory. Funny how, when we conform to our image within we walk with IT like St. Bernard of Clairvaux did in his sermon 79 on the Song (if I am not mistaken) or in 31 where our Angel is the one God goes through into us - or as Mechthild of Magdeburg in the Flowing Light of the Godhead, "Through me into you, and through you from me" . . isn't that why we are all endlessly here until we achieve that Mind set . . . and that place of eternity truly beats all . . .

[@hansnyman9546]

Malcom (or anyone else who might know), do you have a pubic itinerary of your speaking engagements posted anywhere? I have searched in vain.

[@chrisw497]

💚📖🏔

[@davidknox5929]

In icu reading Sounding H+E

[@mycenth22]

Um, can you read then entire trilogy and post it to KZbin PLEASEEEEEE!!!!!!!

[@bonerici]

I just realized that Malcolm Guite is a the spitting image of Dr. Zaius from Planet of the Apes. No disprect!

[@JohnArthur77]

A friend of mine, whom I respect very deeply, once said that one of the finest qualities of "The Hobbit" was how Tolkien told the tale. It is told as if by a father weaving a story for their child. And just as that father would love their child, Tolkien loves his reader. It is truly one of the greatest works of all time.

[@tomblack2064]

Beautiful

[@curt2017]

Malcolm: You don’t have to rely on your mind to go to Rivendell. You can go by train if you wish! There’s a special valley in the Alps which impressed a young Tolkein so much that he used it as inspiration for that drawing you showed in the book. It’s a place that also made an instant impact on me the first time I visited. In fact, I like to imagine that if God were to choose a cathedral to suit him here on earth it would be the entire Lauterbrunen valley with the mighty Alps as the altar.

[@Ptitmalle]

Lauterbrunnen is a pretty magic place, very beautiful ! I live in Switzerland and its a very loved place.

[@reppepper]

*Tolkien

[@teajuanaltd]

​@@reppepper I had no clue who he was talking about until you corrected the spelling. Thank you so so much

[@marcuswinston2522]

As much a I enjoy these sit-downs, pipe smoking and book readings. I’d like them to be longer, much, much longer. Joe Rogan goes for 3 hours at a time (just saying). Maybe, could you indulge your audience and read a little longer next time? It would be much appreciated, thanks! 🙏 🏆

[@graceygrumble]

That book was magical - we had the same edition. I devoured it after The Chronicles of Narnia and was utterly bereft that there was only one book about hobbits which I could read (The Lord of the Rings was too difficult for me, at the time). It was just around the time when I was an 'elf' in The Brownies. Enid Blyton, CS Lewis, Tolkien (The Hobbit), Alan Garner, interspersed with Children's Classics - Treasure Island, Black Beauty, Robinson Crusoe etc. and eventually, Tolkien revisited. I have read The Lord of the Rings every year, ever since - I even have it on audio-book and will listen to it on a long drive. The Silmarillion took a back seat until I was about 14 years old. I have only read that half a dozen times since. Perhaps, I will pick up a pipe and read it again... or, just read The Hobbit again, sans pipe. I'm more ent than elf these days; one mustn't be hasty!

[@ursusthewhite9824]

To Imladris, to seek the sword the sword that was broken!!! Wonderful reading of Tolkien. Thank you as always. Namarie!

[@ursusthewhite9824]

whoops, doubled the sword.....didnt have my tea yet...seeing double :@)

[@BadgerOfTheSea]

Always a pleasure to escape into a book on a rainy day.

[@PhilAlumb]

I want to Live in The Shire !! 🙏❤️‍🔥

[@Musicandcoffee247]

Excellent work! As a new subscriber I recently found out that you are a published author as well. I picked up Sounding The Seasons to start off with and absolutely loved it! I have you right beside Thoreau on my bookshelf sir. I’ll always refer to it.

[@justintierney2069]

A pipe cleaner bookmark. That is multi tasking.

[@joelharris4399]

I believe spring greetings are in order Sir! Thanks for sharing tidbits on Tolkien's mastery of the English language. Rivendell could have only come from the mind of an Oxford Don for sure! 🍻

[@MariadeRonde]

I am going to follow your example and travel to Rivendel in my mind, thanx for the idea!

[@mattrich680]

What strikes me is not that Elrond knows the history of these artifacts, but that he makes no claim to them. Those who found them are given responsibility for living up to them, not ordered or persuaded to relinquish them. In contrast, the good of all free peoples does lays claim to the Ring. Given the power of the Ring, I have never understood why Elrond let it be lost for 3,000 years. Sure, rebuilding civilization takes priority. But sometime in 3,000 years you would think he'd send out a working party to dredge the river, just in case. Moon writing and maps are wonderful.

[@Nighttrainpiper]

Kindness like summer. Indeed such great prose.

[@aletheuo475]

Curious. We've had glorious weather the last few days in Old Wessex. The bluebells are spectacular and the beach trees just begin to put forth their tender leaves. Ah, to be in England in April!

[@phillipianchici4601]

There is an obvious market in an audiobook recording of the LOTR trilogy read by you- bless us with this chance?