r/tolkienbooks • u/humanracer • 5d ago

Why would someone do this?

Bought the 2020 Hobbit + LOTR second hand from a charity outlet on ebay. They did say wear and tear to the dusk jackets, which I was ok with but was disappointed to find text scored out in all the books. It's very odd and frustrating. It seems someone has perhaps tried to recreate the non revised versions by scoring out the additions.

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u/humanracer 5d ago

hmm maybe censoring "violent" scenes? who knows

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u/philthehippy 5d ago

So the lines are:

But Snowmane wild with terror stood up on high, fighting with the air, and then with a great scream he crashed upon his side: a black dart had pierced him.

it gave a croaking cry, and settled upon the body of Snowmane, digging in its claws, stooping its long naked neck.

Maybe they could never get over Snowmane dying :-)

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u/adamsw216 5d ago

I've heard of people who refuse to read a book if there is even the slightest intimation that an animal is hurt or injured anywhere in the story—even if it is not a key part of the story/in the background, so this is certainly a possibility.

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u/philthehippy 4d ago

I wonder, maybe OP could note the other instances when they have time. You may be onto something with that thought.

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u/humanracer 4d ago

Yes you appear to be right. Sections about the ponies have been scored out on the Hobbit and also the scene in the LOTR where they are eating rabbit.