LOTR opinion
5 stars
favorite novel of all time. better than any other fantasy world imo. Tolkein is a mastermind.
Box set, 1653 pages
English language
Published Aug. 6, 1986 by Del Rey.
The Fellowship of the Ring is the first of three volumes of the epic novel The Lord of the Rings by the English author J. R. R. Tolkien. It is followed by The Two Towers and The Return of the King. It takes place in the fictional universe of Middle-earth. It was originally published on 29 July 1954 in the United Kingdom. The volume consists of a foreword, in which the author discusses his writing of The Lord of the Rings, a prologue titled "Concerning Hobbits, and other matters", and the main narrative in Book I and Book II.
favorite novel of all time. better than any other fantasy world imo. Tolkein is a mastermind.
(Note: review based on one of numerous rereading of the book.)
What started out as a request for another story about hobbits (after the success of "The Hobbit") grew in the telling until it became an epic tale about the quest to destroy the One Ring of Sauron; and how it was the 'least of heroes', unlooked-for even by the wise, would prove to be one to fulfil the quest and free Middle-Earth from domination by the Dark Lord.
This book has been released in many editions and in many forms over the years. The one I read was a one-volume edition that celebrates the birth of J.R.R. Tolkien and includes fifty paintings specially commissioned from artist Alan Lee.
Reading it now after watching the Peter Jackson films, it is easy to put the actors in the film into the scenes from the book, modified by the illustrations of Alan …
(Note: review based on one of numerous rereading of the book.)
What started out as a request for another story about hobbits (after the success of "The Hobbit") grew in the telling until it became an epic tale about the quest to destroy the One Ring of Sauron; and how it was the 'least of heroes', unlooked-for even by the wise, would prove to be one to fulfil the quest and free Middle-Earth from domination by the Dark Lord.
This book has been released in many editions and in many forms over the years. The one I read was a one-volume edition that celebrates the birth of J.R.R. Tolkien and includes fifty paintings specially commissioned from artist Alan Lee.
Reading it now after watching the Peter Jackson films, it is easy to put the actors in the film into the scenes from the book, modified by the illustrations of Alan Lee of the various places in Middle-Earth. And after all these years, the words in the book still have the 'power' to bring the reader to Middle-Earth and put you in the footsteps of the Fellowship of the Ring as they strive to do what they can to thwart the plans of Sauron and distract him for the peril that is slowly entering his stronghold on hobbit feet.
Wonderful world-building and beautifully crafted and wondrous settings, but unlike The Silmarillion (1977) it actually has an engaging, overarching story that keeps you engaged and gives you a reason why to travel through this world.
yeah, this book is really good, I guess there is a reason that so many people feel fondly about it, like the characters are friendly to each other and seem concern about each other. Its pretty refreshing.
I read this as part of my son's bed-time story. There are a lot of dark points in the book but so much about people continuing to try and do their best, even when all hope is lost. It's a great lesson for any child and it's the reason the Lord of the Rings remains one of my favorites.
I finished my re-read a day or two ago. I have nothing to add: this is an awesome book that I've always loved. I'm in the process of rereading the Appendices, which are surprisingly good if you want to learn about the history of Middle Earth. Parts of it feel like a condensed version of the Silmarillion, which I've also enjoyed.
This would be 4.5 for me. The Two Towers has always been this filler book for me, the one I enjoyed least of all books in the story. I did however really enjoy it this time round.
I would have preferred a similar structure to the movie when it comes to the narrative, so it would not have been Gandalf&Co and then Frodo&Sam for 300 pages each.
I recently watched the extended versions of all the movies, and so I am still noticing all the differences between books and movies. Most striking for the Two Towers: Faramir is really noble and kind in the book, very unlike Boromir, whereas in the movie he's kind of an asshole who captures Frodo and wants to use the ring to please his father. Not sure why he got such a bad spin in the movie.
Looking forward to concluding the saga once again …
This would be 4.5 for me. The Two Towers has always been this filler book for me, the one I enjoyed least of all books in the story. I did however really enjoy it this time round.
I would have preferred a similar structure to the movie when it comes to the narrative, so it would not have been Gandalf&Co and then Frodo&Sam for 300 pages each.
I recently watched the extended versions of all the movies, and so I am still noticing all the differences between books and movies. Most striking for the Two Towers: Faramir is really noble and kind in the book, very unlike Boromir, whereas in the movie he's kind of an asshole who captures Frodo and wants to use the ring to please his father. Not sure why he got such a bad spin in the movie.
Looking forward to concluding the saga once again now.
This is still the book that moves me most of the three that make the Lord of the Rings. Sure, it has its weaknesses. Especially the first 150 pages could have done with some heavy editing. It's still a remarkable story, with remarkable characters that so many years later still move me to tears.
Again, I am glad that I read both the Silmarillion and The Hobbit previously, for further references to past events reveal the grand scope Tolkien had.