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Summary: Why even think about a movie...
Review: The Lord of the Rings is a well written, complex, yet understandable, deep and thoughtful, yet easily connected to, work of fantasy. The Fellowship of the ring is the first part. Within its numerous pages, you will find all the questions, and some of the answers (of the questions) posed to you over the course of your life. The story follows the quest of Frodo Baggins, who has been entrusted with the ring of power, which he must destroy, for if the enemy regains it, the world of good will come to an end. With only a few companions, he sets out to complete an impossible, quest, will little hope of either success, of survival. the only thing that keeps him going is his love for his people, and the knowledge that the world's fate is in his hands. The moral issues, questions of greed, and wants, and fortune which arise, are some of the deepest you will find in fantasy stories. A master of both his languages and the one in which he writes, Tolkien masters emotions, fate, a world picture, and characters which do not even need to be explained for the reader to be able to relate to them. There is a magic in the work of good writers which allows one to get totally indulged in the characters, their problems, and their emotions. Tolkien is a master of that magic. I the year 2001, NewLine Cinema released to the public a cinematic take-off on the Lord of the Rings. According to the producers it was a movie which was intended to stay as "Faithful to the book" as possible. It was a movie which should have never been made. Although it is a masterpiece of a film, with excellent actors, and phenomenal landscape and music, it lost most, if not ALL of the magic inherent of the book series. A true reader of literature, and moreso a faithful reader of tolkien, will not hold this film in high regards. There is no "Lord of the Rings: The Movie". This movie has no authority over the true story. Watching the movie before reading the book leaves one with little appretiation for an excellent work of art. DO NOT DO SO. If you can help it, do not watch any cinematic version at all, but instead revel in the magic, and power of the epic trilogy. Tolkien didn't write an action/adventure film, nor was he targeting the mainstream media of the early 21st century (during which, consequently, he was/is not alive.) He was, as all writers are, (speaking from experience)writing to express ideas, and feelings, and true issues. This book will take you to a world you have never been before, and give you views on life you never had. This book is not just entertainment, this book is a way of life. Please read it, and it's two sequels. And don't even think of the movie.
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Summary: technology issue with a happy ending
Review: I loved "Lords" in the movie theater and was excited to add it to my budding dvd collection, but I could never get the video to work on my dvd player. I recently bought a new Sony 5-disc dvd player...so maybe this disc was made with older technology that won't work on my newer player? Problems aside, I actually found it fascinating to listen to the disc without the video...a completely different experience from the theater! I highly recommend it to someone who has already seen the movie. Although Pippon's voice was still a little too "up and down" for my taste.
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Summary: Lord of the Rings for English
Review: Lord of the Rings (the fellowship) Book Title: The Lord of the Rings (The Fellowship) Author: J.R. Tolkien Genre: Fantasy Exposition-Characters: Bilbo Baggins, Frodo Baggins, Gandalf the Grey, Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Peregrin Took, Saruman, Gimmly, Legolas, Boromir, Aragorn, Arwen, Elrond and Giladriel. -Setting: Baggend (Hobits Town), Rivendale (Elves Capital), Moria (dwarf mines), Bree (A town where the Prancing Pony Inn is), Lothl'orien (Elven forest or where Giladriel lives). -The Problem: The problem is that there is one ring that is all powerful that control's 9 other that were given two 9 men who were turned into slaves that only think of the one ring that rules them all. Frodo and his 8 other companions must destroy the ring in the center of evils home, Mordor or all else will fall. -Rising Action: Bilbo Baggins finds the one ring in a cave when he was young and until he is 111 years old when he finally shows that he has the ring when he disappears or becomes invisible in front of everyone. He then gives the ring to Frodo, his adopted son. Then Gandalf tells him to bring it to Bree, which he does without too much trouble but then Frodo accidentally puts on the ring and disappears in front of everyone in a bar. Then he is taken to a search tower by one of Gandalf's friends named Aragorn where he is stabbed and nearly dies except he is taken to Rivendale where he is mended. Then the fellowship forms and they set off to Mordor to destroy the one ring or else all else falls. Characters and their role in the book: Bilbo Baggins: an old hobbit that gives the ring to Frodo
Frodo Baggins: a young hobbit who carries the ring and brings it to Mordor
Gandalf the Grey: an old wizard that guides Frodo to Mordor and protects him and is his friend
Samwise Gamgee: a young hobbit and a friend to Frodo who protects him
Meriadoc Brandybuck: a young hobbit that is friends with Frodo and gives him support
Peregrin Took: a young hobbit that is friends with Frodo and gives him support
Saruman: a wizard who joins forces with the enemy and creates a grand army for evil
Gimmly: a dwarf that protects the people in the fellowship
Legolas: an elf that protects the people in the fellowship
Boromir: a man that protects the people in the fellowship
Aragorn: a man that protects the people in the fellowship
Arwen: an elf that is in love with Aragorn and rides Frodo to Rivendale after the Naxgul stabs him
Giladriel: an elf queen that helps Frodo find his way to the great river
Elrond: an elf lord who mends Frodo in Rivendale after he is stabbed
The Naxgul: the 9 servants of the one ring
Orx: the enemies' main army soldiers Strength and weaknesses: The book has a tremendous vocabulary that spreads a very wide range. The characters are well described and fit very well into the surroundings in the book. The writing style is very adventurous and imaginary and makes you always want to read more.
Josh Heintz
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Summary: murphy's reveiw
Review: Title: The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring
Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
Genre: Fantasy In this book the author's imagination comes to life with great description and word choice that paints pictures in your mind while reading. On Bilbo's 111th birthday he disappears on another one of his adventures but the only person that knows that he left is his friend Gandalf a wizard. Before Bilbo went he left a very mysterious and powerful ring behind for Gandalf to give to Bilbo's cousin Frodo. When Frodo received the ring from Gandalf he learned all about the ring and he learned that a very powerful dark lord is looking for it and if he finds it he will rule the world. Learning that fordo knew he had to leave his house and destroy the ring by tossing it into the cracks of doom. Sam, Merry and Pippin join Frodo on his quest to destroy the ring. On their way they come very close to death with many different enemy's including the Black Riders. Also on the way they find another companion Aragorn a friend of Bilbo's. Together they get closer to the house of Elrond, there they can rest and get rid of all their stress. With only a mile to go Frodo all alone encounters the black riders as the riders get closer to Frodo a spell is cast by Elrond and Gandalf at the house of Elrond due to this Frodo blacks out. Weeks later Frodo wakes up to find himself in the house of Elrond and finds all of his friends and Bilbo! Frodo is very excited to see Bilbo and they talked to each other for hours. About a month later it is time for Frodo to continue his quest and has some new companions to go with him Gandalf the wizard, Legolas the elf, Gimli the dwarf and Boromir of Gondor. Then they all depart from the house of Elrond to finish Frodo's quest the whole world is depending on. Will they make it? What dangers will they encounter? To find out the answers to all these questions and more read this wonderful book.
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Summary: Lookie Pookies Book Review
Review: In the Lord of the Rings the Fellowship of the Ring, there is one ring that everyone is after. This ring is a ring of power that will give the evil lord Sauron ultimate power. It turns out that a hobbit named Bilbo has acquired the ring over time. The ring has a bad effect on Bilbo after years of having it because of the evil power inside it and gives it to his nephew Frodo before he leaves reluctantly. Frodo learns about the evil power of the ring from his good friend Gandalf the wizard and decides to destroy it and THEN.........You will have to read it to find out. Well anyways the book is a little hard to read and very big but it was good and very enjoyable and I had a good time with it.
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Summary: An Adventure of Epic Proportions Delivers as Promised
Review: A company of nine which comprise of three humans, four hobbits, an elf and a dwarf embark on a adventurous journey to keep a powerful and dangerous ring from being recovered by it's creator, the evil Sauron. This first book in the Lord of the Rings trilogy introduces the characters and how they came together and follows them until they are split up. This story keeps the reader in suspense as the party runs from the evil minions that chase them accross the terrain of Middle Earth. Not only does Tolkien tell a story, he weaves an intricate background of history, culture, and lore for his make-believe world. This sometimes causes the story to slow down as it breaks into song periodically. Of course, the reader may choose to skip the songs since the toon and rhythm is unknown. Overall, I rate this a 5 star story for Tolkiens brilliance in story-telling and attention to detail.
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Summary: Literary Devices in The Fellowship of the Ring
Review: J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Fellowship of the Ring, always possessed an interest in the English language and began writing The Lord of the Rings trilogy in 1939. The story falls under the fantasy and adventure genre. The epic is set in the land of Middle Earth where Men, Elves, Dwarves and Hobbits dwell. The once weakened Dark Lord Sauron has regained much of his power and is searching for his Ring, which is the focal point of his power. Now, Frodo Baggins, a cousin of the renowned Hobbit Bilbo Baggins, has acquired the Ring of power. The first half of The Fellowship of the Ring details Frodo's flight to the Elven City of Rivendell, where the fate of the Ring will be decided. Tolkien uses an intricate setting, a unique style and strong characterization to bring this adventure to life.
Perhaps the most important device Tolkien uses in his writing is setting. The first half of The Fellowship of the Ring is set in the imaginary country of Middle Earth and focuses on the Ring's journey to Rivendell. The environment plays an important role in The Fellowship of the Ring, and Tolkien spared no expense in creating a setting that could be clearly understood and visualized. To do this, Tolkien employed the use of personification. Frodo's travels through the Old Forest are a fine example of Tolkien's personification. "But after a while the air became hot and stuffy. The trees drew close again on either side, and they could no longer see far ahead. Now stronger than ever they felt again the ill will of the wood pressing on them." (123). Tolkien uses personification of the environment so well that the environment almost becomes a character in the story. The lifelike descriptions aid in making this story so real. Tolkien's style in this novel is noticeably different from other novels. One characteristic of his style is Tolkien's use of songs that are found throughout, and play an important role in his writing. Using songs, Tolkien is able to express feelings and relieve tension in suspenseful situations. The songs are also used to give the reader glimpses of the history of Middle Earth. For example, Strider sings a song of the old days to the Hobbits on their journey to Rivendell. "'I will tell you the tale of Tinuviel,' said Strider, 'in brief-for it is a long tale of which the end is not known and there are none now, except Elrond, that remember it aright as it was told of old.'"(203). This allows Tolkien to depict his imagined world without slowing the pace of the book. The reader gains knowledge of the world of Middle Earth that gives them a stronger connection with the story. Songs also server the purpose of giving readers insight into the characters of The Fellowship of the Ring. Tolkien develops Frodo from a young carefree hobbit to a hobbit encumbered with the burden of bearing the Ring of Power. As Frodo journeys towards Rivendell, he encounters challenges with other characters. These conflicts make the story suspenseful and create stronger bonds with his companions. Once Frodo reaches Rivendell, he will go towards Mordor on a quest to destroy the Ring. Tolkien's adventure does not bore and it only gets more exciting. The end is a cliffhanger and urges one to jump immediately to the next installment of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. I am tingling in anticipation to read what happens in The Two Towers (the second volume). I recommend this novel to any that seek a change in their life and want to escape to a wonderful world of mystery, honor, and adventure.
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Summary: Beginning of the Quest...
Review: As a rule, I tend to avoid books that fall into the "fantasy" categoy, but I decided to pick up The Hobbit & the Rings Trilogy, to see what all the hubbub was about. Any set of books that has held up as long as the LOR must have some redeeming qualities, and I figured I should at least give them a chance. So far (after the Hobbit and Fellowship), I'm glad I did. What I found was an intricate tale of friendship, duty, and the inner strengths and failings of men, wrapped in an epic quest whose goal is no less than to save the world from evil. *And no, I haven't seen the movies yet, so I went into the books blindly. The writing is fantastic, every step taken is described in tremendous detail, as first the Hobbits leave their home and gain companions along the way. I especially enjoyed the descriptions of the varying landscapes of Middle-Earth; from the mountains to the plains, Tolkien has a fantastic way of painting a picture. The struggles of the group and their wisdom and frustration are recounted in wonderful detail, as their pursuers attempt to close in on them. The plot-related minutae that fantasy fans love and most others hate is present in this book, and all but hardcore fantasy fans will find that the book bogs down a bit in the middle, where the reader is inundated with probably more detail than one really needs to enjoy the story. This is especially true during the Council of Elrond, where I was upset with Tolkien for not just getting on with the quest. The plot presented is wonderful in that the whole history of the ring and its quest are described in detail, but it gets a little slow at that point, and some may have to plow through that section. The final chapters of the book are wonderful, as the quest truly begins with the departure from Rivendell into the wild world beyond. The strengths and weaknesses of the individuals come to drive the plot to its ending and deliver a powerful message: that the seemingly weak can be the strongest among us when dire circumstances and great temptations arise, and the those who would be strong often hide great weaknesses. This lesson is slowly learned by the fellowship, and ultimately leads it to its fate. Finally, since I haven't read the next two books yet, I have to judge this book on its merits alone, and I must say it is a wonderful story, and it certainly leaves me craving the next installment.
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Summary: Tolkien's classic story captivates a new generation
Review: I choose to read the classic J. R. R. Tolkien book Lord of the Rings, specifically the Fellowship of the Ring, the first installment of the now famous trilogy. I choose to read it because I am a fan of both movies and have heard from several people that it is an outstanding book. I would have to say that I agree with these assessments, though I feel it was a little long winded at times.
The story is entertaining, at time engaging, and the most wonderful aspect of the entire book is that Tolken masterfully creates a world of fantasy that becomes alive in the readers mind. If you really try, you can imagine a Middle Earth consisting of Dwarfs, Elves, and Hobbits fighting for the survival of the human race. Tolken takes so much care in depicting the ordinary lifestyle of hobbits that it almost makes their life seem interesting when really it is boring. However, it is brought to life with astounding detail to their habits and makes it very easy for the reader to imagine knowing a hobbit.
One thing that must be made clear is that there is a world of difference between the movie and the book. Though the movie moves at a thunderous pace the book opts to be more cautious and deliberate as the tale unfolds. Of course Tolken had an entire book to work with while the movie has only three hours to unfold one of the premier science fiction stories of all time. The movie also leaves out important details about the story such as the time which passes when Frodo seizes control of Bag Ends, and the departure of Bilbo. In the movie it seems as though very little time elapses between these events however in the book it explains that no less than nine years passes before Gandalf comes to Frodo with news of the ring.
Also there are several chapters in the middle of the book which tell of the hobbits journey from the Shire to the rendezvous with Gandalf. Important characters are introduced and bonds are strengthened and it seems like a relevant part of the story to me, which should not have been completely overlooked in the movie.
The story is simply unique in its ability to capture the imagination of readers from many age groups. Though younger teens may have difficulty understanding more of the abstract aspects of the story the action and adventure of the story will surely keep them interested and older readers appreciate the shear genius of the story as they watch the carefully crafted tale unfold in three dazzling installments.
Though I can't honestly say that I enjoyed the book more than the movie (I am of the MTV generation after all), I can truly say that the book was enjoyable to read. It has interesting underlining themes I believe about racism and judging people and the ability of people of all size and stature to achieve in the most outlandish of tasks. If you need a little inspiration or you feel that you just don't measure up to the task at hand, just look at Frodo Baggins, the small hobbit who had to save the entire world from doom. It will definitely make you feel just a little bigger, and perhaps push you to achieve your goal.
The Fellowship of the Ring is a classic, and all classics deserve to be read. So if you are looking for a good book to read be sure to keep the Lord of the Rings as an option because books of it's quality are rare, and if you are a fan of the movie ( which has broken into the top ten grossing films of all times) it will help you garner a new appreciation for the story.
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Summary: A story about a hobbit
Review: A Review by Dillon This is a fantasy book with many adventures. It is about the beginning of the War of the Ring. The story has 9 main characters. They are Elves, Men, Hobbits, Dwarves, and a Wizard. The book varies from the movie in a lot of ways. Most of the ways are that it introduces more characters and has more exciting events. "The Fellowship" is about a hobbit and a gang of people loyal to him, setting out to Mordor to destroy the ring of power. The story ends about a third of the way through and there are many adventures throughout the book. One of the main things that I liked about this book was the cool story. By reading the book, I could tell that the author put a lot of thought into it. Since this is the first book in a series of three, it was very well written. I also liked the exciting adventures and battles in it. There were many times when the battles in the book were very different from the ones in the movie. It is very exciting the way the author describes the events in the book and it is fun trying to imagine what he is talking about. The creating of characters was also very excellently done. Tolkien does a very good job of describing the different races I think this was a very good book. I think that people who like fantasy books with lots of adventure and battles would enjoy this.
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