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Summary: Charming series. Interesting racial undertones.
Review: Before making comments about the whole 3-volume series, let me first talk about volume 1 (Fellowship of the Ring).While it starts off slow, the narrative and characters are interesting enough that it's not too bad getting slowly introduced to the Tolkien universe, Elves and Dwarves and Hobbits and the history of the Rings of Power. I was a bit bored by the childish poetry and singing, especially in the parts involving Tom Bombadil. The last two-thirds of the book build up suspense and speed, a good reward for plodding through the boring parts. The action sequence in the mines, ending with the fall for Gandalf, and the dilemma, betrayal and regret of Boromir, are both done very well. Now, about the whole series. Tolkien's "Earth" is formed out of a mixture of various elements of European myths and superstitions, transformed to form elaborate histories and characteristics of the various groups involved. There is an undercurrent of racist ideology, but if you ignore that, the whole effect is rather charming. There is a sense of doom and foreboding and danger, which is well-done, if a bit too drawn-out. I have to confess: I don't understand the extraordinary popularity enjoyed by this book throughout the U.S. and the West. It's a charming series, and the universe described is grand and all that, but does it really deserve the biblical status it seems to have gained? The racial subtext seems to be unnoticed by Tolkien fans. The whole series is a story of the good West & North (elves, hobbits, western men) fighting the evil East and South (Sauron, orcs, eastern men). The Eastern men have "oliphants", evoking the image of elephant armies from India. Tolkien describing orcs is suspiciously reminiscent of Europeans describing black Africans. Maybe the correct context can be found by thinking of the psyche of a British man (Tolkien) in the early twentieth century, also involved with racist South Africa. The European history of subjugating and raping Asia and Africa, seems to such a person a gallant tale of victory. And so it is reflected in the tale of elves, men, dwarves together defeating "Sauron" in the past. Now, in the early twentieth century, the Asians struggle for freedom. In the mind of the racist Brit, this is an evil challenge to Western hegemony. In the "Lord of the Rings", this is reflected as the new danger from Sauron gathering power in the East. If you disregard the racial undertones, the series is a fine piece of literary work. Does it deserve all the hype it gets? Maybe not. Is it worth reading? Yes, if you can spare the time, certainly. You start to understand many cultural references after you've worked through Lord of the Rings. Next time someone says, "like Bilbo Baggins ...", or refers to some bearded guy as a Gandalf, you know what they mean.
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Summary: The Fellowship of the Ring Review
Review: The Lord of the Rings the Fellowship of the Ring, By J.R.R. Tolkien is a fantasy. It is about a hobbit, Frodo, who has been told by a wizard, Gandalf, to destroy an evil ring, the one ring of power before it falls in to the hands of Sauron who will use the ring to destroy middle-earth. But the only place to destroy the ring is in the fires of mount doom witch is in the middle of Sauron's kingdom.
The only thing with this book is the Cliffhangers in this book are slightly annoying but it does keep you attached to the book.
In my mind I think this book is very entertaining and interesting in the description the author use in the many situations Frodo gets into.
This book had many good features about it and manly the plot makes you need to read the other books in the series The Two Towers, and The Retune of the King.
I would recommend this book to first anyone who has seen the movie because the movie was great and the book is even better, anyone who likes fantasy, anyone who likes adventure, or just anyone looking for a good read.
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Summary: Don't expect a transcription of the movie...
Review: What is there left to say about The Lord of the Rings? I believe that, on this very website, the trilogy was named the best novel of the twentieth century. Now that the movies have come out, everyone is familiar with the story. It is unfair to come to the books for the first time now, with so many expectations built up. As good as the book is, it is still only a book. Frodo will not leap off the page, put his arm around you, and make you feel good about yourself. I fear people will be disappointed. Also, there is a very large contingent of people who HATE Tolkien. So where does that leave us? I have just finished reading The Fellowship of the Ring for the second time. For me, it was more enjoyable reading the book AFTER I'd seen the movie. Middle-earth is such a complex universe that it is easy to get lost. Do not read these novels if you are fixed on getting to the ending. Here especially, the journey is the thing. LOTR is about going places, meeting people, and having new adventures. The movies told this story from a modern vantage point - emphasizing action. In the book, the action is not as prevalent. I had the opportunity of traveling to Oxfordshire recently (Tolkien's old neighborhood) and I had the feeling that I was traveling to Middle-earth myself. That is the feeling Tolkien wishes to convey. He loved nature, loved traveling, and he wanted to write a book that expressed his love. I think the book succeeds admirably. To be sure, there is enough magic and monsters to hold your attention as well. Come to this book on its own terms. Get ready for a nice leisurely read. Don't expect a transcription of the movies and you won't be disappointed.
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Summary: lord of inaccuracies
Review: This book could have been really really good if it had stuck to the movie more. Fist of all it added all that weird stuff in the "old forest" and that old senior Bubadil was a little strange. I don't think I would like it very much to be lost in a forest with him and ghosts. Also they cut the lovely and heroic ARWEN out of all the excitement. ALL in all their were to many words and details that bogged everything down(no pun intended). Also, how are we expected to understand elfish.And my wife agreed with me. And I don't think it is just because we are pretty old. My grandchildren also agreed with me and my wife and they are not old.
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Summary: A journey worth taking
Review: This book was amazing...one of those "can't put it down" kinda books. I definitly recommend it to people who need an escape from they're every day life. Tolkien will take you through an adventure that you will become hooked to. After seeing the movie, I definitley thought that the book could not be better. Once again, the theory of "the book is always better than the movie" is proven true.
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Summary: Part One of Tolkien's Great Fantasy Classic
Review: Those unfamiliar with J. R. R. Tolkien's book or have seen only Peter Jackson's splendid cinematic adaptation, may not realize that "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" is part one of a nearly fifteen hundred page novel which was divided into three parts by Tolkien's English publisher, Allen and Unwin in the mid 1950's. The entire saga should be seen best as a very long novel, with each volume representing a third of the saga. In "The Fellowship of the Ring" we are introduced to Frodo Baggins, his servant Samwise Gamgee, and his friends and cousins Meriadoc "Merry" Brandybuck and Perigrin "Pippin" Took, hobbits of the Shire, an obscure corner of the land of Middle Earth, located in the former realm of Arnor. In stark contrast to Peter Jackson's film, Frodo Baggins is depicted as a mature scholar familiar with Elvish lore; a younger, more dynamic version of his uncle Bilbo Baggins, whose most important adventure was recounted in Tolkien's "The Hobbit". His cousin Merry is also portrayed as a wiser, more thoughtful person than he is seen initially in Jackson's film. And Gandalf, their wizard friend, comes across as a bit more reckless than he is portrayed in the film by actor Ian McKellen. After celebrating his 111th birthday, Bilbo Baggins disappears in front of an astonished crowd of family, friends and neighbors in Hobbiton. His old friend Gandalf persuades Bilbo to give up the magic ring responsible for his disappearance, which he leaves to his nephew and heir Frodo. Years pass before Gandalf returns with some ill news regarding the ring. It is the One ring, the all powerful ring forged in secret by the Dark Lord Sauron; the ultimate weapon for seizing control of Middle Earth and plunging it into darkness. Over a thousand years before Frodo's time, at the end of the Second Age, a last alliance of men and elves fight Sauron in the land of Mordor; their victory is assured only when the ring is cut off from Sauron's hand. Isildur, son of the slain king Elendil, cuts the ring and takes it for his own, with dire consquences for him. The ring is lost, found hundreds of years later by the creature Gollum, and is lost again, found in Gollum's cave by Bilbo Baggins. Gandalf urges Frodo to flee to Bree, since Sauron's deadly servants, the nine Nazgul or ringwraiths, are in pursuit of the one who bears the One Ring. Sam, Merry and Pippin join Frodo in his quest. Before leaving the shire they meet the mysterious Tom Bombadill, who recommends to Frodo that they seek Gandalf in Bree at the Prancing Pony inn. At Bree they meet instead the ranger Strider aka Aragorn, the last of the Dunedain, the direct descendants of the kings of the lost realm of Arnor. He leads them eventually to Rivendell, after a perilous chase by the Nazgul, in which Frodo is stabbed in the shoulder by the Nazgul leader. Finally, in Rivendell, at the home of Elrond Halfelven, Frodo is reunited with Gandalf, who warns of his fellow wizard Saruman's treachery. Elrond assembles a council to determine the ring's fate. It is decided that the ring should be brought to Mordor, to be destroyed in the firy chasm of Mount Doom. Isildur's broken sword Narsil is reforged and presented to Aragorn as the sword that was broken and remade, Andruil. Frodo volunteers to serve as the Ring Bearer, with Gandalf, Aragorn, Sam, Merry and Pippin joining the Fellowship of the Ring. Boromir, son of Denethor, the Steward of Gondor, also joins the fellowship, along with the dwarf Gimli and the elf Legolas. The fellowship is ordered to accompany Frodo for as long as it is feasible, with some of the fellowship thinking of accompanying Boromir back to his home city and capital of Gondor, Minas Tirith. Gandalf, leading the Fellowship, tries to take them across the snowy pass of Caradhras. Defeated by extreme cold and a blinding snowstorm, and an attack by wargs (wolves), the Fellowship turns back and is taken through the Mines of Moria. Inside the darkened halls of the deserted dwarf city of Dwarrowdelf, the Fellowship is attacked by orcs and a demon from the First Age, a Balrog. Gandalf confronts the Balrog on the Bridge of K'hazakdum, and is swept by the Balrog into the abyss. In mourning, the Fellowship flees Moria and ventures out into the open, finding sanctuary in the enchanted forest of Lothlorien, home of the Elven king and queen Celeborn and Galadriel. After receiving parting gifts from Galadriel, the company journeys by boat towards the Falls of Rauros. Attacked once more by orcs near the falls, the company disperses, with Frodo and Sam making the perilous journey to Mordor on their own. I have provided the reader a brief sketch of the plot in the "Fellowship of the Ring", which does differ, in some substantial detail, from Peter Jackson's acclaimed film version. Yet I hope that those unfamiliar with the written text of Tolkien's words will be sufficiently intrigued to pick up this volume. Without a doubt, it is the great beginning of what many regard as the finest fantasy epic ever written.
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Summary: A good start ...
Review: I realize that I will be ridiculed for giving this book such a low rating. However, it took me almost 2 years to finish it. Not having been a Tolkein aficionado, it was difficult at times to realize who was who in the narrative. After seeing the film by Peter Jackson, I was able to visualize, with greater ease, the cast of characters. Overall the book is very good, filled with everything you would expect from a fantasy novel, because in essence Tolkein created the Fantasy novel. You have plenty of running and fighting and philosophy. If you have only seen the film, and enjoyed it, you should read this book to fill in the cracks, it makes everything make more sense. Thanks for your time. T
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Summary: Review I have to do for school
Review: Alright, this book is the continuation of the journey of the One Ring forged by Sauron in the fires of Mount Doom in Mordor. It starts out in the possession of Bilbo Baggins of Bag End in the Shire. At his eleventy first birthday he leaves on journey, giving the ring to his nephew and heir, Frodo. Gandalf the Grey, a wizard, soon learns of the true identity of this ring and tells Frodo to hide it in Bag End. After learning that the ring is indeed the One Ring, Gandalf returns to the shire to warn Frodo. It is then decided that the ring must go to Rivendell and the last homely home in the west. With the help of Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, and Peregrin Took, Frodo manages to get Bree. It is here where the group meets Aragorn, one of the Rangers from the north, and one of the last of the race of Numenor.(sp?) Aragorn says he will guide them to rivendell. At camp at Weathertop, the Nazgul attack the party, and the Witch King of Angmar pierces Frodo with his blade. The group flees from the place and make haste towards rivendell where Elrond Halfelven might use his healing ablilities to cure Frodo's wound. After several days of travel, an elven rider comes to the aid of the party and takes Frodo with speed towards rivendell. At length, a host of all the peoples of middle earth is brought to rivendell to decide on the fate of the One Ring; it must not stay in rivendell. A fellowship of nine vows to take the ring to Mordor and the fires of Mount Doom, the place it was made and the only place where it can be unmade. The group sets out from rivendell and heads towards mordor. After being defeated at the pass of Cara...(i don't remember) the fellowship decides to brave the mines of moria. All turns ill when they discover the ancient dwarve city was over run by goblins and cave trolls. Escaping from the battle over the bridge of Khazad-dum, Gandalf is struck down by a Balrog; the rest of the fellowship continues on without him. in the forest of Lothlorien, Frodo sees a glimpse of his future shown to him by Lady Galadriel. After a stay in the forest, the Elves see the fellowship off with gifts such as cloaks, rope, food, hair(for gimli) and a vial containing the light of Galadriel(something to do with the silmarils, can't really remember) down the river, the group encounters a Nazgul on a flying creature that Legolas shoots down. At the very end of the book, Boromir is overcome with greed for the ring and chases Frodo off, when he decides to leave the fellowship for his own safety. Sam catches him and decides to go with him on his long trek into Mordor. There you have it Ms. Coil, my book review.
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Summary: A MUST READ!!!!!
Review: This book is so good! The first 100 pages were a challenge but then it then it really got exciting. I saw the movie and thought is was overated. I hesitaded to read the book but I thought I would give it a try and I fell in love with it!!!!!!!!! Definetly a must read.
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Summary: One of the Best Books of All Time
Review: The Fellowship of the Ring is one of my favorite books. Make sure you have read the Hobbit before this book. This novel is the book that got me into reading again and I think about it frequently. At the start of it, there are some quite boring parts, including Tomm Bombadil and the Barrow Downs. There is too much description, but once the Hobbits arrive at the Prancing Pony, things start to heat up and the book becomes amazing. I cannot stress enough how amazing this nvel is.
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