Rating: 
Summary: ancient times teach so much
Review: I think this book is more than just a fantasy book. I think it is good because it has showed me alot of quality writing, and it is a complex book because of the inclusion of a separate language, maps of the landscape, and the in depth thought it must of took to create such a master piece.It has become a part of history and imagination. It is similar to folklore, we may not love it, but it has it's place in teaching us of the trials and errors, as well as the cermonies, of the past which we have all forgotten. As well as the important intiations of life that we as humans, need to feel more alive and to gauge where we are in our development. I feel like I'm visiting these characters every time I open the book, like old friends, like visiting old traditions, that by way of getting rid of them in present day life, has left this world a bit more empty. I thank Mr.Tolkien and his family for such a gift that will always be in my home, until I pass from this life, and beyond.
Rating:
Summary: I LOVE it!
Review: I think that The Lord of the Rings series is one of, if not the, best fantasy series ever writen. I've read and reread them so many times, I'm on my third copy of each! If you like fantasy, you should try this series.
Rating: 
Summary: I fail to understand the popularity of this series
Review: Really! I do not get why this trilogy, even back when it was made, was so revered. Tolkien is the reason I'm not such a fan of fantasy (the other reasons being Squaresoft and other Video game companies, and a few bad authors). Tolkien was basically the inventor of all of today's popular cliches. A nobody who by chance gets a powerful object that must be delt with, an old pointy-hatted wizard, that dark force that wants to rule the world... despite all this, there really is almost no plot to speak of. Basically Frodo and company go from here to there and everywhere in between, with the events having almost no connection. Alot of characters were pointless too. What exactly was the purpose of Tom Bombadil, Rivendell, or Boromir? Ok, Boromir had SOME importance, but Rivendell ended up summing up what we all knew all along: that Frodo had to go to Mordor and destroy the ring (Which he does almost withut incident). I guess this trilogy is good if you crave adventure and exploration, because its certainly nothing if you want complex plots.On a side note, I rather liked the Silmarillion...
Rating:
Summary: Truly the Magic of a Maker
Review: I first read this series when I was in elementary school, and returned to it in my 20's. I've re-read it several times. The man is a true poet, and the only fantasy author I have ever read whose works should rank with the classics of literature. This is transcendant of the genre. He doesn't so much create a world as explore one that already exists, and I am grateful that he gave a voice to it for the rest of us. The sad part is that Tolkien is no longer with us. I have pretty much given up reading in this genre, because no one, that I have read at least, can come close to what Tolkien accomplished with these books.
Rating:
Summary: Good Book
Review: I would like to take a few moments and relay the good thoughts that I have for this book and this series. I have read The Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings and I must say these books were beautifully written. These books are very long and very well developed. They are not ment for people who are not serious and avid readers. I first read these books when I was 10 and now I am 22 and have read them again enjoying them even more. Tolkien does use write some interesting songs in them but if you try to imagine yourself living in the time period in which the books are describing, the songs become most enjoyable. There are some very deep meanings behind all of the characters and in order to understand them you must be able to examine and evaluate their entire personality to understand what they are all about. Don't expect to read this book or any of the series without giving yourself at least a month for the entire series and at least two weeks per book. Also realize that it is very handy to take notes about the characters and to write down your thoughts on them. I would recommend this book to patient and passionate readers who care about what they like to read.
Rating: 
Summary: So bad!
Review: I had to read this book for a school assinment its like 5oo pages long or something and it is SO boring! My teacher told me I would like it sinse I like the Dragonlance books but the Dragonlance books have cool charactors and cool action and all they do in Tolkins book is talk talk talk! So buy the Dragonlance series if you like GREAT fantasy and not this boring old stuff!
Rating:
Summary: Revelations of The Hobbit
Review: The Fellowship of the Ring is the first segment of the greatest literary masterpiece ever written, The Lord of the Rings. Lots of people call it a trilogy, but I can only agree with that idea in that the three segments were initially published seperately in the years 1954, 1955, and 1956. Besides that, one has to notice that each segment is incomplete without the others. A trilogy would contain three complete stories, like the original Star Wars trilogy. Well, its time I got on with my two cents of TFOTR. After The Hobbit was published, the fantasy genre was revived in a way that gave Arthur and his knights a run for their money. Fantasy was back, 20th century style. People begged for a sequel, and Tolkien delivered one beyond anybody's expectations and imagination. TFOTR begins to answer the questions that resulted at the end of The Hobbit. This, I feel, is its main purpose. It doesn't have as much action as the two later segments, but instead focuses on why a new quest is to begin. It does have its moments of action, but most of suspense and intrigue comes from revelations. Thats why The Hobbit should be read first. It would be a mistake not to. It is true that is somwhat slow in the beginning, but the suspense and wonder of a ruling ring just glides in the story. Suddenly, what happened with Bilbo's quest becomes very importent. It was in TFOTR that Tolkien introduced Middle-Earth and its history. A person forgets that they're reading fantasy in LOTR. It feels very real, and once TFOTR gets though the beginning, it doesn't let go. The only real bad part is that it leaves you hanging in the end, forcing you to read The Two Towers and making you wish that you had a single volume edition. I've been to Middle-Earth, and I deeply regreted having to leave for a while. Read this masterpiece (LOTR) before you die. You'll be incomplete if you don't.
Rating:
Summary: One Of The Best
Review: There are four defining novels of Fantasy for me. Two maybe described as 'new school' and two as 'old school'. The newer novels are 'The Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant' by Stephan Donaldson and 'The Book of the Old Sun' novels of Gene Wolfe. (The Shadow Of The Torturer, The Claw Of The Conciliator, The Sword of The Lictor and The Citadel of The Autarch). The older novels are the Gormenghast trilogy of Mervyn Peake and of course J.R.R.Tolkein's 'The Lord Of The Rings' of which 'The Fellowship Of The Ring' is the first book. All of the books I have quoted have one thing in common and that is an astonishing depth of characterization and the invocation of a sense of a whole, new, fully consistent and fully realized place. These novels draw you in, you believe the places are real, you believe in their independent existence 'out there' somewhere. Once you read any of these books, the characters are with you forever. Thomas Covenant and Linden Avery, Titus, Flay and Steerpike, Severian and Dorcas and of course Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pipin, Gimli, Legolas, Aragorn, Arwen, Faramir, Boromir, King Theoden, Gandalf, Saruman, Sauron, Gollum, Tom Bombadil, Goldberry, Galadriel, Eomer, Eowyn etc etc. I can read these novels now just for the chill I get at certain passages.... "And they hewed Hama's body before the gates of the Hornburg after he was dead" as King Theoden says to Saruman. Or..."Its name was Cirith Ungol. A place of dreadful rumour". The 'Lord Of The Rings' novels are excellent in both scope and imagination. A landmark of fantasy.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read
Review: If you like to read books, The Lord of The Rings is a must read! Tolkien is the master of Fantasy. He created a world in his books, that can not be matched by anybody els.
Rating: 
Summary: Good book, But...............
Review: I thought that all the songs were boring and sucked, and it got a little slow at times. But the book made up for it all at the end. A tremendous ending to the trilogy.
|
