Rating: 
Summary: Brilliant!
Review: People who get all huffy and indignant about this book need to get over themselves. It's an absolutly brilliant parody but you really have to appreciate toilet humor. I read this about 10 years ago and to this day I think of the characters in this book rather than the 'serious' version. I laughed to myself all through the movie, just imagining the LOTR characters acting as they were portrayed in Bored. Not for everyone, but definitely different.
Rating:
Summary: Only trust an elf or dwarf as far as you can throw 'em
Review: Everyone (well, hopefully everyone) can think of one or two things they've read in their lifetime that they found so uproariously funny that they couldn't prevent themselves from convulsing with laughter, even if they wanted to. I can recall being laid up one winter with a particularly virulent strain of flu, made only bearable by my first reading of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy." And I recall the first time I read "Bored of the Rings," a quarter of a century ago.Please note: reading this slim volume is not some short-cut to understanding Tolkein's world, before you go see the movie. This is a parody, and not the Cliff Notes for the real thing. And though it might be mildly humorous to one who hasn't read the Tolkein trilogy, it can only truly be appreciated by those that have. This isn't just a send-up of the sword and sorcery genre. It's real strength is in its tweaking of specific lines and passages well known to the reader of Lord of the Rings, from the prologue right down to the Elvish songs. It was inevitable that with the current boom in all things Tolkein-ish that "Bored of the Rings" would be re-released. In its day it was fairly infamous, but now stands as perhaps the best-known parody of a specific piece of modern literature. I note from other critiques left by other customers that it retains its "love-it-or-hate-it" status, the latter group divided by those who find the humor childish and those who find parodies of such a master work to be just short of blasphemous. Well, "Shakestoor, it isn't," to quote one of the characters, but compared to the juvenile bathroom humor of much of what currently passes for comedy, this seems almost sophisticated. As for the other complaint, those who will enjoy this book the most are those who both a) love "The Lord of the Rings," and b) have the ability to laugh at themselves. Bottom line: "Bored of the Rings" packs more laughs per page than just about anything you'll ever come across. If you like the comedic style of the "Hitchhiker" series, Dave Barry, or "Mystery Science Theater 3000," then this one will have you rolling on the floor.
Rating: 
Summary: Wander far off of the beaten path
Review: Lampoon aficionados, look no further! If you enjoy Tolkien,
and also enjoy alternative viewpoints, consider this classic.
Rating:
Summary: A truly influential work of fantasy
Review: I'm an editor. I work for the world's largest (= titles per year) publisher of science fiction and fantasy. This means I live and work and socialize with people whose lives revolve around the genre. Many of them have been enormously influenced by Tolkien's work, and have a deep and abiding love for it. And the one book I've heard them quote from most often, at greatest length, quoting from the greatest variety of passages, is unquestionably _Bored of the Rings_.
Rating:
Summary: The usual Lampoonery
Review: The Harvard Lampoon, Bored of the Rings (Signet, 1969) With the recent release of the first film in Peter Jackson's adaptation of Tolkein, it seemed like the perfect time to give Bored of the Rings a re-read. The Harvard Lampoon folks turn their attention to the Lord of the Rings trilogy and send it up with their usual blend of dead fish, toilet humor, Wizard air fresheners, third-grade satire, and fat, cheap cigars. No doubt legions of Tolkein fans are offended by this book's very existence. I think it's worth a few chuckles here and there, but it relies a little too much (as do most Lampoon satires) on the usual mishmash of sexually suggestive humor enjoyed by twelve-year-olds and the same bad puns you now find in newspaper headlines. Not that it was all that great to begin with, but it's not wearing well as time goes on. Still, it's an artifact of American popular culture, as scary as that thought is, and so it does have some historical value. ** 1/2
Rating:
Summary: A must read AFTER the movie or book.
Review: Many many years ago, back when I was still referred to as a youngster, all my friends were reading the Hobbit and LOTR. So I proceeded to the bookstore to get my own copy and also picked up off the shelf, Bored of the Rings. I read it first. Big mistake! For still my first memories are of Dildo Baggins, Frito and Spam. GoodGulf, may be misunderstood today, but his encounter with the Ballhog (dribble, dribble, fake, shoot, swish!) will forever bring a smile to my face. The final battle where the mighty army masses including ..."It, She, The Thing, and the Blob" is still burned into my memory. Yes I read the book 30 years ago and the melodies of Tim Benzendrine flashback at the oddest of times. I remember passages of it better than any part of LOTR. See the movie(s)! Read the original! Then when friends are sitting around talking about how great they are (The movies and books are what I'm referring to, but also applies if your friends are talking about themselves), pull out Bored of the Rings and begin reading it. Life will never be the same!
Rating:
Summary: Breathtakingly hilarious
Review: I read this before i read the trilogy, back in 1970, and nearly died laughing. From the mines of Andrea Doria to the Ngaio Marsh, from Goodgulf Grayteeth to Eorache, it is one of the funniest parodies I have ever read. Not surprisingly, it took me a while to get into the trilogy itself - all I could picture was Serutan, Schlob and Minas Troney.
Rating:
Summary: Just don't drink and read...you'll make a mess
Review: This book is singularly hilarious. I discovered it about ten years ago and I absolutely loved it. True, it is dated and younger readers may not know all the (late 60's) pop culture references, but that does not diminish the overall effect. If you don't know the references, you need to educate yourselves (if you are reading this, you have an internet connection, try a "search engine", they are all the latest rage). Also, take the low ratings with a grain of salt...one lowballer rated Pearl Harbor as the bestest movie ever and their other reviews seemed to center around Nancy Drew mysteries. In closing, don't miss out on a priceless piece of lampooning, contrary to what others may say, it takes talent too!
Rating:
Summary: one of the funniest books ever written
Review: I think I first read a borrowed copy of this book about twenty years ago, and somewhere along the line I managed to purchase my own copy - which I am truly grateful for, as I have reread this masterwork literally dozens of times since.(...) "Lord of the Rings" is a piece of fiction, not a religious text!
Rating:
Summary: Live Longer! Read this book!
Review: It is said that laughter is the best medicine. So, prepare yourself for the elixer of long life...read Bored of the Rings! I actually read this book back in 1979. I stumbled upon an old copy in the School Library. I didn't get much of the jokes. So, I read The Hobbit, and then the Trilogy. Reading BOTR the second time had me gasping for air because it was so funny! The satiric references are so accurate, you MUST know the original Hobbit & LOTR stories to get the humor of BOTR. It is certainly well done. My interest in this book was piqued by the upcoming movie releases (as with most of you). I remember reading this book so many aeons ago. Thank goodness for the Internet! "Lord of the Rings satire" in my Google.com search engine brought me the elusive book title: Bored of the Rings. Don't let another two decades slip by!
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