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Summary: No doubt about it.
Review: This combination of books - The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings Trilogy is the pinnacle of fantasy literature in the 20th century. Tolkien was unarguably a mastermind, able to envision and describe in such detail an entire world which he named Middle Earth.While it takes forever to read, it is beyond "well worth reading" - it is absolutely fantastic - a tale of lore from long ago. If you ever see these books somewhere, I'd advise you to make every effort to read them. I look forward to the movie; though the director will be hard pressed to attain the magic in the books.
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Summary: Classic for all ages
Review: The series of the Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are perhaps one of the greatest series of all times written in the fantasy genre. Tolkien went through great pains to ensure a smooth flowing and accurate storyline. The characters are fluid and you feel the emotions and thoughts that encompass them through the story. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a solid read.
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Summary: The Hobbit
Review: Anthony Wallis Mrs. Gottner Hobbit essay 2/5/01 THE HOBBIT the Hobbit tells the story of a comfortable, peaceable creature named Bilbo Baggins. Bilbo, like most hobbits, is similar to a human, but about half the size and not nearly as loud. Bilbo gets caught up in affairs much greater than his own hobbit life when, at the recommendation of a mysterious old wizard named Gandalf, he is hired as a burglar by a group of dwarves. These dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield, are going to the Lonely Mountain in the East to reclaim their family's treasure from the great dragon Smaug. Along the way, the company gets into trouble with goblins, spiders, and other malevolent creatures, and they often escape only because of the assistance of Gandalf and other good creatures they meet. Bilbo proves himself essential to the quest, saving the dwarfes on many occasions. His success is partly due to a magic ring that he takes from a strange, dark creature named Golam, who lives in the caves below the Misty Mountains. Bilbo even manages to discover Smaug's weak spot, which allows the dragon to be killed and the treasure freed. However, the dwarves cannot enjoy the gold alone, since it lures humans and elves, some of whom have a rightful claim to a portion of it. Thorin's unwillingness to share the treasure almost leads to war between the dwarves and the elves and humans, but instead war is forced upon all of them by the goblins and wargs wild wolves. All the good races are thus forced to unite against their common enemies. They succeed in defeating the evil creatures, but at the cost of the life of Thorin and many others. After the battle, the good races elves, dwarves and humans enjoy the treasure in peace rather than fighting over it. Bilbo weary, but happy to have played a part in great affairs, returns to his quiet home at Bag End. Because of his unhobbit-like adventures, he is never really accepted back into the community of Hobbiton Even Though Tolkien's world is one of fantassy, he designed it to reflect certain truths about the real world. The Hobbit addresses the problem of determing the right way for a hobbit or any ordinary person to live. Should he or she concern himself with great deeds and wars, and risk losing the humble perspective afforded by the simple life? Or should the ordinary person never look outside his or her own quiet existence, and risk ignoring the larger perspective that might have allowed him to do great things for the common good? The truth that emerges from The hobbitt is that, if one is called on to play a part in great affairs as we all are, at least according to Tolkien's Christian perspective then one should not shirk one's duty. To perform that duty well, however, one must never lose sight of one's own insignificance in the larger scheme of things, nor lose respect for the value of the simple life.
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Summary: THE MOST FANTASTIC BOOKS OF THE CENTURY!
Review: I have not even opened my set of books yet. This is my back-up set. I read the Trilogy at LEAST once a year. At that rate, I wear out my copies within a few years. I never want to be without and so I have my next set ready to go! I know it is hard to understand, if you haven't read the books, how these books can be for children, young adults, and adults and be compelling for all. But the sheer overwhelming enthusiasm these books generate should tell you that you are not dealing with ordinary or even extraordinary stories. These books are on a level all their own. The magnitude of the creativity and detail is awe-inspiring. The characters are unique, fully-developed personalities. That is amazing in itself considering how many characters there are. In December 2001, the "Lord of the Rings Trilogy" movies will start being released. Whether the movies are good (hopefully) or bad I hope the exposure will inspire many more readers to experience the books. I wanted to share my deep love of these books with anyone who may become curious about what these stories are all about. No matter how the movies turn out you WILL NOT be disappointed by the books!!! OUTSTANDING!!!
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Summary: THIS IS ABSOLUTLEY THE BEST SERIES EVER!
Review: I don't know to express how much that I enjoy this series. I have read it three times, and I never get sick of it. I have read many, many fantasy books, and their is none whatsoever who are even close to Tolkien save Robert Jordan in his early books. If you want to read a great bunch of books read the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Even though the Lord of the Rings is quite better.
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Summary: What to say
Review: that hasn't already been said? I read The Hobbit & LOTR when I was ten - I have the gold box edition. I never tore through a thick set of books faster in my life (my record was a week if i remember correctly). They profoundly shaped my thoughts on the nature of fantasy literature. In fact, they overloaded my imagination to the point where I think I burned out. For some strange reason instead of sparking a lifelong love of fantasy literature (which I would have expected) I quit reading it shortly thereafter. To this day I'm not sure why, other than perhaps once you've glimpsed perfection everything else feels like a cheap rip-off. If you read these books be warned - there is no going back.
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Summary: The Greatest Fantasy Series Of All-Time!
Review: This was better than any sci fi book or any other fantasy books I've read.This was also better then those stupid 1930's books that our 7th grade literature teacher says "You need to read tese books by Monday."I didn't read those books.I got to the 2nd chapter before throwing them away.These books,however,made me want to read it until the end.What's great about it was the words used in those years which make the books great fantasy. It starts with Bilbo Baggins, who was fooled into going into an adventure with Gandalf,the wizard.On that adventure,he finds the One Ring,which Sauron,The Dark Lord,used for evil purposes. The Lord Of the rings contiues that story 60 years later, when Frodo Baggins,Bilbo's heir,recieves the ring.Then,when he finds out its dark secret,he has to destroy it in Sauron's lair,Mordor. This book is for everyone.This would've been better if it was The Simariliion,The Hobbit,and The Lord Of The Rings,but then I would've had a heart attack.Great for any read!
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Summary: How did these Awful books ever get so famous?
Review: I was so disappointed when I read these books! There's almost no charactarization, the plot is boring and trudges, the style is stilted and painful, and almost all other ills I can think of! He doesn't even write about magic as if he believes it exists; he has a bad habit of summarizing ("In the next three weeks,..."); and generally dry and uninspired. If you want a *good* fantasy series, read something *inspired* by these (probably because so many budding authors read it and thought they could write something better than it), like something by Tamora Pierce, Patricia Wrede, Ursula K. LeGuin, or even Terry Brooks. I credit this even three stars for the same reason everyone else gave it all five: because the general, entire plot is sort of interesting. But the only reason I can think of why this was so popular is because no one else had written a good fantasy novel yet. If there's a devoted Tolkien fan out there somewhere that can explain to me why I should even try to read the third one, and argue all of these points, please let that person e-mail me. If I want to read something, I don't want to trudge through slush, I want to enjoy it.
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Summary: The Father of Fantasy
Review: J.R.R. Tolkien's novel THE LORD OF THE RINGS started the fantasy book craze. Still, it is #1 in the fantasy epics. I wouldnt recommend any other book for a person wanting to get started with fantasy novels. Hobbits, Ents, Elves and more what else could a imagintive person want.Do wizards, dragons, and knights help? All of the charachters in Tolkien's masterpiece are given a special place in our heart. Please read this set of books, thee shall not be dissapointed. HINT-If you Liked this book read, THE DEATH GATE CYCLE, series by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman
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Summary: IT DOES NOT GET ANY BETTER.
Review: I cannot even begin to describe the sheer creativity of Tolkien. These aer the best books I have ever read, and i have read many, many books. Just got voted the #1 book of the century. No matter what age you are you will begin to feel for all the characters and immense yourself in their awesome world of tradition, magic, and heroics. Buy it or forever your soul be tainted.
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