The Lord of the Rings

Rating:
Summary: Too Good for Words
Review: This book is incredible! I have read it over and over again but never tire of it.Everyone who reads this book sees something different and new in it. I have recommended it to everyone I know and still are not content with doind all I can to make everyone read this book. This book is about good and evil and the difference between them, JRR Tolkien really has written a masterpiece and brings the characters to life-you cry, shout, fight, and feel warmth and happiness with them. Kids may find it a little confusing-but it gets you thinking about everything from the book to your life. This book is the best I've read and it stays with you and in your mind forever! I also recommend The Hobbit and The Silmarillion.

Rating:
Summary: not for the faint hearted
Review: i could not help but feel dismayed that the movie hype had caused a lot of ppl to buy and attempt to read LOTR and ended feeling cheated - and dissed the book as being uninteresting, dull etc etc... you get my drift.

honestly though, if you are not the reading type, chances are you'd might not want to even start undertaking the task of reading this behemoth. hell, even the most avid reader may well blanch at the sight of the book. this book is *HUGE* and i can't emphasize enough. i think it is clever of the publisher to print LOTR into 3 novels - instead of printing it in one volume like what tolkien wanted - coz then many will not be daunted and be willing to read LOTR when presented in more managable portions. granted, i own a british-printed, one-volume version and believe me, holding it while reading was not exactly a pleasant experience; although it did help me from totally becoming a couch potato - i used it as a dumbbell!

i don't mean to discourage. this is *not* an easy read; there are a lot of the things that happens throughout the books that seems insignificant at first and in the end ended up as being bloody important to the whole thing! i'm not joking, coz it might be something that happened in the early pages of the 'fellowship of the ring' that only makes sense when you're half way through 'the return of the king'... so be prepared for the "huh?" and "what?" that are bound to occur. personally, i had to read it twice, both read months apart, to fully understand and appreciate the full genius of tolkien. i salute his ability to tie seemingly inconsequential and disparate events into one coherent tale as the reader reads LOTR further.

the gist of the plot is simple enough; take the ruling ring to orodruin(sp) - mount doom - and melt it so that sauron won't be able to get his hands on it and use it to control the other 3 rings held by the elves (they are the only ones not yet under sauron's will). except that it's not that simple. we are talking about a novel that is 3 times as long as a normal one! there are a ot of things to consider, firstly that hobbits aren't exactly a rambo or schwarzenegger type, and that mount doom is very, very far from the shire. not to mention other political maneuverings, racial problems and the fact that they are constantly harrased by orcs, wolves, balrogs, animal spies etc etc and a whole host of other unwholesome creatures.

tolkien amazingly managed to pace the story realy well; at first the threat of sauron seems so far and had a dream-like quality, but the urgency and fear became more and more palpable as they continued the journey. the characters are also well developed; both boromir and aragorn became less mysterious and less unapproachable as the story goes along. merry, pippin, legolas, gimli and sam are also surprisingly well developed and are not treated like an afterthought or just as "fillers" to an otherwise sparsely populated tale. all of them have their part to play in the mission, and so many things come to light later on that will make sense to the incidents earlier. however, there are a lot of things that are said and barely hinted at as why to certain things ARE and the history that preceeded the war of the rings that could get a bit confusing... to understand that, you need "the silmarillion".

to say that this book is brilliant is an understatement. however, i must say that this novel isn't cut out for everyone. if you're less than thrilled with the prospect of reading a story for more than a few days, i suggest that you wait for the movies. and if you are a lil bit interested - but are not sure whether you'd like LOTR - i suggest you to get your hands on a copy of fellowship of the ring (at the library or a bookstore), read a lil bit and see if you're interested enough to buy the whole lot. and if you do buy it, well... it'll be one of the best reads ever.

Rating:
Summary: LOTR is an incredible feat.
Review: The LOTR trilogy is an incredible feat. Its predecessor, The Hobbit, was as complete and spellbinding story as could be written.
The LOTR surpassed this. What seemed like a grand adventure in The Hobbit was dwarfed by the sheer breadth of the trilogy.
Tolkien, being a professor in Medieval English in addition to mastering related subjects, shines with his deep knowledge and love of the craft. It is impossible to not be swept away into his imaginary land that somehow leaves the reader a true believer.
The FOTR was a gratifying first book. Two Towers was more difficult to read whatwith the heavy use of antiquated verbage, but enjoyable just the same.
ROTK was rewarding - as any final chapter should be - but I sensed Tolkien increased his marked pace that existed in the first two books. I felt as though he needed to finish this story that consumed him as desperately as the powers of good sought to end Sauron's reign of evil.

I read the LOTR to my son, who along with me, at times found it impossible to put down. I remember, more than once, the hoarseness in my voice from reading outloud too many hours on end.

I rate the LOTR an excellent 5, but do state that it is not mild reading, and to perservere through The Two Towers as you will be more than thrilled that you did.

Excellent story, and in regards to enjoyability factor, easily surpasses the movie.

Rating:
Summary: These are still my favorites
Review: Tolkein is awesome. There are no words save his own that could do justice to this work. I have read these books 5 times in the last 5 years. I can't get enough of it. Read the trilogy, and then read the Silmarilion, and then read The Book of lost tales, and then re-read them all again. These are never a waste of time, even for those who do not like Fantasy. Read It!

Rating:
Summary: Masterful Writing in a Fantasy Epic
Review: "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" can stand separately, but tell a bigger, better story, if read together. The four books represent one of the earliest fantasy epics, and none have surpassed it. J.R.R. Tolkien created a complex, unreal but realistic world inhabited by many creatures, good, evil, and in-between. The story itself is simple in plot: Bilbo Baggins gets semi-shanghaied into helping a band of dwarves reclaim their family treasure, which was stolen by a dragon. After many adventures, they succeed, but Bilbo happens to acquire a mysterious ring along the way. Without fully understanding its power, Bilbo's cousin/nephew, Frodo inherits the ring, which turns out to be the key to the power of The Enemy, Sauron, who wants to rule the world. The ring gives its wearer long life, invisibility, and the potential to command others, but it is basically evil and corrupts the wearer. Therefore, Frodo must journey into the heart of Sauron's territory to throw it into the volcano, Mt. Doom, as that is the only way to truly destroy it. Frodo is accompanied by a group of (mostly) faithful companions. The ending is predictable, but "God is in the details" and the journey is fraught with danger, plots, treachery, unpleasant surprises, a few pleasant surprises, and many strange beings.

J.R.R. Tolkien took pieces of many myths and legends, along with pieces of English folklore, put it in a blender, and produced a masterpiece of imagination and literature. The story is good for any avid reader from age 10 to 150. When a book stays popular over several generations, you know it's something special, and this is a prime example of durability. Enjoy repeatedly over the years!

Rating:
Summary: absolutely gorgeous
Review: I'll try to keep this short. The Lord of the Rings is, without a doubt, the best work of fantasy I have ever read, as well as a masterful work of literature. I have been able to find very few fantasy authors (or any authors, for that matter) that even approach Tolkien's skill. Middle-earth is alive for me. I feel truly priviledged to be able to share in Tolkien's creation.

Rating:
Summary: more than a book
Review: I went to USA to study for my master's degree in 1978 and J.R.R. Tolkein and comments on Lord of the Rings were writen every where even in toilets. I bought the first book out of curiousity and spent 2 days and 2 nights finishing to set. The experience was more than good reading. It was like reading Greek tragedy with happy ending. I read them again many times untill now. Virginia Wolf committed suicide in despair during the dark hours of World War II, J.R.R. Tolkein gave us Lord of the Rings.

Rating:
Summary: The Best Books Ever!
Review: I have read the Hobbit and the Fellowship of the Ring recently they are great books and I am going to read the other two Lord of the Rings books a.s.a.p!! I just saw the movie last night, and it is amazing. The special effects are great. I can't wait to see what awaits Frodo & Sam on their journey to Mordoor!
(I'm sorry if my spelling is bad)These books rock, and if you haven't read them you should!

Rating:
Summary: Harry could learn from Frodo
Review: Time will tell if Harry Potter can claim to be a literary classic and a fantasy masterwork. Frodo Baggins, however, has lead the way.

As small as hobbits may be, "The Lord of the Rings" ranks supremely as being some of the finest, well-written fiction to be produced in the English language. In "The Lord of the Rings," you'll get it all (and save a few bucks in the process!).

Tolkien's delicious use of written diction and depth of storyline is why his famous hobbit enjoys the lengthy stay in libraries that he has. Compare it to other great trilogies and tales, from "Alice in Wonderland" to CS Lewis' "Narnia" trilogy.

A lot of poorly written novels litter our library shelves, but shining is "The Lord of the Rings." Tolkien used his vast understanding of archetypes, ancient storytelling, and the body of fiction. He took years to write these tales, laboring over ever tiny phrase... as opposed to cranking them out within months. He didn't write for the marketplace, but the marketplace loves him.

I fully recommend "Lord of the Rings." It is a great deal for some great books by a great writer.

Thinking about Bilbo now... some eggs and bacon would taste good just about now (read "The Hobbit" and you'll know the reference).

Anthony Trendl

Rating:
Summary: My thought about The Lord of the Rings
Review: I love this book. I've read a lot of books, but this one is my favourite. If you don't want to spend money on this book, you HAVE to at least read it. It changes your life.
Enjoy!