"The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater."

The first volume of the epic Lord of the Rings novel, The Fellowship of the Ring, basically focuses on the formation of the Fellowship - the group that will become responsible for the fate of the One Ring. After having been lost for centuries, the One Ring is passed from Bilbo Baggins to the young hobbit Frodo and as Ringbearer, the future of civilisation in Middle Earth rests upon his shoulders as he must travel to Mount Doom in order to destroy the ring in the fires in which it was forged.

Reading The Lord of the Rings is like coming home. I came late to the Harry Potter series, I wasn't one of those children who grew up with Harry and co., so often people will ask me, "What were you doing when everyone else was dreaming of going to Hogwarts?" and I will say, "I was dreaming of going on an adventure in Middle Earth".

I grew up with The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, probably reading the latter at an age where I really didn't understand a lot of what was going on and yet I still fell in love with these books. Going to see the movies in the cinema with my brother and uncle became a tradition, even if my uncle was one of those annoying movie-goers, whispering in my ear at every opportunity, "In the book, they actually..." WELL, now I'm proud to say I'm one of those annoying people! So I have quite strong feelings for these books and have reread them numerous times. As is evident quite often in my stories on instagram, I watch these movies all the time as well - they are timeless classics to me. It's been a while since my last reread, therefore I decided 2017 would be the year of my great Hobbit/LOTR reread, and it's been an absolute joy so far.

It's hard to write a review for one of the greatest series ever written. How dare I insult a genius like Tolkien by giving my meandering thoughts... In all honesty, I don't have many negative things to say about these books. My only criticism is the songs that are sometimes included that go on for too long. I quite enjoy these songs in the movies, but reading through them is an entirely different experience.

Reuniting with the Fellowship again is always a treat - Aragorn has always been and will always be my favourite member of the Fellowship. He is heroic, strong, determined, a leader, a King. Gandalf is also one of my main men. I remember when I read these books and watched these movies years ago, Samwise Gamgee was always just "Frodo's friend" to me, but over the years and as I grow older, it's only now that I can really see just how amazing Sam is. He is irreplaceable in terms of the support and friendship he provides for Frodo, he is so selfless and courageous. We all need to be a little more like Samwise Gamgee. His loyal traits only start to bear fruition in this first volume.

My favourite aspect of this book is the togetherness of the Fellowship, they move as one group, before splintering off in subsequent volumes. It's nice to see them all interact with each other, with one shared aim. I always considered this book to be my least favourite out of the three, and yet I still loved every minute of it. That says a lot for the books to follow. This is an epic fantasy tale, one that will continue to live on through the ages, and I'm really excited to delve into The Two Towers again (once I finish the monster that is IT). This one gets 5 stars out of 5 from me - Tolkien is a genius.

Reread June 2022.

Tonight on Anderson Cooper 360, we find ourselves in Murfreesboro, Tennessee and at The Green Dragon Public House and Brewery, a Tolkien inspired pub. Our special guest tonight is none other than THE Hobbit, Mr. Bilbo Baggins, formerly of the Shire. We’ll have a moment to get to know the individual that has meant so much to generations of literary fans and then to a new generation of movie going fans in this last decade. Bilbo, how are you tonight?

Bilbo Baggins: I’m well; thank you, Anderson, and how about yourself?

Anderson Cooper: I’m fine, thanks. Tell me, what was it like working with Peter Jackson?

BB: What’s not to like? He’s a consummate professional, with great attention to detail and a heart for our story.

AC: How was he different than working with J.R.R Tolkien?

BB: Ronald was a wonder, a finer man this world has never known. He was sensitive, but not in the way this generation uses the term; he was a real man, he could chop wood and build a fire, but he had in mind the celestial, he was a Godly man. Peter is more worldly, but spiritual in his own way.

AC: Was Hollywood different than England in the 1950s?

BB: My word, yes! But mostly in the scale of things, not so much the substance. When Ronald first published our story in your time of 1954, there was some fuss and attention but nowadays there is another level of fame and fortune altogether, I cannot wrap my mind around it! I wanted to pay for a breakfast of some eggs and sausages and the innkeeper said, “your money is no good here, Master Hobbit” but I’ve never had so much coin as I have now and no one will take it! The world has gone topsy-turvy.

AC: And your nemesis, Sauron, how has he changed over the years?

BB: Well! Now there is a query, yes sir! Let me just say that he was a pain the arse in the distant past and remains so today. His kind will always be a ticklish spot on the mattress if you get my meaning; I was not at all surprised to see him get involved with your politics.

AC: What about that, Bilbo – is it alright if I call you Bilbo?

BB: Please do.

AC: Thank you, what about Sauron’s entry into local politics?

BB: Let me speak candidly, Anderson, Sauron is a self-serving lot. His foray into your politics is all about what is best for him.

AC: Were you surprised that he has adapted so well to our political climate?

BB: Not at all! Oh my goodness, no! He was made for the arena, as your Mr. Nixon would say.

AC: Bilbo, has fame changed you at all?

BB: Anderson, I’d like to think not, but maybe in some small ways.

AC: Example.

BB: Fair enough, I like to get the top of my feet waxed. Back in the Shire, forget about it, but around here, it’s just a matter of getting it done and who to do it.

AC: The top of you feet waxed?

BB: A mild vanity, I assure you, a simple pleasure for me to preen and pleasure.

AC: Well deserved, I’m sure.

BB: Well, there are the simple ways to be enjoyed.

AC: Bilbo, what would you like to convey to our audience before we sign off?

BB: Thank you, Anderson. I’d just like to say to our audience, to our fans, both of the books and the more recent films, I think our story is about decency and doing what is right. It’s not always about slaying dragons or defeating an evil tyrant – more often it is the small things – paying a fair wage to your gardener or the village grocer, and observing the common courtesies. If we can win the small battles at home, then the larger wars will take care of themselves.

AC: Thank you, Bilbo, it has been a pleasure.

BB: The pleasure is all mine, Anderson, and won’t you enjoy some fine craft ales while we’re here?

AC: Why not? Thanks again to Mr. Bilbo Baggins, this is Anderson Cooper reporting from Murfreesboro, Tennessee with the Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins. Take care, America.

2015 reread:

My first impressions after rereading this wonderful story is that at its heart it is a travel book, from the departure from the Shire , through Bree, and all the way along the dangerous paths, down through Moria and visiting Lorien this is a story about a journey.

This also made me even more appreciate the fine work of director Peter Jackson and his crew for a magnificent job filming Tolkien’s great vision. However, I do miss the exclusion of Tom Bombadil from the films as he is a testament to how, as good as the films are, lacking they are when it comes to the fullness of Tolkien’s story, the films are martial and about armed conflict. Jackson must sell tickets, I understand that. But Bombadil, poetry and song are also an integral part of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and part of this template for high fantasy.

One thing Jackson got right was the importance of Sam Gamgee, his simple straightforward approach to life perhaps mirrored Tolkien’s own English countryside manner.

Finally, the scene between Boromir and Frodo is classic in literature. Well done, Professor Tolkien.

My education as a young German continues. I have been able to read children's books easily for some time, but books for grown-ups are still challenging. I thought that reading The Lord of the Rings in translation might be helpful, since for me it's intermediate between children's literature and adult literature. The vocabulary and grammar are more like adult literature; but the writing is concrete and straightforward as children's literature tends to be, with little of the abstractions, generalisations and complicated narrative structures that characterise adult fiction. I think it's worked well, and I could positively feel the book stretching my vocabulary. But most importantly, it's increased my appreciation for the poetics of the language. The text was many times able to reach me emotionally, and I could recapture the magical effect it had on me when I first read it at age ten: the comic interlude in Bree, the horror of the Barrow-wight and the Balrog, the glimpses of the vast shadowy history of the First Age.

The part that affected me most was the sequence in Lórien, which, to my surprise, moved me to tears. I couldn't quite understand why, but when I looked through some of the other reviews it became clearer. Readers of my generation were able to enter the enchanted world of Middle Earth and make it part of our own reality. But now I glance at Khanh's review, which has attracted 500 votes and a depressing number of positive comments, and see that for many people it is no longer possible. They understand nothing. The Elves have departed over the Sea, and left only a nostalgic memory behind them. It is desperately sad, and it is just this ineluctable tragedy of the passing of time that Tolkien captures so perfectly.

n  Ai! laurië lantar lassi súrinen,
Yéni únótimë ve rámar aldaron!
Yéni ve lintë yuldar avánier
mi oromardi lissë-miruvóreva
Andúnë pella, Vardo tellumar
nu luini yassen tintilar i eleni
ómaryo airetári-lírinen.
Sí man i yulma nin enquantuva?

An sí Tintallë Varda Oiolossëo
ve fanyar máryat Elentári ortanë
ar ilyë tier undulávë lumbulë
ar sindanóriello caita mornië
i falmalinnar imbë met, ar hísië
untúpa Calaciryo míri oialë.
Sí vanwa ná, Rómello vanwa, Valimar!

Namárië! Nai hiruvalyë Valimar!
Nai elyë hiruva! Namárië!n

'Ah! like gold fall the leaves in the wind, long years numberless as the wings of trees! The long years have passed like swift draughts of the sweet mead in lofty halls beyond the West, beneath the blue vaults of Varda wherein the stars tremble in the song of her voice, holy and queenly. Who now shall refill the cup for me? For now the Kindler, Varda, the Queen of the Stars, from Mount Everwhite has uplifted her hands like clouds, and all paths are drowned deep in shadow; and out of a grey country darkness lies on the foaming waves between us, and mist covers the jewels of Calacirya for ever. Now lost, lost to those from the East is Valimar! Farewell! Maybe thou shalt find Valimar. Maybe even thou shalt find it. Farewell!'

Varda is the name of that Lady whom the Elves in these lands of exile name Elbereth.

This was utterly perfect. Each time I read LotR I love it even more.

فیلم ارباب حلقه‌ها رو حدودا سه سال پیش دیدم و با اینکه خیلی مشتاق بودم کتابش رو بخونم، تصمیم گرفتم صبر کنم تا تصویر فیلم با وجود فوق‌العاده بودنش تو ذهنم کمرنگ بشه تا مانع این نشه که ذهنم با خود کتاب به صورت خلاقانه تصویرسازی کنه.
ارباب حلقه‌ها قطعا یه کتاب نیست، یه دنیاست! دنیایی کامل و منحصر به فرد که تالکین ماهرانه به پا کرده. تو این دنیا هر چیزی سر جای خودشه و هیچ‌وقت احساس نکردم چیزی اضافیه یا بود و نبودش فرقی نداره.
داستان حول محور حلقه‌‌های قدرت هست که از بین بیست حلقه، یکی که از همه شیطانی‌تره بر اساس داستانی که به کتاب هابیت برمی‌گرده به دست فردو افتاده. یاران حلقه داستان حامل حلقه‌ست و ماجراهایی که در این بین اتفاق میفته.
گرچه ارباب حلقه‌ها در واقع یه کتابه، با این حال من فکر می‌کنم جدا شدن و سه جلدی شدنش هیچ آسیبی به داستان نزده و شاید بشه گفت به‌جا هم بوده!
لذت‌بخش‌ترین بخش کتاب برای من دوستی‌های جاری در کتاب و به ویژه بین هابیت‌هاست که واقعا الهام‌بخشه. با این حال علت ۴ ستاره دادن من (که ای کاش می‌شد ۴.۵ داد) صرفا متن سنگین و فوق‌العاده توصیفی کتابه که مسلما از ضعف قلم تالکین ناشی نمی‌شه و صرفا سلیقه‌ایه.
----------------------------------
بخش‌های ماندگار کتاب:
از آن تنفر داشت و در عین حال شیفته اش بود همانطور که از خودش تنفر داشت و در عین حال شیفته خودش بود.
...
خیلی از کسانی که زنده‌اند حقشان مرگ است و خیلی از کسانی که می‌میرند حقشان زندگی است. تو می‌توانی این زندگی را به آن��ها ببخشی؟ پس زیاد مشتاق نباش که در قضاوت، مردم را به مرگ محکوم کنی چون حتی خردمند‌ترین آدم‌ها هم نمی‌تواند فرجام کار را ببیند.
...
تصمیم گرفتن دست خودمان نیست. تنها چیزی که باید درباره‌اش تصمیم بگیریم این است که با روزگاری که نصیبمان شده است چه کنیم.
...
کار را شروع نکنی، هیچ‌وقت تمام نمی‌شود.

First Read: September 2018, Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Second Read: September 2021, Rating: 5/5 stars

It is such an odd experience to read a book when you are so familiar with its movie adaptation. Peter Jackson's films are legendary and whilst they do an incredible job of recreating these fantasy classics, there are certain inconsistencies. Totally my own fault for watching the films before reading the books they were based on, but I spent a lot of my time, during my first reading, thinking 'that's not how it goes!', so sure was I in the sequence of events this would follow.

I felt more immersed in the story, during the second time consuming it. I remembered that certain events differed slightly and so just let myself experience the adventures featured, purposefully not giving much thought to the details of them cemented into my brain from so many repeated rewatches.

Regardless, both reading delivered an immersive and atmospheric read, full of wonderful character who will stay in my heart forever, and I am so glad to have finally read this legendary fantasy novel! It is the perfect cosy and autumnal read and I had a silly smile on my face during the entire 300 pages. Events get increasingly darker, and this continues into the second two series instalments, but this remained a mostly pleasant exploration of one of the best fantastical lands ever invented.

"All that is gold does not glitter. Not all those who wander are lost. The old that is strong does not wither. Deep roots are not reached by the frost”.

(4.5)

En este punto de mi vida ni siquiera sé cómo justificar que no hubiera leído antes este libro. No sé si llamarle terquedad o tontería, pero vaya que me arrepiento de no haberle dado una oportunidad antes a esta historia. ¡Por fin leí el primer libro de El señor de los anillos! Y, contrario a lo que pensé que pasaría, no me aburrí ni un segundo y lo disfruté un montón.

Por si, al igual que yo, han estado metidos debajo de una roca, les voy a contar un poco de qué se trata The Fellowship of the Ring. Cuenta la historia que hace muchísimos años se forjaron unos anillos de poder, pero Sauron, el Dark Lord, decidió forjar uno infinitamente más poderoso para controlar a los demás anillos y expandir su poder. Sin embargo, eventualmente le arrebataron ese anillo y, a pesar de que lo buscó por toda la Tierra Media, nunca lo volvió a encontrar. Sin saberlo, ese anillo acabó en manos de Bilbo Baggins, un hobbit de la Comarca. Bilbo ha vivido un montón de años con aquel tesoro maldito, pero llega el momento en el que debe legárselo a Frodo, su heredero. Y, a partir de ese momento y con Galdalf guiándolo, Frodo tendrá la misión de destruir el anillo antes de que su poder lo corrompa, pero no será fácil, pues tendrá que atravesar casi toda la Tierra Media para hacerlo mientras lo persiguen los aliados del Dark Lord.

Antes que nada, quiero advertirles que The Fellowship of the Ring es, evidentemente, un libro de fantasía bastante antiguo, así que una de sus principales características es que los personajes están constantemente en un viaje para ir de un punto A hacia un punto B. Ahora, si bien hay momentos de ese viaje en los que los están persiguiendo dark riders o están atravesando cavernas con enemigos que no pueden ver, hay algunos puntos en los que la trama se centra exclusivamente en su travesía, sus paradas en posadas y momentos bastante tranquilos. En un día normal, a mí me chocan este tipo de estructuras en los libros de fantasía porque siento que no pasan muchas cosas y le falta acción a todo, pero, curiosamente, esto no me molestó en The Fellowship of the Ring y estuve enganchada todo el tiempo.

Creo que, además del hecho de estar descubriendo una historia tan famosa por primera vez, algo que hizo que la disfrutara un montón más fue que iba comentando mis progresos con un amigo que es fan acérrimo de Tolkien. De verdad, inténtenlo, es súper divertido. No se imaginan sus reacciones cada que yo le escribía cosas tipo: “¡APARECIÓ GANDAAAAAALF!”, “OMG, ¿CÓMO QUE PEPITO ES MALO?”, “¡YA LLEGARON A RIVENDELL!”, “NO PUEDE SER, PEPITO ERA EN REALIDAD ARAGORN” y así. Y sí, los Pepitos los usé para evitar spoilers en esta reseña. Aunque, ahora que lo pienso, es un libro tan viejo que ni siquiera deberían poder molestarme por spoilers, jajaja. Anyway…

Siento que The Fellowship of the Ring es un libro súper introductorio, pero que sabe enganchar a los lectores. Desde el principio, cuando conocemos a los hobbits de la Comarca, ya es imposible dejar de pensar en qué va a pasar después; en cómo es que Frodo va a embarcarse en una misión tan peligrosa si nunca ha salido de su región; en cuándo aparecerán los personajes que conoces por nombre, pero que no tienes ni idea de realmente quiénes son porque ni has visto la película; en qué pasará si uno de esos black riders los alcanza; en por qué Galdalf está desaparecido; en qué querrá ese misterioso Strider; en cuándo llegarán a la mítica Rivendell y cómo se formará el grupo más grande que intentará escoltar a Frodo para que destruya el anillo; en si lograrán ocultarse durante más tiempo de todos los ojos espías que tiene el Dark Lord… En fin. Es todo un viaje y la tensión narrativa está muy bien lograda, pues no solamente te van contando toda la travesía, sino que todo se entrelaza con historias del pasado, leyendas y canciones.

Definitivamente, mis partes favoritas del libro empiezan a desarrollarse cuando el grupo se va de Rivendell y se encamina hacia la segunda parte de toda la travesía. Es en este último tramo del libro cuando más están en peligro, cuando más cosas descubren y cuando el poder malvado del anillo va metiéndose por las grietas de las personalidades de cada uno de los personajes… ¡y eso me encantó! Y el final… ay, madre mía, ya veo que los personajes tomando decisiones estúpidas no son cosas exclusivas de la literatura más contemporánea, jajaja, pero ¿qué sería de las tramas sin esas elecciones que precipitarán mil peligros más? Conclusión: necesito leer pronto The Two Towers.

J.R.R. Tolkien is my favorite author, I love all his books and the movies based on them and I tell people all the time that Lord of the Rings is "literally my life", so it's kind of obvious that I'm giving this book 5 stars.

Tolkien's writing style is unique. That is something that everyone should be aware of before going into these books. Middle-earth is the most developed fictional world I have ever read about, and for development on this scale, you need a lot of details. That's exactly why I'm so in love with the series, but I understand whenever people disagree with me.

If you're not sure if you should read this and you have never seen the movies, I suggest checking them out first. If you don't like them and don't care about the world, I wouldn't bother trying out the books.
If you choose to read them, then get ready to go on an amazing adventure with fantastic characters, great action sequences, lovely poems and songs and High Fantasy at its absolute best.
Be aware though that things move a lot slower than in the movies. When I first read them, I was surprised at how much more the books had to offer. For me, it made everything just more exciting, but it might have a tedious effect on other people.

Rare are the books that put me in my special happy place; books that give me that fuzzy, comfy feeling and just, well, make me happy to be in that world. The Fellowship of the Ring does just that; the magic of the story was such that being part of Frodo’s journey was nothing short of wonderful, as in full of wonders, and it left me with that sense of wonder long after I finished reading for the day.

To be honest, I never expected to love this that much, especially since my previous attempts had failed. I‘m now glad that I didn’t force myself to finish this book ten years ago, or worse, twenty years ago. I was not ready then and I couldn’t have appreciated it.

What I‘ve always loved, however, is this poem Bilbo recites, so much so that I‘ve learned it by heart:

n  "All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken:
The crownless again shall be king."n

I also feel I need to point out that a large part of my enjoyment came from the magnificent Andy Serkis reading the audiobooks. He just does a marvelous job, especially with making a large cast of characters sound distinctive with pitch of voice and different accents. I tried listening to the Rob Inglis audiobook years ago, but was just so put off by his reading. So if you haven’t listened to Andy Serkis yet, you should absolutely remedy that!

You might wonder why I felt obliged to try enjoying LotR again and again, and, yes, it’s partly because of what Tolkien has done for the fantasy genre, but mostly it’s because I‘ve always loved the movies ever since I saw them at the theater way back when. I actually still watch them all religiously at least once a year, so the plot was naturally familiar. But that didn’t mar my enjoyment at all; if anything it was helpful to be somewhat familiar with Middle-earth. It was also fun to see what was changed and to realize once again with how much care to detail Peter Jackson made these adaptations.

It‘s very possible that I need to add re-reading LotR once a year to my growing list of books that I just need to experience again and again. But I‘m getting ahead of myself; I really should finish reading LotR for the first time!

Onward!

————————

n  "Some who have read the book, or at any rate have reviewed it, have found it boring, absurd, or contemptible; and I have no cause to complain, since I have similar opinions of their works, or of the kinds of writing that they evidently prefer.“n

Touché, Grandpa Tolkien, touché.

n  “I cordially dislike allegory in all its manifestations, and always have done so since I grew old and wary enough to detect its presence. I much prefer history, true or feigned, with its varied applicability to the thought and experience of readers. I think that many confuse ‘applicability’ with ‘allegory’; but the one resides in the freedom of the reader, and the other in the purposed domination of the author.“n

(excerpts from the author’s foreword)
———————————



So excited to finally tackle this! Third time‘s the charm! Listening to Andy Serkis reading it is already an amazing experience.

n  CONTENT DISCLAIMER:n I was feeling very muppet-y when I wrote this. Please bear with me :D

This book is not for the faint-hearted.
I've never known a book to come with so much baggage, I swear. So first things first.

n  YOU &YOUR BOOKn
In situations where you find yourself entangled with a book like this, the things you have to ask yourself are:
☑ Am I ready for this?
☑ Do I have the time and strength for this?
☑ Am I ready to accept the outcome of this? Because chances are things won't work out at all.

▶ n  I'VE GOT A MUPPET A LOT LIKE KERMIT LIVING IN MY HEADn
SHYLOCK: And this is starting to sound like a dating column. Let's stick to what we know, shall we Annie?
ME: Yes. Yes, let's do that.


n  n    RAMBLING n  n n  REVIEWING n

▶ n  WELCOME TO MIDDLE EARTHn
Home to Hobbits, elves, dwarfs, orcs, and creatures of a darker and grotesquely, nefarious nature.
Throughout the land of shire, it's a known fact among the hobbits that old Bilbo Baggins is queer, and well preserved-as some would say(a rumor facilitated by his perpetual youth). It was also said that the tunnels of Bilbo's home were stacked full with treasures and riches amassed over time from his many adventures. To Bilbo, there was only one true treasure-a shiny golden ring. On his 111th birthday, Bilbo passes on his treasured ring and fortune to his younger cousin, Frodo, who happens to share the same birthday with him. But the ring holds more power than neither Frodo nor Bilbo could ever have imagined. Soon Frodo, along with his very loyal friends(Sam, Pippin and Merry) are on the run from dark riders sent by the rising dark lord, Sauron, who covets the ring's power.

n  Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky, Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone, Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die, One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie. One Ring to rule them all. One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.n

To those who enjoyed this book as much as I did, I know like me you just had to try it once, didn't you? Don't tell me after reading this, you didn't hug your copy to your chest and say

Don't lie! I won't accept such blasphemy. Admit it, I just know



▶ n  NOT ALL RELATIONSHIPS START OUT ROSY AND BRIGHT n
The writing was exquisite. Exquisitely painful and difficult to get through at first. And the truth is, I did get used to the writing style, it did grow on me- but, that feeling never ceased. That I-love-you-but-I-hate-you-for-all-the-misery-you-put-me-through feeling never went away.
The prologue alone gives a heavy download of information, basically about the history of the hobbits: Their background information, geographical and regional distribution, their way of life. For those, like me, who haven't read the preceding novel The hobbit, this introduction-though tedious to read-proves ultimately helpful. You know what I loved most of all, was how Tolkien took moral themes such as greed, over ambition, thirst for power-some of the easiest downfalls of man-and wove them into a magnificent story of great mythology and fantasy. I can't help but feel wonder.

▶ A word of caution to the wise: please don't start out reading this novel while lying in bed, lest you wake up 2 hours later asking yourself how. Believe the testimonies of those who have walked that road.

▶ n  I CRIED ADVENTURE!!!n
Yes. You know me, adventure is like crack to me(not that I would know what crack feels like O.o). This book is fantastical! It's epic! Just brilliant! Follow Frodo and his gang as they travel across different lands, through the Old forest, Barrows-downs, The town of Bree and Prancing Pony, as they try to make their way to Rivendell. Experience their many adventures and trials, and dangers they encounter -all the while being pursued by the dark riders, and fall in love with the various characters they meet along the way(Tom Bombadil was the character that I, personally, view as the most spirited and endearing, I think.) I loved the scenes where they were in mortal peril the most, I could feel my pulse quicken everytime they were in danger. I and shylock were just like

The whole time.

▶ n  MY. FAVORITE CHARACTER :n
Hmph. I am not Frodo's biggest fan. To be honest, I really expected him to...I don't know, dazzle me? I grew up with the names: Frodo, Smeagol, Gollum and Gandalf. My older brother used to sing them like songs. He loved Frodo. So I guess I expected someone extremely valiant and strong and daring when I set out to read this book. Frodo is so ordinary he makes my nose crinkle in disapproval. But no, I'm not disappointed, if that's what your thinking. I'm only disillusioned and I'm in mourning, so never mind me. My favorite character is Sam. He is loyal. So freaking loyal and lovable. I like Pippin too though, he tickled all my funny bones and had me laughing right out loud. Aaaaand I really love Gandalf too, he reminds me so much of Gaius from the Merlin series. So in the end I loved a lot of characters. Guess I'm capable of spreading the love. Now this is going to sound funny, but, I didn't know Merry was a Man until I had gotten towards the end. I'm not joking. I don't know how, I just thought Merry was a she. I can only say that sometimes we choose to be blind to the way things really are because we wish them a certain way.

▶ n  THE TERROR NEVER ENDSn
To be honest, reading this never got easier, per se. Throughout the book we're fed lots of historical facts about the events which highlighted the previous ages of Middle-earth, information which relates significantly to the tale of the ring of power. We only get little breaks now and then from this bombardment of information. But I'd say it's all worth it. The world building is PHENOMENAL.

▶ Soooooo there are some who would chicken out because they're afraid of the complexity and gravity of this book, and so consequently, they end up missing out on one of the best relationships they could ever have because they're too scared to commit.

No. But seriously though, this book n  is not for everyone.n I honestly believe it's something of an acquired taste. It requires a good amount of patience and time investment. At the end of the day, after all the time spent, it still might not be your cup of tea and you'll end up pouring it all down the sink, you might even want to throw the tea cup at me. Please don't.


I, myself, wasn't truly captivated by the story until the history of the ring and all it's allure started to come to light. And then I found it hard to drop the book. I read meticulously and quite sluggishly-a consequence which should be expected from a combo which uses the two words: read and meticulously. I took notes, I played trace the dots and draw the story with the notes I made, drawing lines from character to character/event to event, just so I wouldn't lose important information I might need later on. I think I'll frame my notes and hang my suffering on the wall next to my bed so I'll never forget.
WHY FOUR STARS? I THINK YOU ALREADY KNOW. AND RIGHT YOU ARE.

n  END OF REVIEW n

n  THIS NEXT PART CONTAINS QUOTES I LIKED AND THOSE WHO QUOTED THEMn

n  But it does not seem that I can trust anyone - Frodo Baggins

What has it got in its pocketses?
-Gollum

The wide world is all about you: you can fence yourselves in, but you cannot for ever fence it out
-Gildor

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say
-Originally quoted by Bilbo Baggins.
Quoted again by Frodo Baggins.

It all depends on what you want, put in Merry. You can trust us to stick to you through thick and thinto the bitter end. And you can trust us to keep any secret of yours closer than you keep it yourself. But you cannot trust us to let you face trouble alone, and go off without a word. We are your friends, Frodo. Anyway: there it is.
-Merry

Clothes are but little loss, if you escape from drowning. Be glad, my merry friends, and let the warm sunlight heal now heart and limb! Cast off these cold rags! Run naked on the grass, while Tom goes a-hunting!
-Tom Bombadil

All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost;The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost. From the ashes a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring;Renewed shall be blade that was broken, The crownless again shall be king.
-Gandalf.

All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.
-Gandalf

Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement
-Gandalf

May it be a light to you in dark places, when all other lights go out

A part of his tale was known to some there, but the full tale to none, and many eyes were turned to Elrond in fear and wonder as he told of the Elven-smiths of Eregion and their friendship with Moria, and their eagerness for knowledge, by which Sauron ensnared them.n

NOW I'M OFF TO WATCH THE MOVIE! I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW MUCH I'VE GROWN. MY BROTHER WILL BE SO PROUD. I WILL NO LONGER BE AN OUTSIDER. **SNIFFS**

The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater."


W-O-W! I'm completely blown away..This is the kind of story the word epic seems to have been invented for. J.R.R Tolkien didn't just make up Middle- Earth,he infused every aspect of it with life. The great depth of work Tolkien put into producing his creation involved inventing landscapes, languages, beasts and beings that have influenced many other fantasy worlds.  Nothing quite like this had ever been done in literature before! It is undoubtedly a spectacular fantasy tale, one that will continue to live on through the ages. 5 stars out of 5 from me - Tolkien is a genius..

Well, as Andy Serkis has narrated The Lord of the Rings in audiobook format, I guess I had to reread it...

I loved his performance of The Hobbit on Audible, and I am was sure I would feel the same about this. And I was right! Andy Serkis delivers the charm of the Shire, the magical atmosphere of Rivendell, and the chaos of the Mines of Moria. There is fantastic range and it really is a journey when you listen to this.

I loved listening to one of my favourite books of all time, and I cannot wait to continue listening to Andy Serkis narrate the rest of the trilogy. It will not be long before I dive into The Two Towers!

Full Review to Come