I honestly would have given it a 3.5 rather than a 1. Although this is a beloved classic, now considered cannon, I feel that the pacing is uneven - and that too much time is spent describing the scenery and the world, instead of the characters. I would have hoped for more psychologically complex characters, as it is the characters that interest me more than the world itself.
Also, I have to add - putting so much emphasis on songs and music falls flat to me, as a book is a literary experience, and not a musical one.
I did enjoy the richness of all the various people/tribes of Middle Earth. The Fellowship is diverse, in its fantastical way - and seeing the characters growing appreciation for one another's respective cultures was quite rewarding.
I understand that this was one of the first books to present various "fantastical" cultures in a sort of Medieval context, with a singular quest, and an all-powerful enemy; and I appreciate the fact that Tolkein set the groundwork for the genre that we call high fantasy today.
this is a amazing trilogy the only bad things that are about it is its so slow to get going and it over explains to much but besides that if you like science fiction and long journeys this one is good for you