Book info

• Title The Lord of the Rings
• Author J. R. R. Tolkien
• Year 1954
• Genre Fantasy

Sauron, the Dark Lord, has gathered to him all the Rings of Power – the means by which he intends to rule Middle-earth. All he lacks in his plans for dominion is the One Ring – the ring that rules them all – which has fallen into the hands of the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins. In a sleepy village in the Shire, young Frodo Baggins finds himself faced with an immense task, as the Ring is entrusted to his care. He must leave his home and make a perilous journey across the realms of Middle-earth to the Crack of Doom, deep inside the territories of the Dark Lord. There he must destroy the Ring forever and foil the Dark Lord in his evil purpose.

Thoughts

I’ve read this before, and for some reason I thought it was a really big trial. I’ve seen the films, although forgotten most of what happened in them, and I’ve read The Hobbit as a precursor to this repeat reading of the big trilogy. I probably never would have read these again if it hadn’t been for the reading list, but now that I have, I think I’m glad I did.

They weren’t as hard to read as I remember, although they do get a bit wearing by the end. As the big criticism of the films go, there really is a lot of walking, a lot of logistics. When you get to hear the dialogue, learn about the characters, it’s great. Sam’s cheeky personality, and the growing relationship between Legolas and Gimli - both of those are things I enjoyed.

But the rest of it feels like Tolkien came up with a really good map and just spent three books walking his characters through every corner so he could show off. I had mixed feelings when I got to the end, enjoying some of the journey, but quite relieved it was finally over.

Rating: 3 / 5