The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings, Book 1) by J.R.R. Tolkien Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings, Book 1)
Book Review: Brilliant! This is good stuff!
Summary: 5 Stars
My opinion: Brilliant. Simply brilliant. This is the best book I've read in a long time. The characters are realistic, the action is-edge-of-your-seat, and the setting is incredibly believable. This is good stuff. Most people have told me that The Fellowship of the Ring is a boring book, but I completly disagree. Reccomended to anybody. Book Review: Don't judge a book by its movie!
Summary: 5 Stars
I just type this review to warn all who have seen the Lord of the Rings movies that this does not mean they should neglect to read the book! Perhaps you believe the movie and the book are the same thing. They have the same idea, yes, but you'll have to trust me on this: there are a thousand differences between them.
If you think you won't be surprised while reading, boy, are you sure wrong! The movie cut out important characters such as Tom Bombadil and Lady Goldberry, characters I thought that were of a certain importance that they should have been included. The Old Forest and Bilbo play a much bigger part. Despite all this, I would not suggest this book to anyone who has not seen the Lord of the Rings movies. The movies set the mood and allow you to understand the history. The books let you imagine the characters you haven't ever pictured before. Buy this book! You WILL NOT regret it!
Book Review: Beyond Fantasy; Beyond Fiction
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Lord of the Rings" has never appealed to the literati. Your English professor would hate it. It is wordy, conventional, direct, stereotypical, repetitive, bombastic and overly descriptive. But with so many faults, why is it still so good? Because ultimately, these are faults only of style, not of substance. Judged by its substance, this book has few peers.
You must not approach this book lightly. Those who take up this work expecting the easy rewards of "Harry Potter" will quickly bog down in its philology, its faux history, its detours into song and verse, its cast of thousands, its sheer quantity of verbiage. "The Lord of the Rings" is not a book that is read; one must be prepared to soak in it and absorb it through one's pores. Tolkien has painstakingly created a world so vivid that it exists in a parallel universe of heightened reality. It is more vibrant and more vital than our own world, but this sense unfolds slowly through a meandering plot filled with flashbacks and disjointed narrative. The opening chapters that introduce us to Hobbits, to the Shire and to the back-story consume over seventy pages and constitute a small novella of content. Yet nothing much happens in this time: it is all about history and premonitions and plans. If this sort of sustained and protracted build-up bores you, then frankly, you should save yourself the bother of starting.
But if you have the determination to stick with it, the rewards are without equal. No other book in the past century so effectively addresses questions like "For what do I struggle", "For what do I live", "Why go on", and "Who am I"? Most writing struggles with simply asking such questions; "The Lord of the Rings" gifts us with the most inspiring of answers.
By now, the plot is so well known that it is unnecessary to describe it. However, it would be a mistake to think that the book is just an adventure story about hobbits who save Middle Earth, or just an epic saga about courage and sacrifice. It is essentially a spiritual quest in which heroes--especially little ones--affirm what we struggle for, what we live for, why we go on, and ultimately, who we are.
This work is so strongly identified with its genre that we tend to overlook its genius as pure literature. The themes that Tolkien evokes are the kind typical to the great books: life and death, good and evil, preservation and corruption, redemption and sacrifice. Not least we deal with pity and grace. We could be speaking of "Les Miserables". But in setting his creation to fantasy, Tolkien imbues it with a mythic aura that allows "The Lord of the Rings" to share in the conventions of fantasy while going beyond the genre's limitations. Few other works manage to surpass their genres, and none do so more skilfully.
I used to think that to read this book is to love it. Time and age have taught me that this is not so. This book requires a determination and a forbearance that does not come easily to the modern mind. We are now so addicted to instant gratification that we no longer savour expectation--nor are we prepared to toil for our rewards. But if you are one who can still appreciate the art of waiting and can see beyond the book's stylistic faults, "The Lord of the Rings" will inspire you with a transcendent experience unique in all of literature.
Book Review: The Epic Quest Begins
Summary: 5 Stars
Having never before read the "Lord of the Rings", or even seen the movies, I decided to give the "Fellowship of the Rings" a try to see what all the fuss is about. I wasn't disappointed. Tolkien presents a stunning world of ancient legends, characters and vivid scenery that is as real to the reader as any movie could produce. This is a stunning work and well worthy of all the praises it has received.
The most potent aspect of this novel is the vivid descriptions as the voyagers trod through the vast lands of Middle-earth on their epic quest. Tolkien describes sweeping panoramic vistas, roaring rivers, and foreboding mountains with such detail and elegance as to transport the reader into his own world. Indeed, if the reader has but an ounce of imagination, it is not hard to picture the glory of Middle-earth with all of its inhabitants, such as the majestic and grand elves of Lothlorien, or the loathsome and evil Gollum and the Dark Riders. Yet, the detail is not too burdensome. Tolkien has a gift for using just the right words to paint a vivid scene, yet to not burden the reader with too much unneeded detail.
Tolkien's Middle Earth comes through as a mythological wonderland, one that has survived for ages of legends and kings, tales and history. Tolkien's attention to detail is remarkable. Not only in the songs and language of the different races, but also in the history and legends of the ancient days. There is a long, detailed chronology of the different races. There are a myriad of tales of the ancient kings and rulers of Middle-earth. Indeed, this may prove to be too burdensome for the "Lord of the Rings" novice, as the novel begins with a lengthy account of the Middle-earth and its history. However, these stories are interwoven into the very fabric of Middle-earth that makes it so real, yet lend it a mythological aura.
The recurring theme of the corruption of power illustrates the peril of the One Ring, the ring who brings its wearer ultimate power. Yet, this power is ultimately evil, for it will corrupt the wearer, no matter how inherently good he is. This aura of power corrupts even the most pure of heart. This is a stern warning that the pursuit of power will inevitably lead to evil, despite what the original intentions may be.
Another warning is about the pursuit of knowledge, for knowledge is a kind of power. It is the dwarves and their pursuit of knowledge that originally awoke the "evil" lying beneath the mountains. Although knowledge is usually desirable, Tolkien makes a distinction between knowledge and wisdom. Wisdom puts forth a moral dimension to knowledge, for it is knowing the consequences of actions, and also the ability to choose between good and evil.
It is significant that Frodo, a hobbit of diminutive size and stature, is chosen as the ring bearer. The hobbits are usually only concerned with their own petty lives in the Shire and love good food and drink. Yet, Frodo is chosen to be the penultimate bearer of the One Ring. For strength and might do not make a hero, but a strong heart and iron will to resist temptation are the rigid foundations of a hero. Frodo may start out as a young, inexperienced hobbit, yet he leaves on an epic quest and is determined, despite all odds, to complete his mission. Indeed, Frodo proves that even the unlikeliest of heroes can shine when their time comes due.
So whether you're an avid fan and have read the books and seen the movies many times, or whether you're a Johnny-come-lately like myself, this novel is a must-read. Now it's on to the part 2 of the saga - "The Two Towers."
Book Review: The Fellowship of the Ring
Summary: 5 Stars
The book is very intersting. I think it is very diffent from the movie and I like it much better. If I was to choose a book it would be the fellowship of the ring. The book helps put you into the life of Frodo Baggins. And the rest of his group.
The life of frodo is going to be hard at all times, and he can't let his gaurd down at all. If he does he might die.
IF frodo and his friend let their gaurds down the dark lord well rule all the land.