This site uses cookies to deliver our services, improve performance, for analytics, and (if not signed in) for advertising. By using LibraryThing you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your use of the site and services is subject to these policies and terms.
Fantasy.
Fiction.
Mythology.
Inspired by The Hobbit, and begun in 1937, The Lord of the Rings is a trilogy that Tolkien created to provide "the necessary background of history for Elvish tongues." From these academic aspirations was born one of the most popular and imaginative works in English literature. The Fellowship of the Ring, the first volume in the trilogy, tells of the fateful power of the One Ring. It begins a magnificent tale of adventure that will plunge the members of the Fellowship of the Ring into a perilous quest and set the stage for the ultimate clash between powers of good and evil. In this splendid, unabridged audio production of Tolkien's great work, all the inhabitants of a magical universe梙obbits, elves, and wizards梥tep colorfully forth from the pages. Rob Inglis' narration has been praised as a masterpiece of audio. "Suffice it to say that this unabridged recorded version ... is marvelous in all respects. The narration is clear and delivered in a smooth English accent of a master storyteller."桲liat.… (more)
Possibly, the most overrated book of the Twentieth Century. Not as innovative as the Tolkien dogma states nowadays. Most elements are to be found in previous or coeve works of fantasy. Not believable in the way characters (do not) develop. "In nomine omen" raised to the status of psychological trait, for cardboard people moving against a stark background of reactionary manicheism. Indeed, not subtle at all in its racism. Little England at its worst, with every class (race!) at their place, tall fair haired and skinned rulers, stout farmers happy to serve, dark southern-easterners ready to betray and conquer; more than anything else, evil as external to US, and ethical choices guided by valour. For fuck sake, how old was the guy when he wrote this thing, twelve? (About Tolkien being a forever-twelve-year-old male with superiority complex and megalomaniac fantasies, has anybody else noticed how every tall and handsome character keeps being progressively revealed in ever increasing glory at every stage of the narrative, amidst gasps of recognition and adoration from the onlooking crowds? It reminds me of the passage, in Ulysses, where the Hungarian father of Mr Bloom is celebrated in triumph by the whole Dublin gathered at the docks, in a (voluntarily) hilarious flight of fantasy. Minus the irony. The second-hand embarrassment flows mighty in this book.) Not surprising that Tolkien became a source of inspiration for the Italian far right scum. Where else will you find racism, xenophobia, reactionary classism, and white male megalomania wrapped in a SUCCESSFUL MODERN MAINSTREAM CLASSIC??? I still cannot fathom how this thing has been voted best book of the Twentieth Century. Or, maybe, I dare not investigate why.
This said, I am thoroughly enjoying my experience listening to the audiobook narrated by Andy Serkis. He does not even try to dissimulate the pompous tone of Tolkien's prose On the contrary: with a master stroke of great class, Serkis goes full Beowulf and manages to serve this half-boiled fanta-linguistic treaty disguised as fantasy novel, as if it were some ancient epic. Also, I happen to not share many readers' distaste for hobbits, and I am affectioned to Gandalf for personal reasons. How right was Terry Pratchett though, taking the piss... ( )
Edit: Listened to on Audible, April 2020. Listening to this again, many years after first reading it, its (1) not nearly as long as I remember, (2) still a lot of fun. Actually this book has aged quite well, and a number of things I had forgotten because they were omitted from the movie (primarily Tom Bombadil - bright blue his jacket is, and his boots are yellow!) were quite fun to remember. Recommended! ( )
As a young reader, I made it only about a third of the way through this book before setting it aside. Coming back to this after about 35 years, this time I made it out of the Shire! The early slow chapters are certainly a lot more suspenseful than I remembered, probably an affect of having seen the films and knowing the danger that the hobbits were in from the beginning, before they realized it. From Bree onward, the pace is exciting, but still finds quiet moments of reflection, particularly when a song or poem is recited.
"Tolkien has succeeded superbly, and what happened in the year of the Shire 1418 in the Third Age of Middle Earth is not only fascinating in A. D. 1954 but also a warning and an inspiration. No fiction I have read in the last five years has given me more joy than 'The Fellowship of the Ring.'"
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.
Dedication
First words
Prologue - This book is largely concerned with Hobbits, and from its pages a reader may discover much of their character and a little of their history.
Chap One - When Mr. Bilbo Baggins of Bag End announced that he would shortly be celebrating his eleventy-first birthday with a party of special magnificence, there was much talk and excitement in Hobbiton.
Quotations
Many that live deserve death. And some die that deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too quick to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends.
I regret to announce that鈥攖hough, as I said, eleventy-one years is far too short a time to spend among you鈥攖his is the END. I am going. I am leaving NOW. GOOD-BYE!
The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far away 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.
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.
Health and hope grew strong in them, and they were content with each good day as it came, taking pleasure in every meal, and in every word and song.
Last words
Then shouldering their burdens, they set off, seeking a path that would bring them over the grey hills of the Emyn Muil, and down into the Land of Shadow.
J.R.R. Tolkien's complete work The Lord of the Rings consists of six Books, frequently bound in three Volumes:
Volume 1: The Fellowship of the Ring, consisting of Book I, "The Ring Sets Out" and Book II, "The Ring Goes South";
Volume 2: The Two Towers, consisting of Book III, "The Treason of Isengard," and Book IV, "The Ring Goes East"; and
Volume 3: The Return of the King, consisting of Book V, "The War of the Ring," and Book VI, "The End of the Third Age," with Appendices.
This LT Work consists of Volume 1, The Fellowship of the Ring; please do not combine it with any other part(s) or with Tolkien's complete work, each of which have LT Works pages of their own. Thank you.
Fantasy.
Fiction.
Mythology.
Inspired by The Hobbit, and begun in 1937, The Lord of the Rings is a trilogy that Tolkien created to provide "the necessary background of history for Elvish tongues." From these academic aspirations was born one of the most popular and imaginative works in English literature. The Fellowship of the Ring, the first volume in the trilogy, tells of the fateful power of the One Ring. It begins a magnificent tale of adventure that will plunge the members of the Fellowship of the Ring into a perilous quest and set the stage for the ultimate clash between powers of good and evil. In this splendid, unabridged audio production of Tolkien's great work, all the inhabitants of a magical universe梙obbits, elves, and wizards梥tep colorfully forth from the pages. Rob Inglis' narration has been praised as a masterpiece of audio. "Suffice it to say that this unabridged recorded version ... is marvelous in all respects. The narration is clear and delivered in a smooth English accent of a master storyteller."桲liat.
▾Library descriptions
No library descriptions found.
▾LibraryThing members' description
Book description
Haiku summary
Galadriel says, 鈥淎ll will love me and despair!鈥 What a Drama Queen.
Not as innovative as the Tolkien dogma states nowadays. Most elements are to be found in previous or coeve works of fantasy.
Not believable in the way characters (do not) develop. "In nomine omen" raised to the status of psychological trait, for cardboard people moving against a stark background of reactionary manicheism.
Indeed, not subtle at all in its racism. Little England at its worst, with every class (race!) at their place, tall fair haired and skinned rulers, stout farmers happy to serve, dark southern-easterners ready to betray and conquer; more than anything else, evil as external to US, and ethical choices guided by valour. For fuck sake, how old was the guy when he wrote this thing, twelve?
(About Tolkien being a forever-twelve-year-old male with superiority complex and megalomaniac fantasies, has anybody else noticed how every tall and handsome character keeps being progressively revealed in ever increasing glory at every stage of the narrative, amidst gasps of recognition and adoration from the onlooking crowds? It reminds me of the passage, in Ulysses, where the Hungarian father of Mr Bloom is celebrated in triumph by the whole Dublin gathered at the docks, in a (voluntarily) hilarious flight of fantasy. Minus the irony. The second-hand embarrassment flows mighty in this book.)
Not surprising that Tolkien became a source of inspiration for the Italian far right scum. Where else will you find racism, xenophobia, reactionary classism, and white male megalomania wrapped in a SUCCESSFUL MODERN MAINSTREAM CLASSIC???
I still cannot fathom how this thing has been voted best book of the Twentieth Century. Or, maybe, I dare not investigate why.
This said, I am thoroughly enjoying my experience listening to the audiobook narrated by Andy Serkis. He does not even try to dissimulate the pompous tone of Tolkien's prose On the contrary: with a master stroke of great class, Serkis goes full Beowulf and manages to serve this half-boiled fanta-linguistic treaty disguised as fantasy novel, as if it were some ancient epic. Also, I happen to not share many readers' distaste for hobbits, and I am affectioned to Gandalf for personal reasons. How right was Terry Pratchett though, taking the piss... (