The Hobbit / The Lord of the Rings

When I was in 3rd grade my family took a trip to visit relatives in Boston and my Dad gave me a copy of The Hobbit to read while we traveled. I’ve never forgotten my first taste of Middle Earth. Bilbo Baggin’s journey was much simpler than his nephew Frodo’s in the books that followed, but it was the perfect introduction to Tolkien’s epic world.

The plot, in a nutshell, is as follows. There is one ring of power, created by a dark lord, which ends up in the hands of a simple hobbit. Once the good people of Middle Earth realize what the ring is, they must band together and travel to Mt. Doom to destroy it. A fellowship of four hobbits, two men, a wizard, an elf and a dwarf take on the quest.

One of my favorite things about the show more trilogy is that their world is so different from ours, filled with wizards, elves and orcs, yet the relationships are so similar. Tolkien created such original creatures, like the tree-herding ents, but the emphasis is really on the friendships that have to withstand such intense trials.

Tolkien’s story is memorable not only for the plot, but because of the wonderful characters that fill it. There’s Gandalf, a powerful but wise wizard, Aragorn, a reluctant leader, Gollum, a broken, depraved creature, Samwise, the most loyal friend a person could hope for, and so many others.

Our hero is not a powerful man, but instead a small hobbit, the gentlest people in the land. Our villain is Sauron, the ultimate embodiment of evil. He has no redeeming qualities, just an all-encompassing need for power. He is the inspiration for future characters like Voldemort. Yet at the same time we also have other characters that used to be good or are still trying to be, that succumb to the temptation of the ring, like the Ringwraiths, Boromir and Saruman. These characters demonstrate how even good people can become weak when tempted by something so powerful. Their failure to resist just makes Frodo and Sam’s journey all the more poignant.

I’ve heard people complain that the books are too long, too boring, too detailed, etc. I understand those thoughts, but I think people are more forgiving with other classics, like Anna Karenina, than they are with these fantasy novels. People expect aspects of Charles Dickens work to be too detailed, so they read it and judge the book by its overall plot, but LOTR is sometimes overlook by those same people. I would argue that the story Tolkien created is just as powerful as many classic tales from centuries gone by. So don’t skip these because fantasy isn’t your thing or some other silly reason. show less

"The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien is a timeless classic that has captivated readers for generations. The epic fantasy story is set in the mythical world of Middle-earth and follows the journey of hobbit, Frodo Baggins, as he embarks on a quest to destroy the One Ring and defeat the Dark Lord Sauron. The world building in this book is simply stunning, with rich and detailed descriptions of the different races, cultures, and landscapes of Middle-earth. The characters are equally as impressive, with well-developed motivations, personalities, and backstories that make them feel like real people.

Tolkien's writing style is also a highlight of the book. He weaves an intricate tapestry of subplots and themes that serve to deepen the show more world of Middle-earth and give the story a sense of richness and depth. The themes of friendship, courage, and the fight against evil are timeless and universal, making the book accessible to readers of all ages and backgrounds.

In conclusion, "The Lord of the Rings" is a must-read for fans of the fantasy genre. Its rich world-building, memorable characters, and beautiful writing make it a classic that will endure for generations to come. Whether you are a long-time fan or new to the world of Middle-earth, this book is sure to captivate you from start to finish. show less

The Lord of the rings trilogy is a long but incredible story. The language used in telling the story is more complex than the average novel and the books require a lot of attention from the reader in order to follow along in what's happening during the story. That being said these books truly create an entire world made up of nothing but words, the author is so descriptive, constant, and accurate throughout the story you can literally map out the world he tells you about. Not only is the world amazing but the story also. The tale follows a number of fantasy creatures through Middle Earth on an epic journey to destroy the one true darkness in the world, Sauron and the ring. As you can see this book is complex but very worth the time to read.

One thing well deserving of 5 stars is the physical dimensions and binding of these books. These volumes are small--approximately 6 inches by 4 and 1/4 inches bound in a faux leather that holds up well. It is sturdier than a paperback book yet not cumbersome like a hardback book. The print is small but not "strain your eyes" small. I found reading these smaller volumes quite enjoyable. I'm re-reading the series after many years (along with the Atlas of Middle Earth). I'll leave the book reviews to others so as to not plow the same ground.

Ok so whether you like fantasy (or love it like me!) or hate it, these books are a MUST READ for everyone.

I've read this series three times in my life now (i'm 26) and I'll probably read them at least once more. Tolkien creates some of the most fascinating characters you'll ever read, and the epic scale of the history he's created can't be understated!! He even went so far as to create separate languages for elves and dwarves in the appendix.

It's just a great story and it stands up today as probably the best fantasy series ever written. And it's one that MANY series try to imitate, but often fall short.

This was a great read- the right time in my life. Most people read this when they were young, but I read it in my twenties. It still clicked. Tolkien' descriptions and narrative stuck with me and really drew me into the fantasy world of Middle Earth. A real coming of age book for any reader at any age. Read the books before seeing the movies. I love fantasy and imagination, and Tolkien took me for a real ride in his deep, immersive fantasy world.

It's so difficult to review this book, mostly because it's such an epic tale, such a magnificent collection of work by Tolkien, it would seem improbable anyone would have NOT read this by now.

But around the turn of the century, Peter Jackson created some wonderful (although not particularly accurate) movies which attempted to fit this wondrous world into 12 hours of film. If you are one of those people who've seen the movies, but not read the books, I strongly recommend reading the Hobbit and then working your way through the Lord of the Rings series. The process will bring to light a lot of what you missed in the movie adaptation.

I read the Hobbit when I was 11, and then tried to read the LOTR with no success at that time. It was too show more confusing. It wasn't until I was in my late 20's that I started reading the series and I've read it at least once a year since then (going on 23 times!).

Definitely worth at least one good read for anyone who is interested in fantasy books, character development, linguistics, and the battle of good over evil. show less