Book Review #11: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
Genre: Fantasy
Days to Read: 30
Synopsis (taken from Waterstones.com): Continuing the story of The Hobbit, this is the first part of Tolkien’s epic masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings, featuring a striking black cover based on Tolkien’s own design, the definitive text, and a detailed map of Middle-earth. 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 his elderly cousin Bilbo entrusts the Ring to his care. Frodo must leave his home and make a perilous journey across Middle-earth to the Cracks of Doom, there to destroy the Ring and foil the Dark Lord in his evil purpose. Now published again in B format, J.R.R. Tolkien’s great work of imaginative fiction has been labelled both a heroic romance and a classic fantasy fiction. By turns comic and homely, epic and diabolic, the narrative moves through countless changes of scene and character in an imaginary world which is totally convincing in its detail.
My Thoughts: This is probably the longest it’s ever taken me to read a novel, but it’s The Lord of the Rings so it’s understandable. As much as I loved The Hobbit, I just could not get into The Fellowship of the Ring. It was probably due to a combination of things… the pages-long songs, the ridiculous amount of detail and the fact that the story dragged down to the pace of a snail at the beginning. I’ve heard warnings about the first book before, so I shouldn’t have been surprised. But despite my first impressions during the first half of the novel, I did enjoy it. If it wasn’t for my class, I probably wouldn’t have picked the book up — but I’m glad I can say I’ve completed it! The Lord of the Rings is just one of those series that any literature-obsessed person should try. It’s like climbing a mountain — sure, you might not be able to reach the top the first time you try, but with persistence and further tries, you will make it to the top. I had many days when I couldn’t possibly imagine reaching the last page, but after 30 days I did! The novel didn’t change my life, nor did it make me feel like I had wasted my time. I enjoyed my time with this first novel and, as unbelievable as it sounds, I actually couldn’t wait to start reading The Two Towers after I had finished it.
The idea of an epic quest to destroy the One Ring is original in itself, and I’m so thankful Tolkien put his ideas to print because without this saga, fantasy wouldn’t be the same today. But while the idea is fantastic, I did think the first novel that set up the story could have been tighter. The writing seemed to drone on and I couldn’t wait to get to Rivendell. The characters were all captivating in their own ways, and I found I really did care about what happened to them. But what really made me love the novel was the fact that Tolkien put so much love and passion into it. This was his life for so many years and he focused so much time into making this a novel unlike any other. The idea that he created his own languages for the novel and developed so many intriguing sets of characters (from Elves to Hobbits, Wizards to Orcs), is awe-inspiring! While I cannot say, as much as I wish I could, that this is one of my favourite novels, I can say that I have a new appreciation for Tolkien and can look at the saga with better eyes.
My Rating: 6/10
I read somewhere that Tolkien was in desperate need of an editor. I couldn’t agree more! That’s why it’s so hard to get through his trilogy. This is probably the reason I have the set sitting on my shelf collecting dust as we speak. I’d love to read it but it’s something I feel I’ll have to psych myself up for. Unfortunately, I do not have the impetus of a class to spur me on. Good on you for slogging through it :)
The Fellowship is why i appreciate authors who write with painstakingly detail and commit so much of their life, to make their stories a part of their lives. I agree that sometimes the story dragged on and you thought they will never get to rivendell, and they had so many challenges to overcome, by the end I felt that it is a book worth reading (and possible re-reading).
My wife was reading “Fellowship” to my younger son last fall and I kept walking into the room each night and asking, “Are they STILL in The Shire?”
I need to read this. I tried back when I was 15 or so and made it through the first forty pages of the book before I put it down. I have never picked it up again. Yet, I am about to read the hobbit for class in about two weeks. Perhaps then I will have ambition to give this another shot. I did like the movies though!
I remember attempting the Lord of the Rings back in ninth grade — after reading (and loving) the Hobbit I was fully prepared to fly through all three books and love every minute of it. Needless to say this was not the case. I’m still determined to give it another try, but the slow pace and drawn out quest is a little daunting. I’m sure I’ll get to it someday….lol.
I love The Lord of the Rings! I first read it when I was about 12 or 13 and did find some chapters slow (The Council of Elrond!!!!) But overall I fell in love with all the characters and all the amazing places that they visited on their journey, from the peaceful and friendly Shire, to the singing elves in Rivendell, the terrible mines of Moria and of course Lothlorien.
I’ve read the trilogy a number of times since and I find that every time the difficult chapters get a little bit easier – and I learn new things that I may have missed before! The only character that I wish could be scrapped is Tom Bombadil! That whole chapter is a bit ridiculous and doesn’t really give anything to the story!
I love the companions that go with Frodo on his journey and (if you have finished the first book you will already know) it is sad when they go their separate ways. But the next two books are also enjoyable and you meet new characters and visit some more incredible places. You will also find a few chapters that are long and detailed, but it is well worth the effort!