The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien
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.
Since it was first published in 1954, The Lord of the Rings has been a book people have treasured. Steeped in unrivalled magic and otherworldliness, its sweeping fantasy has touched the hearts of young and old alike. Written by Professor J.R.R. Tolkien and consisting of three separate books (The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King) The Lord of the Rings was first published by George, Allen and Unwin between 1954 and 1955. And a magnificent achievement it is; an epic tale of friendship, love and heroism, a book that set the benchmark for all fantasy novels to come. Tolkien's descriptive narrative beautifully depicts Middle-earth and the journey that the Fellowship undertakes will remain with readers for the rest of their lives. It is hard to put into words the happiness that can be felt when reading a fantasy book as good as this and anybody who has never read it should set aside some time to do so. Is it the best fantasy book of all time? In my opinion, yes.
There's no salvation for a fantasy fan who hasn't read the gospel of the genre. The influence of The Lord of the Rings is so universal that everybody from George Lucas to Led Zeppelin has appropriated it for one purpose or another. Not just revolutionary because it was groundbreaking, The Lord of the Rings is timeless because it's the product of a truly top-shelf mind. Tolkien was a distinguished linguist and Oxford scholar of dead languages with strong ideas about the importance of myth and story and a deep appreciation of nature. His epic, ten years in the making, recounts the Great War of the Ring and the closing of Middle-Earth's Third Age, a time when magic begins to fade from the world and men rise to dominance. Tolkien carefully details this transition with tremendous skill and love, creating in The Lord of the Rings a universal and all-embracing tale, a justly celebrated classic.
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Review by Floresiensis
145 positive reader review(s) for The Lord of the Rings
JRR Tolkien biography
Frank Joseph from United Kingdom
This book is literally timeless. A tale of epic, heroic fantasy set in a world you won't just want to read about, you'll actually want to live in. You'll find yourself enchanted, fully immersed in a beautiful world full of delightful - and some not so delightful - beings. The written words will transport you into Middle-Earth and allow you enjoy one of the finest reading experiences you'll ever have. The Lord of the Rings is a true masterpiece.
Andrew from United States
Lord of the Rings is the ultimate fantasy book, which kicked off the whole of the fantasy genre. The journey from the peace of the shire to the dark crags of Mordor is the definition of epic, and is the best example of modern day mythology. All of the characters are interesting, and the messages of hope still resonate with an audience to this day.
Jody Davis from USA
Love him and his son's books - greatest fantasy of all time.
Krste from Croatia
Even though it’s got some pacing issues, too much singing and a few 2d characters I can’t bring myself to give it anything less than a perfect 10. Middle Earth is the greatest fantasy world ever created, its heroes and villains are some of the most iconic characters ever put to page (or on screen) and the journey to Mordor is unforgettable. If I was ranking each of the books separately I might be a little more critical, especially towards Fellowship of the Ring which takes a while before it gets going. However, as a single story, Lord of the Rings is just something special.
Andrew from USA
This book is my favorite book of all time. I remember my dad read it to me as a kid and I loved it so much that a year later he read it to me again. It introduced me to the mythic lore of a world beyond our own and the building blocks of all fantasy that followed it.
Toby from United Kingdom
I am 60 now, and have fallen in and out of love with many things over the course of time, but never this book. For people who don't get fantasy, how can you explain to them that a book and its characters can be a cornerstone for your entire life. Much as Aragorn has been my lifelong hero, I never aspired to that level of greatness. As a boy I always contented myself with being Imrahil, a taint of Numenor, a bit of dash, and a willingness to turn up when things got tricky. Briefly on the subject of the films, there is much I don't like about them (a doe eyed Frodo for instance), but I will forever thank Peter Jackson for lighting the halls of Moria for me and allowing me to sail downriver and get my first sight of the old kings at the falls of Rauros. They were just as I imagined. Plus if anyone ever does a better job of the battle for Helms Deep, then I will doff my cap (I don't have a helm) to them. I know some modern readers will question some of Tolkien's style, his description of women (great, beautiful, or almost non existent), but you have to remember when he was writing. Sourced from his feelings on the first world war and Icelandic legend, the fact that this trilogy is still the greatest fantasy work of all time is truly amazing. I have to stop at some point or will write all day. I still love the warmth of the Shire, crave the past glories of men and Numenor, seek for the elves in every golden wood I ever visit, and cry every time that last ship leaves the Grey Havens. If only I could have been on it. (Lovely review Toby - thank you so much! Lee @ Fantasy Book Review)
NIl from India
One of the greatest trilogies of all time and certainly the measuring stick to which all subsequent fantasy-style writing is compared, The Lord of the Rings trilogy still stands at the top of the stack. Its realism, the characters and monsters, the storyline, the epic battles, and the quest motif are all drawn with incredible care by Tolkien in his chef-d'oeuvre. My favorite was The The Two Towers but all three are stunning. This edition, despite the awful cover art, contains all three books and the original appendices from The Return of the King. The one issue I have with this one is that the map of Middle Earth that should open The Two Towers is back in the appendices and relatively hard to find. It is also a rather large book and thus unwieldy for public transport commuting.
Ritehly from Philippines
This is one of the best book indeed movie of all time <3
Smithz from USA
It is a 10. You can get lost in The Lord of the Rings. If you allow it to it can transform your life. It touches on many aspects of the world today and highlights internal struggles and the need for victory over those difficulties. Yet it keeps you entertained and is not moralistic in anyway. There is ecstatic joy and deep and troubling waters to cross in this story of the Dark Lord trying to subdue Middle Earth without the majority of the population not even knowing there is danger. Yet small and mighty forces alike must stand up to the evil in the world. There is a price to pay that each person must decide whether they will first of all be aware of the darknessof the soul. Secondly, decide to oppose EVIL no matter what the cost. And thirdly understand that even in victory there is tremendous loss. But when fighting the good fight there neverending satisfaction and that it is well worth the struggle.
Arne from Sweden
Youssef from Sydney, you are clearly not the right person to review this.
Layan from Israel
Seriously it is the best freaking book I've ever read .and I'm not the type of a person who always reads books, I like movies more, still the movie is absolutely breathtaking so as the book, and if I have to compare the movie to the book I would definitely choose the book. I highly recommended.
Martin from Slovakia
Definitely my favorite fantasy book ever. I've read first two books and i am excited that book can be more interesting than any video game or movie. The main thame is to destroy the ring of power and defeat Sauron- evil of the Middle-earth. I like that the story isn't still about one or two main things, but there are many other parts which sometimes carries theirs own tale and mystery. I found this book very interesting and certainly i'am going to read last book. I recomend this book for all lovers of fantasy.
emerok from the earth
LotR and Tolkien's writing style is not for everyone as I can see from the comments, but I don't think the ppl writing all the negative reviews really understand Tolkien's works at all. LotR is very deep and I get that it takes a while for the story to get moving, but once it gets moving, it is like reading norse myths in their original prose form or Beowulf. after reading one of Tolkien's biographies, I found that he was inspired from the myths more than anything else and an important fact to keep in mind when reading LotR/the Hobbit is that Tolkien created middle earth for his languages rather than vise versa. Tolkien uses language(English, not his invented ones) in very complex way that many modern writers don't grasp, and many ppl are so accustomed to the writing styles of the modern era, that they LotR way out of their comfort zone. I love Tolkien's works and I would recommend it to anyone who likes mythology and history as well as anyone who is up for a bit of a deep read, but as always READ THE HOBBIT FIRST!!!! the most similar book I have come across are the earthsea books by Ursula LeGuin
Fawn from The UnderWorld
Best book I have ever read! I have read many fantasy books and I have a unique imagination of how I think but the creatures and lands of this book is beyond the mind of a mere mortal. J.R.R. Tolkien is truly the best writer when it comes to fantasy books. Never turn down this book for it will open up many paths in your mind and you will discover creatures you never thought could be thought of. I recommend this book to all ages that can read and that includes 5 or even 4 year olds. It has been greatly written and is practically the father of all fantasy books.
John from USA
You can love it or hate it but what you cannot do is underestimate imagination of the highest form.
Caleb from United States
It took me a while, but I finished in about two months. The best parts often come out of the blue, so you need to read the whole book, and not skip anything, otherwise, you might miss some very important details and backstories. I think that there is a little bit too much description of the characters and their dialog, but I love the description of the land and the places that the characters go. I love how we meet new Characters throughout the whole story. This is a great book for people about the age of 13, as it will greatly improve your grammar and ability to read. It is not very hard to read, but it is not written in the dialect that is used today.
Anon from UK
Simply amazing. The book surpasses the word 'masterpiece'. The Lord of The Rings is a must read, no excessive swearing nor sexual content was needed to make this book my favourite.
Alistair from England
The greatest epic fantasy I have ever read, and will ever read. Amazing.
Siddharth from India
My friend had "The Hobbit". I borrowed it. I loved it and wanted some more. I asked my mother to buy me a lord of the rings (all in one) and she did. Literallly, never have i ever read such a book with a brilliant amount of grace,wit and heroism.The language is beautiful and levels higher than many books i had read! It was, at least for me, better than Harry Potter, Percy Jackson(of course) and the chronicles of narnia. The ay the quotes are wrtten for every character, there is a lot to leran in morals as well!! I would like to conclude by giving on of my favourite quotes: "Arise,arise, riders of theoden fell deeds awake: fire and slaughter! spear shall be shaken and shield be broken a sword-day,a red-day,ere the sun rises! Ride now,ride now,ride to Gondor!!!
Me from Where the me live
I felt that this book was beautiful, Tolkien’s imagination is legendary.
Jim from United States
Unlike some I read the Lord of the Rings out of order. My sister had the Two Towers and I had read everything else in her little library. I liked the cover (clearly a 70's cover) and picked it up with Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas running over the grasslands of Rohan in pursuit of orcs. I read it part way and was so lost I gave it up. But the local library had a copy of all three books. I took up the first book and literally read all three books in a span of 7 days. I didn't sleep. I couldn't. At the end I cried that it was over. I wanted it to go on and on. The world created by J.R.R Tolkien swept me up and has never left me. I read the Hobbit after the LOTR - and watched that evolve from a child's bedtime story to a much deeper, much more nuanced tale. Tolkien created a world of constant challenges to each characters moral and ethical souls. Captivated initially by the primary storyline of Frodo, Aragorn and Gandalf I raced through the book to learn the ending. On subsequent readings I understood the depth of each characters risks and rewards. The Ring presents each prime character with a vision of power capable of giving them their hearts desire with the knowledge the Ring will destroy that which they cherish most in time. Some fail, some overcome. And for some to overcome the lure of the ring is ensure the ending of what they hold most dear. Of all the lines in the Lord of the Rings the one that rings over and over to me is Galadriel who when she she refuses the Ring offered by Frodo says: "I pass the test. I will diminish and go into the west." She knows in refusing she has doomed her beloved Lothlorien but to accept she becomes the very thing she opposes. That is a terrible choice. The Lord of the Rings has a depth no other novel I have ever read has. I devoured the appendices at the end of the book. I find myself going back to read them periodically. I don't think it is for everybody - but those of us lucky few who fall into the LOTR completely it is a world that is always with us, always a comfort and cautionary.
Eamonn from Ireland
After many years of avoiding reading Lord of the Rings I have just started it. It is amazing. I'm not sorry I put it off because I get to do it now. Tolkien really creates his world from below the ground up. I cannot recommend this book more. It's a great story and you'll learn how a story should be written.
Harry from Hogwarts
Damn!! Your world is so much more better than mine. Wish i could also fight the great evil Sauron instead of that stupid ugly 'no nose' Voldemort.😌
Jokty from Home
Good but Harry Potter is better.
Christian from UK
It's hard to describe just how magical my first reading of The Lord of the Rings was. I was 'in the book' from the very first page & have rarely - if ever since - been so immersed. I didn't just want to read about Hobbiton, I wanted to live there. It is a truly beautiful story which is imbued with a love for language and nature, a story of heroism in the face of terrifying odds. The characters: Frodo, Sam, Aragorn, Gollum & others have stayed with me for the twenty-five years since. Whenever I take a walk through a particularly pleasant part of England I am reminded of this book. Every fantasy fan should read this book, it really does deserve all the praise it receives.
Zubin from India
Truly an excellent book but its quite lengthy and you need to have some amount of patience.
Suraj from India
The evil us full of fantasy and adventure, in accordance to me the novel is too good in language and very very interesting to read. It has lots of different character which creats interest in it. Every one should read this novel.
Andy Anduin from China
This book is a masterpiece. When I was about 11 or 12 years old I read The Hobbit. At that time I thought is was alright, but with some good bits in it. However I felt it couldn't compare with Watership Down as an adventure tale (that is another great book, surprisingly brilliant). My Grandmother ("on my father's side...") once said that I should read the book and put the old, incomplete cartoon into the video player. Intrigued, but didn't really get what was going on (the Black Riders in that cartoon are terrifying - scarier than the movie versions, and cost me some sleep!). As I grew to become an older teenager I sometimes considered looking at the Lord of The Rings book, but was rather put off the idea due to it's imposing size and the apparent "unfathomability" of the tale in my own ignorance having not read it yet. Nor had my understanding of the cartoon improved. But, somehow in someway, the tale that had not been read just niggled at me from time to time. I met some good friends at 20 years old and they said, "you've not read it yet!? You've got to read it. It's so worth it - but READ IT ALL or you won't get the benefit!" Later that year I bought the one piece, bulky novel and got down to it... It has maps in it, always a good thing and gradually helped my immersion. Gradually, gradually. The first part, the first time, the Fellowship of the Ring was kind of slow and for me, was an effort to read, I didn't know the characters, the lay of the land, the lore or anything. It had some tense and joyous moments. It was basically a deeper version of the world found in the Hobbit. But the English and sentence composition was exquisite in many parts. Didn't dig the singing though, for I knew not the tunes or hints! Then after the new band left Rivendell... Suddenly the book changes tracks! Whoa! It became a massive page turner, though the times I paused reading and was lost in my imagination about what was happening, where and to whom gradually increased in length and frequency. And THIS is what makes it great. You get lost in this world in your own imagination before returning to read the next paragraph... Suddenly the book ends. What an epic and what a fabulously cool ending! Such a good ending, one not really used in the movies I saw 8 years later. The Scouring of the Shire. Awesome LOL. The book ended far too soon. You spend all this time lost in this world and suddenly, it's gone. Over. The end, Oh no! Ridiculously, I started reading it again about 6 weeks later. Oh my goodness, it's EVEN BETTER the second time because you know what is going on and where. The second reading made it even deeper and the little imagination trips went into overdrive! I have read Lord of the Rings five or six times and now I have started reading it again for the first time since seeing the movies 15 plus years ago. Wow. Tolkien's English is just so exquisite and now it's a joy to read every sentence. The Hobbits have just been dropped of by Farmer Maggot at the Brandywine ferry... 8oD When I read reviews of people complaining about the book, I can see from my own experience that almost all of them didn't get through the Fellowship of the Ring! LOL. For those who haven't read it yet, heed my old friend's advice, READ IT ALL. It becomes a page turner after the first part. Seriously. This book is awesome. The movies are great (I love them), but they are just like the images you see in the corners of the pages of old children's books. Wonderfully complimentary, but not actually it itself. Read it.
Jyoti from India
Can't believe people say it is not good. I read it when I was 13. I have read pretty more books but this one is the best. Improved my language a lot. Better than Harry Potter.
Harshit from Chennai
It is a very fantastic, magical and outstanding book. No one would ever leave this book if they will read once.
Bilbo from Middle-Earth
Absolutely incredible.
Phillip from France
I first read the hobbit when I was 15 and quickly followed up with the trilogy. Ever since 1980, I must have read the trilogy 5 times, the silmarillion and the hobbit 4 times. It's the book that got me hooked the most. In modern fantasy, I could say only Robin Hobb comes close to Tolkien. The lord of the ring has everything to offer. The trouble is, the movies attracted a very diverse audience that may not have much time for literature. For it is not Fantasy as such, but literature. So, basically, if you don't enjoy reading, stop after the hobbit book. The LOTR is a saga, with more characters than in the movie, and some characters are far deeper than in the Peter Jackson movies, Gimli comes instantly to mind, a deep character in the book, a buffoon in the movie. Don't mistake me, I've enjoyed the movies a lot and own the long versions dvds. Peter Jackson did a good job overall, but honestly couldn't match the magic of the books.
Larkolas from The Grey Havens
@Shawna from the U.S. If you dare think that Harry Potter is better than LOTR, you are mistaken! J.K. Rowling stole much of her plot from J.R.R. Tolkien, and his characters, so she is a complete fraud! Your insensitivity to original and great writing is just shocking to me, that someone can be so ignorant of actual literature. Did J.K. Rowling invent multiple languages for her different characters? No! Did J.K. Rowling create her own setting? No! Did J.K. Rowling keep her language clean in the story? NO! Harry Potter is for children who can't understand great literature, and who find LOTR too high of a reading level for them.
Éowyn from New Zealand
I love this book SO much! The descriptive language is amazing, leaving me breathless with each chapter. My parents loved the series so much, they decided to name my brother and I after Éowyn and Éomer, our middle names Arwen and Legolas. I remember when I reached the end of the book, I truly had felt part of my heart had shriveled and wilted like a flowers petal. I have considered fantasy as one of my dearest passions and when this particular trilogy ended, I felt there was absolutely nothing reality could offer me that could ever stimulate the emotions I had felt in a world that is so deep in imagination. I had come to understand that it is from reality that this beautiful story was birthed and that what was seen and read can be expressed in our daily lives that we may become a united world and stand in the face of all evil as one, I might be a fool to think there is hope for our world, but I do. In times when I feel darkness around me I chant the Oath of Elendil and breathe.
Duncan from England
Having read a few of the reviews here, I would make a few observations. - The Lord of the Rings, is not fast paced action adventure fantasy, if you do not have patience, you will not enjoy it. It's like a fine wine, savour it, do not try to devour it quickly. - LOTR, is the very first epic scale fantasy. Every single other epic fantasy, every epic sci-fi, and half the art and music of the last 60 years has been influenced, or inspired by LOTR. It's is genesis and should be considered that way. - Tolkien, didn't just write a book, he spent most of his life creating an entire world, it's history, its mythology, its geography, it's languages etc. The scale of what he created is truly staggering and vastly more in depth than anyone before or since has ever attempted, remember this is the lifes work of 1 man... - If you are one of those who demand instant gratification, move on, you simply won't get it, or have the patience to enjoy one of the greatest masterpieces ever written. To the review, I first read LOTR, age 11, having been bitten by the middle earth bug with the Hobbit at about age 9. It took a lot of effort for an 11 year old to read, I got bored in places, but stuck with it because I had to know what was going to happen. By the time I had gotten to the end I had fallen in love. I still didn't understand much of what Tolkien was trying to tell me, but as I got older and wiser, I came to truly understand what he had written and that even the "boring bits" are well worth reading, simply because of the wisdom he is trying to impart. As quick fix epic fantasy, there are better books out there, but for those with the patience and understanding it remains the greatest fantasy book ever written. That's before we consider that all those that have come since LOTR owe their existence to Tolkien and this masterpiece. My personal Tolkien favourite though has got to be the Silmarillion and I for one am very glad that Peter Jackson will never get his hands on that beloved book.
Joshua from South Africa
When I first read this book I was 11 years old. This book is amazing. It paints an amazing picture and you feel like your right there and you are watching it all happen. When I read it as a prepared reading my teacher was very impressed. I if you don't like reading long books it might not be the best for you. Some parts are a bit sad but other wise it is a great book that I would read again.
Grace from Australia
Tolkien has created something so unique, so intelligent, that even all these years later it is the paragon of high fantasy. I first read it one year ago when I was 18, and it still echoes in my mind. I can hardly bear to pick up the book again, because I want to remember the rapture and awe I felt when I first read it. The style is eloquent, yet simple. It is heavy, yet innocent. The humor is uplifting, the darkness intense, the characters endearing. I have never seen such a strong example friendship in any novel as there is in Lord of the Rings. The book is second to none, unrivaled, unprecedented. If your attention span is short, don't read it. But if you care for complex and intelligent worlds, you will not be disappointed. As someone who watched the movies first, I must mention the fabulous job Peter Jackson did. Not everything was exactly by the book, but the spirit of the book was preserved, and that is what you want for a move. You don't want a carbon copy of the book, because then the movies are boring and predictable, and there is no fun in going back to read the book as I did. Books and movies are two very different ways of telling a story, and cannot be the same. Books are ideas strung into sentences and paragraphs that lead the reader into an imaginary narrative. They are entirely based on words, and most make the most of simple letters. Movies, in contrast, deal with visuals and sounds. The characters assume faces, places become structures. It is an entirely different realm of story telling. What is important, then, is that the author's intentions be honored and the spirit be preserved. Ideally, a movie should endear you to the characters and create visual images that can be used when reading the book, and the book should reveal and expand on the characters you are already in love with. I like the fact that Jackson took exact quotes from some characters, and gave them to others. I like that some things were mixed about. When I read the book, the differences were exciting changes, and I was eager to know more. In conclusion, Tolkien is the master, and Jackson constructed excellent portrayal of his masterpiece.
Dernhelm from UK
This isn't really like other books, even its imitators, though the best of them are similarly long, variable in pace and diverse in language and location. The early part of the story was meant to be a follow-up to The Hobbit, until it switches tracks and increasingly becomes the war story that it actually is. Those who have read war memoirs by anyone who actually lived through a war will know the difference between a war story and an action novel. There has been some discussion about whether, since this can be "read by teenagers", LotR is really a "YA" novel. I read Arabian Sands at age of 10, so that is a YA story? Go figure. YA is a marketing term, and didn't exist in Tolkien's day. People just wrote stories. However I think Anon of UK below has it right. It's best read when you still have hopes and dreams. As you get older, it may fade more and more into the land of hopes and dreams - but it is you that are changing. Some of the cold bitter side of life can be glimpsed under the surface at times, (If you want more of that, Go To The Silmarillion.) I have a feeling that when you get really old, you may begin to see its relevance again. In these increasingly difficult times, not a week goes by but I remember the words of Galadriel to Sam at the end of The Mirror of Galadriel. Tolkien had after all lived through the time of Hitler. If you want to read it but (like my Granny) can't stand little men with furry feet, try reading it backwards from, say, Many Partings. Chapter by chapter, I mean, not word for word. That doesn't work. You don't have to read it. The Wizard of Earthsea is also a very fine book, and a lot shorter.
Michael from US
Nitya from India
The trilogy is worth reading once. For readers who like fast paced action , this is not a series I would recommend. It progresses quite slowly and the descriptions are lengthy - not really my type. But if you have the patience, the plot is worth it.
I read The Lord of the Rings when I was sixteen, way back in 1969. And, no, I was not a hippie stoner, as some hostile reviewers here think that lovers of this book must be. In fact, I never touched drugs. I loved The Lord of the Rings than and have read if a few time since. I just picked it up for the first time in twenty years and finished The Fellowship of the Ring. It's lost a little something over the years. But then again, I suspect that I'm the one who's lost a little something. In one sense, that has even made the book greater - I can see the greatness of the book by what I now lack to fully appreciate it: youthful ideals and hopes and dreams. To all those dreamers, read on.
Ela from Dir
Not a review, just read the review and wanted to point out that the first sentence is wrong. Sauron hadn't gathered all the Rings of Power as the three elven rings were owned by Gandalf, Elrond and Galadriel.
allaboutBooks from USA
Lord of the Rings has been a lifelong favorite. I highly suggest it for anyone who wants an epic fantasy, fun read or simply beautiful tale. Also, as I suggested in another review Some Must Fall, book 1 of The Coming Crown, is a must read. If you like LOTR you have to read this!
Anonymous from Somewhere
I first watched the films to these novels and vaguely liked them. When I was older they were read to me as a bedtime story and I fell in love with the beauty of the language used. I thoroughly enjoyed connecting it to real mythology and history, seeing peoples and cultures that not just anyone could of thought of. J.R.R Tolkien said that the languages were not derived from the stories, but rather the stories from the languages. I found that the characters were very real and I disagree with previous accusations of the being wooden. This novel was one of the pioneers of modern fantasy. I understand that many may of found it tedious and slow, among other things. It is not a novel for someone who prefers fast-paced action. I can empathise with those who found language difficult, as I am not yet thirteen and did not understand word such as 'pertness' and 'trothplighted' initially, untill they were explained (I think trothplighted is an EXCELLENT word) but still enjoyed the richness of it. Personally I think the need for fast paced action is a result of everything being fast paced in modern life. The Silmarillion was a particullary difficult read and I mean to read it again when I am older. One has to remember Tolkien described his work as history-making than fantasy. For those who do not like it bit and haven't finished, keep going, it's worth it! For those who have read it but do not like it, not every book is to everyone's taste, and people who say that the people who don't like it are stupid are wrong as not everything is to everyone's taste and everyone has their own.
Dane Campbell from UK
The Lord of the Rings is a beautiful novel which should appeal to readers of all types. It is worth of the 'timeless classic' tag and should be read by any who enjoy the fantasy genre. It's influence cannot be understated and authors like Eddings, Brooks and Jordan all clearly displayed their admiration in their most famous works. The Lord of the Rings is one of those books in which you can fully immerse yourself and it features some of the most memorable locations in any fantasy world (Hobbiton, The Old Forest, Rivendell, Lothlorien, Minas Tirith and Mordor to name those that first came to mind). I read that people do not just want to read about Middle-Earth - they want to live there. And I am one of them. A truly wonderful and inspiring fantasy book. 10 out of 10.
Paul from USA
The LOTR is the greatest novel I've ever read and I continue to read books in the hope that something, anything will approach it greatness. It is a quest in which a seemingly mismatched group of heroes are brought together by the behind the scenes machinations of the wizard, Gandalf, who has been sent to Middle Earth to unite all free people of good will in opposition to the dark lord, Sauron, the title character. Sauron created a ring that holds most of his power but it was taken from millennia ago by the Last Alliance of Elves and Men. The ring was lost, and then found by a creature named Smeagol (Gollum) who, in turn lost it to an unassuming hobbit by the name of Bilbo Baggins. The LOTR tells the story of how the ring was destroyed. The beauty of the LOTR is in its language. Tolkien's prose sings to the ears in the same manner as spoken (but not written) Shakespeare. Tolkien's genius lies in the fact that he created his mythical world, created languages, created a history and then wrote the story. His love for his mythical world emanates from every word.
Manwe from Valinor
Anybody who downrated this series because they thought it was boring is not reviewing this right. Never review a book before you finish it. If you finished it and still think it is boring... Well, too bad. Lord of the Rings is not a high-paced thriller filled with action, it is a slow but amazing epic. If you give me a real explanation of downvoting it other than "It's too boring!!!!!" I will listen to you. Anyways I have a book to review. Professor Tolkien did the unthinkable in a book: he managed to make an amazing story against an even more amazing world. Nowhere else have I seen such an amazing world with a constant realized background, while also having memorable characters, while also including a plot with such epic scale. From the peaceful village of Hobbiton, to the Cracks of Doom, you feel like this place must really exist. Gandalf is one of the greatest wizards in fantasy, the hobbits are all interesting, and Gollum/Smeagol is an amazingly 3-dimensional character. Although in the great scheme of things, the War of the Ring is not too much (like 2 pages in the Silmarillion) it still is a great epic quest, especially for creatures as small as hobbits. The main flaws I can find in this story are lack of female characters (Galadriel is still great though) and some characters seem to be always good, while others always bad. I guess that's just fantasy though. If you say Harry Potter is better, I can kind of see where you're coming from. The characters in HP are better in many ways. However if you say that Percy Jackson or Eragon is better... Well that just makes me angry. Anyways the lord of the Valar thinks this is the greatest book ever made. Manwe out.
Andrew from New Zealand
Amazing book. Those who have just started and find it tedious should be persistent and keep on reading. The first book may be boring but later on (especially in the third book) things get exciting. A must read book.
Yash from India
It was an excellent book.
Haroon from Afghanistan
A very excellent book, I have ever read.
Eowyn from America
This book is truly a piece of art if you have the patience. The first one is long and you will want to give up but the second and third are truly amazing. I am 12 but I have a really high reading score, yet it still took me 3 months to read… it was worth it. But if you are an average or below reader then high school levels, I would not attempt this book quite yet.
Legolas from Middle Earth
The Lord of The Rings is one of the greatest fantasies of all time. Taking the time of it being written this book was revolutionary. Those who argue the book is boring and overly descriptive need to read it again knowing that this book isn't supposed to be an amazing action packed thriller where someone dies every few seconds. This book was written like a history book it explains the journey and explains Middle Earth in such great detail you find yourself immersed in the story. This book although, is somewhat surpassed in that the structure and grammar of the book is not up to modern standard but still the immersiveness of the book makes up for for the small matter. This is the classic fantasy that will continue to be popular for years to come.
Sauron from The Deepest Depths of Mordor
It's an amazing book but it's wrong. The forces of evil shall prevail.
Gandalf the White from Middle Earth (I have no home, I'm the white pilgrim)
This my favorite book I've ever read! This is a book written by J.R.R. Tolkien, who not only erects a world of his own, but also makes you enjoy reading about it. Then, you see reviews where people complain "oh it's too boring" or "this book is long winded" and you can only tell them how wrong they are. These people have the mindset they're going to power through it like a story, yet Tolkien wrote it not only as a story but as a history. I find his writing to be very interesting, and I do understand others have their opinions as well. In the end I give it 10 out of 10 stars because the stories are perfect and fun too read.
Nathan from Australia
Absolutely amazing book. Is the absolute pinnacle of high fantasy and is truly timeless.
Manw� from Valinor
Best trilogy I've ever read in my entire life.
Linan from Netherlands
I think the idea is brilliant! Middle Earth with elves and dwarves, I love everything about it. The only thing is, the book is very slow and it's written with a lot of details. A lot of details can be a good thing, but it makes the book very tedious. I can't get through the books because of that.
Himika from India
Tolkien's work is definitely an epic! I never felt bored while reading LotR, except for some parts of the Two Towers, rather, Inheritance Cycle was more boring. Someone here said that the one ring was not much of a threat. Appaprently, that person has not read the book properly as it was clearly given that the ring, in the hands of Sauron, could control all the other rings and he would gain incredible power. If that is not a threat, I do not know what is. The lack of strong female characters did disappoint me, but that is not to say that Prof. Tolkien was sexist, it was just the impact of the time in which he lived. The book really transports its readers into an ethereal place. I found myself in Middle Earth while reading the book. And Sam is definitely one of the best characters, followed by Aragorn. Those who describe Sam and Frodo as being gay don't deserve to read such a masterpiece. I would advise readers to read Harry Potter first, then The Hobbit, and then enter into the LotR universe. Some stories live on in us forever, whether we are old or young, and Lord of the Rings is definitely such a story. A story so well crafted that the reader's mind lingers around in the beautiful shire, the dark forest or the white city of Gondor long after the book is over.(Excellent review Himika, I would like to second everything you wrote - Lee @ Fantasy Book Review)
Rachel from USA
It has a really good plot. I'm on the second LOTR book, but a lot of the parts are boring. I get confused and lose interest, making me lose track where they are and all of that. It disappoints me that in the second book Frodo, Sam, and Gollum part doesn't come until the end. I love Gollum.
Marion from USA
I discovered The Lord of the Rings when I was a sophomore in college. I was hooked from the start, and I did a bare minimum of school work for two weeks while reading and re-reading the trilogy. I find it interesting that so many people on this forum have such strong feelings whether they loved it or hated it. I loved it, and have read it several times over 40 years. I loved it all even the supposedly boring chapters like the river voyage and the visit with Tom Bombadil. I found these two chapters and other sections restful but fascinating interludes among considerable action in other chapters which are filled to the brim with interesting happenings. After first reading of Bombadil I was sure he was going to return in some important role, but he remained a fascinating mystery. I skimmed over most of the poetry and songs on the first reading but that material introduced depth and mystery to the story that I appreciated more after reading the Silmarillion. I have found some acclaimed action-filled thriller novels overly frenetic to the point I lose interest, and I have to flip back and forth to keep the complex plot straight with all of the non-stop action. The descriptive material and varying pace in LOTR helps to draw me into the fantasy world and connect with the characters and their actions.
Bobsaget from Atlantis
One of the best- and longest- book series I have ever read. It is long and very highly detailed-which annoys some- but I personally love the detail, the songs, and just about everything else... Not only is it great to read, it also took the fantasy genre out of Grimm's Fairy Tales... It is a must read- if you have the time...
James Baker from Wiltshire
I have read this book so many times it has fallen apart. One of the many reasons I love it is because each time I revisit it I find things that I have previously overlooked. It is a book that has everything and I urge those who have enjoyed the film adaptations to also read the book as there is so much more detail which makes the great story even more special. Reading The Lord of the Rings is an annual treat that never fails to deliver.
Andrew Luck from USA
Started the book and it is great.
Guy from Israel
Tolkien spent many decades creating the world of Middle-Earth. With that in mind, there is no richer universe than the mythological world of Tolkien. The plains of Rohan, the many factions of Gondor, Ents, Imladris, Caras Galadhon. The beatiful tale of Beren and Luthien, and the poem of Nimrodel. A well-written masterpiece, certainly earning it's status as one of the greatest classics of our time.
Chris from Scotland
@Shawna from US - Sure, Eragon is good. Sure, Harry Potter may be good to some people. But honestly, they can't match the sheer brilliance of Tolkien. Apparently, there's too much description and not enough conflict. So, did it ever once occur to you that having that much description was the idea? I find it makes it that much easier to sort of meld yourself into the book. And if there's not enough conflict for you, you probably didn't read very far into the book. The entire thing is riveting, from the flight to Rivendell to the Lady Galadriel of Lothlorien. Tokien does an amazing job of immersing readers into a fantasy world with an immense amount of backstory and mythos as an undercurrent to the entire story. The characters are the best developed of any book I've ever read. And to be frank, Harry Potter just doesn't do it for me. The writing is overly simplistic, and honestly, all the heroes (Minus Ron, who actually interested me) are complete "Mary Sue/Gary Stu"s with no real, played-upon flaws.
Colt from US
@Shawna from US. Nice of you not to realize that Potter and Eragon would not exist without Tolkien's work. Not to mention Star Wars, Led Zeppelin. Why read the ripoff when right here, right now, you can read the genuine thing?
Gandalf from Somewhere
This book is fantastic, a MUST READ!
Jeff from America
Beyond amazing!
Jeff from Utah
I first read this series at age 10. I periodically re-read it (about every other year for the last 34 years) because it's the best fantasy series I've come across, and believe me I've read quite a few others in that time period. The books are much better than the movies and I thought the movies were quite well done. I understand not everyone does or will enjoy these books, to each their own I say. You will not find a video game on paper, you will not satisfy your ADD craving, you might even have to put some time and thought into what you are reading, these are not children's books or the latest television fad. Here you will find a marvellously detailed history of an imagined world, and every day characters thrust into unthinkable situations where they respond in ways real people might. Like I said, these books are not for everyone, but based on their continuing popularity and longevity, they appeal to most readers and I strongly recommend them. (I just want to add that I agree 100% with Jeff's review, it echoes my own thoughts perfectly - Lee, Fantasy Book Review)
Harihara from India
One of the best books I have ever read... I felt that The Hobbit was still better than LotR but it was a short one. Sadly not many books were written about Middle Warth. If you are a fan of Harry Potter you are bound to love this too, the characters are all comparable in both the epics. Whatever I say doesn't matter as you should read it and enjoy it. :)
Luke from Durham, North England
The first thing to remember about Lord of the Rings, (and the fact that so many people who gave it bad reviews seem to forget), is that it is not strictly speaking a fantasy novel. Tolkien himself said on several occasions that he did not write fantasy, he wrote history! The fact that the history happened to be for a world that did not exist, told in a language which was Tolkien's own invention, in a world where myths existed in that language did not matter. For those who complain that the book is boring or overly descriptive, I'd ask them to Imagine reading a novel about the crusades. How many chapters about nobles leaving their homes, about journeying months across the seas and through Europe, about tramping through hot and dry deserts would there be before a battle? That is what you are dealing with in LotR, a book which not only is set in its own world and history where everything from the poetry and songs that people sing to the places and roads people walk has its own place and biography, but also a world that is realistically large. Walking from the shire to Mordor takes a long time, and it is much of Tolkien's genius that he is able to show how realistic the experience of this walk is. I have often heard Middle Earth itself called the greatest and most memorable character in Tolkien's writing, and while I wouldn't quite go that far, it is certainly true that here the world plays more of a part than most, whether the italic woods of the shire or the harsh, arid landscape of Mordor. The profound reality of the book is also shown by its lack of angst, because essentially Bilbo and Frodo were country gentlemen with little care or reason to worry before the start of the book, since after all some people just do not have that much trouble and do live normal lives (something which many novelists forget)., Of course, this changes on the journey to Mount Doom, and Frodo's relationship with Sam which one insensitive reviewer calls "gay" is one of the most realistic and beautiful friendships I've read of in any novel. The same goes for magic, it is the very lack of hurling fireballs or easy pyrotechnics that illustrates the profound power of Gandalf, Galadriel and Saruman through their shear presence and force of will. Ultimately, if a person wants a quick fix fantasy novel where manly heroes chop off the heads of trolls by the dozen and wizards throw fireballs, in other words a book that is about as realistic as little pixie Jim's visit to twinkly winkly town, well this is not the book for them, indeed they probably need to grow up and learn a bit more about life. For those however who love language, setting and world, and actually want to care about the characters who are going into danger and the world that needs saving, Tolkien provides it all. Speaking of characters, a particular note must be given to the character of Sam. It is extremely rare that any author can write a character who is unashamedly not the brightest person, but at the same time has traits which make them admirable and indeed remarkable. The moment in which Sam believes Frodo dead and sits to consider what to do next is likely one of my favourites in the story and reduces me to tears on frequent occasions. Gollum is also worthy of note, since despite the somewhat simplified version in the film, he is a deeply complex character with more than usually his share of conflicts and once again, the scene in which he looks at Frodo and Sam sleeping together and feels pity for them is a favourite. Of course, the books are not entirely perfect. In the almost but not quite total lack of female characters they are a distinct child of their time, since back in the 1950's the idea of girls embarking upon a dangerous expedition such as Frodo's' would be unthinkable. Also, as Tolkien himself observed, the book is in many places too short and particularly towards the end certain sets of action are compressed, such as Aragorn's journey to the battle of Pelennor Fields or Merry's ride with the Rohirim, indeed while he wrote an exquisitely personal story from the perspectives of the four hobbits, when dealing with Aragorn, Legolas and the other characters Tolkien did not seem to spend quite as much time or care, indeed I distinctly prefer the portrayal of Aragorn as Strider the shifty but friendly ranger (and not in the dungeons and dragons sense), to Aragorn the somewhat archetypal king. I could go on talking about the fine points of LotR for pages, but better than read me waffling, go and read Lord of the Rings! If you approach the book with an open mind and don't just expect a quick fix standard dungeons and dragons fantasy, you won't be disappointed. I'm sorry that the site rating scale only goes up to ten, since if I were to characterize the quality, style and shear majesty of Tolkien's work I'd be giving it at least a thirty! It is a book I have read innumerable times, right from the age of six onwards, and will doubtless read many times in the future, each time gaining more insight into this profound peace of literature. Just as it has been said all western philosophy are footnotes to Plato, it could equally be said that all fantasy are footnotes to Tolkien, and it's very easy to see why. Whatever else can be said for Peter Jackson's films, the fact that they have introduced Tolkien's work to a whole new generation including many people who have not read it before has got to be a plus. So if you've not read Lord of the Rings read it! Read it now!
Nikunj from India
Adventurous and fantastic book!!! The whole world should read this book!!!
Jack from New York
Lord of the Rings is an exquisite series. Filled with thrilling action and violence. This book is one of my most favorite books in the world. Whoever are haters of the book should get out off this website, this book is the most greatest books in the world. Come on, who doesn't want to read this. Action, adventure, violence, and more. If you never ever read this series, I must say get out of here, go to Barnes and Nobles or any other websites, order or buy this book from the start because I promise you, this book will be on your shelve and on your list for top 10 books. This series is just amazing and brilliant, couldn't find a better way to explain this.
Javaid Bhatt from India
Once in a while comes a book which changes the way you think about fantasy and narrative writings, this book is more than that, somewhere within it there was a sense of religious aspect present in it, without even saying so... I think Professor had gone through some serious religious scriptures which made him write " a right v/s wrong story"... with the conceptual likes of, All seeing one-eye, One Supreme king of kings, Angels (elves) and demons etc. Overall I think somehow these events will occur in future, but I can be wrong also... but indeed the book, it is great treat to read.
Nate from Chicago
Hey, so, I wasn't going to write a review at all, but I feel I must comment on Jordan M. Rapp's comment. But first, this is a great book, but since it's old, it's understandable that today's youth may not understand and enjoy these books. I, myself, am 15, but I thoroughly enjoy Tolkien's work. But, uh, Jordan, no one asked you what your IQ is. There's no need to go calling people morons just because they don't like the same book as you. Don't be such a dick, seriously.
Juan from Oregon
The reason, in my opinion, that this book has and deserves the accolades that it has received is that it doesn't necessarily rely on character development, or on some glorified idea of progress, or even the motif of salvation, but that it creates a world that we begin to feel deeply about, that we can love. Tolkien's world is one that should be saved. Not merely the people or characters in it, nor the ideals that they may uphold, but everything, from the mill ponds to the mountains, from forests to streams. It has a wholeness that stands in stark contrast from the modern tendency to divide, to isolate, to reduce. Instead, it demonstrates the interconnections, the lack of easy answers, the reality that is a world that is broken but still beautiful, that now and again shows a glimpse of its former glory. We begin to understand that the joy and the grief that Frodo experiences after the ring is destroyed is shared by the elves, the ents, the trees, and the very land itself. Joy at the destruction of the evil, at the ending of despair, but grief at the cost, at the fact that nothing will be the same as it was before. The Lord of the Rings, like few books beside it will make the reader care, if he will let it. (I also recommend Les Miserables and the first two books in Orson Scott Card's Ender series, Ender's Game and Speaker for the Dead) (This is a brilliant review and I second every point it makes. Thanks Juan - Lee, Fantasy Book Review)
Logan from Australia
Excellent book, loved every word of it, never boring, wish it was longer. Awsome films as well. EPIC!
Dreamy from Albania
Simply great.
Siya from south africa
First of all, the biggest mistake you can ever make is watching the movies first and then reading the books. That just causes you to have expectations about the book. I've also come to the conclusion that Tolkien told the story in the form of a historical account, as if middle earth really exists and this tale is just part of its history. This method really gives the story a strong sense of realism that's why it is so descriptive and slow as if Tolkien was right there next to the hobbits. I think the best example would be to imagine any real story of war written in a history book, you'd find the similarities in Tolkien's storytelling. So you realise this is not meant to be read as an exciting rollercoaster ride but as simply an account of how saruman was defeated by the people of middle earth & the journey of Frodo & Sam. I hope I'm making sense. This storytelling method for me is beautifully authentic and goes perfectly well with this trilogy. Tolkien doesn't just tell a story, he also immerses the reader in the cultures of his world. The BEST high fantasy novel ever written only because unlike other novels it feels REAL!
Pete from England
Wugibooboo from England
Anybody who doesn't like this book should be considered insane. I know it seems harsh but it's true. They are either too stupid to understand it, too lazy to read it or simply have a terrible imaganation and no taste. Tolkien was a god (and I don't care that it's blasphamy to say that it's true) and this is his greatest book. Personally I would say the Two Towers is the best. Don't know why I just prefer it. However, the other two are still amazing. Plus Peter Jackson did a great job on it and Howard Shore is a musical genius. I just hope The Hobbit film doesn't let the side down.
David from Romania
Well, I think most everyone in the world will agree with me when I say this book is a true Masterpiece. Anyone who says otherwise hasn't really read it. Pay attention to the skill put into each sentence and the beauty of each paragraph in The Lord of the Rings. Every sentence is a work of art. Each character's depth is astounding. The dialogue is poetry. J.R.R. Tolkein will be remembered for centuries as one of the greatest writers in human history.
Harry from Great Britain
It may be hard to understand, boring and gets a little to deep into the histories of its own fictional world sometimes; but that's what is so great about it. It's not all about the grand adventure aiming to destroy the 'One Ring', toppling over raid parties with a small group of vagabonds or armies battling each other for the defense of the last bastion for all free men. It goes over extensively on details that are present in their journey through Middle Earth, it throws readers into a world that was otherwise forgotten - Midgard from the Norse Mythology - and creates new legends on its own. It is great that it challenges the readers to exercise the power of their imagination, memory retention, patience (otherwise I would've just watched the movie and be done with it) and be enthralled by the rich and enchanting lore created by the great J.R.R. Tolkien.
Ben from USA
I disagree with the score rating, 10/10 is too low for this book. If you don't like this book, quit reading all together.
Abhiram from India
This is the best movie or the book I have ever seen. I enjoyed while watching this movie, it is 100% good book to read.
Joshua from United Kingdom
My Review. By Joshua, aged 13 from Bournemouth. The Lord Of The Rings is one of the most complex books I truly have ever read. J.R.R. Tolkien spent his life in his books, creating his own language! Maps, histories, yes, this book is boring at times but if it wasn't we would not ever be able to understand it. J.R.R. Tolkien's work, The Lord of the Rings is easily the best ever book written! I have read it and will read it over and over until I fully grasp the beautiful litrature between my finger tips. People who gave this book less than a outstanding 9-10 don't understand it and obviously want to always be entertained with fighting but what they don't understand is that the traveling is the foundation on all of Tolkiens best work. Simpily outstanding!
I have yet to read anything in high fantasy that comes close to it. Tolkien's schorlarliness and deep knowledge of Norse sagas, was a great foundation for world-building. The symbolism of innocence overcoming evil is ever relevant.
Willem from Belgium
Best book ever written, no doubt! WARNING: certain intellectual level needed.
Nathan from Pamilan
This is undoubtedly an excellent book, but gets too slow and boring at times. The walk through the forests in the first part is definitely a bad inclusion. Surely the pace picks up later and the third book of this series is a sheer roller coaster. That's ultra cool.
John from UK
This is a great book, and the one I would take to my "desert island", but not a flawless book. There is actually not enough about the title character and the conflict with him and altogether too much about Saruman who trails on after the climax into the scouring of the shire. It was right to leave that part out in the films along with Tom Bombadil, whose character is completely anomalous, both in terms of the plot and his position in the fantasy world. I would agree too with those who say that character development after the Fellowship of the Ring is poor and also those who complain that female parts are very poorly developed, with the possible exception of Eowyn, but that's only so she can finish off the Witch-King. But it's not to say that it isn't a good read and one that grabbed my imagination all my life.
Sick from upstate NY from Oneonta
Yes, excellent book. Movies were 6 at most w/ plot diversions. Started w/ Watership Down @ 14, did LotR @ 14-15 next. Haven't stopped since. Ran into "Thomas Covenant" @ 16, "Randland" @ 30. Why has only 1 person mentioned "The Silmarillion," not mentioning "Lost Tales" at all? After that CRRT got desparate and series quickly went down. You should consider a series aspect of this. If not for Chris T. pandering the notes, would give 12. Thanx TTFN.
Mary from Fort Worth
When I was little, my father would read me this book as a bedtime story. He would never be able to make voices or inflect emotion into his words (in all honesty, he was a horrible reader) but he had no need. Tolkien had used every word to it's greatest. He crafted worlds so vivid I would fall alseep to the shadows of Mirkwood or the music of the Brandywine.
Katie from London
I loved the film and went straight to the book when I got home and I loved them because they are brilliant and moving - Tolkien is my hero!!! :-)
Nobody from Nowhere
From a literary point of view, Tolkien is a brilliant writer, but so are many other people. The detail in his story is overwhelmingly accute, but this often drives away modern day readers who like to imagine on their own. The Lord of the Rings has very little or no contemporary aspects, aside from the Hobbits (his painting of country folk in England), the modern day English that just so happens to be spoken by many diverse peoples in Middle Earth, and other small samplings that arise from the influence twentieth-century English culture had on Tolkien (it is highly improbable that any writer could hide or destroy every trace of the influence his culture had on them). The main problem many modern day writers have is that they devote the majority of their energy toward writing, that, in many cases, is aimed at pleasing the crowds. Of course, in the short run, it is a very profitable tactic, selling millions of copies in a few years, and after that, on to the next book. Not many individuals notice how quickly sales of contemporary writing fall when the culture has moved on. Others, having seen swiftness with which the present blots out the past, like another Fall of the Eagles (a documentary of the collapse of the three great empires of Eastern Europe soon after the dawn of the twentieth century, Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia) turn their attention to writing books with barriers to prevent its unseemly demise. A highly sophisticated scholar who devoted his life to the study and writing of literature might vey well write a novel that has every literary tool honed to perfection, every timeless twist readers with nigh on mechanical efficiency, and characters who will catch the readers attention time after time. However, a crucial aspect that almost all writers seem to forget is that literature, while considered by many to be an independent subject, turns out to be merely a branch off the study of languages, or Philology. Tolkien, by both profession (he, correct me if I am wrong, taught it at Oxford) and nature (he made languages at age ten), was a philologist. Too many people before and after him attempt to start a novel simply based on literary sources and personal experience. This is the wrong approach. One must start at the root of all the social studies: Philology. The linguistic apects of the book are essential for its survival and the continual enjoyment of its readers. For example, each of Tolkien's names (whether person, place, or thing) are not simply created on whim. He discovered each of their names linguistically, that is, he translated them from other languages. The one great flaw and the one great beauty of translation is that some words can not be fully translated into words, but an impression, an emotion that arises from the sound of the word and the broad terms with which translators attempt to capture that impression. Without Philology, Tolkien would have almost certainly not have written any of his majestic works. Without language, Human civilization would not exist!
Coray from Boston
A lot of what I see people mentioning in negative reviews are the things that I actually like most about LOTR. I love Tolkien's overly descriptive style. I love he passively mentions events that took place on a timeline that we know nothing about. And I love that he took the time to tell us about hobbits sitting in the woods eating cheese. I read it once a year. Tied for my favorite "book" with T.H. White's The Once and Future King.
Chandrapal from India
Everytime I read LOTR , I discover something new. This is the story which I'll re-read 10 times.
James from Lancaster UK
The strength of this book is not in its story telling, though a huge Tolkien fan I do not regard him as the best story teller. The genius of Tolkien is in the detail of his world, a detail no author I have read is yet to emulate. I saw the first film first but finished the final book on the way to watch the Return of the King, since then I have read it countless times and currently reading it again. When reading the Lord of the Rings you feel as if every place, event or person has a history behind it/them, and with Tolkien it probably does, in fact if you read more Tolkien you will only be amazed at how much depth there is Ea (the world Middle-earth is just a small part of). The Lord of the Rings has influenced practically every epic fantasy book/series ever since its publication and it's easy to see why, examples are easy. Tolkien was without doubt the best fantasy world builder who has ever lived with the beautiful descriptions of the Glittering Caves and the following language of the Elves. It is the perfect book for anyone wishing to become lost in an entirely different world which you will almost believe exists.
Jordan M. Rapp from Oregon
I first want to point out the lack of knowledge from the makers of the bad reviews. J.R.R. Tolkien is the father of the fantasy genre, and anyone who says the books are terrible fails to realize that the book has been a classic for over 40 years. That said, a book that has lasted that long is only boring to those who don't have the brain capacity to focus on the creativity that the series holds. I loved the descriptions that the other reviewers just bash on because they don't have a high enough IQ to work out the books complex story line. I thought that the forest was a great idea because it showed that the hobbits had no idea what they were getting into. Many reviewers would have many people think The Lord of the Rings was boring, pointless, uncreative, or all of these, because they just don't understand out of pure stupidity. I on the other hand had an IQ test at age five (that's all the fingers on one of your hands for you bad reviewers) and the test showed me to have an IQ of 136 so I at age fifteen can understand what most other morons don't; The Lord of The Rings is a great book.
Andy from Reading
The story is absolutely brilliant there is no doubt about that, however the writing in my opinion was woeful, the level of detail excruciating. Once I got through the first book I made a promise to myself that there was no way that I wasn't going to read the other two. I have met more people who couldn't read this trilogy than could, not through lack of ability mind but grim determination. The story is a masterpiece and the films are good, however the story in the books is better, I just wish Tolkien had allowed us to use our own imaginations rather then filling in every single detail for us.
Gary from Vancouver, BC
I can't see how any Fantasy Novel fan can give this less than ten stars.
Richard from London
A classic case of reputation over substance. I've been reading fantasy all my life and found these books trying, difficult and unenjoyable. A book should flow and keep you gripped, this book constantly interrupts the flow of great ideas at every turn with unnecessary detail and stupid poems. Compared to less high profile works such as Raymond E Feists Magician, David Eddings Belgariad and Terry Brooks Shannara series, these have always felt rather flat. One of the rare occassions for me where the movie is better then the book. Each to there own and if you enjoyed this to consider it worth 10/10 then fair enough, but for me the 10/10 rating seems given for its fame and originality in a fantasy novel, rather then its actual quality.
Edward from Illinois, US
First thing people need to consider, is that the fantasy settings we read about and watch today... did not exist for Mr. Tolkien. He literally created the ideas which are now the foundations of fantasy stories. That said, let me start. The books did often lull with extended description of foliage and landscape in areas that weren't additive to the scenes. And you rarily find fast paced combat to drive the adrenaline. That alone will kill it for younger readers. You can however immerse yourself in a rich world that started it all. I dock it a star, simply because I am an combat action guy from the era of ADD Advance Dungeons & Dragons PLUS Attention Deficit Disorder.
Sarah from USA
I'm a huge fan of fantasy so of course I had to read the books after I saw the movies, and in all honesty I was a little bit disappointed with them. I loved the story-line and the plot was excellent, but I found myself not really liking the story itself. It was way too long, and overly descriptive, and the characters were rather disappointing after the Fellowship of the Ring because there was no real development to them. They were just there on their quest, and I really found myself wishing for some background with Aragorn because he was one of my favorite characters. The other thing I wasn't really fond of was that some of the characters were just placed into the story and they really did not have anything to do with what was going on with the story. I could not get passed Tom Bombadil, I liked him but he was really unnecessary and he had nothing to do with the main characters after the first book. I did love the hobbits, and I thought that JRRT did a great job developing them and the story in relation to Frodo/Sam and Merry/Pippin. I also loved Gollum he was a great character, but the only problem I had with him was that he was too singular for my tastes. I really prefer more complex characters and more complex plot line development, and unfortunately LOTR really did not do it for me. There were just way too many characters for my liking and it got to a point where it was just way too confusing trying to keep all of the characters straight. The introduction of the Rohirrim and everyone connected to those characters did not help that at all. I also did not like like it when he referenced people who had no direct influence on the characters themselves or the story. For example, the elves that were mentioned after the company left Rivendell were interesting but they had nothing to do with the characters or the events that transpired, so it felt really unnecessary to me. There were also way too many subplots to the story. That happens when there are too many characters, and it got kind of confusing and annoying towards the middle. It was interesting and I loved the description of the battle scenes, but the villains were a bit of a flop. I really did not like the battle scene between the Wraith King and Eowyn/Merry in the book because he came of as more pompous than threatening, whereas in the movie he was portrayed as being very sinister. That being said I enjoy the books and I thought that they were pretty epic as far as fantasy goes, but I have read better books. Unfortunately the series suffered due to being overly long and descriptive, and it suffered a complete lack of character development after the first book. Overall it was a good series, and I'd give it an A story telling and the development of a completely magical world, but I give it a C in terms of character development, and I always think that a story is nothing without properly developed characters, and the story really failed to make any of the characters besides the hobbits relatable in any form or fashion.
Elisabeth from Australia
The most beautifully written piece of literature of all time, Tolkien was a genius. People who don't like his songs and descriptions need to take another look! The power and beauty of The Lord of The Rings is just mind boggling.
Jay from Australia
Anyone who calls himself a fantasy genre lover and hates this book is a true idiot. Firstly, half those morons have watched the movie first and expect the same pace from the book as well. The other half (as you'll find some people here) don't get the story at all and bash it for no reason. The third grup of idiots think that Harry Potter is better...
Sharang from India
This is the best book I've ever read... no comparison...
Steve from The Land of Not-influenced-by-ridiculous-hype
Are these books creative, creating an entire world in which we can believe? Yes. Is it a book that can grip the reader, engage them in the sotry? Um...I'm going to say no, because the movies did better than the books did. Yes, JRR Tolkien created a world and essentially created the basic background of most fantasy to come (I'm thinking of the European-Medieval world every single fantasy novel is set in). And yes, I'll grant it, I did like it. But it is not the best. But before we get into that, let's say what was good about it. First off is the world. I've never really come across a world as thought out and described as this book. You can truly believe that palces like Gondor and Rohan do exist. And yes, the split between each book (Aragorn & co's quest, then Frodo, Sam's and Gollums) is done very well. I like how it is done. Now we come to the (many) bad points. 1. Little to no charcaterisation: Of course, I'm not going to include Sam or Gollum, they were really thought out. But everyone else just seemed so... well, it seemed like there was one guy, and Tolkien based every character off of this one guy. I don't see a lot of variation, really. 2. Do I really need pages of songs and tales that really have no affect on the tale, but make the world richer? No, I don't. I read a book to discover a world, and a fantastic story in the world. I don't read a book to glimpse a new world, and the actual tale come second to it. 3. There was no real threat. As most action sequences never really happened (I'm thinking of the battle of Helm's Deep - I know people were dying, but I didn't see any fighting or anything). And, the One Ring didn't seem to have that much of a threat. It turns someone invisible? From where I come from, that's a super-power. What's Sauron going to do? Turn invisible, stow away onto a boat, and wreck havoc in Valinor (where the Elves go to)... Actually, that doesn't sound like such a bad idea at all, too bad we never really got any actual threat. And there you have it. Yes, I like it. But, in reality, I think Tolkien was the creator of this world and tale, but Peter Jackson really told the tale much much better.
Visenna from Poland
Sometimes those long descriptions of some places were really annoying, still one of the greatest.
Kaustav from India
This is truly the BEST high fantasy series I've ever dug in to. First two chapters are not that interesting but necessary. Rest of the book will force you to stay glued with it. A must read for every high fantasy fan.
Derric from Anderson, SC
Minus one star due to the fact that The Fellowship of the Ring began so slowly. But, still, you have to admire Tolkien's handiwork. He took hold of a genre mostly towards children and brought back the point of fantasy, to bring about fear and hopelessness, love and hate, and show them to us in a form we can more understand. He took ahold of legends and introduced them in a new light, bringing back humaniod elves after so long of them appearing as fairy-like creatures. And the orcs point, to symbolize the industrialism that's taking the world, and Sauron being branded as one that wants order, even if it's through destructive means. A gem of a tale that points out that we have our flaws.
The Lord of the Rings started my way off on fantasy and I've read quite a few novels since. But after experiencing a number of fantasy worlds and quests, I realized that the thing that marked The Lord of the Rings as "the BEST" for me was its beauty. The writing style, the locations, the characters, and the theme are all so beautiful. Some people say it's "too long", "too descriptive", "too boring" etc,. but maybe they're searching for something different. If you want a book that you'll cherish forever as a beautiful masterpiece, just read this. And don't forget "The Silmarillion".
Anna del C. Dye from Taylorsville, Utah
J.R.R. Tolkien is the master mind and a great writer. I love his work and the beautiful world he created. He inspired my own Elf series. The Silent Warrior Trilogy was the portal to my Elf series. The elf and the Princess is book one. Two is trouble in the Elf City and three Elfs in a Conquered realm. They have been received very well in the Tolkien market and have great reviews. Tolkien opened my imagination, Thanks so much.
Nick from Inland Empire, CA
My name is Nick. I'm a college student in California and have just completed a fiction literature class in which we covered extensively all the books from The Hobbit to the Return of the King and all the movies. Yes even the horrible animated version of The Hobbit. Now as an assignment our teacher has asked us to complete an online post summarizing and reviewing my experiences in the class and of the books. Now I have to say I'm not one for books in general unless it peeks my interest and seeing as I have seen the movies before I got around to the books I found it kind of hard to get into for the class. I did how ever get the chance to find out about other interesting characters and parts that were left out of the movie completely. Tom Bombadil and the necromancer seemed to stay in my mind after reading and actually it lead to me looking further into the world of Middle Earth. I even went to the point of reading some of the Untold Tales and The Silmarillion to better understand the ways of Middle Earth and its people. Movies aside I have to say the books seemed to be more informative and detailed then the movies were. But then again the movies did give a more realistic view and understanding of the people, the battles, and the cities that I never could have imagined. At each class we would discuss our reading. Whether we liked or disliked any particular part. Overall the class seemed to enjoy it well enough. Overall I recommend you read the books before you see the movies, if you haven't already, but I believe it gives a more personal meaning visually and intellectually. And if you get the opportunity read the other Tolkien books as well; especially The Silmarillion. The books also brought out the creative side of many of my classmates when it came time to do presentations for the class and I believe the imagery of the movies and the imagination brought by the books had a strong influence on their assignments. My Project was a 3D map of Middle Earth using the maps from Tolkien's drawings and not the landscapes of the movies. Which were quite different. Overall though I do recommend that you read and enjoy the books and the movies equally. They both have their ups and downs so I leave it up to you to decide. Nick.
Ryan from California
Hi, I am a California Community College student and upon the completion of all Lord of The Rings books, including the Hobbit, my Professor assigned a brief book review. It was the first time I have read these books and I was amazed of how J.R. Tolkien can describe the scenery and shrubbery with so much detail. At times I did find my self almost wanting to fall asleep, but there is excitement like the battle at Minas Tirith, Helms Deep and the Mines of Moria for example. Another great achievement J.R. Tolkien has accomplished is creating this whole world in which this epic tale takes place. It is also remarkable that he even created his own language. You will be amazed of the amount of information contained in these books from all the maps, family trees and history that all tie into making these books a remarkable tale. The characters in these novels will definitely stay with me for the rest of my life. From Beorn the black man bear, Tom Bombadil the trippy trailblazer, Tree Beard and my favorite character Bill the "beast of burden" pony. I found it quite humorous when Sam would talk to his pony until they had to go there separate ways. Another character that I enjoyed is Gollum. I also thought Gollum was hilarious yet tragic and one of my favorite quotes from Gollum is "Give me fish now and keep the nasty chips!" I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a good fantasy novel to read.
Shawn from Space Coast, Florida
I really never post on these but after reading what Marine from Athens, Greece said, I feel I must. Yea, for a year I hated it. Yes it was big, yes he generated a gigantic world of very detailed characters, and ... yes, it is very, disappointingly, childish in my mind. Then I started reading older fantasy, WOW. It's worse. It is childish or dull or, well I really couldn't get through about 5 or 6 authors. It occurred to me, this was fantasy up until the lotr series. So we have a TOTAL non author who sets out just to write a story for some kids, redefine a genre. And think about it. Almost EVERY fantasy novel follows his lead. Early in the current fantasy book a typical, unlikely, usually young (which Frodo still is because of the ring,) individual (usually male because most fantasy novelists are male, chicks seem to do more urban fantasy I've noticed.) finds out very abruptly he is "ment" for something. Then he must quickly leave his home, usually with a good friend and another who will cause mischief, so total ruin will not hit his home by the super evil thing that wants him dead. Don't forget, in these books our unlikely hero is warned just before our bad almighty evil doer is able to get to him first! And who does the warning? Well, again its always the same. A very wise, experienced (fill in blank for the book) wizard in this case figures it all out, just in the nick of time. Nowwwwwww, Start The Adventure! Hero has no clue, mysterious wise saviour of our hero is mysterious, only telling what he has to in order to not overwhelm our hero who is on shock already. Fast forward, our hero has started to go from unlikely to likely, becoming somewhat proficient in his previously unknown ability, able to now fend for himself. Our mysterious saviour has trained him or he has learned through trials during the adventure. Also the saviour shares more, usually we learn a dark secret about this person at this point, to sow doubt in the readers mind as well as the hero... FF again, nearing the end of the adventure. The hero has now out shined or is about to out shine his masters skills. Also he know what must be done and will do it at all cost.( b4 he would have run like a screaming wet kitten from his Final "destiny" had he known everything too early.) Now our heros teacher-savior-mysterious powerful dude dies either saving him, gets injured, something like that. He will admit and explain the dark secret that's not so dark and actually makes the hero feel more determined and mad at himself for getting cocky and loosing trust in his beloved teacherby listening to the twisted words of our villain. The hero now learns the final secret or has the final weapon needed to win. If the teacher-master dies at this point, the secret is usually what he learned and dies for, whispering it at the very end in a last, heroic way. If he isn't killed then its usually an epic monster that is guarding an almighty weapon. Our hero is fighting this beast and is about to die when out master takes the hit. If he survives, he is to wounded to go on and will be a hindrance. Once again, either way, the hero has what he needs and now is even more determined to vanquish his moral enemy. One more Tolken rule, The hero will ALWAYS, at some point, usually just in the last 100 pages, but not always here, make a leg on his own. Most books have it near the end so they can do the cheesy self hatred, blaming himself for a bit, then he will run into a crazy, weird person or creature. This creature will Sense the pain (they always do!) And poke at, point out his flaws, and antagonize our hero to a breaking point. Here just b4 our hero smashes our antagonist to bits, he realizes the dude is right and comes to terms with his loss. He now has wasted valuable time, again usually at the end, of our story filling pages with oh the loss, I can't do it on my own, self pity page filling crap... this is ok, because now he has learned a true lesson, and is mental and powerful enough to meet his nemesis and the rest of our story is a large and an epic buildup to his final test. If our main teacher-mysterious dude didn't die or get to injured to go on, someone who means EVERYTHING to our hero dies or his own people are attacked being nearly whipped out, or he was to late to save a town and the dead little Hobbit children and human children alike who he feels he should have been in time to save. this is to tear at his heart strings. You how it goes down from here in nearly every fantasy novel. For one reason or another, our hero is making his solo track, taught his lesson by our smart ass protagonist buddy who happened to just be where he was needed and got him back on track. Our hero, constantlcy growing more confident after the protagonists home, now makes his way seeming easily through deadly lands and impossible odds. Our hero now is much to powerful to allow any of the minions standing is his way (crazy to try, creatures and even the land itself was broken and evil), It nowtakes every bit of his skill but he gets it slow him from reaching his final fight.
Jason from USA
Amazing. J.R.R. Tolkien has literally created an entire world using descriptive imagery, captivating and marvelous word choice, and vivid, life-like characters. It tickles your imagination: dwarves, elves, hobbits, wizards, and other mythical beings and settings which makes you want to keep reading more and more. Anyone that has given this a 9 or less really does not understand the pure power of this book. If you had kept reading, you would have liked it more, and that is a guaranteed fact. It is necessary to read the first book so you may know the world that surrounds the Hobbits.
Alex from UK
Whoever gives this book 1 star or 2 or 3 simply have not read it, and that is fact. This is simply a marvel of the human imagination, do not listen to anyone who rates this at less than 5 stars, it's simply not possible to dislike this book if you are a fantasy lover, brilliant.
Abe from USA, TN
In my opinion, this is the greatest book that has ever been written (apart from the Bible), and it definitely set the standard for all fantasy books to follow. It is written with precise detail, not as much as Dean Koontz books though IMO. The only part I have a semi-dislike of is the songs... But if you don't like them, simply skip them, since they don't take away from the story. One thing I'd like to note is if you like Harry Potter, you'll adore this. I believe it is much better than HP (I've read all seven HP books as well), and you will notice things from HP ( http://www.mugglenet.com/hpvslotr.shtml ), which were "inspired" by LOTR, which also inspired many other fantasy books. I recommend watching the movies first. If you like them, I'd then recommend reading the books, and if you also like those, the book "The Hobbit" which actually came before LOTR. LOTR was actually the sequel to "The Hobbit".
Shell from Winchester
I have been reading and re-reading this book for half a century - and everytime it takes me somewhere new.
Reese from Taylors, SC
Loved these books, but can't reward it the highest title only because it started a revolution not refined it. Many authors from George Martin, Terry Goodkind, and Robert Feist helped make this a mainstream trend.
Richard from Ghana
We come to it at last... The greatest tale ever told... One Tale to rule them all.... A timeless masterpiece, no doubt!
Margaret from Boston
It's an absolutely must-read. I love the books and the movie so much! It's so good! A precious edition to your bookshelf at home if you hadn't added the trilogy yet.
Dragos from Romania
The books and the movie were almost perfect but now its time for something new: Gandalf, Eragon, Harry Potter or Voldemort, Galbatorix and Saruman? Who is the most powerful wizard of the world? Answer:none of them-there is a new wizard in town: is powerful, is young, is handsome , is alone and he is not bothered by all that. The wizard who will rock your fantasy world: The Black Vampire. Watch him on www.freefantasybooks.com.
Mimi from Manila
Highly recommended. I admire JRRT so much for being able to bring us into a world as real as Middle-Earth. It was so 3-dimensional you could really believe it actually existed.
Juhan from Cape Town
Best book ever. Worth reading no matter if your a novice or experienced reader. Books are in all respects better than their movie counterparts. Sure the films create the visual aspect of the written word but if you read carefully through all the detail (no matter how long) you can recreate all the emotions, landscapes and characters yourself.
Jared from San Francisco, CA
I can't stop reading this book. Even when I don't feel like reading, I'll find myself curled up on my bed, reading through the pages faster and faster, unable to put it down. The storytelling is flawless. The characters are unforgettable. The dialogue is pleasing. Mr. Tolkien created an entire world from his own imagination, and how I long to find some portal that will send me to Middle-Earth. He created the languages, geography, and the history of Middle-Earth itself. Such a feat is remarkable for a human being, and it alone should be honored. There are songs, poems, story-telling, and never do they get old. Yeah, maybe the constant describing of geographical locations can get tiring, but it is wholly necessary in order to put yourself in this world. When I was younger, I would skip these parts. But now, I read them willingly, and sometimes if I space out and miss all that I have read, I will go back and re-read those passages. This book is, and I can't stress enough, the greatest piece of literature of all of time. If you think otherwise, then you must be a Harry Potter fan. Harry Potter is great, but the Lord of the Rings is superior to all fantasy novels. Trying to surpass its legendary greatness is like trying to climb the Misty Mountains without limbs.
Bradley from New Mexico
OK, the movies may be great but the book is THE GREATEST! Even if I'm only on page 115 but who cares...
Flossie from The Kingdom of Lur
I loved the stories and songs becuase they really told you all about the history and culture of the place. It was fantastic, even at 12, and I loved the whole world that was created, possibly even more than the story itself. The Silmarillion is good for that: it explains all the First Age of Middle Earth, although it's quite rough, but it's amazing how long Tolkien spent living in his world so as to know all the battles and tales from it.
Ry from Michigan
Hands down the king of all fantasy trilogy. Regardless of any flaws it may have it will always be the quintessential fantasy series that any true reader of the genre must read.
Jake from Crewkerne
Amazing, the detail he put in draws you closer and makes you want to read more. BRILLIANT!!
Liam from Baldock,UK
A brilliant book with lots of magic and much better than the films so a MUST BUY! But it is long...
Nona from UK
I haven't read it and wouldn't want to because it is way tooooo long but the movies were absolutely FANTASTIC!!!! I am very obsessed with Harry Potter and The Twilight Saga but this has to be the top three stories/movies I love best so thanks alot Tolkien.
Norris from Lordmanner
I like Tolkien's take on the book. It is amazing.
Likkamatti from Finland
The Lord of The Rings is definitely my favourite book. Epic battles, adventures, heroic romance, hobbits, elves, dwarfs... What else could you ask from a fantasy book? J.R.R. Tolkien is my favourite author. Love it. Perfection.
The Best. The movie rocks and the book is pure talent. Tolkien is so good with characters, plots, and writing overall!
anonymous from unknown
I loved the movies, and the books. They were amazing! Nothing is better. This book is second to no fantasy book EVER written! I absolutely loved it. My dad read it to me when I was 10 and I fell in love with it and the movie.
Jett from U.S.A.
I love all of J.R.R. Tolkien's work. He is definitely my favourite author. He has created a world that not only appeals to kids but is a great read for adults too. Enjoy as you read The Lord Of The Rings!
Lonny from Sweden
One of the best book series ever. If you haven�t read any fantasy this is the one to read. Epic battles, fantastic language, and a wonderful world too discover.
Willie from UK
IT IS THE BEST BOOK EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is another awesome book by Tolkien. Whoever says it's bad needs to re-read the book. If you rated the book 5 or lower you are a bad reader.
Louise from UK
I've just finished reading the books, and I enjoyed them. Very well written, great plot and Tolkien obviously knows his own world in a way that few writers do. Only problem with it is that books 2 and three seemed more like historical accounts than fiction. Half the characters seemed under-developed and were clearly only there to propel the plot on. Outside the Shire there was no banter, no one discussed their feelings, thoughts or personal lives at the end of the book, I still couldn't describe a single thing about Legolas or Gimli's characters (these two only seemed to be used to make up the numbers- the scenery was better explained than them!). Even Aragorn had so little individual character besides what was informed at first that I didn't feel as much as I should have done when his life changed at the end. Also, the romantic relationships seemed false and lacked chemistry, as even long-married couples mainly spoke to each other formally, and no one seemed to show affection unless their partner was dying. It was all too clinical and serious, and purely functional. The characters never really behaved realistically- they only really talked when they had to, and only to discuss actions or strategy, never personal matters, and only the hobbits really showed nerves or anxiety when going into battle- even when they knew they could be walking to their death. It was the same in the appendixes. Lots of names and dates, no real soul or feeling. Also, lots about the past, hardly anything about the 'present' and the lives of the characters. I also didn't like the description of the Orcs. I liked the way we were shown they were bad (Orcs were more well developed than most of the other characters put together!) but I don't like it when races are portrayed as inherently evil, and it's beyond me how a language can be 'foul'.
Jamie from Australia
The Lord of the Rings is the greatest piece of writing ever. And those who think it's too detailed- please just go and learn how to read properly. Do you realise that its detail that makes a novel believable and gives it the various emotions within it. Fantasy epics are meant to be extremely detailed, go read a child's novel if you say it's too detailed.
Wes from Ohio
No book is perfect and that is true of LOTR. It does however stand as the crowning achievement of the grandfather of fantasy and all other fantasy books are eventually measured against it. I would reccomend any reader to start with the Hobbit, especially younger readers, and grow into LOTR. Please remember to thank Mr. JRR Tolkien for the genre when reading.
Jimmy from Scotland
First read The Lord of the Rings 40 years ago and have read them again every 5 or 6 years since.
Javan from Coffs Harbour
This book is great.... WAY better than the movies. The Hobbit is an easier read but it is not as good. I found LOTR a bit of a hard read, and so I gave it an 8, not a 9 or 10. I must say though, the Wheel of Time is better than LOTR by about 1/2 a mark (or at least the first 6 books are). Books 6-12 are about a mark worse than LOTR. The fact that each book is a 850 pages average makes it a very slow series. Just try the first 70 pages of book 1.
Lee from Manchester
This is a timeless classic. The characters that Tolkien invented have stayed with me for over 20 years and the book is as fresh in my mind as they were back then. The visual imagery is staggering and the themes running through the Lord of the Rings are essentially what makes this timeless. Never has has one book had such an effect on my whole life and none have (yet) surpassed it.
Duncan from Reading
Its the originator, its the first, many have been inspired by it, many have tried to emulate it and none have quite succeeded. Yes the first 300 pages are heavy going, but they are totally neccessary in understanding the story and the characters. The films tell you the basic story, but Peter Jackson changed too many things that detract from it.. He thought he could outwrite the master.. he should have realised that you shouldn't change what is as close to perfection as is possible. You may have seen the films, but read the books. you will wonder, you will feel every emotion there is and quite simply the book is the most comprehensive stunning work of fantasy there is. This book, is and will continue to be one of the classics, the books that people will still be reading in centuries time.
Jessie from Wales
This is the best book EVER! If you have watched the films and enjoyed them then buy the book, it's 100% better than the films and they are good. Everything about the Lord of the Rings is magical and a book that can be read and read and read and read again. This book will still be around and popular in hundreds of years time, that's just how good it is!
9.7 /10 from 148 reviews
All JRR Tolkien Reviews
- The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún
- The Lord of the Rings
- The Children Of Hurin
- The Silmarillion
- Tales from the Perilous Realm
- The Art of the Hobbit
- The Story of Kullervo
- The Lay of Aotrou and Itroun
- Beren and Luthien
- The Fall of Arthur
- The Fall of Gondolin
- Sauron Defeated (The History of The Lord of the Rings: Part 4)
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Word of Mouth
Submitting a book for review, write the editor, you are here:, the lord of the rings.
The old adage that "change is inevitable" is a message oft repeated, rephrased and expanded, from the ancient philosopher Heraclitus to the Terminator movies. But none has ever said it with quite the passion and resonance of J. R. R. Tolkien in his groundbreaking opus, THE LORD OF THE RINGS. This lengthy sequel to THE HOBBIT, mistakenly considered a trilogy due to its being published in three parts ("The Fellowship of the Ring," "The Two Towers," and "The Return of the King"), has maintained its reputation as the benchmark achievement of "sword-and-sorcery" literature for 47 years.
In the exquisitely detailed story of Middle-Earth's great war and the quest to destroy the One Ring, a token imbued with evil power, stands a fable for the ages echoing with the message that the future is ours to choose even in the face of inevitable change. This epic stands as such a singular achievement due in part to its broadly identifiable heroes, vivid realization of Middle-Earth and its history, and the epic scope of the story in which everyone is willing to risk themselves for the good of the world.
The story picks up some 60 years after THE HOBBIT, enjoying the same conspiratorial tone of narration as that of its predecessor. In the Shire, home of the diminutive, man-like race called Hobbits, we meet young Frodo, new owner of the Ring of Invisibility. The comforts of his rustic homeland become all the more dear to Frodo when he learns that his ring is the One Ring of Power, possessed of endless evil from its maker, the evil Sauron. Informed that Sauron is searching for the Ring --- the only thing standing between him and world domination --- and that the Ring will ultimately corrupt any one who owns it, Frodo undertakes a mission to travel across Middle-Earth to destroy the Ring in Sauron's own stronghold. Accompanied by three Hobbit friends --- Sam, Merry, and Pippin --- Gandalf the Wizard, and four others appointed as representatives of the free races of Middle-Earth, Frodo ventures beyond the world that he knows into the wild of the larger world and places fraught with peril. Each of the so-called "Nine Walkers" has a critical role to play in the course of events, both in the destruction of the Ring and in the coordination of the war against Sauron's forces.
Frodo himself is very much the Everyman with whom readers will identify so well. In his fear, indecision, and courage, the little hobbit represents anyone who reaches a point in life when they have to make irrevocable choices without certainty of the results. Faced with the choice to do nothing and risk harm to everyone he knows or to venture into the unknown alone, against his greatest fear, Frodo chooses --- time and again --- to do the right thing. "I feel that as long as the Shire lies behind, safe and comfortable, I shall find wandering more bearable…" Accompanying Frodo to the bitter end is his gardener, Sam Gamgee, a character possessed of an astounding level of loyalty to his employer. In Sam Gamgee, Tolkien crafted the true friend who stays with us through thick and thin and who would give us the shirt off his back without being asked. Sam remains overtly overprotective of Frodo from beginning to end, refusing to be left behind even for his own good and even forgoing food and water for Frodo's benefit. The choices that Sam is forced to make provide some of the book's most heartbreaking moments. The other hobbits, Merry and Pippin, display a range of irksome silliness and denial until pressed to hard choices, and both prove themselves worthy players on the stage of world affairs.
Through the character of Strider (Aragorn), a seasoned warrior wise beyond belief, Tolkien is able to interweave elements of mystery, bittersweet romance, unrequited love, predestination, and ultimate sacrifice. While every character is willing to expend themselves in the efforts to stop Sauron, Strider is the first after Gandalf to join the quest with a full understanding of the consequences of failure ("…if by life or death I can save you, I will"). The introduction of Strider also introduces us to the diversity of Middle-Earth through the many names by which the various races (Elves, Dwarves, nations of Men, Orcs) call him. Throughout most of the novel languages are interchanged, giving people, objects, and places a variety of names. In this way THE LORD OF THE RINGS realizes the gravity of the situation, that a vast group of divided nations are putting aside their differences to face a common enemy who threatens the entire world. This idea is also affirmed in the unconventional friendship that develops between Gimli the Dwarf and Legolas the Elf, whose races have a history of enmity dating back centuries.
Tolkien worked on this novel over the course of 13 years, a fact that becomes clear in the narrative tone that moves from conspiratorial to grimly melodramatic as the story moves towards its climax and the heroes' respective situations become dire ("So they were come to the bitter end"). The extent to which the author labored over this work is also apparent in the complete realizations he painted of each character and each race. The inherent qualities of the various species are thoroughly described in terms of the physical, spiritual, aesthetic, lingual, and intellectual. The speech and actions of each reinforces the images of "stupid Hobbits," "foul Orcs," "fair Elves," and "hardy Dwarves."
A lot of attention is also paid to the terrain of Middle-Earth as the travelers move from the lush, green comfort of the Shire to rough mountain passes and wastelands created by industrial processes. Whether the characters experience comfort or suffering in the wilderness, the reader feels the situation fully. The greatest evidence of Tolkien's extensive mythology-building is the 103 pages of appendices to which the text frequently refers. It is hard to say whether readers should refer to these whenever prompted or simply read the book straight through and then read the appendices. Either way, the appendices (which chronicle everything before and after this story, complete with maps, charts, and alphabets) is a stunning testament to the author's vision.
Reviewed by Sofrina Hinton on November 16, 2011
The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien
- Publication Date: November 16, 2011
- Paperback: 1168 pages
- Publisher: Mariner Books
- ISBN-10: 0618129022
- ISBN-13: 9780618129027
J. R. R. Tolkien
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The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
By j.r.r. tolkien.
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Summary
The Fellowship of the Ring is the first book in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. This story is set in the world of Tolkien's invention, known as Middle Earth. A specter of evil is looming over Middle Earth as the Dark Lord, Sauron , seeks to consolidate his already immense power, by reclaiming the One Ring that he has lost. Most of his power is held in this ring. With this power, he can enslave Middle Earth and unleash an incredible evil with little opposition. In the story of The Hobbit , a hobbit called Bilbo Baggins has stolen the ring from a hideous creature called Gollum . Somehow, this ring ends up with Frodo Baggins , Bilbo's nephew and all of a sudden, Frodo is at the center of this epic drama involving the ring that he knows very little about.
The wizard, Gandalf , warns Frodo that he should leave the shire and keep the ring out of Sauron's hands. They meet a fellow named Tom Bombadil who helps them get out of trouble when they are faced with the Nine Black Riders. Later, they meet Strider/Aragorn and they continue safely to the country of the elves. Frodo recuperates from a wound and he is healed by Elrond. At the Council of Elrond it is decided that the ring must be destroyed at the Cracks of Doom. This is many miles away, deep inside the evil lands of Mordor. The Fellowship of the ring is established, including nine individuals in all.
Gandalf meets his end on the Bridge of Khazad-dum, attempting to defend the company from the evil Balrog. The group must continue without him, heading south, into Lorien, a forest of elves. Here, the Lady Galadriel offers comfort and security for a time. Frodo grows in knowledge and maturity and he becomes more resolved to fulfill his mission. His resolve is further tested when Boromir tries to steal the ring from him. In the end, Frodo knows that he must fulfill his duty but he does not want to endanger his friends any further, nor does he want to solicit their opinions for he knows that they will change his mind. In the end, Frodo continues alone - though Sam soon finds him and refuses to do anything other than accompany him, heading towards the evil land of Mordor.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Questions and Answers
The Question and Answer section for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.
How many words does the novel The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien contain?
I've never known of a particular word count. Check this link out, his/her conclusion seems reasonable:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_words_are_in_'The_Lord_of_the_Rings'
What is Frodo Baggins's epiphany?
One of Frodo's epiphanies over the course of the novel occurs when he realizes that his journey is fated....that the journey is his to make, and that he can only focus on his own role in the quest..... that he must use his own strength and wisdom...
Book II Ch. 6 - There seems to be a pattern of dangerous encounters followed by peaceful rests throughout the book. Give some examples of this.
Consider what happens in book2 chapter 4:
The next day, the group travels to the west and Gandalf opens a magic door. These doors close just in time for the group to escape an attack by one of the vicious creatures that live in the nearby lake....
Study Guide for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring study guide contains a biography of J.R.R. Tolkien, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.
- About The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
- Character List
- Book I, Chapters 1-4 Summary and Analysis
Essays for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring literature essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
- Reconciliation with the Past in Tolkien's Ring Trilogy
- Evolution of the Modern Heroic Archetype
- Norse Influences on Galadriel in The Fellowship of the Ring
- J.R.R. Tolkien: The True Lord of the Rings
- Temptation in The Lord of The Rings
Lesson Plan for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
- About the Author
- Study Objectives
- Common Core Standards
- Introduction to The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
- Relationship to Other Books
- Bringing in Technology
- Notes to the Teacher
- Related Links
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Bibliography
Wikipedia Entries for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
- Introduction
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COMMENTS
Lord of the Rings is the ultimate fantasy book, which kicked off the whole of the fantasy genre. The journey from the peace of the shire to the dark crags of Mordor is the definition of epic, and is the best example of modern day mythology.
J.R.R. Tolkien's three-book epic encompassing THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING, THE TWO TOWERS, and THE RETURN OF THE KING) is a battle of good versus evil in the fictional world of Middle Earth.
The Fellowship of the Ring is the first of three volumes in The Lord of the Rings, an epic set in the fictional world of Middle-earth. The Lord of the Rings is an entity named Sauron, the Dark Lord, who long ago lost the One Ring that contains much of his power.
The Lord of the Rings is an epic [1] high fantasy novel [a] by the English author and scholar J. R. R. Tolkien. Set in Middle-earth, the story began as a sequel to Tolkien's 1937 children's book The Hobbit, but eventually developed into a much larger work.
Review of JRR Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings', explaining why I believe it's the best story I've read in the fantasy genre.
Book Summary. The Fellowship of the Ring. When the eccentric hobbit Bilbo Baggins leaves his home in the Shire, he gives his greatest treasure to his heir Frodo: a magic ring that makes its wearer invisible.
The Lord of the Rings tells of the great quest undertaken by Frodo and the Fellowship of the Ring: Gandalf the Wizard; the hobbits Merry, Pippin, and Sam; Gimli the Dwarf; Legolas the Elf; Boromir of Gondor; and a tall, mysterious stranger called Strider. 1216 pages, Paperback.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring study guide contains a biography of J.R.R. Tolkien, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.
Continuing the story of The Hobbit, this seven-volume paperback boxed set of Tolkien's epic masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings is a collection to treasure. Sauron, the Dark Lord, has gathered to him all the Rings of Power; the means by which he intends to rule Middle-earth.
Widely regarded as a broadcasting classic, the 1981 BBC Radio dramatisation of The Lord of the Rings stars Ian Holm, Michael Hordern, Robert Stephens, John Le Mesurier and Peter Woodthorpe.