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The first volume in the trilogy, tells of the fateful ppower of the One ring. All the members of the fellowship, hobbits, elves and wizards, are plunged into a clash between good and evil.
Like with my "review" of The Hobbit, this is going to be my less of a real review and more just my thoughts on my experience with this book. After reading The Hobbit, I knew I had to go on to read the LoTR series. However, I also knew that I would never make it through if I read the text. My sister once suggested listening to the audiobook instead, so though it's not normally my preferred method of reading a book, I gave it a try. For something like this, it turned out to be great.
As someone who has seen these movies many times, it's interesting to read the source material. I can also see now how other authors and books I've read are very influenced by this series of books. It was again, and even moreso in this book, interesting to get more depth on the story, on the world, and on some of the characters that are in the movies I've so enjoyed.
The main downside to me is that it just feels like the adventure takes way too long to get going. The events in the Shire before Frodo even leaves weren't so bad, but I was astounded by how far into the book I was by the time the Hobbits got to Bree. After that, everything else felt super fast by comparison.
I know my reading of these books will be tainted in many ways by having seen the movies first, but there's nothing I can do about that. But while I knew some things were made up or expanded in The Hobbit movie, and of course I knew that several events and characters were left out of the LoTR movies, I was surprised by some of it. Frodo selling Bag End was a sad shock. Arwen is barely mentioned in the book, and both Legolas and Gimli feel much less important than the movie makes them to be. And again, the amount of time that passes between plot points just amazed me (Frodo is 50 when he begins the journey!).
I am so glad I read The Hobbit first, too, because it adds a connection and even some emotion to know who Gimli's father is, to know who Balin is, and to understand a bit more about who the dwarves that died in the Mines of Moria were. It's also interesting to me that the elves know of Frodo, through Bilbo, and that Frodo even knows some of the elvish language! That's completely lacking in the movies, but makes total sense, given the events of Bilbo's adventure.
I've already started on The Two Towers, and look forward to finishing the series. ( )
I'm re-reading this for the first time in years. The first book is a little slow. There is a lot of extra talking (and singing) at Rivendell that slows the story down considerably; otherwise, I would give this 4 stars. I love the characters of Frodo and Samwise and Strider and the actual action is compelling and atmospheric. It definitely holds up through a third or fourth reading. ( )
"Tolkien has succeeded superbly, and what happened in the year of the Shire 1418 in the Third Age of Middle Earth is not only fascinating in A. D. 1954 but also a warning and an inspiration. No fiction I have read in the last five years has given me more joy than 'The Fellowship of the Ring.'"
Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky, Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone, Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die, One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie. One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.
Dedication
First words
Prologue - This book is largely concerned with Hobbits, and from its pages a reader may discover much of their character and a little of their history.
Chap One - When Mr. Bilbo Baggins of Bag End announced that he would shortly be celebrating his eleventy-first birthday with a party of special magnificence, there was much talk and excitement in Hobbiton.
Quotations
Many that live deserve death. And some die that deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too quick to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends.
I regret to announce that—though, as I said, eleventy-one years is far too short a time to spend among you—this is the END. I am going. I am leaving NOW. GOOD-BYE!
The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far away the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.
All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost. From the ashes a fire shall be woken, a light from the shadows shall spring; Renewed shall be blade that was broken, The crownless again shall be king.
Health and hope grew strong in them, and they were content with each good day as it came, taking pleasure in every meal, and in every word and song.
Last words
Then shouldering their burdens, they set off, seeking a path that would bring them over the grey hills of the Emyn Muil, and down into the Land of Shadow.
J.R.R. Tolkien's complete work The Lord of the Rings consists of six Books, frequently bound in three Volumes:
Volume 1: The Fellowship of the Ring, consisting of Book I, "The Ring Sets Out" and Book II, "The Ring Goes South";
Volume 2: The Two Towers, consisting of Book III, "The Treason of Isengard," and Book IV, "The Ring Goes East"; and
Volume 3: The Return of the King, consisting of Book V, "The War of the Ring," and Book VI, "The End of the Third Age," with Appendices.
This LT Work consists of Volume 1, The Fellowship of the Ring; please do not combine it with any other part(s) or with Tolkien's complete work, each of which have LT Works pages of their own. Thank you.
The first volume in the trilogy, tells of the fateful ppower of the One ring. All the members of the fellowship, hobbits, elves and wizards, are plunged into a clash between good and evil.
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Book description
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. -Amazon
Haiku summary
Galadriel says, “All will love me and despair!” What a Drama Queen.
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Fellowship of the Ring discussion, Part II chapters 4-6
Wikipedia in English (17)
As someone who has seen these movies many times, it's interesting to read the source material. I can also see now how other authors and books I've read are very influenced by this series of books. It was again, and even moreso in this book, interesting to get more depth on the story, on the world, and on some of the characters that are in the movies I've so enjoyed.
The main downside to me is that it just feels like the adventure takes way too long to get going. The events in the Shire before Frodo even leaves weren't so bad, but I was astounded by how far into the book I was by the time the Hobbits got to Bree. After that, everything else felt super fast by comparison.
I know my reading of these books will be tainted in many ways by having seen the movies first, but there's nothing I can do about that. But while I knew some things were made up or expanded in The Hobbit movie, and of course I knew that several events and characters were left out of the LoTR movies, I was surprised by some of it. Frodo selling Bag End was a sad shock. Arwen is barely mentioned in the book, and both Legolas and Gimli feel much less important than the movie makes them to be. And again, the amount of time that passes between plot points just amazed me (Frodo is 50 when he begins the journey!).
I am so glad I read The Hobbit first, too, because it adds a connection and even some emotion to know who Gimli's father is, to know who Balin is, and to understand a bit more about who the dwarves that died in the Mines of Moria were. It's also interesting to me that the elves know of Frodo, through Bilbo, and that Frodo even knows some of the elvish language! That's completely lacking in the movies, but makes total sense, given the events of Bilbo's adventure.
I've already started on The Two Towers, and look forward to finishing the series. (