We're in the last week of The Fellowship of the Ring read-along so it's about time I've reviewed it. We'll be starting The Two Towers this Saturday.
Published by HarperCollins Publishers
Format Reviewed: Paperback
Publication Date: 1999 (originally in 1954)
Genre: High Fantasy, Classic
Pages: 531
Reviewed by: Stephanie
My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
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The Fellowship of the Ring is a wonderful beginning to an epically-crafted world. This was my second time reading the novel and I enjoyed it even more. Tolkien's writing is, as always, elegant. The characters were all diverse and Middle Earth is beautiful. Mr. Tolkien's world-building is astounding.
The first part of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic adventure THE LORD OF THE RINGS
In a sleepy village in the Shire, a young hobbit is entrusted with an immense task. He must make a perilous journey across Middle-earth to the Cracks of Doom, there to destroy the Ruling Ring of Power - the only thing that prevents the Dark Lord's evil dominion.
Thus begins J.R.R. Tolkien's classic tale, which continues in The Two Towers and The Return of the King.
I appreciated hobbit society this time around. There were so many things I missed the first time I read this and I'm very glad I reread The Fellowship of the Ring. To anyone paying attention, this is a thought-provoking novel when you think about the world of Middle Earth and its inhabitants.
There are a few things that really stood out to me but the one that was probably the most powerful was the fact that Gandalf, even with his knowledge of the Ring's nature, never took Bilbo's choice away. He allowed Bilbo to choose to let go of the Ring. That, to me, is a significant reflection on his character.
Another thing that has stayed with me is Aragorn's character. For some reason, never realized he wasn't just the noble, yet mysterious character he's usually perceived as. Surprisingly, I found him to be pretty charming and enjoyed his smiles. I also enjoyed just watching the hobbits all come into themselves. Of course, Gandalf is awesome. Legolas and Gimili somehow managed to leave an impression even though they really didn't play a very big role. Honestly, Boromir probably had more dialogue than them.
Speaking of Boromir.... he seems to be the character I want to see as noble but I struggle to see him as such. This is greatly because of the Ring's influence though because there are moments where you see his chivalry shine through. The fact that Boromir was so easily influenced by the object doesn't help him in my mind. To me, he remains the character that I think I probably would have liked more before he'd come within reach of the Ring's power.
As for the rest of it, the Nazgul and Gollum were both perfectly fit for their creepy roles. Honestly, I had my moments where I myself was looking over my shoulder. Tolkien's ability to create suspense by using creatures we know very little about is amazing. All in all, a wonderful novel.
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I've read the series once before, and it took me AGES - totally worthwhile, though. Maybe it's time to read it again *glances at tottering TBR pile* A little later, perhaps.
ReplyDeleteIt took me several years to read the trilogy too. I know what you mean. I probably wouldn't be re-reading the trilogy right now if not for the read-along.
DeleteI love the depiction of life in the Shire and in the surrounding area. It's a nice throwback to the days of The Hobbit and allows readers to immerse themselves in a Middle-earth they know and love before things become too dark.
ReplyDeleteTolkien works a lot with free will and its implications and consequences. It was immensely important for Bilbo to give up the Ring freely, and not just because Gandalf tells us that forcing him to break with the Ring would have actually broken Bilbo's mind. Bilbo can live out the rest of his days in peace because he has rejected the temptation to use the Ring to gain control over others. It's not just his life that has been saved, but in a way also his soul.
I actually think Aragorn is more noble (and maybe mysterious) in the books than he is in Jackson's films. Jackson tried to make Aragorn more relatable by making him conflicted about his destiny, but there's something very moving about book Aragorn, who knows so clearly what he is meant to do. Like movie Aragorn, book Aragorn knows his path is not easy, that he faces death, and that being king means carrying a great burden. But he chooses to do it anyway because he is putting his trust in a higher power, one that he knows will strengthen him when he is weak. Movie Aragorn succumbed to his fear because he was focusing too much on himself and comparing himself with his ancestors. Book Aragorn feels doubt when the Fellowship breaks and fears that all his choices are going wrong--and that is something very human. But, in the end, book Aragorn knows his destiny is much bigger than him and that's why he's able to cast aside his fear.
I love Boromir. I know a lot of people who hate him because he feels the pull of the Ring, but that's the point of the Ring. It is an offer of an easy way to everything you ever wanted. And what Boromir wants is not bad per se. He wants to see his people saved and the world saved from darkness. No one is perfect and I find it hard to blame Boromir for doing what so many of us might do if we were in his place. Boromir is, quite simply, human and thus he is able to be both noble and flawed all at once. I don't think one failing erases everything he is and everything he has done. Plus he still has time to repent.
Anyway, can we say Boromir is easily influenced by the Ring? Yes, he was corrupted when he's never even worn it while Frodo still seems to be going strong, but then we've sort of discussed before how Hobbits don't seem to desire much more than they already have. A Ring of Power probably doesn't have much appeal to someone like Frodo. Plus the Ring is primarily a weapon and the Hobbits not naturally warlike creatures. It makes sense to me that a man desperate for a way out of a war would succumb before Frodo, who never wanted the stupid thing at all and only longs to be rid of it now that he's found out how much trouble it is.
I don't know. Just things to think about. :)
All I can say is that I agree with everything you just said. And I mean everything.
DeleteLegolas was actually one of my favorite characters the first time I read the books, even though he really doesn't have the most lines. I sort of stopped admitting to it once I realized that "liking Legolas" was being equated to "liking Orlando Bloom" due to the popularity of the movies--and I have no particular opinion of Bloom at all. I like the character, not the actor! Now that the rabid Bloom fan girls are not really around anymore, though, I think I'll start bringing up Legolas in conversation again. ;) He's really this great mix of noble and lighthearted (like when he makes fun of the other Fellowship members on Caradhras). It's a beautiful evolution of the somewhat more comical Elves Tolkien introduces us to in The Hobbit.
ReplyDeleteI like Legolas too but it always surprises me how small of a part he plays in the story yet Tolkien has no problem showing us what he's like.
DeleteThis time around I was struck by how much Legolas seems to cry out or shrink back in fear. I don't think it makes him look weak, though. It makes him look stronger because he clearly knows what he's facing and he still goes on. Like the Balrog. The Hobbits are obviously afraid of the Balrog (who wouldn't be), but they don't know what it is or its history, just that it's this scary-looking thing. Legolas knows where it comes from and what it can do, so I think it took more for him to look at it and not just faint on the spot or something.
Delete-Krysta
You're totally right. It doesn't make him look weak or cowardly at all. I think it's a really honest interpretation of their situation. He does know exactly what they're looking at so it would make sense for him to be even more wary than the others. But at the same time, he sticks with them.
DeleteI love your comments on hobbit society. Every time I re-read LOTR I'm swept away by the elves, Rohirrim and Gondorian societies but the hobbits are so quaint and their lives are so quiet; much as I love art and history and music and the ethereal, I also want their way of life :)
ReplyDeleteI think it was my second or third read when I started to understand the conflict with Boromir (which made him a far more complex character in my mind). It's a pity that we only got to know him through his growing obsession with the Ring (thank goodness for the appendices!)...
The first time I read the passages on the Nazgul, it was late at night and my room was dark...definitely left an impression in my mind, lol!
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