The Fellowship of the Ring

Fully recommend listening to unofficial audiobook production by Phil Dragash. Wonderfully read and has sound design and the movie soundtracks behind him reading.

I can see why this book is such a cultural icon and impacted fantasy forever. Tolkien's world is rich and beautifully described and has an incredible amount of cultural knowledge embedded within. It marks the great battle between good and evil and beautifully, courageously illustrates the battle is both within and without oneself. I am glad I waiting until I was older to read this book as I don't know if I would have appreciated it when I was a child. Onto the next book!

Summary:
Frodo Baggins lives with his uncle, Bilbo Baggins, at Bag End in the Shire. Life is sweet and wonderful, with the occasional touch of magic and wonder as Bilbo shares tales of his old adventures, or when the old wizard, Gandalf, comes to visit. Things change as Bilbo disappears from sight during his 111th birthday. This, he accomplishes through the use of a magic ring he once found. Bilbo leaves the Shire to go on one last journey and leaves his house, treasures, and most importantly, the ring to Frodo. Gandalf reveal that he has been curious about the ring for some time and orders Frodo not to put it on and to keep it secretly hidden until Gandalf returns. After 15 years, Gandalf returns with grave news. Bilbo's old magic ring is the ultimate weapon of the Dark Lord Sauron, and he will do anything to get it back. Frodo must leave the safety of the Shire, travel through Middle Earth, and take the ring to Rivendell. He does this with the help of some old friends, and a few new ones too. Once at Rivendell, Frodo decides he must be the one to take the ring to Mount Doom in Mordor and destroy the ring. Companions are chosen and a fellowship is formed, and together they set out across mountains, through the mines of Moria, down rivers, and beyond to destroy this great evil. Sauron's servants are ever faithful to him and pose a real danger to the fellowship. Gandalf is lost in the mines of Moria to a Balrog, orcs kill Boromir and take Merry and Pippen. The fellowship is broken and Frodo must find his way to Mount Doom with only the help of his faithful gardener, Samwise Gamgee.

Executive Summary: The final book offers a richer conclusion than the movie. Does that really surprise anyone?

Audio book: Robert Inglis once again does a great job with the audio. I particularly like his voices for Gandalf and Gollum. I will definitely revist this series in audio again.

Full Review
And once again I've finished the epic journey of Frodo and the ring. This is probably less of a review and more of a reflection and contrast with the movies. Needless to say I still enjoyed this book.

I enjoy the Lord of the Ring movies. At this point, I've probably seen them more times than I've read the books. However, as long as they are (and I own the extended versions) they left stuff out. Some things they left out don't add anything of substance to the overall story (like Tom Bombadil) but are simply interesting world building.

The one part I don't get being omitted however was the Scouring of the Shire. To me this part of the book is extremely important in showing how the journey of the ring has change things not just for Frodo, but for Sam, Merry and Pippin as well.

These aren't the same hobbits who set out from the Shire. This isn't the same Shire that they set out from. So as much as I love the movies, unsurprisingly the books are still better, especially this one.

On retrouve la plume de Tolkien mais on voit dès les premières pages que le public visé est différent de celui du Hobbit. On embarque avec plaisir dans cette quête qui s'annonce longue et pleine d'embûches et on découvre un monde merveilleux et périlleux.

We find the pen of Tolkien but we see from the first pages that the targeted audience is different from that of The Hobbit. We embark with pleasure on this quest which promises to be long and full of pitfalls and we discover a wonderful and perilous world.

While I've heard the phrase “defines the genre” used of many books, few books more accurately fit that description than this one in my opinion. Tolkien does more than weave together vivid narrative, creative poetry, and thoughtful prose; he creates a world and paints that world with extensive lore and detail as to lure one away from one's surroundings. From merry hills in Hobbiton to black caves in Moria to enchanting forests in Lorien, the settings described are unique and vivid. Beyond the scenery, Tolkien also sets the stage for the many science fiction writers to follow his footsteps in how well he establishes a world filled with living, breathing characters. One can sense the wisdom of Gandalf, the boldness of Aragorn, and the keenness of Legolas. The book pulls you into an adventure far bigger than yourself and perhaps the one negative, if it can properly be called a negative, is the great volumes of lore which seem to fill the pages as Tolkien describes Middle Earth. In one sense, I wanted to tear through the pages to see where the orcs would show up for battle next while in another sense I felt the need to hunt down a translator for those of us who don't speak Elvish fluently. All in all, the Fellowship of the Rings sets the bar for modern fantasy writing and sets one on the quest to save Middle Earth from the clutches of Sauron. Highly recommended for those who enjoy series involving large scale story line, intriguing characters, and a diversity of settings in which one feels just a part of a bigger picture.

I decided it's been way too long since I read LotR. I had a lot of stuff to do, so decided to listen to the new audiobook narrated by Andy Serkis. On the whole I felt like he did a great job. His Tom Bombadill was very annoying to me and I decidedly didn't enjoy his performance in many of the songs.

I still love the story, though, and the characters, and the language and...

Rob Inglis masters reading this book. He sounds as though he knows the story backward and forward. He even sings the songs well.

The trouble I had with this audiobook is the trouble I have had with detail rich stories in audio. I find my mind wandering after while and realize I have missed a significant section. So I back up and go again.

The four star rating is a reflection of my ability to focus on the story rather than the quality of the story or production, which are both five star quality.

That being said, Inglis brings The Fellowship of the Ring to life. It was easy to follow the different characters. Now I'm tempted to read the book, as I have done with other audiobooks.

One does not simply review or rate The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. Yet, it earns its 5 stars without as much as a second thought.Seriously, how does one tackle this monumental tour de force? I could enumerate all the goods things about it, but that would be pointless (because it's all good), so instead, I'm going to focus on the negative things that other reviewers have pointed out and try to convey why, in fact, these elements are necessary.1. The pacing (especially in the first 100 pages)Many reviewers have pointed out the incredibly slow start of the book, up until Frodo actually leaves the Shire and starts on his adventure. The general complaints I've seen are that it is 1)too long, 2)nothing happens, and 3)it's painful to get through. Unlike his uncle Bilbo, who is quick to run out of his front door and start on his adventure in [b:The Hobbit, or There and Back Again 5907 The Hobbit, or There and Back Again J.R.R. Tolkien https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1546071216l/5907.SY75.jpg 1540236], it is true that Frodo is incredibly slow to leave his hobbit hole and has to think about leaving for a very long time before he actually moves (as in, it takes him years to leave). Honestly, who can blame him? If you were given two options, one of which would be to stay in your perfect little idyllic village, away from harm, or to throw yourself into the unknown and towards certain death, which would you pick?Jokes aside, the purpose of this slow intro is to drive home the fact that once Frodo leaves Bag End, he will never be able to return to it in the same capacity. War is very near at hand, and even the peaceful little village will be damaged by it sooner or later. What is more, Frodo himself will come back a changed man (or Hobbit), and his childhood home will no longer have the same significance to him as it does in the beginning of the story. Frodo's journey is so transformative, dangerous, and unpredictable, that the first slow, uneventful 100 pages reinforces the pain of losing one's country to an unstoppable war. For the rest of the novel, across all three parts, Frodo and his Hobbit friends will refer to Hobbiton as a place of return and as an anchor in dark times. Tolkien masterfully makes us as readers yearn for the Shire just as much as Frodo and his friends do because of those first pages. Even though it seems uneventful and boring, the time spent in the Shire is immensely important for the rest of the narrative as it allows for feelings of melancholy and hope to bloom in readers as they follow Frodo on his heart-wrenching journey. 2. FrodoMany have complained about Frodo as a character, calling him boring, flat, unremarkable, etc. For a hero, it is true that Frodo doesn't seem to have the appropriate qualities that would make him the focus of the story. However, it is because of his initial unexceptional character that he becomes an interesting choice for the mission. The choice to have Frodo as the ring-bearer comes in two folds: 1) because he is seemingly ordinary and mundane, the Enemy is less likely to notice him and come after him, and 2) the One Ring chose him as its partner. Everyone knows that the Ring has a will of its own and that, once it has decided to follow (or to abandon) someone, there is nothing that anyone can do about it.To counterbalance Frodo's ordinary quality, the Fellowship is sent to accompany him on his mission. Here, the clever composition of characters who make up Frodo's companions gives all the colour and excitement needed for a high fantasy story: Aragorn, the would-be-king, Boromir, the proud warrior, Legolas, the keen-sighted Elf prince, Gimli, the brave and fiercely loyal Dwarf, Merry and Pippin, the comedic best friends, and Sam, the unsung hero of this whole tale. Of course, one cannot forget Gandalf, the fatherly wizard who has known Frodo all his life and who is loved and respected by all. These friends support Frodo in all that he does and serve to help him grow into his own as the story progresses.Initially, Frodo relies heavily on his companions, especially Gandalf and Aragorn; however, as we near the end of The Fellowship of the Ring, Frodo clearly takes charge of his mission on his own and decides for himself on his next course of action. Even though he is very much attached to Aragorn, and would follow him anywhere, he is able to put aside his (very much justified) fear of the unknown and to depart for Mordor all on his own. If it hadn't been for Sam's insistence, Frodo would have left alone to tackle Mount Doom (whether he would have survived or not is another question, but he would have bravely persevered until the last). To call Frodo useless, boring, or pathetic is an insult to one of the bravest people in Middle-earth. Frodo is the one who takes on the Ring, willingly, he is the one who volunteers to carry it into Mordor, he decides to leave on his own to protect his friends and keep them from certain doom, and he is, ultimately, the one who must carry the burden of the Ring and the weight of the fate of the world on his shoulders. When Frodo returns from his adventure, he is psychologically scarred for life (undoubtedly a reflection of what happened to the WWI soldiers of Tolkien's life) and yes, he is gloomy and melancholic, but his task is immeasurably difficult compared to what the other characters must do. As much as the Elves, Dwarves, and Men are brave and loyal to one another, none are as determined to see the Ring destroyed as Frodo is, and other, lesser determined characters would have sooner fallen to the Ring's influence than to destroy it (not looking at you Boromir (jk)). 3. AragornFor some reason, many reviewers think that Aragorn is arrogant, haughty, and self-centered. Perhaps this idea is because of his (infrequent) mentions of his lineage and his duty as future king, but in reality, Aragorn is anything but kind, supportive, and loyal to his friends, especially Frodo. Aragorn is a hero in every sense of the word: he fights bravely, stands by his friends when in need, and takes on any foe who dares come his way. When Gandalf wishes to lead the Company through Moria, Aragorn opposes it until it is the last option in fear of what it might do to his oldest friend. Right in his premonition, Aragorn suffers the loss of his friend, but has no time to mourn as he becomes the de facto leader of the Company and must lead Frodo and the others across dangerous lands. Whenever they stop to rest, Aragorn is always by Frodo's side, tending to his wounds or keeping an eye on him and protecting him. Aragorn has issues of his own to worry about, such as his kingship, but he selflessly puts the Company above himself and gives his utmost to the protection of the ring-bearer. Aragorn is known and loved by many across Middle-earth. His name hangs on the lips of those in the highest of seats, like Galadriel, Celeborn, and Elrond, and all who know him love and trust him. Aragorn is always true to his word, and once sworn, his oaths are unbreakable.Surely, Aragorn can be forgiven for his small moments of grandeur, such as beneath the Argonath and on the land of his forefathers. The Númenóreans are an almost extinct race, with Aragorn being one of the last few standing. Naturally, his anxiousness to regain his power is understandable, and yet, he devotes himself wholly to Frodo's cause and this, from the very beginning, long before the Fellowship is even formed. Readers will remember that it is Aragorn who saves Frodo and guides the Hobbits very early on, when they first meet at the Prancing Pony in Bree.Apart for Gandalf and Sam, Aragorn is Frodo's closest and most faithful ally in the fight against Sauron. Despite his own destiny, Aragorn willingly chooses to trek halfway across Middle-earth to help Frodo as much as he can. In this respect, Aragorn is far from being selfish or conceited; on the contrary, he is selfless and kingly in everything that he does. It is no wonder that Aragorn will go on to become a beloved, peaceful king who values his friendships above all else.I could ostensibly continue to write about The Fellowship of the Ring, but I believe that it is difficult to convey just how much this story is important both as a masterpiece of literature and as a piece of collective memory and consciousness. This review is to be continued in The Two Towers...

The classic fantasy tale that started the modern genre. Excellent, as it was 20 years ago in college. Still some of the best prose I have ever read. The classic good and evil story. While I realize that there are very few cases of all good or all evil, and I definitely like my stories with nuance, sometimes I just like a story with clear lines. Plus, the massive world that he built is still even in light of the size of some of the worlds in newer books with more words written on them, this is still one of the most complete fictional worlds ever written. Even the likes of WoT and Malazan, the worlds are not done as completely as Arda.

The book is not, however, without its flaws. Maybe it's not so much a flaw as the product of its time. The writing definitely doesn't flow as easily to my eye as more recent works, but then Tolkien is a man of the early 20th Century, and somewhat the upper crust of Britain at that. I still like the style, but it does take more effort to read that some other works.

The last problem honestly, is the way he describes skin color in the book. While I have seen no evidence of him being racist, and certainly having no writings as troubling as his contemporary HP Lovecraft, I can't help but notice that the whiter the character's skin, the better they are. The elves have the whitest skin, while many of the groups of men who have sided with Sauron are describes as “swarthy”, ass are likewise even those members of mostly friendly groups, the few hobbits and men in league with evil have darker skin. Again, I'm not sure one could read too deep into it, but it is noteworthy. Maybe it changes in later books, but I have yet to see a good character described as having anything besides pale white skin.

All in all, an excellent book. Even those who started reading fantasy with newer works, I think would gain much by reading the work that began it all. Even today, over 60 years later, this man influences fantasy in inummerable ways, and will for decades to come.

If you ever read the series, do yourself a favor and listen to performances of the Songs and Poems as you encounter them in the text. It is a very different experience and you learn a lot about the history of this world when you read the poems. I found it is more enjoyable than simply reading the poems and you don't want to miss out on the lore that the songs provide!

Although I think I enjoyed the writing style of The Hobbit more than Fellowship, Tolkien has done it again and I am itching to start the next part of the series. Sometimes I felt he was a bit long-winded with descriptions and took the scenic route to action, but I still loved all of it. I enjoyed the quips, the interactions between characters, and the precipice of sorts the reader is left standing on at the end of the novel, wondering what is to come. The loyalty that defines each of the characters is such a refreshing quality in a day where stories seem to be deemed entertaining and good because of the malevolence of characters and the constant failure of unmet expectations. I think I will have to read it again one day to fully appreciate all of the thought and effort Tolkien has put into this world he has created - such an amazing author! I respect him so much.

The Hobbit is definitely better. The Frodo and Sam stuff is great, everything else is kind of mediocre. I feel the same about the movie, but there's much more Frodo and Sam in the movie. But, there is enough in here for me to enjoy most of it. I'm kind of scared to read Two Towers, because I expect there to be even less Frodo.

When I first began reading this book, I got told by some friends that you should read Tolkien like poems. They have some truth to that. It's not a book meant to rush through; sit back and enjoy the journey with our favourite Fellowship.
It's obvious by the style of writing it's an older book, so if you're not into that, don't do it.
Nonetheless give it a chance. You will not find a book full of action, but full of a journey through treacherous land where danger now lurks.

Boy am I glad I already know this story well, or that ending would rank high on the list of unsatisfying cliffhangers! 
I first read this series in my early teens, but I admit I remember the film adaptations that came later, better. 
I couldn't help comparing the two, and it's interesting to see what they cut out. Tom Bombadil is amusing, but it definitely feels like a side quest in the narrative. What really got me is there are two different male elves whose bit parts seemed to have been swallowed up by Arwen and Galadriel respectively in the films, and I think it works better that way! Though I've gotta say, the motif of all elf maidens having fair white skin and being clad in silver and gold wears a little thin - not to get into the whiteness of Lord of the Rings (separate issue I don't have space for here) - but it starts feeling repetitive as a descriptor. Read this in tandem, print and audio book, and as lovely as it was to read passages aloud, Andy Serkis definitely did a better job than I with the audio book. I think his narration (and the ability to speed it up) really helped whenever things started to meander. There's what feels like ‘bonus content' in-world historical details/world-building that shoves this further along the spectrum more towards high fantasy from cozy fantasy, though hobbits as protagonists and elves as guest stars means you get a fair bit of good meals, quiet walks, enchanting lands, pleasant talk. My heart is battling between Pippin and Gimli as to who is the second personal fave - Aragorn is 1st- though it's strange to realize this first book seems to provide Peregrin with a more bit part than Meriadoc, when Merry and Pippin read more as a pairing of well-meaning jokers/backup in the first film. I've got the next book out from the library in print and audio, so I'll definitely be continuing what is technically a reread, though 20 years later means that without the films, I'm not sure I'd remember much. First, I'm going to rewatch the first film. While we're on the subject, this has NOT made me want to check out the new spinoff series. Save me from tv tie in covers 😑. Hopefully it means my library got this edition cheap. 🤷🏼‍♂️