The Lord of the Rings

The first time I read this book was 15 years ago, and since I've read it once every couple of years. It is a book that almost singlehandedly brought the genre of fantasy to the attention of people in a way no book has before or since. Unlike most fantasy books, this was a life's work for a man immensely educated and well read - in contrast to much of the fantasy genre where i feel producing...more

The first time I read this book was 15 years ago, and since I've read it once every couple of years. It is a book that almost singlehandedly brought the genre of fantasy to the attention of people in a way no book has before or since. Unlike most fantasy books, this was a life's work for a man immensely educated and well read - in contrast to much of the fantasy genre where i feel producing books quickly to make money seems more important than the actual content. As he felt the english lacked a mythological tradition in the way of many old civilisations, he created one that was rich and diverse in detail, and gripping in its tales of tragedy and hope. The Lord of the Rings is not an easy read. It's nearly a thousand pages, and is far easier to understand and experience if you also read the Silmarillion - because the Silmarillion sets the scene and mythological background to how this saga plays out. At the same time, it can be appreciated as a standalone saga, because Tolkien sets the scene very well with enough detail to appreciate what is going on while still keeping the story flowing. To sum it up - this is a book (or six, really) without parallel. It's not everybody's cup of tea, but I'd recommend anyone who values attention to detail, gripping storytelling and an epic tale.   hide

This has to be one of the greatest contributions to English literature in a long, long time. It is a twentieth century classic. Tolkien has managed to create an entirely real, tangible, and absolutely enchanting world through sheer characterization, detail, and passion for a people and a place, even if he created them. The plot itself is entirely epic and exciting, perfect for the people...more

This has to be one of the greatest contributions to English literature in a long, long time. It is a twentieth century classic. Tolkien has managed to create an entirely real, tangible, and absolutely enchanting world through sheer characterization, detail, and passion for a people and a place, even if he created them. The plot itself is entirely epic and exciting, perfect for the people that like action galore. But it also has everything else: great characters, humor, romance, charm. It's very real, even if they are hobbits and elves and whatnot. They'r real people, and Tolkien has made sure of that. The story is also timeless in that this is simply a great battle between good and evil. I know it's a plot that has been done countless times, but it's still a great plot and I dare say Tolkien was one of the first. Also of note are the wonderful appendixes going, adding more depth to the incredible world of Middle-Earth. Excellent writing and wild adventure. What more could you want out of a great book?   hide

I made the mistake when I was 11 of picking up the trilogy, all packed into one book, a little larger than the bible. Tehn my second mistake was to open that book. IT was the hardest struggle of my life and I couldn't just drop the book because I don't know how to stop reading a book I've started unless it's just killing me slowly. The plot of course is rich but the description is even richer. So...more

I made the mistake when I was 11 of picking up the trilogy, all packed into one book, a little larger than the bible. Tehn my second mistake was to open that book. IT was the hardest struggle of my life and I couldn't just drop the book because I don't know how to stop reading a book I've started unless it's just killing me slowly. The plot of course is rich but the description is even richer. So detailed is Tolkien that even the underside of a leaf does not go unnoticed in this man's imagination and a detailed explantion of how many veins there are needs to be typed out before the story can move forward, lest the reader's imagination leave up so crucial a detail. Somehow I made it out of that book alive. The plot wasexcellent of course but the difference between Lord of teh Rings and The Hobbit is kind of overwhelming. Maybe my version had been cut down but there were two different Tolkiens writing the two different books. One was obsessive-compulsive Tolkien. He's not the cool one.   hide

THE seminal work of fantasy fiction; the daddy of them all, without which there simply wouldn't be any others. Tolkiens enduring masterpiece not only creates a new world, but entire cultures and mythologies within that world, complete with whole species, races, languages, mannerisms, religions, geneologies - the whole shooting gallery. And on top of all this there happens to be a pretty cracking...more

THE seminal work of fantasy fiction; the daddy of them all, without which there simply wouldn't be any others. Tolkiens enduring masterpiece not only creates a new world, but entire cultures and mythologies within that world, complete with whole species, races, languages, mannerisms, religions, geneologies - the whole shooting gallery. And on top of all this there happens to be a pretty cracking story as well, replete with heroes and villians, a quest, true love, nobility and savagery, pain and loss, and ultimately - well, read it and find out for yourself how it ends. Unique and unrivalled, one the true must-reads of modern fiction.   hide