Lord of the Rings Book Review

I know I promised that you wouldn't read anything about that incredibly long book called the Lord of the Rings at least until April. Well, it is almost April, and besides I finished it this past week. You may think that's all I did was read that book in order to finish it; not really. I didn't have that much left. Anyways, so here's my book review of Tolkein's trilogy:

The Fellowship of the Ring: There are many long paragraphs describing the landscape and the looonnnggg and slllooowww traveling of the Hobbits. Once the group gets to the Mines of Moriah, it really picks up. There are alot of good explanations for things, such as why elves and dwarves dislike each other, making the friendship between Legolas and Gimli that much more endearing. Overall, I gave it three stars. If you can endure the first half, you'll enjoy the rest immensely.

Two Towers: By far the best of the trilogy. The first half focuses on Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli and their adventures with tracking down the kidnapped Hobbits, finding Gandalf, and defending Helm's Deep. I was surprised by Sauramon, and what a crazy mad-man of a wizard he is! The second half focuses on Frodo and Sam and Gollum. Gollum was by far the most entertaining to read. My favorite line of his: "Wraiths! Wraiths on wings!" This book really draws you into Middle Earth and the characters. I gave it five stars. You also come to appreciate Tolkein's brilliant writing and subtle humor.

Return of the King: This book was like reading a history book! The battles and the conversations were quite dull and long. Frodo and Sam's part of the quest was also long and laborious. There were a few highlights here and there, but I did struggle through it. By then I just wanted Frodo to destroy the ring and everyone to live happily ever after. Much like the movie, the ending goes on too long as well. I gave it three stars.

Overall, they are masterpieces of great writing and imagination. I think the running theme through the trilogy was about laying aside differences to be unified in a common cause to fight for and save what is worth saving. The lands of Middle Earth played out as characters themselves in an attempt to show the reader why it was worth saving via lost lives and torture. The message was powerful with some Christian application, but beyond that it was just a great set of novels to read. The vocab and writing style were superb. Although laborious at times, I do recommend it for enrichening you library!