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Middle-earth #2 part 1/2
The Ring Sets Out
Continuing the story of The Hobbit, this seven-volume paperback boxed set of Tolkien's epic masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings is a collection to treasure.
Sauron, the Dark Lord, has gathered to him all the Rings of Power; the means by which he intends to rule Middle-earth. All he lacks in his plans for dominion is the One Ring -- the ring that rules them all -- which has fallen into the hands of the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins. In a sleepy village in the Shire, young Frodo Baggins finds himself faced with an immense task, as the Ring is entrusted to his care. He must leave his home and make a perilous journey across the realms of Middle-earth to the Crack of Doom, deep inside the territories of the Dark Lord. There he must destroy the Ring forever and foil the Dark Lord in his evil purpose. Discover the incredible epic journey of Frodo in a celebratory seven-volume boxed set of fantasy classic, The Lord of the Rings.
Sauron, the Dark Lord, has gathered to him all the Rings of Power; the means by which he intends to rule Middle-earth. All he lacks in his plans for dominion is the One Ring -- the ring that rules them all -- which has fallen into the hands of the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins. In a sleepy village in the Shire, young Frodo Baggins finds himself faced with an immense task, as the Ring is entrusted to his care. He must leave his home and make a perilous journey across the realms of Middle-earth to the Crack of Doom, deep inside the territories of the Dark Lord. There he must destroy the Ring forever and foil the Dark Lord in his evil purpose. Discover the incredible epic journey of Frodo in a celebratory seven-volume boxed set of fantasy classic, The Lord of the Rings.
283 pages, Hardcover
First published July 29, 1954
139 people are currently reading
2997 people want to read
About the author
J.R.R. Tolkien
780 books77.2k followersJohn Ronald Reuel Tolkien: writer, artist, scholar, linguist. Known to millions around the world as the author of The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien spent most of his life teaching at the University of Oxford where he was a distinguished academic in the fields of Old and Middle English and Old Norse. His creativity, confined to his spare time, found its outlet in fantasy works, stories for children, poetry, illustration and invented languages and alphabets.
Tolkien’s most popular works, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are set in Middle-earth, an imagined world with strangely familiar settings inhabited by ancient and extraordinary peoples. Through this secondary world Tolkien writes perceptively of universal human concerns – love and loss, courage and betrayal, humility and pride – giving his books a wide and enduring appeal.
Tolkien was an accomplished amateur artist who painted for pleasure and relaxation. He excelled at landscapes and often drew inspiration from his own stories. He illustrated many scenes from The Silmarillion, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, sometimes drawing or painting as he was writing in order to visualize the imagined scene more clearly.
Tolkien was a professor at the Universities of Leeds and Oxford for almost forty years, teaching Old and Middle English, as well as Old Norse and Gothic. His illuminating lectures on works such as the Old English epic poem, Beowulf, illustrate his deep knowledge of ancient languages and at the same time provide new insights into peoples and legends from a remote past.
Tolkien was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa, in 1892 to English parents. He came to England aged three and was brought up in and around Birmingham. He graduated from the University of Oxford in 1915 and saw active service in France during the First World War before being invalided home. After the war he pursued an academic career teaching Old and Middle English. Alongside his professional work, he invented his own languages and began to create what he called a mythology for England; it was this ‘legendarium’ that he would work on throughout his life. But his literary work did not start and end with Middle-earth, he also wrote poetry, children’s stories and fairy tales for adults. He died in 1973 and is buried in Oxford where he spent most of his adult life.
Tolkien’s most popular works, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are set in Middle-earth, an imagined world with strangely familiar settings inhabited by ancient and extraordinary peoples. Through this secondary world Tolkien writes perceptively of universal human concerns – love and loss, courage and betrayal, humility and pride – giving his books a wide and enduring appeal.
Tolkien was an accomplished amateur artist who painted for pleasure and relaxation. He excelled at landscapes and often drew inspiration from his own stories. He illustrated many scenes from The Silmarillion, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, sometimes drawing or painting as he was writing in order to visualize the imagined scene more clearly.
Tolkien was a professor at the Universities of Leeds and Oxford for almost forty years, teaching Old and Middle English, as well as Old Norse and Gothic. His illuminating lectures on works such as the Old English epic poem, Beowulf, illustrate his deep knowledge of ancient languages and at the same time provide new insights into peoples and legends from a remote past.
Tolkien was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa, in 1892 to English parents. He came to England aged three and was brought up in and around Birmingham. He graduated from the University of Oxford in 1915 and saw active service in France during the First World War before being invalided home. After the war he pursued an academic career teaching Old and Middle English. Alongside his professional work, he invented his own languages and began to create what he called a mythology for England; it was this ‘legendarium’ that he would work on throughout his life. But his literary work did not start and end with Middle-earth, he also wrote poetry, children’s stories and fairy tales for adults. He died in 1973 and is buried in Oxford where he spent most of his adult life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
November 17, 2020
So for those who are unaware, this is part of a boxed set of LOTR that breaks each of the books of the trilogy into two volumes (six physical books). This is Book 1 of Fellowship of the Ring.
I have to say it started off a bit slow and I often find myself drifting as I'm reading, but it got pretty exciting towards the end. I will definitely finish the series, but might choose to take my time with it.
I have to say it started off a bit slow and I often find myself drifting as I'm reading, but it got pretty exciting towards the end. I will definitely finish the series, but might choose to take my time with it.
June 23, 2014
Years ago I went to the cinema with my brother (who loves LOTR) to see the second Lord of the Rings-film. I hadn’t seen the first one, but my brother was so enthusiastic I went with him. I was a bit confused. Though the fight scenes were cool and I remember Legolas sliding down stairs/railings shooting arrows and I thought that was cool as well. There were talking trees, which was weird. I liked Merry and especially Pippin. Frodo was a bit mean.
About a year later I watched the first film. Alone, on a weekday afternoon. I was bored and don’t remember much from that film, except they were in a forest at one point. That is it.
About five or six years later I watched the final film. Having completely forgotten the two first ones and not remembering the names of places and characters I was again quite lost. The spider was super freaky and scary and I had my eyes closed during that scene. There were elephantish creatures and I love Pippin.
C’est tout.
Just so you know that this, my first read of LOTR, is very much like discovering this story for the first time. I have technically watched the films, but in the wrong order and years apart and I probably remember three minutes in total. So I am not counting the films.
Also, I have decided that this is the year I will do things that I have previously been unwilling to do – like drinking coffee, eating sushi, and reading LOTR.
So, here’s my thoughts on the first book:
I love, love, love the hobbits and Hobbiton. Love them. I could spend chapters on end in the Shire. One of the few things I remember from the films is how much I loved Pippin, but Merry might be stealing his thunder. And Sam, good old Sam.
Unlike many other people apparently, the songs didn’t annoy me at all. They are an important part of the hobbits’ culture and history and I liked the images of them singing to pass the time or to keep their spirits up, or just as an outlet of their joy.
The Black Riders are terrifying. Constantly lurking in the shadows, I got all nervous when the hobbits, and later Strider too, had to cross marshes or moors or mountains. Who knew when the Riders would catch up with them? And then what would happen?
And the Elves… I understand Sam’s fascination. They are wonderful. Could have prettier names though. Thinúvien is not a pretty name for the most beautiful Elvish woman, and Glorfinden deserved a better name as well. But the Elves themselves are great.
Looking forward to the next part. I know boring bits are coming up, everyone has warned me about them, but I just really want to know what happens to my hobbits and Strider. Will start the next bit soon.
About a year later I watched the first film. Alone, on a weekday afternoon. I was bored and don’t remember much from that film, except they were in a forest at one point. That is it.
About five or six years later I watched the final film. Having completely forgotten the two first ones and not remembering the names of places and characters I was again quite lost. The spider was super freaky and scary and I had my eyes closed during that scene. There were elephantish creatures and I love Pippin.
C’est tout.
Just so you know that this, my first read of LOTR, is very much like discovering this story for the first time. I have technically watched the films, but in the wrong order and years apart and I probably remember three minutes in total. So I am not counting the films.
Also, I have decided that this is the year I will do things that I have previously been unwilling to do – like drinking coffee, eating sushi, and reading LOTR.
So, here’s my thoughts on the first book:
I love, love, love the hobbits and Hobbiton. Love them. I could spend chapters on end in the Shire. One of the few things I remember from the films is how much I loved Pippin, but Merry might be stealing his thunder. And Sam, good old Sam.
Unlike many other people apparently, the songs didn’t annoy me at all. They are an important part of the hobbits’ culture and history and I liked the images of them singing to pass the time or to keep their spirits up, or just as an outlet of their joy.
The Black Riders are terrifying. Constantly lurking in the shadows, I got all nervous when the hobbits, and later Strider too, had to cross marshes or moors or mountains. Who knew when the Riders would catch up with them? And then what would happen?
And the Elves… I understand Sam’s fascination. They are wonderful. Could have prettier names though. Thinúvien is not a pretty name for the most beautiful Elvish woman, and Glorfinden deserved a better name as well. But the Elves themselves are great.
Looking forward to the next part. I know boring bits are coming up, everyone has warned me about them, but I just really want to know what happens to my hobbits and Strider. Will start the next bit soon.
December 15, 2024
I only want to talk about 3 things in regards to this book. They all have to do with things that weren't in the movie for better or worse.
1. Most people know the story pretty well even if they haven't read it or seen the films but one thing of particular note to me was the incredible number of songs and poems in the book. Tolkien was obsessed with song and poetry, such that the creator sang Middle Earth into existence. All the most powerful creatures all use words, song or incantation to create and manipulate power. Unknown to Tolkien but an interesting parallel for me considering what I've been reading recently is that singing and creation are intrinsic to the Australian Aboriginal creation myth. There's certainly some interesting territory to explore there.
I can see why an enormous amount of these songs and poems never made it into the films. They would have been hard to pull off seriously and in some ways they may have come off as a bit twee. In the story they add a lot of depth and this form of world building through internal myth and story is excellent. It's great to see the history of the different races and how the current characters are inserting themselves into that fabric.
2. Tom Bombadil. We all know about him and we all know he was sorely missed in the film. I just want to talk about him because he's absolutely fascinating. He seems to be the most powerful character in the whole of Middle Earth but is a jolly old fellow that just likes to walk around and sing. He has complete dominion over his realm and as Gandalf mentions, even Sauron wouldn't be able to challenge him there.
He is also the only character for whom the ring has absolutely no power or temptation. He puts it on and doesn't disappear, he seems to acknowledge its malevolence but puts no value in it whatsoever. When Frodo puts it on in front of him, he sees straight through the enchantment and says "take that off, your hand is fairer without it". This nonchalant way of dealing with the ring is astounding when you compare it to all the other interactions around the ring. It's probably the reason the council of Elrond decide against giving it to him for safekeeping, saying that he may lose it because he doesn't care about it and that it's unfair to put his land under pressure from Sauron even if he could deal with it.
Tom has also been in Middle Earth longer than anyone else. The best thing about the character and it's always my favourite thing about stories is that Tom is not really explained at all, he's just this incredibly powerful character and that's that.
Did I also mention he rides a horse called Fatty Lumpkin? I mean come on what a name if ever there was one. Sure Shadowfax is cool and all but he's got nothing on Fatty Lumpkin.
3. The geographical minutiae gets tiring. Tolkien's deep world building is great but the constant geographical details actually make it hard to read at times. Details along the line of
They came down the valley on the western side of the Anduin, along a small stony path cut into the hill by the men of old, the shadow of the mountains to the east stretched to brush them as the three hills, one with that monolithic structure, receded in the north behind them. They crested a small rocky outcrop at dusk, there they saw billowing black clouds and a dark shadow growing in the south like a dark mantle being pulled over the land, it's tendrils just reaching out through the stagnant air of the bewitched forest, darkening their hearts. The outcrop provided good cover, surrounded as it was by ancient trees that snaked and wound around the stone. They set up camp on the western side under a particularly dense copse of the oldest looking trees.
No that is not a quote but a fictional invention to demonstrate the sort of tedium you may experience.
There are passages like that for pages and pages. Yes it's a quest narrative but the way Tolkien deems it necessary to name every rock, tree and river on this journey grows tiresome. It is the one thing that makes the book hard to read. Clearly, it was important to him that he built this world and even that he rendered it more vividly than the world we live in but I think that ambition was something that pleased him and not the average reader. This is where the movie is superior because it has no need to describe the scenery or path being taken as it just relies on NZ's natural beauty and fierce wilderness to do the work instead.
1. Most people know the story pretty well even if they haven't read it or seen the films but one thing of particular note to me was the incredible number of songs and poems in the book. Tolkien was obsessed with song and poetry, such that the creator sang Middle Earth into existence. All the most powerful creatures all use words, song or incantation to create and manipulate power. Unknown to Tolkien but an interesting parallel for me considering what I've been reading recently is that singing and creation are intrinsic to the Australian Aboriginal creation myth. There's certainly some interesting territory to explore there.
I can see why an enormous amount of these songs and poems never made it into the films. They would have been hard to pull off seriously and in some ways they may have come off as a bit twee. In the story they add a lot of depth and this form of world building through internal myth and story is excellent. It's great to see the history of the different races and how the current characters are inserting themselves into that fabric.
2. Tom Bombadil. We all know about him and we all know he was sorely missed in the film. I just want to talk about him because he's absolutely fascinating. He seems to be the most powerful character in the whole of Middle Earth but is a jolly old fellow that just likes to walk around and sing. He has complete dominion over his realm and as Gandalf mentions, even Sauron wouldn't be able to challenge him there.
He is also the only character for whom the ring has absolutely no power or temptation. He puts it on and doesn't disappear, he seems to acknowledge its malevolence but puts no value in it whatsoever. When Frodo puts it on in front of him, he sees straight through the enchantment and says "take that off, your hand is fairer without it". This nonchalant way of dealing with the ring is astounding when you compare it to all the other interactions around the ring. It's probably the reason the council of Elrond decide against giving it to him for safekeeping, saying that he may lose it because he doesn't care about it and that it's unfair to put his land under pressure from Sauron even if he could deal with it.
Tom has also been in Middle Earth longer than anyone else. The best thing about the character and it's always my favourite thing about stories is that Tom is not really explained at all, he's just this incredibly powerful character and that's that.
Did I also mention he rides a horse called Fatty Lumpkin? I mean come on what a name if ever there was one. Sure Shadowfax is cool and all but he's got nothing on Fatty Lumpkin.
3. The geographical minutiae gets tiring. Tolkien's deep world building is great but the constant geographical details actually make it hard to read at times. Details along the line of
They came down the valley on the western side of the Anduin, along a small stony path cut into the hill by the men of old, the shadow of the mountains to the east stretched to brush them as the three hills, one with that monolithic structure, receded in the north behind them. They crested a small rocky outcrop at dusk, there they saw billowing black clouds and a dark shadow growing in the south like a dark mantle being pulled over the land, it's tendrils just reaching out through the stagnant air of the bewitched forest, darkening their hearts. The outcrop provided good cover, surrounded as it was by ancient trees that snaked and wound around the stone. They set up camp on the western side under a particularly dense copse of the oldest looking trees.
No that is not a quote but a fictional invention to demonstrate the sort of tedium you may experience.
There are passages like that for pages and pages. Yes it's a quest narrative but the way Tolkien deems it necessary to name every rock, tree and river on this journey grows tiresome. It is the one thing that makes the book hard to read. Clearly, it was important to him that he built this world and even that he rendered it more vividly than the world we live in but I think that ambition was something that pleased him and not the average reader. This is where the movie is superior because it has no need to describe the scenery or path being taken as it just relies on NZ's natural beauty and fierce wilderness to do the work instead.
October 7, 2024
This is the first part of the first book of LOTR
Pure pain. It's like eating boiled eggs for breakfast. You know it's good for you but you want to eat crunchy nut instead
Pure pain. It's like eating boiled eggs for breakfast. You know it's good for you but you want to eat crunchy nut instead
Read
November 2, 2022I'm impressed by folks who can review The Lord of the Rings. I have no idea how I'd start to give this a five-star rating. It would be like trying to review protons, or infrared radiation. It's a foundational element of the universe that I live in, and my "rating" of it doesn't matter. It just... is.
But I've only actually read the series once. (Cut to me hiding LotR underneath my textbook in middle school English class, racing to finish it all before the next Peter Jackson movie came out.) Twenty years later I'm doing a read-through with my husband, who is a bona fide Tolkien fanatic with academic credentials to back it up, and has made a "Tolkien School" syllabus with weekly discussion prompts that we explore over tea and cookies. Strongly recommend reading LotR with someone who is thoroughly versed in the construction of Tolkien's universe within the context of Old and Middle English literary traditions! Also, with tea and cookies.
In lieu of an actual review, here are some of the things that struck me this time through The Ring Steps Out:
- The hobbit protagonists have much more distinctive character, and much more character development, than I really remembered. There's also much more humor than I remembered. (And Tolkien gets delightfully sassy toward his critics in the foreword.)
- The first time around, the Shire seemed peaceful and utopian. The second time around, it seems stiflingly conservative and so hostile to any kind of change or external influence. Also interesting to read with an awareness of class that I didn't have before -- seeing how much of the humor in the first part of the book comes from poking fun at the habits and interests of working-class hobbits; how much of Frodo's early character development involves differentiating him from the hobbit hoi polloi; how Sam is set apart from Frodo's other companions because of his working-class background, and gradually integrates into the group as they get farther from the Shire; etc.
- Tom Bombadil is not actually the Jar-Jar Binks of LotR. He is an enigmatic god, and it is a great injustice that he was left out of the movie. We can only hope that Peter Jackson's next project will be an entire Tom Bombadil trilogy.
- An assortment of random droppings from my notebook: "oh god they're starting to walk"; "Sam is a dog?"; "Frodo's self-perpetuating sense of alienation"; "Merry would be better at this than Frodo"; "hobbits need constant deus ex machina"; "the Men of Bree all have Radical Faerie names"; "Middle Earth refugee crisis -- NIMBYism"; "how come no one has a map??"
But I've only actually read the series once. (Cut to me hiding LotR underneath my textbook in middle school English class, racing to finish it all before the next Peter Jackson movie came out.) Twenty years later I'm doing a read-through with my husband, who is a bona fide Tolkien fanatic with academic credentials to back it up, and has made a "Tolkien School" syllabus with weekly discussion prompts that we explore over tea and cookies. Strongly recommend reading LotR with someone who is thoroughly versed in the construction of Tolkien's universe within the context of Old and Middle English literary traditions! Also, with tea and cookies.
In lieu of an actual review, here are some of the things that struck me this time through The Ring Steps Out:
- The hobbit protagonists have much more distinctive character, and much more character development, than I really remembered. There's also much more humor than I remembered. (And Tolkien gets delightfully sassy toward his critics in the foreword.)
- The first time around, the Shire seemed peaceful and utopian. The second time around, it seems stiflingly conservative and so hostile to any kind of change or external influence. Also interesting to read with an awareness of class that I didn't have before -- seeing how much of the humor in the first part of the book comes from poking fun at the habits and interests of working-class hobbits; how much of Frodo's early character development involves differentiating him from the hobbit hoi polloi; how Sam is set apart from Frodo's other companions because of his working-class background, and gradually integrates into the group as they get farther from the Shire; etc.
- Tom Bombadil is not actually the Jar-Jar Binks of LotR. He is an enigmatic god, and it is a great injustice that he was left out of the movie. We can only hope that Peter Jackson's next project will be an entire Tom Bombadil trilogy.
- An assortment of random droppings from my notebook: "oh god they're starting to walk"; "Sam is a dog?"; "Frodo's self-perpetuating sense of alienation"; "Merry would be better at this than Frodo"; "hobbits need constant deus ex machina"; "the Men of Bree all have Radical Faerie names"; "Middle Earth refugee crisis -- NIMBYism"; "how come no one has a map??"
June 19, 2018
The Ring Sets Out is the first of the six books of the The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The three volumes consist of two books each.
The Ring Sets Out begins in the light tone of The Hobbit , but soon the ‘little’ adventure of Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin turns dark. We hear stories of great evil, of the wretched creature named Gollum and that something dark has arisen in the land of Mordor.
The four hobbits are innocently and surprisingly brave, encounter the Nazgûl, an evil ancient tree, marvelous Tom Bombadil and Goldberry, and finally Strider, who helps them avoid capture by the Nazgûl. And finally, we meet Glorfindel.
The Ring Sets Out begins in the light tone of The Hobbit , but soon the ‘little’ adventure of Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin turns dark. We hear stories of great evil, of the wretched creature named Gollum and that something dark has arisen in the land of Mordor.
The four hobbits are innocently and surprisingly brave, encounter the Nazgûl, an evil ancient tree, marvelous Tom Bombadil and Goldberry, and finally Strider, who helps them avoid capture by the Nazgûl. And finally, we meet Glorfindel.
February 9, 2014
Stuck between 3 and 4 stars. Some of it was great but then other parts consisted of 15 pages of "the road went down and then sloped back up and then went back down and then went right and up again" le sigh. Also very much underestimated the huge difference between the book and the film.
March 10, 2025
We become concerned with Hobbits. They were sheltered, but had ceased to remember it. The origins of the Ring are unfolded only in glimpses by Gandalf, who together with Strider has never a moment's peace crossing the western lands on this errant or that watch. Merry & Pippin, more than accidentally rekruted rogues, set out on their own accord from the start on a journey where many days are counted off amid hot suns & rain until weeks dwindle supplies. Other Shire-folk and even inhabitants of Bree, where the Prancing Pony stands, play their small but meaningful contributions in the f(l)ight against the Black Riders. These can smell the Ring, but must still traverse and crisscross like all hunters to pinpoint its bearer, questioning locals and occasionally recruiting spies with Gold. These nine disperse; only show up in full strength when Frodo faces them alone at the river, just before it swallows them, swords up and hoods thrown back.
June 18, 2020
So, I tried, but I only finished Book 1 of the Fellowship as you can see. It's a bit of a pity, but I kind of knew what I signed up for even though I had hoped to become more immersed in the story than I did. Perhaps I'll read Book 2 of the Fellowship sometime in the future, but for now, it seems unlikely. I love The Hobbit and I appreciate Tolkien as a linguist, scholar and also author of course, but this was just not it for me.
January 9, 2021
It’s been about fifteen years since the last time I read Lord of the Rings all the way through. The plan was for me to, along with my girlfriend, for a slow-reading book club in which we re-read Lord of the Rings (the 7-book edition, including Appendices) slowly, spreading it out over 2021. It hasn’t really gone that way because, as it turns out, it’s actually quite a good book! And hard to put down!
This first book is The Ring Sets Out (going up to Rivendell), and it was truly a delight to re-read! I even enjoyed some of the parts I remember very much not enjoying when I was younger (the poems, songs, stories), and some chapters are still real page-turners, despite already knowing what’s going to happen.
I’ll also win absolutely no points in originality in saying that the storytelling in this book is wonderful, but the gravitas of the story, as long as the fairytale-like childishness of some of it, is absolutely delightful. It’s much more fun that I remembered.
Having read this start again, I’m really excited to read the rest. Turns out, the way in which I read and enjoy books has changed quite a bit in 15 years, and while I’ve never been incredibly interested in re-reading books — even ones I read a long time ago, and really liked — Lord of the Rings might change my mind about that.
This first book is The Ring Sets Out (going up to Rivendell), and it was truly a delight to re-read! I even enjoyed some of the parts I remember very much not enjoying when I was younger (the poems, songs, stories), and some chapters are still real page-turners, despite already knowing what’s going to happen.
I’ll also win absolutely no points in originality in saying that the storytelling in this book is wonderful, but the gravitas of the story, as long as the fairytale-like childishness of some of it, is absolutely delightful. It’s much more fun that I remembered.
Having read this start again, I’m really excited to read the rest. Turns out, the way in which I read and enjoy books has changed quite a bit in 15 years, and while I’ve never been incredibly interested in re-reading books — even ones I read a long time ago, and really liked — Lord of the Rings might change my mind about that.
September 14, 2023
This is the first of the six books that make up The Lord of the Rings saga by JRR Tolkien published in 1954. I have come to realize that good books find you. This one was on a shelf in the lobby of a hotel in Scotland, face down and away from the others offered for a charity fundraiser for one pound. Having read The Hobbit a few years ago, and loving it, I thought this was too good a deal to pass up. I became enthralled the minute I started reading the author's forward as well as the prologue that provides some background on Hobbits, Middle Earth and the Ring itself. The writing is superb. I was immediately immersed in the setting and the incredible characters. There is much more detail than we are used to nowadays, but the language is so rich that it could go on forever, like music to my ears. Why have I waited so long to read this book? It ends with a cliff hanger so I must find the next book. This is a must-read classic for anyone who loves good storytelling.
August 24, 2025
2.5⭐️
November 28, 2019
WOW! I knew the movies had to have left out a lot of details, but wow. I feel like this entire book was essentially omitted! (Minus a few key points [SPOILERS], Bilbo's 111th birthday, Bree where the hobbits met strider, Frodo being stabbed.)
So good! I really am curious who would have been casted as Tom Bombadil!
So good! I really am curious who would have been casted as Tom Bombadil!
June 7, 2025
I'm annoyed that I never wrote a review for this book or trilogy/series.
I love this book. I haven't read these in years, so I was worried I wouldn't love them as much, but I do. I love how we see the close relationships, even in just this first part, which I know are strong relationships. Though the book is kind of slow, mainly slow for Frodo to leave the Shire, I love it. I love how even in this one, it shows how loyal Sam, Merry, and Pippin are to Frodo and I love how they follow him even if it's dangerous. I love how when we meet Strider aka Aragorn, he has the shards of Narsil, which I also remembered from the first times I read them but it's one of the things that was changed in the films but I feel like both are impactful on the character's growth. I also loved Tom Bombadil and also Glorfindel's appearances (they are not in the films but parts and lines are given to others). I just loved this book, and it's totally nostalgic for me to be reading this trilogy/series again.
I love this book. I haven't read these in years, so I was worried I wouldn't love them as much, but I do. I love how we see the close relationships, even in just this first part, which I know are strong relationships. Though the book is kind of slow, mainly slow for Frodo to leave the Shire, I love it. I love how even in this one, it shows how loyal Sam, Merry, and Pippin are to Frodo and I love how they follow him even if it's dangerous. I love how when we meet Strider aka Aragorn, he has the shards of Narsil, which I also remembered from the first times I read them but it's one of the things that was changed in the films but I feel like both are impactful on the character's growth. I also loved Tom Bombadil and also Glorfindel's appearances (they are not in the films but parts and lines are given to others). I just loved this book, and it's totally nostalgic for me to be reading this trilogy/series again.
February 7, 2022
And yet again, another childhood book, although this one was given by my mom.
She still boast about the fact that I read it when I was 12 years old, little does she know that I didn't understand a single thing written. But she's so happy when she talk about it I never correct her. :)
I grew up with Harry Potter, Matrix and Lord of the Rings. I have incredible memories of reading those sagas, seeing them in theaters and crying my eyes out during some parts. It's a core memory for me. However if I had to pick one saga to carry into my grave, it would be LOTR.
After successfully failing at reading it at 12, I gave it another try a few years later, way after watching the movies. Tolkien's writing style was a bit hard on my eyes to be fair, as he gave a LOT of details of absolutely everything. I still struggle with some chapters and for my own sanity, I stick to the movies whenever I want to get back into my LOTR phase once a year. I know, I know. Books are better blablabla.
And although there are clear differences between the book and the movie, I must say the book is indeed a beautiful gem. The universe is insanely well-crafted, with likeable characters. We witness the beginning of an epic adventure that will carry our travelers across lands in the hope of saving everything they love. There is not a boring moment in the Fellowship of the Ring, as everything is setting itself into places, giving space for the insane war to unfold later on.
The Fellowship of the Ring is not my favorite one in the saga, but I still love it the most as it is the beginning of everything. I might be biased because as I've said, I grew up with it. But it's a story I will cherish for as long as I can, whatever flaws can be found between its pages.
She still boast about the fact that I read it when I was 12 years old, little does she know that I didn't understand a single thing written. But she's so happy when she talk about it I never correct her. :)
I grew up with Harry Potter, Matrix and Lord of the Rings. I have incredible memories of reading those sagas, seeing them in theaters and crying my eyes out during some parts. It's a core memory for me. However if I had to pick one saga to carry into my grave, it would be LOTR.
After successfully failing at reading it at 12, I gave it another try a few years later, way after watching the movies. Tolkien's writing style was a bit hard on my eyes to be fair, as he gave a LOT of details of absolutely everything. I still struggle with some chapters and for my own sanity, I stick to the movies whenever I want to get back into my LOTR phase once a year. I know, I know. Books are better blablabla.
And although there are clear differences between the book and the movie, I must say the book is indeed a beautiful gem. The universe is insanely well-crafted, with likeable characters. We witness the beginning of an epic adventure that will carry our travelers across lands in the hope of saving everything they love. There is not a boring moment in the Fellowship of the Ring, as everything is setting itself into places, giving space for the insane war to unfold later on.
The Fellowship of the Ring is not my favorite one in the saga, but I still love it the most as it is the beginning of everything. I might be biased because as I've said, I grew up with it. But it's a story I will cherish for as long as I can, whatever flaws can be found between its pages.
Read
February 13, 2025DNF’d at 85%
It is with a heavy heart that I say: this was so boring, I could not get through it. I really wanted to love this book but it just wasn’t working for me at all and it felt like I was trudging through mud to finish it. In the end, I realized that the pain wasn’t worth it and if I truly wasn’t enjoying it and it wasn’t getting better, I should just put the book down, and that’s what I did.
I’m shelving it as ‘read’ because, c’mon, 85% is almost all of it, but I’m not rating it because I didn’t read all the way until the end. That seems fair to me anyways.
This was a reread and I have to say that I genuinely don’t know how my younger self was so in love with The Lord of the Rings trilogy because it was not working for me at all now. It’s a sad sentiment but maybe I’ll reread it again in a few years and feel differently (hopefully).
This series is such a staple of the fantasy genre (my favorite genre) and its influences are rooted deep in today’s books, so much so that not loving this almost feels like a betrayal of fantasy. But then again, the pacing was incredibly slow, the details were often times too many and the characters and the plot were boring. Reading this book made me feel like I was listening to a story told by my great-great-great grandfather. Am I too young? Is this book too old? Or is it just that times change and preferences do too?
It is with a heavy heart that I say: this was so boring, I could not get through it. I really wanted to love this book but it just wasn’t working for me at all and it felt like I was trudging through mud to finish it. In the end, I realized that the pain wasn’t worth it and if I truly wasn’t enjoying it and it wasn’t getting better, I should just put the book down, and that’s what I did.
I’m shelving it as ‘read’ because, c’mon, 85% is almost all of it, but I’m not rating it because I didn’t read all the way until the end. That seems fair to me anyways.
This was a reread and I have to say that I genuinely don’t know how my younger self was so in love with The Lord of the Rings trilogy because it was not working for me at all now. It’s a sad sentiment but maybe I’ll reread it again in a few years and feel differently (hopefully).
This series is such a staple of the fantasy genre (my favorite genre) and its influences are rooted deep in today’s books, so much so that not loving this almost feels like a betrayal of fantasy. But then again, the pacing was incredibly slow, the details were often times too many and the characters and the plot were boring. Reading this book made me feel like I was listening to a story told by my great-great-great grandfather. Am I too young? Is this book too old? Or is it just that times change and preferences do too?
September 23, 2018
This is the first book of the seven book slipcase set of Lord of the Rings that was released in 2012. The seven book set breaks down into 2 books for each book of the trilogy and the seventh volume is the appendices. In this format, it makes a convenient reading copy, with each book being easier to carry around than one of my hardcover editions, as well as saving them from wear.
This book covers from the start (including Tolkien's preface) through to the events at the Ford of Bruinen, roughly half of The Fellowship of the Ring. It has been several years since I last read Lord of the Rings, and it is a great pleasure to reread what remains as my favourite book. Through my later teenage years and for most of my twenties, I would read this classic every year.
There is not much that I can say that hasn't been said in many other reviews - Tolkien's imagination and his use of language are a delight. One cautionary note for those who haven't read Lord of the Rings - the preface is a bit of a minefield. There is much information in there that will enhance your enjoyment of the story, but concern for spoilers wasn't a thing when Tolkien wrote this preface in the mid 60s, and there certainly are things that would these days be considered as spoilers.
This book covers from the start (including Tolkien's preface) through to the events at the Ford of Bruinen, roughly half of The Fellowship of the Ring. It has been several years since I last read Lord of the Rings, and it is a great pleasure to reread what remains as my favourite book. Through my later teenage years and for most of my twenties, I would read this classic every year.
There is not much that I can say that hasn't been said in many other reviews - Tolkien's imagination and his use of language are a delight. One cautionary note for those who haven't read Lord of the Rings - the preface is a bit of a minefield. There is much information in there that will enhance your enjoyment of the story, but concern for spoilers wasn't a thing when Tolkien wrote this preface in the mid 60s, and there certainly are things that would these days be considered as spoilers.
December 31, 2021
I finally started this book after 2 years of my friend's insistently suggestion. I previously saw some movie scenes but never knew what is the complete story. So, when I was reading, I imagine characters in movies and guessed stories from those scenes.
I think the author could tell the story in a wise way you can involve with the story as same as the characters did.
It was funny that every time I had a question about a situation or something other, I received my answer quickly.
I think the author could tell the story in a wise way you can involve with the story as same as the characters did.
It was funny that every time I had a question about a situation or something other, I received my answer quickly.
October 23, 2022
What can I say? It’s Lord of the Rings which is an absolute classic and staple of fantasy. The films have been a massive part of my life and it’s been wonderful to get stuck into the first book. The world that Tolkien created is so rich and full of history and the level of detail he pumped into it is astounding.
However I’m not sure how I feel about Tom Bombadil. The way he handles the Ring with zero shits given is the equivalent of Luke disrespectfully throwing away his lightsaber in The Last Jedi.
Anyway, that aside this is a must read for anyone I think.
On to the next one.
However I’m not sure how I feel about Tom Bombadil. The way he handles the Ring with zero shits given is the equivalent of Luke disrespectfully throwing away his lightsaber in The Last Jedi.
Anyway, that aside this is a must read for anyone I think.
On to the next one.
April 10, 2023
i don’t dislike it but i also don’t care for it. it’s something i think i would have enjoyed three years ago but, now it is something i find a bit boring and in parts extremely childish (which i know is the point). i might read vol 2 of book 1 but i can’t put myself through that right now. it was ok. not a bad book. i think the world that Tolkien created is fantastic and extremely thought out and his writing style is easy to read (which surprised me) but it is just not my style.
June 4, 2024
Part one of two of the Fellowship of the Ring. Enjoyable but so many sections where Tolkien describes every single tree and rock they pass and which way the road is going and turning for like 10 pages. Generally enjoyable though and pleased to be reading the novels, but will need to break it up by interspersing it with other faster paced books.
April 26, 2024
lots of food descriptions. absolutely adored Tom Bombadil. hope he makes a comeback. very much enjoying making my way through this series after being a life-long fan of the movies (extended editions ftw).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2024
I feel like I can’t rate these books since I’ve binged the movies but what I can say, is the movies didn’t do the writing justice. If it was filmed in 2024, it would have been so much better and the black riders are 1000 times more terrifying in the books
December 23, 2021
Good start to a classic. So many descriptions of the Hobbits walking in, through and around variations of English-esque countryside. Tense though and marvellous prose throughout.
October 5, 2023
Felt a bit long sometimes, but it's a classic. So I forgive it for that :))
Read
September 18, 2024I would simply never leave The Shire
December 24, 2024
Pleasantly surprised by how much I’m enjoying this! Harry Potter who? The original legendary and extremely lengthy book series. Excited for the rest of the series.
February 22, 2025
Es cierto que las descripciones geográficas se hacen un poco pesadas, pero el resto es fascinante.
Tom Bombadil!!!! 🫶🏼
Tom Bombadil!!!! 🫶🏼
August 30, 2024
Resumen: 209 paginas de Frodo y sus amigos vagando por el bosque viendo visiones
January 26, 2024
I tried the movies, I tried the books - unfortunately LOTR is just not for me
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