The Books: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two
Towers & The Return of the King
Three Rings for Elven-Kings under the sky, Seven for the
Dwarf-Lords in their halls of stone, Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die, One for
the Dark Lord on his Dark throne In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.
One ring to rule them all, One ring to find them, One ring to bring them all and
in the darkness bind them In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.
The Lord of the Rings has been described as one of the best
works of fiction and to be considered the book of the century by many (perhaps
of the millennium). It is an exciting adventure through Tolkien's world of
Middle-Earth. Showing the fight of Good versus Evil. This story is split into
three parts of two books each with a total of six books covering the story of
Lord of the Rings. The book itself can be bought in three parts or as one
volume, which is divided into the parts known as The Fellowship of the Ring, The
Two Towers and The Return of the King.
The story is essentially Good verus Evil but is an exciting
read and has been described as a Heroic Romance to a Classic of Science-Fiction.
But in a way it is both since it brings the story of an Evil threatening to over
come a world, but Good battling to stop that Evil.
The story starts with a party in the Shire celebrating the
birthdays of both Bilbo Baggins and Frodo Baggins, were Bilbo for reasons only
he and Gandalf know, he leaves the Shire. In doing so he gets people in the
Shire talking about his leaving, also leaving his home Bag End in the care of
his nephew Frodo Baggins. Years after he has left Gandalf returns to the Shire
to tell Frodo about the strange gift his Uncle Bilbo had left him and to make
preparations to leave Bag End, his home in Hobbiton in the Shire. This he does
but Gandalf does not go with him. Thus starting Frodo'a journey across
Middle-Earth, which becomes the greatest journey he has undertaken.
The Journey takes him through the Old Forest and to the town
of Bree where he meets Gandalf's friend the Ranger Arragorn, who offers his help
to Frodo in his journey across Middle-Earth. They constantly meet danger at
every turn during the long journey that Frodo has undertaken. Also why are the
Black Riders watching Frodo's every move? What is their interest in Frodo? Is is
the Ring he is carrying that they are after? If so what purpose? Were they send
by Sauron the Dark Lord himself to spy for him so that they could get this ring?
Finally what is so special about this Ring and why are people searching for it?
These are a few of the questions that arise when you read the book.
As they make their way through the wild country of
Middle-Earth to the avoid the mysterious Black Riders who are still watching the
team on the journey. The team find out that they are being followed by the Black
Riders and are frightened. Arragorn has his suspicions about the Ring that Frodo
is carrying who previously warned of it's whereabouts by Gandalf.
The team make it to Rivendell, where they meet up with the
Elf, Elrond who heals Frodo from his wounds and they meet some old friends being
Gandalf and Bilbo. They catch up with old times and also partake in a council
meeting in what to do with this Ring of Frodo's. The Ring must be sent back to
the fire from which it was made to Mount Doom in Mordor, which is also where
Sauron the Dark Lord lives. The reason why the Ring must be destroyed unfolds in
this story. Nine characters (including Frodo & Gandalf) make there way from
Rivendell to Mordor watched by nine Black Riders as they leave on a new journey.
The journey goes through the Misty Mountains, the Mines of
Moria, Rohan, Lothlorien, Gondor, the Dead Marshes and ultimately the Dark Land
of Mordor itself. The journey takes many twists and turns including the breaking
up of the company and the loss of Gandalf. There are also various battles
throughout the story at Helms Deep in Rohan as well as other battles taking
place around Rohan. Battles also take place in Gondor against the Evil forces of
Mordor. Saruman the Wizard also gets involved but is in league with the forces
of Evil. They also meet several other characters along the way such as Lady
Gladriel, Treebeard, King Theoden and many others. Another character is also
after the ring and he is called Smegol (Gollum).
The story goes on what happens immediately after the
destruction of the Ring including what happens when the main characters get back
to the Shire along with Saruman and his allies who cause trouble. This brings
the story to a wonderful conclusion. I think this book is very good and I can
see why it is considered to the Book of the 20th Century. This book is a
worldwide bestseller and has sold about 5 million copies since publication.
Rating: ***** Essential
Please read my
Hobbit
book review and my Lord Of The Rings page.
