About the Book: For over fifty years, J.R.R. Tolkien’s peerless fantasy has accumulated worldwide acclaim as the greatest adventure tale ever written.
No other writer has created a world as distinct as Middle-earth, complete with its own geography, history, languages, and legends. And no one has created characters as endearing as Tolkien’s large-hearted, hairy-footed hobbits. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings continues to seize the imaginations of readers of all ages.
In ancient times the Rings of Power were crafted by the Elvensmiths, and Sauron, the Dark Lord, forged the One Ring, filling it with his own power so that he could rule all others. But the One Ring was taken from him, and though he sought it throughout Middle-earth, still it remained lost to him . . .
Frodo Baggins knew the Ringwraiths were searching for him - and the Ring of Power he bore that would enable Sauran to destroy all that was good in Middle-earth. Now it was up to Frodo and his faithful servant Sam to carry the Ring to where it could be destroyed - in the very center of Sauron's dark kingdom.
About the Author: J.R.R. Tolkien (1892.1973), is beloved throughout the world as the creator of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion, and The Children of Hurin. His books have been translated into more than forty languages and have sold many millions of copies worldwide.
He was a professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford, a fellow of Pembroke College, and a fellow of Merton College until his retirement in 1959. His chief interest was the linguistic aspects of the early English written tradition, but even as he studied these classics he was creating a set of his own.
He was a professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford, a fellow of Pembroke College, and a fellow of Merton College until his retirement in 1959. His chief interest was the linguistic aspects of the early English written tradition, but even as he studied these classics he was creating a set of his own.
My Review: This is a classical of the world literature. The plot starts with Bilbo Baggins celebrating his 111th birthday and his heir, Frodo Baggins celebrating his 33rd birthday (coming of age). At the end of the party, Bilbo departs from the Shire, the land of the Hobbits. He leaves his belongings, including his house and the Ring he had found on his adventures, to Frodo. The Ring has the power of making whoever wears it invisible. Gandalf, the wizard, warns Frodo to keep the Ring secret and he leaves on his own business. Gandalf visits Frodo periodically. One Spring Gandalf arrives to tell Frodo about Bilbo's ring: It is the One Ring of Sauron(the Dark Lord), who forged the ring to subdue and rule Middle-earth. But the Ring was cut off from Sauron's finger by Isildur, son of Eledin, High King of Gondor and Arnor. Together with the Elven King Gil-galad, Eledin defeated Sauron, but both perished in the deed. Sauron was overthrown and he fled. Peace returned to Middle-earth, but the Ring was not destroyed. Isildur kept it to himself. Isildur was slain in the Battle of the Gladden Fields and the Ring was lost in the Great River. Thousands of years later, it came into the hands of Gollum. The Ring then is passed to Bilbo and it reachs Frodo's hand. Sauron has now arisen once more and has returned to Mordor and he is looking for the Ring. Gandalf warns that the Ring is no longer safe at the Shire. He sends Frodo to Rivendell, the elf-haven place, where he thinks Frodo and the Ring will be safe from Sauron for a while. Samwise Gamgee, Frodo's gardner and best friend, is discovered listening in on the conversation. Sam decides to go with Frodo on his journey. Helping Frodo is also his friends Peregrin Took, Meriadoc Brandybuck and Fredegar Bolger. At midsummer Gandalf tells Frodo he must leave. He departs with the other 4 hobbits and in their way they encounter the nine Black Riders, Ringwraiths of Nazgul, that ate looking for Frodo and the Ring. with the help of some Elves and Farmer Maggot, they reach Crickhollow on the border of the Shire. There Merry, Pippin, Sam proceed with Frodo and Fatty stays behind as a decoy. In hope of eluding the Nazgul, they travel through the Old Forest and Barrow-downs, and with the assistance of Tom Bombadil, they reach the village of Bree, where they meet Strider, a friend of Gandalf who becomes their guide to Rivendell. Even with Strider's help, they are attached by five of the Nazgul and Frodo is stabbed by the chief og the Nazgul with a cursed blade before Strider drives the Nazgul off. Part of the knife remains inside Frodo. Strider leads the hobbits avoiding the main road. When they are near their destination they meet Glorfindel, an elf-lord from Rivendell, who helps them reach the border of Rivendell. But nine the Nazgul prepare a trap at the Ford of Bruinen. Glorfindel's horse outruns the pursuers and carries Frodo across the Ford. As the Nazgul attemps to follow, a giant wave in the shape of charging horses (commanded by Elrond, the lord of Rivendell) appears bearing down on the Nazgul, that are swept away by the river, as Frodo collapses into unconsciousness. In Rivendell Frodo is healed by Elrond. Elrond convenes the Council of Elrond, attended by Gandalf, Bilbo, Frodo and many others. Gandalf explains that he had gone to Isengard, where Saruman, the chief of all wizards in Middle-earth dwells, to seek help and counsel. However Saruman desires the Ring for himself and imprisons Gandalf in his tower. Gandalf manages to scape and learns that Saruman is creating his own force of Orcs. In the Council of Elrond a plan is created to cast the One Ring into the fires of Mount Doom in Mordor, which will destroy the Ring and end Sauron's power for good. Frodo is chosen as the Ring-bearer and sets forth from Rivendell with eight companions: two men (Strider revealed to be Aragon, Isildur's heir and Boromir, son of the Steward of the land of Gondor); the Prince of the Silvan Elves of Mirkwood, Legolas; the wizard Gandalf; Gimli the Dwarf, and Frodo's three Hobbit friends. These Nine Walkers are called the Fellowship of the Ring. They try to cross the Misty Mountains, but heavy snow force them to take a path under the mountains, the mines of Moria, an ancient dwarf kingdom, now full of Orcs and other evil creatures. Gandalf battles a Balrog of Morgoth and both fall into an abyss. The remaining eight members escape from Moria and head toward the elf-haven of Lothlórien, where they are given gifts from the rulers Celeborn and Galadriel. After leaving Lórien, the Ring's evil begin to show. When Frodo is alone for a while to decide the future course of the Fellowship, Boromir tries to take the Ring from him and Frodo ends up putting on the Ring to escape from Boromir. while the rest of the Fellowship scatter to hunt for Frodo, Frodo decides that the Fellowship has to be broken, for the Ring was too evil. Frodo decides to depart secretly for Mordor, but is joined by Sam.
This is a masterpiece of English literature. The whole world created by Tolkien is unbelievably real. He creates a complete grammar for a language used by some of the characters. The theological contents of this book is enormous and the clear battle of good and evil is a recurrence throughout the whole series. This is a must have book in the permanent library of any reader.
This is a masterpiece of English literature. The whole world created by Tolkien is unbelievably real. He creates a complete grammar for a language used by some of the characters. The theological contents of this book is enormous and the clear battle of good and evil is a recurrence throughout the whole series. This is a must have book in the permanent library of any reader.
No comments:
Post a Comment