Monday, September 02, 2019
The Silmarillion
by J.R.R. Tolkien
This one was one of those classics that I felt obliged to read... one of these days. It gives the back story--the epic--back story of Middle Earth. One might call it a prequel to The Lord of the Rings. (With apologies to Professor Tolkien, whom, I read, considered The Silmarillion to be his magnum opus.) The book has interesting moments, but it failed to grab me and keep me turning pages.
It's a bit too dense to call it good waiting room material.
LibraryThing link
This one was one of those classics that I felt obliged to read... one of these days. It gives the back story--the epic--back story of Middle Earth. One might call it a prequel to The Lord of the Rings. (With apologies to Professor Tolkien, whom, I read, considered The Silmarillion to be his magnum opus.) The book has interesting moments, but it failed to grab me and keep me turning pages.
It's a bit too dense to call it good waiting room material.
LibraryThing link
Labels: J.R.R.Tolkien, WaitingRoomMaterial
Saturday, October 06, 2007
The Return of the King
by J.R.R. Tolkien
I actually finished reading the story a few days ago, but the various appendices kept me occupied through the weekend. Anyway, The Return of the King ends The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It struck me as the least compelling volume of the series--I don't know if it truly was weaker or if I was tiring of the tale. Either way, it's still a great work. A tale of conflict without and within, a celebration of hope and determination. The fact that I wasn't totally hooked on this trilogy when I first read it shows that I was truly a dull lad. I'm glad I was at least smart enough to keep it on my shelf for the day when I was old enough to truly enjoy it.
LibraryThing link
I actually finished reading the story a few days ago, but the various appendices kept me occupied through the weekend. Anyway, The Return of the King ends The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It struck me as the least compelling volume of the series--I don't know if it truly was weaker or if I was tiring of the tale. Either way, it's still a great work. A tale of conflict without and within, a celebration of hope and determination. The fact that I wasn't totally hooked on this trilogy when I first read it shows that I was truly a dull lad. I'm glad I was at least smart enough to keep it on my shelf for the day when I was old enough to truly enjoy it.
LibraryThing link
Labels: J.R.R.Tolkien, LordoftheRings, OnMyShelf
Friday, September 14, 2007
The Two Towers
by J.R.R. Tolkien
When I started this, the second book of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, I expected the story to lag, as so often happens in the middle of trilogies. (I had read it before, back when I was young and couldn't appreciate quality when I read it. I had forgotten most of the book.) The tale contained the further adventures of the Fellowship of the Ring--the comrades of Frodo Baggins who are helping him in his mission. In this book the Fellowship has had to split up and each group faces their own adventures. The story is a bit darker than the first volume--the threats a bit more harrowing. But that just gives the heroes more chance to shine and makes for a better tale. Rather than lagging, the story increased my interest and made me eager to dive into the next part. So now I have to put this back on my shelf and go grab The Return of the King.
LibraryThing link
When I started this, the second book of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, I expected the story to lag, as so often happens in the middle of trilogies. (I had read it before, back when I was young and couldn't appreciate quality when I read it. I had forgotten most of the book.) The tale contained the further adventures of the Fellowship of the Ring--the comrades of Frodo Baggins who are helping him in his mission. In this book the Fellowship has had to split up and each group faces their own adventures. The story is a bit darker than the first volume--the threats a bit more harrowing. But that just gives the heroes more chance to shine and makes for a better tale. Rather than lagging, the story increased my interest and made me eager to dive into the next part. So now I have to put this back on my shelf and go grab The Return of the King.
LibraryThing link
Labels: J.R.R.Tolkien, LordoftheRings, OnMyShelf
Sunday, August 26, 2007
The Fellowship of the Ring
by J.R.R. Tolkien
Ever since I started following Shamus Young's DM of the Rings, I've had an itch to reread the Lord of the Rings trilogy and finally bother to watch Peter Jackson's cinematic version. As circumstances had it, I was able to unpack the books before I ever made my way to the video store. The Fellowship, if you don't know, is the first volume of the trilogy. It tells the tale of Frodo Baggins, nephew and heir to Bilbo Baggins, the hero of The Hobbit. Amongst his inheritance is the magical ring that Bilbo acquired in the aforementioned story. It turns out that the ring is a lot more than it seems--'tis a thing of power and corrupting evil. And, it's creator, the evil Sauron, has started looking for it. The best solution is to return the ring to it's crucible of creation--the one place where it can be destroyed. Unfortunately for Frodo, it's a task that must be carried out by him. This volume starts the tale, as Frodo and various companions set out, pursued by the minions of Sauron. It's a sweeping epic, a rich tapestry of characters, setting and adventure. Why have I let it sit on my shelf so long?
LibraryThing link
Ever since I started following Shamus Young's DM of the Rings, I've had an itch to reread the Lord of the Rings trilogy and finally bother to watch Peter Jackson's cinematic version. As circumstances had it, I was able to unpack the books before I ever made my way to the video store. The Fellowship, if you don't know, is the first volume of the trilogy. It tells the tale of Frodo Baggins, nephew and heir to Bilbo Baggins, the hero of The Hobbit. Amongst his inheritance is the magical ring that Bilbo acquired in the aforementioned story. It turns out that the ring is a lot more than it seems--'tis a thing of power and corrupting evil. And, it's creator, the evil Sauron, has started looking for it. The best solution is to return the ring to it's crucible of creation--the one place where it can be destroyed. Unfortunately for Frodo, it's a task that must be carried out by him. This volume starts the tale, as Frodo and various companions set out, pursued by the minions of Sauron. It's a sweeping epic, a rich tapestry of characters, setting and adventure. Why have I let it sit on my shelf so long?
LibraryThing link
Labels: J.R.R.Tolkien, LordoftheRings, OnMyShelf
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