Back in 2017, I shared how I’d tracked down a set of books with great sentimental weight; a battered but just about intact second edition set of Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings”sequence, which my dad and I had read from the library when I was in my early teens. Although I own my own paperback set, I wanted to revisit them as I’d actually originally encountered them; and at the time I optimistically predicted re-reading them over that summer.
Well, fast forward to 2022 and of course they hadn’t come off the shelf… However, when Simon and I settled on 1954 for our next club it was soon obvious that the first volume in the set, “The Fellowship of The Ring” was published in that year and therefore qualified! Despite the many, many wonderful books jostling for my attention, it just felt that the time was right for me to get reacquainted with Middle Earth; and so finally the sentimental purchase has seen the light of day!
Even if you haven’t read LOTR you possibly know the plot (and this post does discuss certain plot devices, though I don’t know if they can be called spoilers). Anyway, in an earlier story “The Hobbit”, a small furry-footed creature also sometimes called a Halfling stumbled into the world of dragons, dwarves, elves, wizards and treasure. The adventures he had were exciting and sometimes dangerous; but importantly for LOTR, he came into the possession of a magic ring which made the wearer invisible and brought that back to his homeland of The Shire. “The Fellowship of the Ring” opens with a short summary of this story, before going on to return us to The Shire for the start of our quest. Here Bilbo Baggins, the original titular hobbit, has lived in relative peace since his adventures; but he longs to go off on adventures again, despite his increasing age, and plans to leave secretly after celebrating a big birthday along with his nephew, young Frodo. His friend, the wizard Gandalf, turns up to see him off as well as ensuring he passes on the magic ring to Frodo; for Gandalf has learned much about the history of the ring, and has concerns.
The ring, it seems, is not just a magic trinket; in fact it’s a great ring of power and once Bilbo is safely away, Gandalf unburdens himself to Frodo, revealing the very great danger the ring could bring to not only The Shire but also the whole of Middle Earth. Created by an evil power but previously thought lost, that evil eye is now searching for the ring and the world is in peril. Frodo and his good friends Sam, Merry and Pippin are urged to set off on a quest for advice, help and perhaps to even consider destroying the ring. It’s a perilous task which will take him far from The Shire, encountering strange Rangers, Elves, Dwarves, powerful men from the south and all manner of strange creatures. A small peaceable creature is perhaps not the most obvious protagonist for a story this epic, but Hobbits turn out to be stronger and braver than you might imagine…
With a story of this length and complexity I can only really touch on the plot here; but I will say that Tolkien could really come up with, and write, a wonderfully compelling narrative! The rural and countrified Shire, with its tidy and peaceful Hobbit residents, is beautifully realised, and the characters come alive from the start. Yet almost straight away there is darkness; the second chapter, “The Shadows of the Past”, where Gandalf relates the story of the ring, is a marvellous piece of writing which sets out quite clearly the scale of the evil up against which the good characters will come. As the four Hobbits travel on their way, in the first of two books which make up this volume, heading for the House of Elrond, an Elvish haven, they are dogged by chilling foes and there are encounters which make your spine tingle.
The end of the first book ends on a point of high drama – Tolkien was very good at leaving you with a cliffhanger! – and the second book sees the setting up of the titular Fellowship. At this point, we’ve encountered one of my favourite characters, Strider the Ranger, and his development over the books is wonderful to watch. The Elf Legolas and Dwarf Gimli now join the cast and as the group sets off to make its way east they will be beset by danger, not only from Orcs but also from the temptations of the ring. A stop at Lothlorien refreshes them but there are more perils ahead and the Fellowship will be shattered, leaving us on another cliffhanger…
To be honest, I’m not going to be able to give a very rational response to my re-reading of this because it *was* a really emotional experience. I was intensely obssessed by LOTR in my very early twenties, re-reading it over and over, and so many of the events were familiar here; and indeed I felt as if I was encountering long lost friends. However, re-reading is always a time to notice things you haven’t before, and I was struck (as I am with the re-reads of the Narnia books) at just how brilliant a storyteller Tolkien was. His narrative is beautifully paced, his settings magnificiently conjured, and as always I felt as if I was travelling alongside the Hobbits and their friends. It’s the kind of storytelling that completely absorbs you into what’s happening; and I found myself racing through the 400-odd pages in sheer delight.
As the story develops, so do the characters; the peaceful, perhaps slightly funny, little Hobbits soon grow in moral stature, developing bravery and resilience, yet always being realistic – no cardboard cut-out heroes here, Tolkien’s characters can be flawed and full of self-doubt. His world-building was incredibly skilful, and often based on linguistics with whole Elvish languages invented by the authors. He *does* perhaps occasionally overdo it with the lyrics in the volume – I did at one point want to slap Tom Bombadil when he launched into yet another song – but I daresay that’s just me. As I mentioned, Strider makes his debut as a weathered traveller, but as the book progresses he becomes a more powerful figure who is revealed as a warrior of great heritage. The camaraderie which develops between the members of the Fellowship is wonderful to see, and will lead in many cases to unexpected yet firm friendships.
You may not have read the LOTR books, thinking that you don’t like fantasy (and bizarrely I’ve seen the books described as science fiction!!!) But this is world-building at its finest; Tolkien relates this story as if it’s just a section of a greater narrative, and because of his knowledge of myth and legend his story is pitch-perfect, wonderfully rich and completely convincing. I would certainly urge you to have a go and give yourself up to this epic and unforgettable tale; the story is a wonderful read.
So needless to say, I ended the book breathless and was left with a massive book hangover. My brain is telling me that I need to go and read some other books from the TBR, whereas my heart just wants to dive into the next book and follow Frodo, Sam and their friends on the next stage of the adventure. What shall I do?????
Ellis Johnson
Apr 22, 2022 @ 07:26:14
An oldie but a goodie!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 22, 2022 @ 13:59:31
Very much so 😀
Janette
Apr 22, 2022 @ 10:04:40
Definitely carry on with LOTR. You can’t leave it there😃 I’ve had my hardback copies since 1978 so nothing like as venerable as yours but they were the first things I bought when I started full time work.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 22, 2022 @ 13:59:19
No, I suspect I shan’t be able to stop here… And I think LOTR was one of the first sets of books I bought when I started work too!
Calmgrove
Apr 22, 2022 @ 10:33:59
Well, ‘The Two Towers’ was also published in 1954, so yield to your impulse, Karen!
A lovely review, Karen, reminding me of my reactions to each read over the years. Interestingly, it wasn’t until this time round that I finally “got” Tom Bombadil, and that I finally made peace with him, Goldberry, his songs and the whole Old Forest episode.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 22, 2022 @ 13:58:38
LOL, I was fairly tolerant of Bombadil, and I think if I’d been doing my re-read with less urgency I probably would have appreciated him more. I kind of feel I will need to go back and read the whole sequence once more after finishing this re-read…
madamebibilophile
Apr 22, 2022 @ 11:01:38
I’ve never read LOTR! I do plan to 🙂
Having just thoroughly enjoyed reading Antonia White’s last three books of her quartet in quick succession, I say go for it – immerse yourself!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 22, 2022 @ 13:55:58
Oh, well I do think you have treats in store! And if you like them I think you will definitely find yourself immersed!!
Margot Kinberg
Apr 22, 2022 @ 12:22:47
Truly this series of books is classic, and there are so many layers, and so much to think about with them. As a person with a background in language, I have to say I was always so impressed that Tolkien created a whole different set of languages as a part of these novels. That in itself is amazing to me!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 22, 2022 @ 13:54:35
You’re so right Margot – so many different elements, and I think I’m appreciating that more reading them now. His linguistic skills were amazing, and to use those in his world building quite groundbreaking!
Jerri C
Apr 22, 2022 @ 13:42:52
Once I get started on the Lord of the Rings, I can’t stop at one “book”, but must carry on till the end. Although this cliff ending final chapter may not be quite as extreem as the cliff ending final lines of The Two Towers! As I recall, The Two Towers may also have been published in 1954.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 22, 2022 @ 13:51:18
I think I’m the same, and you’re right – Two Towears *was* 1954 as well… ;D
Jane
Apr 22, 2022 @ 16:11:29
You are absolutely right I keep putting myself off this series because it’s not my thing, but you made a good argument and I should just dive in. I live in a house of LOTR fanatics and have seen the films may be now is the time. . .!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 22, 2022 @ 16:59:36
Oh, you really should! It’s just a great saga of a tale and wonderfully involving and surprisingly relatable. Give it a go (and maybe put the films out of your head – I’ve never watched them and I don’t want to!!)
Elle
Apr 22, 2022 @ 21:16:52
I literally can’t write a coherent comment about these, I love them too much. (And I’m gonna stick up for the films – I think Jackson on the whole makes good decisions, the casting is flawless, and they’re beautifully executed pieces of cinema.)
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 23, 2022 @ 12:26:48
LOL, I felt a bit like that after reading this – such a long gap since I last read it, yet I fell straight back in and loved it all over again. I’m sure the films are very good, but I struggle with them when I have a strong vision of a book in my head – so I often end up not risking watching them!!
Julé Cunningham
Apr 23, 2022 @ 01:36:34
I’m sorry to say this was another fantasy-type series that didn’t spark much interest in me early on, although I think I might have appreciated some aspects later on if I had picked them up. But I’m all for going with your reading inclination, TBRs are always with us!😀
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 23, 2022 @ 12:25:34
It would be dull if we all like the same thing, but it’s never too late to read these. And you’re right – my TBR is not going anywhere soon… 🤣
CLM (@ConMartin)
Apr 23, 2022 @ 06:26:05
I don’t think you should stop if it has been a while but The Two Towers has just too much Gollum and Shelob for me. I have probably read Fellowship twice as many times as the others and, like you, I went through a stage of frequent rereads. My 15 year old nephew has just finished them for the first time and is eager to discuss, which is nice to look forward to. Favorite characters: Well, this changes – of course, Aragorn, but I really like Faramir too!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 23, 2022 @ 12:24:04
Well, I don’t have quite so much of a problem with Gollum – he’s an integral and essential part of the story, after all… But how lovely to have a first time reader to talk about the stories with! Aragorn is possibly my favourite, but I love all the characters really so I shouldn’t pick just one out…
Lory
Apr 23, 2022 @ 06:49:51
It’s not just you with the songs. I always skipped them. On a recent read-aloud to my son, I still skipped them, or read just a stanza or two — he has little patience for such verse interludes, he even detests my beloved movie musicals!
As for what to read next, do you read only one book at a time? If it were me, I’d probably keep LOTR going in the background, but add in something new-to-me in order to keep up with those other goals.
My favorite character is hard to choose. I love the whole episode with the Ents so maybe I’d say Treebard. I also was enchanted by Galadriel (and hate how they overdid the scary special effects with her in the movie). Hope you’re going to be able to enjoy your further journey.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 23, 2022 @ 12:22:38
I’ve skimmed over the songs a bit, picking up the bits I like. I should be more patient with them really…
I usually read one book at a time, although I do sometimes mix a fiction and a non-fiction. Trouble is with LOTR that I tend to get immersed.
There are some wonderful characters, though – I love so many of them! It’s a series where I feel you really get invested in them all!
Liz
Apr 23, 2022 @ 09:11:20
I’ve really wanted to read this series since the films came out and we developed a family tradition of watching the whole lot through on Boxing Day each year. Certainly at the end of the films, I always feel desperate for the next instalment. I wonder if anyone will ever write one? Meanwhile, I know that there is so much more in the books that could not be included in the films. Gosh, how will we ever fit in reading everything we want to read….?!?
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 23, 2022 @ 12:11:50
I know – so many books, so little time as the saying goes? I do recommend the books though – I’ve not watched the films because I have such a vivid picture of the adventures in my head, but I believe quite a bit was left out so you have further riches to discover if you read the books!
heavenali
Apr 23, 2022 @ 20:36:29
I have never read LOTR, and I am fairly certain I never will. It really seems Tolkien created a thoroughly immersive world. I totally understand that wish to just dive straight into the next book, a great series really does that.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 23, 2022 @ 20:37:11
Well, it’s not for everyone, I accept that! I’m immersed though and fear I shall be following my whims!!
#1954Club: post your reviews – Stuck in a Book
Apr 24, 2022 @ 11:21:22
Liz Dexter
Apr 24, 2022 @ 18:01:31
Carry on! And most people get annoyed by Tom Bombadill, I think! I would love to revisit it – I so clearly remember my first re-read after doing Old Norse at university, when I realised fully all the Norse mythology and place-names that play a part in the book. I think I’d read it emotionally, too.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 24, 2022 @ 19:52:53
I am, I am! Tom is a wee bit annoying, but part of the charm I suspect. You should revisit some time Liz – the magic is still there for me!
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