I greatly enjoyed the book. it added more context to what was presented in the film. i'm not typically one to try and over rely on one for of media over another but i think the book and film are both quite good in this case, the later stating very true to the story while not being bogged down by the minutia Tolkien adds to the book. the minutia in the book is good but does keep it from feeling faster paced and a bit more challenging to keep details straight.

to those loyal to books before film i apologize for talk of the film, but it was my entrance into such an amazing world. it is also the reason i felt it high time i read the original material.