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lmkennedy 's review for:
The Fellowship of the Ring
by J.R.R. Tolkien
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Is it insane to not give this 5 stars? Perhaps.
While it is clear Tolkien crafted an amazing world that has inspired generations of fantasy writers, there were parts of this book that just dragged. Obviously I am but one humble reader, but it is not the best book I’ve read, nor do I believe it is the best book ever written. But just because I believe that to be true does not mean I didn’t have a good time!
The characters (at least the ones we spent the most time with) are super fun and engaging. I enjoy Tolkien’s writing regarding friendship, Frodo’s friends are truly ride or die in a way many companions in epic fantasies are not… Pippin and Merry keep going to protect their friend, and above all Sam exists to just be Frodo’s companion. While I am aware Tolkien didn’t write Sam and Frodo romantically, there is still a very intimate nature to their relationship that makes it seem more than just friendship, and I really did enjoy that.
Perhaps another reason I don’t fully believe this deserves 5 stars other than for its legacy, is how brief the “dangers” they face truly are. The dark riders, baltog, and gollum, really never truly reach them and all the things that put them in immediate danger are quickly dispatched in a not very exciting way.
One thing of note, while reading I kept thinking of how much this book reminded me of the Chronicles of Narnia. They are written very similarly and I’m aware that Lewis and Tolkien were friends. It is curious to me, that despite all their similarities, Narnia is considered a children’s story, while this is not. I think I will forever intermingle them in my head as they are very similar to me.
Altogether, I clearly understand why this book is a classic and is revered for its contributions to the fantasy genre, but it is not my personal favorite fantasy book!
While it is clear Tolkien crafted an amazing world that has inspired generations of fantasy writers, there were parts of this book that just dragged. Obviously I am but one humble reader, but it is not the best book I’ve read, nor do I believe it is the best book ever written. But just because I believe that to be true does not mean I didn’t have a good time!
The characters (at least the ones we spent the most time with) are super fun and engaging. I enjoy Tolkien’s writing regarding friendship, Frodo’s friends are truly ride or die in a way many companions in epic fantasies are not… Pippin and Merry keep going to protect their friend, and above all Sam exists to just be Frodo’s companion. While I am aware Tolkien didn’t write Sam and Frodo romantically, there is still a very intimate nature to their relationship that makes it seem more than just friendship, and I really did enjoy that.
Perhaps another reason I don’t fully believe this deserves 5 stars other than for its legacy, is how brief the “dangers” they face truly are. The dark riders, baltog, and gollum, really never truly reach them and all the things that put them in immediate danger are quickly dispatched in a not very exciting way.
One thing of note, while reading I kept thinking of how much this book reminded me of the Chronicles of Narnia. They are written very similarly and I’m aware that Lewis and Tolkien were friends. It is curious to me, that despite all their similarities, Narnia is considered a children’s story, while this is not. I think I will forever intermingle them in my head as they are very similar to me.
Altogether, I clearly understand why this book is a classic and is revered for its contributions to the fantasy genre, but it is not my personal favorite fantasy book!