"The Lord of the Rings" by JRR Tolkien (1892-1973)

 

Publisher: George Allen & Unwin

Copyright: 1966

ISBN: 0048230871

Unlike the hobbit which I reviewed a couple of weeks ago I don't remember exactly when I first read this book, but it was approximately 30 years ago and since then I have read it probably a good five or six times. 

It is without a doubt the seminal work of high fantasy, and one which has influenced numerous Fantasy authors since. Unfortunately many of these authors want to attempt to replicate professor Tolkien's works. Rather than come up with something new. This in fact is taken to some odd levels in that most fantasy novels now seem to have three parts (or more) even if they aren't required.

In any case this is a fantastic novel, and even though it is written as three separate books I will be treating it as one as that's always the way I read it. For those who do not know the three books are "The Fellowship of the Ring", "The Two Towers" and "The Return of the King".

All three novels feature likely the greatest examples of world building in fantasy, as well as some of the best character design. There are many who will dispute these facts by saying the story is slow, and goes into too much detail, but Professor Tolkien was a linguist, historian and this was his forte.

In the event you are one of the people who has only seen the movies by Peter Jackson you will be in for a treat by reading these books as Mr. Jackson made a number of changes, which I believe altered the overall storyline sufficiently to corrupt Professor Tolkien's overall intent. Still, with this in mind his version of "The Lord of the Rings" is much better than his version of "The Hobbit.

Enjoy.