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bree_h_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Once again, Andy Serkis does an amazing job narrating. He does really capture the characters and I feel like he kind of channels the performance of the other actors from the movies. His overall way of narrating also conveys the wonder and whimsy and magic of Tolkien's world and descriptions. It's just fun to listen to.
The book is wonderful outside of Serkis' performance of course. Tolkien was an amazing writer. I feel like the way he carries the narrative from description to world building flows so well. While time felt a bit loose and things would just happen, it matched the way the story was told. Like I was reading the old stories of myths and legends and folklore. It was genuinely a very well written, wonderful story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Kidnapping, Alcohol, Confinement, and Drug use
manu_k's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Beautifully written, but a little too slow for my tastes. Clearly all the braincells of the Fellowship are shared by Aragorn, Gandalf and Sam (sometimes borrowed by Legolas and Gimli). It's increasingly hilarious when Frodo attempts to use his non existent braincells, but a bit frustrating too, as the story is told mostly from his perspective.
Frodo is a frustrating protagonist, not because he is afraid of his Quest (which is natural), but because he lacks the charisma his uncle Bilbo had in The Hobbit, and is also unfortunately not very good at picking things up on the fly and adapting like Bilbo. He repeatedly takes action contrary to what Gandalf and Elrond have advised.
That is not to say that Frodo is a bad protagonist. In some instances, his cleverness and quick thinking do benefit his companions, and he (most of the time) has the good sense to follow Aragorn or Gandalf when he himself is in doubt. He respects and listens to the opinions and advise of creatures much older and experienced than him, but still has the common sense to not take their words as gospel. He has good friends who are willing to follow him into death on his Quest.
Its an amazing book, deserving of its title of 'Classic', but maybe not exactly my cup of tea.
Frodo is a frustrating protagonist, not because he is afraid of his Quest (which is natural), but because he lacks the charisma his uncle Bilbo had in The Hobbit, and is also unfortunately not very good at picking things up on the fly and adapting like Bilbo. He repeatedly takes action contrary to what Gandalf and Elrond have advised.
That is not to say that Frodo is a bad protagonist. In some instances, his cleverness and quick thinking do benefit his companions, and he (most of the time) has the good sense to follow Aragorn or Gandalf when he himself is in doubt. He respects and listens to the opinions and advise of creatures much older and experienced than him, but still has the common sense to not take their words as gospel. He has good friends who are willing to follow him into death on his Quest.
Its an amazing book, deserving of its title of 'Classic', but maybe not exactly my cup of tea.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Grief, Alcohol, Animal death, Confinement, Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, and Gore
kylieqrada's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
My gut says 3 ⭐️s so I am listening to her. I HAVE DONE IT. I HAVE DONE THE THING. This book has been on my TBR since at least 2014, realistically much longer. I listened to this on audio, since I could never seem to force my eyes to read it. It worked out well, although Rob Inglis singing to me will likely haunt my dreams for the foreseeable future. I didn't hate it. But I also knew all the plot beats from the movie, so who knows how I really feel about the book? I don't think I'm going to be continuing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Animal death, Xenophobia, and War
Minor: Alcohol, Blood, and Confinement
puttingwingsonwords's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Xenophobia, Death, and Violence
Minor: Drug use, Confinement, Torture, War, Alcohol, and Animal death
dlrosebyh's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
well, controversially, i enjoyed this more than the hobbit.
tolkien is called "the father of fantasy" but i wouldn't say this is one of the best fantasy books out there, it was just fine. the plot was good, however the execution was disappointing. tolkien's writing was dull for me, especially in the first part. as i read through the book, no doubts, i was getting more intrigue with the storyline. there are also no doubts that tolkien's writing style grew more to me. personally, i prefer the second part more. i thought it had a better execution than the first part.
regardless, i guess you could say that i enjoyed the book despite on how slow it is.
tolkien is called "the father of fantasy" but i wouldn't say this is one of the best fantasy books out there, it was just fine. the plot was good, however the execution was disappointing. tolkien's writing was dull for me, especially in the first part. as i read through the book, no doubts, i was getting more intrigue with the storyline. there are also no doubts that tolkien's writing style grew more to me. personally, i prefer the second part more. i thought it had a better execution than the first part.
regardless, i guess you could say that i enjoyed the book despite on how slow it is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Death and Xenophobia
Minor: Grief, Animal death, and Confinement
bexi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Violence
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Grief, and Confinement
valpuri's review
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol and Violence
Minor: Child abuse, Confinement, and Medical content
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