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bernieanderson's review against another edition
5.0
"Well, I'm back."
Sigh. I was almost in tears as I read those words. There is SO much I love about these books, I can't even begin to explain the details. I will make a couple of notes for those who have only watched the movies and have never read the books -- here are a few significant differences, and more reason for you to invest the time to read these.
1. Hobbits are not helpless creatures to be rescued: The fortitude and strength of hobbits are much more pronounced in the books. They stab nazgûl and scour the shire and destroy magic rings of power. Don't let their size deceive you.
2. Eowyn is one of my favorite characters and is nothing like Rapunzel: Yes she was a little smitten with Aragorn in the book -- but not to the point it feels like she was in the movie. And her badassery in the book is profound and inspiring.
3. Aragorn is not a hero's journey trope in the book: He knows who he is from the beginning. He knows his destiny and is always moving toward it. His character in the book is much stronger -- and (in my opinion) more inspiring. One os my least favorite aspects of the movies was their portrayal of Aragorn.
4. The scouring of the Shire is one of the most important chapters in the story: It was not in the movie -- and I get why. (in the same way I "get" why Tom Bombadil wasn't in the movie). But the scouring of the Shire shows the change in the Hobbits and gives a more satisfying fate to Saruman.
All I can say is read. Read these books. Then read them again.
Sigh. I was almost in tears as I read those words. There is SO much I love about these books, I can't even begin to explain the details. I will make a couple of notes for those who have only watched the movies and have never read the books -- here are a few significant differences, and more reason for you to invest the time to read these.
1. Hobbits are not helpless creatures to be rescued: The fortitude and strength of hobbits are much more pronounced in the books. They stab nazgûl and scour the shire and destroy magic rings of power. Don't let their size deceive you.
2. Eowyn is one of my favorite characters and is nothing like Rapunzel: Yes she was a little smitten with Aragorn in the book -- but not to the point it feels like she was in the movie. And her badassery in the book is profound and inspiring.
3. Aragorn is not a hero's journey trope in the book: He knows who he is from the beginning. He knows his destiny and is always moving toward it. His character in the book is much stronger -- and (in my opinion) more inspiring. One os my least favorite aspects of the movies was their portrayal of Aragorn.
4. The scouring of the Shire is one of the most important chapters in the story: It was not in the movie -- and I get why. (in the same way I "get" why Tom Bombadil wasn't in the movie). But the scouring of the Shire shows the change in the Hobbits and gives a more satisfying fate to Saruman.
All I can say is read. Read these books. Then read them again.
blindgirlsbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
natwrite's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
jaredolin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
pookage's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
a789's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-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? It's complicated
3.0
moonchildkati's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
sgvanni's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
stianbond's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
4.5