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A review by amarj33t_5ingh
The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The Fellowship of the Ring is the continuum of the Hobbit with a radical difference being it is savagely darker and more nuanced.
Young Frodo Baggins has the fate of Middle-Earth thrust upon him when the wizard Gandalf reveals that his uncle Bilbo's ring, snatched from Gollum, is the fount of dark powers sought by its creator- the dark lord Sauron.
If the weakened Sauron reacquires the ring it would herald his reascension to power and doom Middle Earth to slavery. With former allies turning into foes and deadly orcs invading the lands of men, Frodo and a fellowship set out on a deadly quest to defeat Sauron who is already ten steps ahead of them.
One of the finest and most inspiring works of English literature, Fellowship is somewhat betrayed by its archaic tones. We have protagonists deviating into the history of their world to contextualize their decisions while haphazard placing of events incites many frustrating cliffhangers.
Overall, the attraction of this particular novel lies in its brutal character development. Cherubic Frodo is set upon by the insidious Nazgul, the nine servants of Sauron seeking the ring. Gandalf dies a sanguinary death battling a beast from the era of dark Gods while Prince Boromir is mercilessly slain by the cannabilistic Uruk-Hai. This is a far darker evolution of Middle Earth than the Hobbit allows.
An enjoyable read but be warned, it digresses and deviates in its world building endeavors.
Young Frodo Baggins has the fate of Middle-Earth thrust upon him when the wizard Gandalf reveals that his uncle Bilbo's ring, snatched from Gollum, is the fount of dark powers sought by its creator- the dark lord Sauron.
If the weakened Sauron reacquires the ring it would herald his reascension to power and doom Middle Earth to slavery. With former allies turning into foes and deadly orcs invading the lands of men, Frodo and a fellowship set out on a deadly quest to defeat Sauron who is already ten steps ahead of them.
One of the finest and most inspiring works of English literature, Fellowship is somewhat betrayed by its archaic tones. We have protagonists deviating into the history of their world to contextualize their decisions while haphazard placing of events incites many frustrating cliffhangers.
Overall, the attraction of this particular novel lies in its brutal character development. Cherubic Frodo is set upon by the insidious Nazgul, the nine servants of Sauron seeking the ring. Gandalf dies a sanguinary death battling a beast from the era of dark Gods while Prince Boromir is mercilessly slain by the cannabilistic Uruk-Hai. This is a far darker evolution of Middle Earth than the Hobbit allows.
An enjoyable read but be warned, it digresses and deviates in its world building endeavors.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence