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A review by tbaks
The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien
5.0
Amazing finale. I’d give the full series a 5.5.
As a an avid LOTR movie watcher growing up, the books add SO MUCH to even the extended editions that the stories felt even more alive and relatable than their on-film counterparts.
Which is not to diminish the incredible live action battle scenes, which in the books are sped by with quick lines of outcomes, or the dramatic performances by the actors, who definitely cemented themselves as who I envisioned the characters to be.
The complaints about excessive descriptions of nature or medieval bureaucracy could be warranted but personally I loved how vivid it made Middle-Earth. Not once did I skim a lengthy segment going over the details of a path through the mountains or an overview of the Gondor city watch.
Having said all this, I can still understand that the books are not for everyone BUT at least the final segment heading back the Shire should be added to every LOTR:EE experience. It perfectly bookends the story of the hobbits going on an adventure. I also loved the timeline at the end of the book that helped track the overlapping adventures while also allowing the reader to say final warm goodbyes to the Fellowship.
As a an avid LOTR movie watcher growing up, the books add SO MUCH to even the extended editions that the stories felt even more alive and relatable than their on-film counterparts.
Which is not to diminish the incredible live action battle scenes, which in the books are sped by with quick lines of outcomes, or the dramatic performances by the actors, who definitely cemented themselves as who I envisioned the characters to be.
The complaints about excessive descriptions of nature or medieval bureaucracy could be warranted but personally I loved how vivid it made Middle-Earth. Not once did I skim a lengthy segment going over the details of a path through the mountains or an overview of the Gondor city watch.
Having said all this, I can still understand that the books are not for everyone BUT at least the final segment heading back the Shire should be added to every LOTR:EE experience. It perfectly bookends the story of the hobbits going on an adventure. I also loved the timeline at the end of the book that helped track the overlapping adventures while also allowing the reader to say final warm goodbyes to the Fellowship.