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ar2chn30713 's review for:
The Lord of the Rings
by J.R.R. Tolkien
Having finally completed LOTR, I can finally begin to understand the framework of modern fantasy. This is the quintessential fantasy novel - a Shakespearean fantasy novel, complete with epic world building and language that is lyrical and haunting. This is a fully actualized fantastic world, which can very pointedly be the precursor to many fantasy novels of the late 20th century. Analysis is rich in this work, making me feel that Tolkien was really discussing the post WWI and WWII feelings of the world. Understanding the war parallels are, in my opinion, a pretty integral part of the work. However, as a modern female reader, its hard to engage with any of the female characters, as remote as they are. Characters are not fully actualized (with the exclusion of Frodo and Sam which are the heart and soul of the story). LOTR is a modern classic and deserves its place in the British literary canon as there are so many influences to and of this work. This book does need to be read to understand both the post WW era as well as modern fantasy.