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A review by thebakerbookworm
The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Finishing this story once again just makes me want to rewatch the movies...and then start listening to these audiobooks again haha. I just love everything about this story.
If you don't know, this last book actually has more at the end than how the movie ends, and though I like many changes that the movies made, I wish they had put the last battle at the Shire in the movie. I think it shows the full character development of the four hobbits and brings their stories full circle. Also, I'm more convinced than ever after this reread that Sam is the real main character of these books, not Frodo. We get Sam's POV so much more than Frodo's, and then the ending... maybe I'm biased because Sam's my fave character, but he's also definitely the main character.
I do wish that Tolkien had been able to include more of Arwen's and Aragorn's stories in the main story, and not just in the appendix. I wanted more Arwen! But I really appreciated Eowyn's and Faramir's stories this time around. Also, the relationships that Merry and Pippin had with Rohan and Gondor, respectively, were just so precious. I loved everyone's reactions to meeting the hobbits—the hobbits just win everyone over and it's great.
I'm sad this reread is over, but I cannot recommend these audiobooks narrated by Andy Serkis enough (in case you missed me gushing about them previously lol). Now is the time to read these!
My next question for myself is—do I finally dive into the Silmarillion for the first time?
If you don't know, this last book actually has more at the end than how the movie ends, and though I like many changes that the movies made, I wish they had put the last battle at the Shire in the movie. I think it shows the full character development of the four hobbits and brings their stories full circle. Also, I'm more convinced than ever after this reread that Sam is the real main character of these books, not Frodo. We get Sam's POV so much more than Frodo's, and then the ending... maybe I'm biased because Sam's my fave character, but he's also definitely the main character.
I do wish that Tolkien had been able to include more of Arwen's and Aragorn's stories in the main story, and not just in the appendix. I wanted more Arwen! But I really appreciated Eowyn's and Faramir's stories this time around. Also, the relationships that Merry and Pippin had with Rohan and Gondor, respectively, were just so precious. I loved everyone's reactions to meeting the hobbits—the hobbits just win everyone over and it's great.
I'm sad this reread is over, but I cannot recommend these audiobooks narrated by Andy Serkis enough (in case you missed me gushing about them previously lol). Now is the time to read these!
My next question for myself is—do I finally dive into the Silmarillion for the first time?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Death