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A review by hfjarmer
The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
In comparison to Fellowship of the Ring, I wouldn't say I preferred The Two Towers, but I did notice a subtle shift in Tolkien's style. The pacing felt quicker, relatively speaking, and the narrative seemed somewhat less dense, enhancing my reading experience. However, I still struggled to keep up with the many, many mentioned lineages, geography, and lore, which sometimes interrupted the flow of the story. Anytime I found myself to really be in a groove, the scenes playing out in my head flicker and come to a halt when I get to the name of some obscure character or place and I am forced to try and back track to remember who/what that is and why it is important. While I think Tolkien’s thoroughness is certainly part of the reason for his popularity, as someone who is a somewhat light fantasy reader I just find all the information to be a bit clunky and indigestible at times.
Nevertheless, I appreciated how each branch of the fellowship had its moment to shine. From Merry and Pippin's time with the Ents to the battles with Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli, as well as the enduring journey of Frodo and Sam, every subplot felt engaging. Sam's newfound assertiveness was a highlight for me, showcasing his unwavering loyalty to Frodo amidst the escalating challenges of their quest. This far in on their journey and Sam knows what he is about and it is Mr. Frodo. Sam’s take no shit attitude just made me love him more. It was interesting to see how carrying the ring has truly begun to take it’s toll on Frodo. The romantic tension between Sam and Frodo only grows in this book, and I will not be taking any arguments to the contrary at this time.
I had a friend warn me of the way the Treebeard chapters can really drag, but I actually LOVED the Ents and learning about them. And certainly in comparison to the Elrond chapter of Book 1 that was nothing. One thing that really stands out to me about Tolkien’s writing is the way he can clearly and beautifully describe any kind of nature scene, whether that is just the landscape that the company is walking through, or something more fantastical like the Ent homes.
On to book 3!
Nevertheless, I appreciated how each branch of the fellowship had its moment to shine. From Merry and Pippin's time with the Ents to the battles with Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli, as well as the enduring journey of Frodo and Sam, every subplot felt engaging. Sam's newfound assertiveness was a highlight for me, showcasing his unwavering loyalty to Frodo amidst the escalating challenges of their quest. This far in on their journey and Sam knows what he is about and it is Mr. Frodo. Sam’s take no shit attitude just made me love him more. It was interesting to see how carrying the ring has truly begun to take it’s toll on Frodo. The romantic tension between Sam and Frodo only grows in this book, and I will not be taking any arguments to the contrary at this time.
I had a friend warn me of the way the Treebeard chapters can really drag, but I actually LOVED the Ents and learning about them. And certainly in comparison to the Elrond chapter of Book 1 that was nothing. One thing that really stands out to me about Tolkien’s writing is the way he can clearly and beautifully describe any kind of nature scene, whether that is just the landscape that the company is walking through, or something more fantastical like the Ent homes.
On to book 3!