| Value for Money | 9.6/10  |
|---|---|
| Reviewer Rating | 9.8/10 |
| Overall Rating | 9.8/10  |
By Bob. on 2nd May 2003
| Value for money | 10/10 |
|---|---|
| Overall value | 10/10 |
 Bob.'s recommendation | |
Scale of thought and imagination.
Brilliantly conceived plot and characters (apart from one maybe!)
The Tom Bombadil part in the first book.
Its the sheer scale of the book thats brings me back to it time and again. Not just for the amazing invention/imagination of the lands, peoples, creatures, languages etc nor even for the tale itself (which is superbly thought out and exciting), but the fact that Tolkien has created a complete sense of history and where exactly the LotR tale fits into that History (ie how history created the circumstances in which the LotR tale took place and that tale would affect the future). You do feel you are looking at a fasinating and exciting part of a much bigger picture - just like real life.
I think once you get a feeling for that side of the book it makes it much more than purely a story and why many people can't get enough of it!
And I suppose on that point the book can be read on more than one level but I have no truck with those you try and read too much into it. It is not meant to be allegorical and there is enough emotion and good vrs evil issues (massive battles /Frodos inner battle with the Ring) that we can all relate to without trying to make it something it is not.
I believe Tolkien took many many years to create this book and this shows in its depth. It is also the reason why it has few real competitors.
PS - Tom Bambadil is not with out merit but I do feel I have to work hard to get through that bit. If you get there do not give up!
Bob.'s review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
Format: hardback, Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers, ISBN: 0007264895
Format: audiobook on CD, Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers, ISBN: 0007120...
Format: hardback, Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers, ISBN: 0007173024
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