angelqueen04's review
4.0
An outstanding look into the development of the final chapters of J.R.R. Tolkien's Return of the King. There is also the bonus of two versions of an epilogue that the Professor wrote but was talked out of adding to the story (something he later regretted). Excellent read.
jennaelf's review against another edition
5.0
This text is extremely rich, in a deeper-than-surface reading.
If you've considered picking it up, but you've been warned away by someone complaining about the landscape descriptions... don't let those warnings hold too much weight. The landscapes are important representatives of things happening in the story. The setting is a character. Pay attention to it, instead of thinking it is there for filler, and it will be more rewarding.
However, forewarning - this is not a breezy-easy read in the way, say, a Dragonlance novel would be.
I found myself significantly slowed while "doing a reading of" this text for a course.
Rereading it - after 20 years, and after all the films - I was reminded of the ways film can drop the ball on certain things. For good or ill.
If you've considered picking it up, but you've been warned away by someone complaining about the landscape descriptions... don't let those warnings hold too much weight. The landscapes are important representatives of things happening in the story. The setting is a character. Pay attention to it, instead of thinking it is there for filler, and it will be more rewarding.
However, forewarning - this is not a breezy-easy read in the way, say, a Dragonlance novel would be.
I found myself significantly slowed while "doing a reading of" this text for a course.
Rereading it - after 20 years, and after all the films - I was reminded of the ways film can drop the ball on certain things. For good or ill.
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