bookwyrmknits's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
5.0
I'm really glad that I finally decided to re-read this series, and equally glad that I decided to listen to Serkis' audiobook version. For one thing, this was a great way to experience the songs that Tolkien wrote; Serkis sings them (and sings well) and given that I had a habit of skipping them in the past, this was a refreshing experience.
This is the first time I'm revisiting the trilogy since the movies came out, I think. There are things I had forgotten about the books that were surprises... for one, even though I love all the hobbits in the movies, I had forgotten that Pippin is the best book hobbit. Also, I had forgotten that book-Boromir is really not a sympathetic character. Honestly, I think Sean Bean does a better job of portraying Boromir than Tolkien himself did.
Tom Bombadil was never a character I appreciated much before. I think it's partly because Tolkien's songs have always annoyed me in prior readings of the books... they've seemed pointless and boring. However, hearing the songs actually SUNG helped me appreciate them, and the characters, a lot more. And in this version, I have determined that Tom is a wonderful character, and though I understand why he was left out of the movies I greatly miss seeing him portrayed.
It's been amusing to me to see how many lines of dialogue from the movies were lifted straight from the books. I love that part. Even though the movies deviated from the books in a handful of ways, they really did remain true to the spirit.
This is the first time I'm revisiting the trilogy since the movies came out, I think. There are things I had forgotten about the books that were surprises... for one, even though I love all the hobbits in the movies, I had forgotten that Pippin is the best book hobbit. Also, I had forgotten that book-Boromir is really not a sympathetic character. Honestly, I think Sean Bean does a better job of portraying Boromir than Tolkien himself did.
Tom Bombadil was never a character I appreciated much before. I think it's partly because Tolkien's songs have always annoyed me in prior readings of the books... they've seemed pointless and boring. However, hearing the songs actually SUNG helped me appreciate them, and the characters, a lot more. And in this version, I have determined that Tom is a wonderful character, and though I understand why he was left out of the movies I greatly miss seeing him portrayed.
It's been amusing to me to see how many lines of dialogue from the movies were lifted straight from the books. I love that part. Even though the movies deviated from the books in a handful of ways, they really did remain true to the spirit.
julietteponti's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
madimoo's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this much better than the hobbit. I can see why the hobbit is important and how you need that knowledge to read this. But this on in my opinion was much better and I can’t wait to read the next:)
idratherread's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
shahman's review
1.0
This is the absolute worst book I've ever read so far. Don't mistake me, the story and the foundation for something great are beyond genius. But, I am not at all sorry to say that J.R.R. Tolkien has a sub-zero sense of writing. I absolutely despised the 100+ pages of overly verbose details of walking, sleeping, eating, and repeating. I get it, the characters love doing these things, but please, his descriptions left me delaying completing the book for so long! This is the first time I have gotten so mad at a book, taking a fortnight to read something sub 500 pages.
I first thought it must be a 1930s thing, the terrible writing being praised at that time. But then I remembered Agatha Christie. It wasn't a 1930s thing.
And God, the songs, I had myself wondering why I hadn't killed myself already, those damn songs... The only chapters that were good were those in which Gandalf was present. Other likable characters were Aragorn and Butterbur. Everyone else just angered me 99% of the time.
I do not know how I even finished it; it was probably because I didn't want to have any books that I stopped reading midway in my record. This was nothing less than a punishment and the one star is ONLY for the storyline and the idea. I really wish the other two books do the series some justice given the (hypocritical according to me) 4+ star ratings.
I first thought it must be a 1930s thing, the terrible writing being praised at that time. But then I remembered Agatha Christie. It wasn't a 1930s thing.
And God, the songs, I had myself wondering why I hadn't killed myself already, those damn songs... The only chapters that were good were those in which Gandalf was present. Other likable characters were Aragorn and Butterbur. Everyone else just angered me 99% of the time.
I do not know how I even finished it; it was probably because I didn't want to have any books that I stopped reading midway in my record. This was nothing less than a punishment and the one star is ONLY for the storyline and the idea. I really wish the other two books do the series some justice given the (hypocritical according to me) 4+ star ratings.
dianelime's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
joh12949's review
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
3.75
I wanted to looove it but it was only ok to me. So slow. So much description and eff Tom bombadil so unnecessary
quokka's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0