jdsutter's review against another edition
4.0
Informative and interesting. Unfortunately, it is a bit repetitive in places and could have been organized a little better. Also, a lot of things are repeated from Bilbo's Journey, his book about The Hobbit, but also covered several points about LOTR. This book also frequently references plot points from The Hobbit. The two stories are obviously connected so I can understand a little overlap but there really was a lot of repetition in these two commentaries. Frankly, I think it would have been better for the two books to be combined together into a single work to avoid the retreading of familiar territory, sometimes a verbatim reciting of a point. Otherwise, I did enjoy the information and found it valuable.
autumnnicole's review against another edition
2.0
I really enjoyed reading this as I Just love any conversation about LOTR. I had mixed feelings about the projection of catholicism onto the narrative. I also found chapter 12 particularly eye roll worthy when the author argued that LOTR is not sacrilegious like Harry Potter due to the "hierarchies" of "creator and creation". I also laughed out loud when the author called Peter Jackson's movies "vandalism". It's not that deep. I did read this in 3 hours gleefully but I now I am left with a sour taste in my mouth. I do think a tolkein fan would devour this book easily.
anniestar's review against another edition
1.0
This book is very concerning. The author takes Christian ideals and superimposes them onto the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The Lord of the Rings clearly has pieces of all sorts of literature. Therefore, his basic premise is completely flawed as Tolkien was a professor of literature and language he would know and utilize all facets of legend and myth, which includes the Bible. It is not an allegory and there are not clear one-to-one relationships between Tolkien’s characters and biblical figures. Side note: High school English taught me that Beowulf was distinctly NOT Christian and that the Christian elements were added by monks later. (Relevant in the first few chapters of the book)
I would not suggest this book, especially as a Christian, as the author clearly has an agenda that lacks Christian charity or grace.
I would not suggest this book, especially as a Christian, as the author clearly has an agenda that lacks Christian charity or grace.
nita83's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
This deeper look into the Lord of the Rings will have you reading with new eyes. I very much enjoyed the insights Joseph Pearce gives. A small but worthwhile read for any LOTR fan.
samiwise's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
evelum's review against another edition
3.0
Books like these always make me wonder how much of the "hidden meaning" is pure coincidence. Because I write books, and a lot of the things that I imagine my stories could be seen as a metaphor of are not what I meant.
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