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A review by redservant
The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
5.0
9/10 - I have nothing original to say about these stories, which are beautiful told, brilliantly expansive and imaginative. It is a fantasy story with a strong emotional core driven by values of loyalty, friendship, courage and love. For years I meant to read these books and tried half-heartedly several times but feared their sheer size and reverted to watching the films.
When I found out my partner had the unabridged audiobooks I decided this was how I should approach them, at least at first - and it worked wonderfully. It suits walking particularly well, because it's what the characters are doing most of the time and helps you to become very absorbed in the journey. I know that audiobooks can be contentious, in terms of how much you can say you have truly 'read' a book - but I think that this sort of story, which is heavily influenced by ancient and medieval literature (usually read aloud) and is full of song, suits it very well. Plus, I don't think I would have had the time otherwise. Although, I think I may set aside time in future to read the books now that I've got over my big-book fear.
“All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.” (By Bilbo)
“Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.” (Gimli)
“He [Bilbo] used often to say there was only one Road; that it was like a great river: its springs were at every doorstep, and every path was its tributary. 'It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door,' he used to say. 'You step into the Road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to.' . . .” (Frodo / Bilbo)
“Butterbur they call him, thought I, if this delay was his fault, I will melt all the butter in him, I will roast the old fool over a slow fire” (Gandalf)
“He that breaks thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom.” (Gandalf)
When I found out my partner had the unabridged audiobooks I decided this was how I should approach them, at least at first - and it worked wonderfully. It suits walking particularly well, because it's what the characters are doing most of the time and helps you to become very absorbed in the journey. I know that audiobooks can be contentious, in terms of how much you can say you have truly 'read' a book - but I think that this sort of story, which is heavily influenced by ancient and medieval literature (usually read aloud) and is full of song, suits it very well. Plus, I don't think I would have had the time otherwise. Although, I think I may set aside time in future to read the books now that I've got over my big-book fear.
“All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.” (By Bilbo)
“Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.” (Gimli)
“He [Bilbo] used often to say there was only one Road; that it was like a great river: its springs were at every doorstep, and every path was its tributary. 'It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door,' he used to say. 'You step into the Road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to.' . . .” (Frodo / Bilbo)
“Butterbur they call him, thought I, if this delay was his fault, I will melt all the butter in him, I will roast the old fool over a slow fire” (Gandalf)
“He that breaks thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom.” (Gandalf)