Saturday, March 20, 2010

The Fellowship of the Ring



The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien
Trade Paperback, 432 pages
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1999 edition
ISBN-13: 9780618002221
very highly recommended

From the Publisher
Sauron, the Dark Lord, has gathered to him all the Rings of Power except one -- the One Ring that rules them all -- which has fallen into the hands of the hobbit Bilbo Baggins. Young Frodo Baggins finds himself faced with an immense task when Bilbo entrusts the Ring to his care. Frodo must make a perilous journey across Middle-earth to the Cracks of Doom, there to destroy the Ring and foil the Dark Lord in his evil purpose.


My Thoughts:

I'm continuing my very satisfactory return visit to Middle Earth. We are very old friends and thus very comfortable with each other, although I'm still getting used to my new editions of The Lord of the Rings. My old editions had traveled many miles with me. Tolkien wrote a very satisfying story on all levels and I'm enjoying my return immensely.

A quick note on the movies for those of you who don't know the books:
Shame on you Peter Jackson!
Although many people think he did a darn good job following the books, I prefer the books and hate having (untrue) movie parts jump into my head when reading them. As for the casting, I will concede that he did a pretty good job, with the exception of the hobbits. Sean Astin is the only good and true Hobbit choice. Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan were ok, but not cubby-cheeked enough. Ian Holm was ok, but in the beginning not the uncannily well-preserved Bilbo of the book. But Elijah Wood... Elijah Wood as Frodo was perhaps one of the worst casting decisions ever made. Period.
Very Highly Recommended

Quotes:

When Mr. Bilbo Baggins of Bag End announced that he would shortly be celebrating his eleventy-first birthday with a party of special magnificence, there was much talk and excitement in Hobbiton. opening

'Elves and Dragons! I says to him. 'Cabbages and potatoes are better for me and you. Don't go getting mixed up in the business of your betters, or you'll land in trouble too big for you,' I says to him. And I might say it to others,' he added with a look at the stranger and the miller.
But the Gaffer did not convince his audience. The legend of Bilbo's wealth was now too firmly fixed in the minds of the younger generation of hobbits. pg. 24

'You mean to go on with your plan then?'
'I do. I made up my mind months ago, and I haven't changed it.
''Very well. It is no good saying any more. Stick to your plan — your whole plan, mind — and I hope it will turn out for the best, for you, and for all of us.'
'I hope so. Anyway I mean to enjoy myself on Thursday, and have my little joke.'
'Who will laugh, I wonder?' said Gandalf, shaking his head.
'We shall see,' said Bilbo. pg. 25

Thirdly and finally, he said, I wish to make an ANNOUNCEMENT. He spoke this last word so loudly and suddenly that everyone sat up who still could. I regret to announce that — though, as I said, eleventy-one years is far too short a time to spend among you — this is the END. I am going. I am leaving NOW. GOOD-BYE!

He stepped down and vanished. There was a blinding flash of light, and the guests all blinked. When they opened their eyes Bilbo was nowhere to be seen. One hundred and forty-four flabbergasted hobbits sat back speechless. pg. 30

Frodo took the envelope from the mantelpiece, and glanced at it, but did not open it.
'You'll find his will and all the other documents in there, I think,' said the wizard. 'You are the master of Bag End now. And also, I fancy, you'll find a golden ring.'
'The ring!' exclaimed Frodo. 'Has he left me that? I wonder why. Still, it may be useful.'
'It may, and it may not,' said Gandalf. 'I should not make use of it, if I were you. But keep it secret, and keep it safe! Now I am going to bed.' pg. 36

Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne,
In the land of Mordor where the shadows lie.
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them,
In the land of Mordor where the shadows lie. pg. 49

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