Amazon.com.au:Customer reviews: The Fellowship of the Ring: The Lord of the Rings, Book 1

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Beautiful quality hardback edition

Reviewed in Australia on 12 July 2021

Beautifully printed and bound. Dark red cloth hardback cover with illustrated sleeve. In my opinion, the printing and typesetting are very attractive, with the chapter titles in red ink to match the cover. The font is both attractive and optimally legible. The paper feels like it’s good quality; slightly thicker than your standard paperback and very clean and white. It feels lovely on your fingers. The illustrations are beautiful and in full colour. Includes a Bible-style bookmark string (also red). I believe it is worth spending a little bit more for a nice illustrated, hardback book over the paperback - I think it really enhances the experience of reading from a physical book (as many of us who still enjoy physical books do it for a better experience than the cheaper and more convenient ebooks). I definitely recommend this edition if you are going looking to buy the individual volumes one by one (rather than all three in a single book or a box set).

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Bede V Heather

The Streaming licence on this item has expired. I Could not access it.

Reviewed in Australia on 28 October 2020

The poor service of Amazon in accepting my money for this item when it could not be accessed

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From Australia

The journey begins

Reviewed in Australia on 15 January 2015

A new wave of readers have discovered "The Fellowship of the Ring," thanks to the arrival of the epic movie hits. And that is definitely a good thing, because this trilogy not only spurred the fantasy genre into a respectable position, but also provided the template for virtually every elf, dwarf, lost king, and medieval fantasy world since. It's also a wicked good read.

We open some sixty years after the events of "The Hobbit" -- Bilbo Baggins is older, not much wiser, substantially wealthier, and quite eccentric (one not-so-affectionate nickname is "Mad Baggins"). He has also adopted his bright young cousin Frodo, who was orphaned at a young age and had led a rather fractured life since then. On his 111th birthday, Bilbo suddenly vanishes, leaving behind all his possessions to Frodo -- including the golden ring that allows its wearer to become invisible.

Seventeen years later, Gandalf the wizard shows up again on Frodo's doorstep, and informs the young hobbit that his ring is in fact the One Ring of the Dark Lord Sauron. It inevitably corrupts those who have it, and most of Sauron's power is invested in it. Trying to deflect danger from the Shire, Frodo leaves with his best friend Sam and his loyal cousins Merry and Pippin. But Frodo has only the slightest idea of the hideous and dangerous journey ahead of him, that will take him across Middle-Earth to the evil land of Mordor.

Many fantasy cliches were spawned from this book (although they weren't cliches when Tolkien used them). Orcs, elves, dwarves, halflings, sprawling medieval kingdoms, dethroned kings, gray-bearded wizards and evil Dark Lords. But no one will feel that these are stale; on the contrary, they feel fresh and unused, because that is what they were when the book was first penned.

Narrative-wise, this book begins on much the same note as "The Hobbit": it's lighter and more cheerful, since it opens in the Shire. But darker undertones begin to crop up in the very first chapter, when Bilbo begins clutching at the Ring and speaking in a Gollum-like manner. The pace is pretty slow and gradual until the hobbits reach Bree, at which point it becomes darker, faster and harsher in tone and pace. The matter in it also becomes more mature, particularly in the chilling scenes after Frodo is stabbed by a Nazgul.

One of the things that Tolkien did exceptionally well is atmosphere. With a minimum of words, he conveys the menace of the Black Riders, the beauty of the Elves, the decay of the ancient kingdom of Moria, the mystery of such characters as Aragorn. In some areas, he deliberately didn't elaborate on the such things as the Balrog, leaving the visualization up to the readers.

Another strong point is a sense of epic proportions. Too often a fantasy writer TRIES to write an epic, at the expense of individual character development. Tolkien managed to balance both of them, by focusing on the individuals in the center of epic struggles.

Frodo himself is the quintessential "little guy" hero, one of the last people whom you'd expect to be on a mission to save the world. He's prone to moods of either cheerfulness or sadness, a little immature and bored at the beginning, but incredibly brave and stout-hearted when the pressure is put on him. He has no astounding destiny or special powers to help him. He's simply an ordinary person.

We also have Gandalf, who is fleshed out from the pleasantly crabby wizard of "Hobbit" -- we see more of his hidden sides and powers here. And Frodo is surrounded by a well-rounded cast of characters, including his loyal gardener Sam and his charmingly sneaky cousins, as well as a rich fellowship of ethereal Elves, mysterious men and doughty dwarves.

Tolkien wasn't the first fantasy writer, but he can rightly be described as the first noted fantasy writer, and he remains top of the heap today. "Fellowship of the Ring" is a must-read -- and then go watch the movies again.

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YOU! SHALL NOT! PASS!!!!!

Reviewed in Australia on 15 December 2014

THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING

As I start this review, I sit and ponder if there is anything that has not been written about this all time classic work of fantasy that has not already been said by millions of people. And read by millions of people. But then I realise that is not for me to decide. My motives are clear; I choose a book, I read it, and I review it. Regardless of its status in the annals of English literature. So look out Mr Tolkien, look out Middle Earth, look out Mr Sauron, you world-destroying blaggard, and finally, look out, you God-blessed-and-totally-adorable-little-Hobbits. Here I come.

*

In all honesty, part one of this trilogy starts out slowly. The reader is introduced to the culture of the Hobbit, and in particular, he/she is given a run down of one of the most famous Hobbits who ever lived - Bilbo Baggins, of Bag’s End. In a rather wordy and (dare I say it) tedious chapter, We learn of his family tree. We learn of his most favoured relation, Mr Frodo Baggins, who came to live with Bilbo when he was little, and never left. And we learn of those less-than-most-favoured relations and neighbours, as well. We learn that Bilbo is about to hold a giant party for his eleventy-first birthday, and just about everyone fortunate enough to live in the Shire is invited. And what’s more, all invitees receive a gift! But the biggest surprise of the evening is planned by Bilbo who plans to make a final appearance at the party, and then, quite literally, disappear. And he does. For a time.

For those that have read THE HOBBIT, and even for those that haven’t, the meaning of the party is clear. It has been decided in conjunction with fan favourite Gandalf the Wizard, that Bilbo is to pass on the possession of the One Ring to his much loved nephew. Gandalf has spent much of his recent life researching the One Ring and has come to realise its true nature. And the danger it represents to good people - and hobbits - everywhere.

Chapter two is also quite slow but is so beautifully crafted by Mr Tolkien that it sends shivers up the spine of just about everyone who reads it. It is, quite simply, a classic chapter. Everything that is bad about the One Ring is outlined in terrifying detail by Gandalf to poor, innocent Frodo who feels as if the weight of the entire world has been thrust upon his shoulders. And of course it has. And so, too, we learn the truth (and history) of Gollum. Finally, the first true glimpse of what Gandalf really is, can be seen by those who know where to look. I can safely say at this point that he is much, much, much more than a wizard.

The pace of the book picks up considerably (naturally enough) when the true quest begins. Frodo is joined by Sam and Pippin as they embark on the first part of their quest in a bid to reach safe haven at Brandybucks. Even then, danger haunts them every step of the way when they are harassed by black riders in the look out for “Baggins”. Safe haven indeed, but only for a little while, as the party barely manage to reach the Inn of the Dancing Pony, only to meet up with yet another dangerous looking stranger in the form of the mysterious Strider. But of course even Strider turns out to be one more extraordinary character in this extraordinary book the world has grown to love like no other.

Tolkien’s writing is pure joy. If ever a work of fiction was created by the mind of God to sooth the soul of the reader, then this is it. Passages of inspiring beauty are followed by more passages of inspiring beauty, and after cascading glimpses of literary perfection the reader will find themselves in a state of semi-permanent shock at the end of chapter five of part two when a dreadful fate befalls one of the party faithful.

Read this and weep, fellow book lovers. Read this and weep.

Hearts are lifted somewhat when other classic members of the fantasy genre are brought into the story. Elves and dwarves are both beautiful to the eye and joyful to the heart. Dragons and orcs are also welcome additions, if mainly to simply balance the forces of light with the forces of darkness.

I have said enough, i think. This book is timeless, it is perfection, and it is a glorious introduction to the fantasy genre as a whole. It was written in a world rocked by war, which was beaten nearly to death by the powers of evil and yet the same world was saved by the naivety of innocents, the power of love and the strength of sacrifice made by those too young to understand what war is really about.

BFN Greggorio!

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jack

review for lord of the rings

Reviewed in Australia on 10 October 2020

this book is tpvery nice and has a very smooth texture abd speech of wise words ,it also inspires me and brings me into many different thimgs i have not even thougt or seen before in my mind, it alao makes a creative mind map and pushes the limits of the brain into something i have not imagined. The only problem was that when you picked it up you just not put it down

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EDFP

I was hooked and more.

Reviewed in Australia on 27 March 2019

Could an ordinary hobbit do what others are expected to easily falter? Could he stand the chance against the snares of the evil eye?

I bought this piece initially to merely join the bandwagon. I was not just hooked. I became a true blue fan.

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michael

Great to see the most beautiful edition is back in print

Reviewed in Australia on 28 February 2022

the most beautiful edition is back in print

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John M. Ford

Odd Man Out

Reviewed in Australia on 20 September 2014

This is the first volume in J. R. R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings series. The next two are The Two Towers and The Return of the King . The Hobbit contains an important backstory, but is not absolutely essential for enjoyment of this tale.

Frodo Baggins discovers that the gold ring given to him by his uncle Bilbo is more than a trinket of minor magic. It is the physical embodiment of a great evil power. And its owner is looking for it. Frodo, along with three other hobbits from the Shire, travel to Rivendell to participate in the Council of Elrond. There it is decided to return the ring to be destroyed in the volcanic fires of Mordor, where it was originally forged. Frodo and eight companions set out to accomplish this task. The book follows the first part of their journey.

This book was made into the movie The Fellowship of the Ring , which is remarkably faithful to it. With one interesting exception. Between leaving the Shire and arriving at Rivendell, Frodo and his fellow hobbits spend an indeterminate period of time in the Old Forests as guests of Tom Bombadil. Tom was omitted from the film entirely. Both fans and critics have suggested he didn't belong in the book, either.

Tom does not fit well into the taxonomy of good, evil, and unaligned creatures in the rest of the trilogy. He is clearly powerful, working magic in his forest by singing and persuading plants and animals to do this and that. And the ring has no power over him, not even making him invisible when he tries it on. When it is suggested in Elrond's Council that the ring be entrusted to Tom, this idea is rejected. Tom doesn't stay focused on any one thing very long and would make an inattentive guardian. The hobbits are refreshed by their stay with Tom, but he neither hinders nor helps them with their larger objective.

Tolkien offered an incomplete explanation for Tom's presence in the story. In a world where everyone, good and evil, is struggling for power and control, Tom seems to have renounced this kind of power. There is an immediacy to the good he does for others, offering food or helping with a concrete problem. He doesn't sign on for a larger quest, and accepts no responsibility to lead. He exists in impenetrable serenity, while causing frustration in some of those around him.

Tom is hard to understand and even harder to explain to an action-oriented audience. It is small wonder that the film omits him. But Tom Bombadil is worth understanding and is one reason you should read this book, even if you have seen the movie. Is there a place in the world for someone who seeks no power over others, even to do good?

Think about your answer.

3 people found this helpful

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Neringa Pilipavice

amazing

Reviewed in Australia on 6 January 2021

it was so good i could really imavine my self there after reading this book, i recommended to my friends and now they love it too.

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G L

YOU CANNOT PASS!

Reviewed in Australia on 30 November 2018

Great story and entertainment. Bit different to the movie version but this one is a great classic!

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1001101101010011011

Everyone forgets Tom Bombadil

Reviewed in Australia on 1 February 2020

Don't forget about my boy tom

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From other countries

Luke

Undeniably phenomenal but not without flaws

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 June 2020

Verified Purchase

This book (well this and it's two original companions) pioneered fantasy and are the reason that elves, dwarves, long journeys and so much more are tropes of modern fantasy and have just become part of fantastical world's without explanation. In the 500 pages (only 1/3 of the full journey) this book explored such a variety of people, cultures and lands that it felt like a book of many smaller stories. Truly something special.

However, as mentioned, this book isn't perfect. At times the pacing can be very slow, there's also a LOT of text that is purely long text of the travelling they're doing and the land around them. If the land were fantastical and there were much to see during all of these, it would make sense, but often it is simply written to emphasise the length of their journey. As a result, it can drag and can sometimes take a little rereading.

However I cannot knock this book down for that as it is part of what gives the book its feel. It is supposed to feel like a long journey for naive hobbits travelling much much further than they ever have before and seeing many characters, creatures and cultures they never knew even existed. Can't wait to read the second...but may have a couple days off to build up the concentration levels again.

12 people found this helpful

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