Lord of the Rings

Years: 1954-1955

Books: 3
The Fellowship of the Ring [1954]
The Two Towers [1954]
The Return of the King [1955]

Advanced Mind
Exploration/Quest
Military/Fighting
Horror
Magic
Advanced Technology
Time Travel/Alternate History
Science
Aliens/Beasties
Contemporality

tyranist's Review
How do you talk about one of the most loved series of all times? You don't. You simply insist that anyone who hasn't read it does so as soon as possible. I have loved the hobbits and their companions for most of my life and any time spent with them is a joy. There are a lot of books connected to these peripherally, but this trilogy is the portion that is a must.
Coincidentally, I was reading Hearts in Atlantis by Stephen King a few days ago and it contains a reference to the Lord of the Rings. 45 years later, pop culture still refers back. Well, kind of. Hearts in Atlantis was pretty much about the 60's . . .

Spectre's Review
It took a long time to read this one. Over a thousand pages of high-quality prose. Tolkien's story telling abilities are fantastic. Not only does he tell a great story, but his characters tell great stories, and the characters' characters tell great stories. The intricately formed world of Middle Earth, with its rich history, are put together in a manner that is consistent and comfortable.
Granted there are seven separate books in the whole thing, but I like this edition I have. It's rolled up all in one like it should be. The magnitude of this work is nearly beyond my comprehension. So much so that it is difficult to find sufficient words to speak of it. I found my vocabulary increasing every day, and I found genuine grief when characters would die.
One of the best features of this work is the fighting. There isn't a great deal of gore, but there is enough specifics to put imagery into the mind, and the mind will run with it. Another feature, unparalleled in anything I've yet to read, is Tolkien's ability to come up with songs and poetry from so many different characters' perspectives. The distinct cultural and psychological differences between the nearly innumerable races that are scattered about the book is also very interesting.
If a book is so great that it stumps me for finding enough good to say about it, then it's a keeper. Everyone should read this book. It'll make you think more about your own world, as well.

Spectre's Rating
Minus nothing. This book is a religious text.

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