Bridget+B.+-+E.C.-+The+Fellowship+of+the+Ring

// **The Fellowship of the Ring** // ** Literary Information: ** Author: J.R.R. Tolkien Book: //The Fellowship of the Ring// Genre: Fantasy and Mystery Time Period: Middle Ages

** J.R.R. Tolkien: ** John Ronald Reuel Tolkien or J.R.R Tolkien was born on January 3, 1892. He was raised in great poverty. By age 12, both his mother and father had died. J.R.R. and his brother lived with their aunt. He attended boarding school where he learned any languages. While in school, he met a young woman named Edith, many years his senior. He was banned to communicate with her until he was 21. He married her in March 22, 1916. Tolkien loved to make up his own languages and characters. While a professor, he discovered the hobbit and decided to research it. Then using his gift of storytelling and imagination, he published //The// //Hobbit// in 1937. He continued to write many children stories due to the extreme popularity of the //Hobbit//. Tolkien then began on the //Lord of the Rings//. He published the three parts of //Lord of the Rings// in 1954 and 1955. The books were immediately noticed by all. In 1965, it was printed in paperback and became extremely popular. Tolkien died on September 2, 1973. Today his books are still enjoyed and sold all around the world. [|More About the Author]

Plot Synopsis: In the pleasant town called the Shire, where Hobbits live, a secret is hiding. The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins has found a ring, a ring with an interesting and dangerous history. Bilbo has kept the ring a secret for many years. Only one other person knows of its location. Bilbo Baggins’ birthday is just around the corner. As he prepares for the party, his heir, Frodo Baggins notices changes in Bilbo. A few days before the party begins, an old friend visits the Shire. His name is Gandalf the Wizard. The night of Bilbo’s party, he plays a disappearing trick on all of his guests. He then runs home and packs quickly. He has had a feeling of restlessness and feels he must leave the Shire. Bilbo leaves that night to start a new chapter in his life. He also wants to finish the book he has been writing. When Frodo goes home to see what the trick at the party was about, he finds that Bilbo is gone and that he has left him a ring. Gandalf is suspicious of the ring. Gandalf informs Frodo the ring is used for evil and can never be found. As the Enemy feels the power of the ring, Frodo and Gandalf sense and realize that the ring is not safe in the Shire. Frodo sets out for Rivendell with his fellow Hobbit companions; Sam, Pippin and Merry. The road is long and there are many obstacles that delay their arrival in Rivendell. Once they reach Rivendell, Frodo makes the decision that he needs to destroy the strange and evil ring. The road becomes long but he has many companions at his side who will to help him reach the horrible Mordor and destroy the ring.

Criticism: What Worked- I thought that //The Fellowship of the Ring// was a wonderful book. J.R.R. Tolkien was exceptionally good at describing all of the places and characters within the story. Also, the plot was very compelling. I wanted to keep reading to find out what would happen next. It was enjoyable to read something so intriguing. What Didn’t Work- I thought there were some parts that were very slow. Tolkien went into so much detail and it was difficult to stay attached to some parts.

I thought //The Fellowship of the Ring// was a fantastic book to read. The plot line keep you intrigued to figure out what would happen with Frodo, his companions and what the enemy would do. It should also be read because of the characters strong companionship factor. It is amazing how each character is so devoted to one another. Merry says, “‘That is why we have decided to come. We know the Ring is no laughing-matter; but we are going to do our best to help you against the Enemy.’ ”(Tolkien 102). The passage proves the companions of Frodo will to do anything for him and will help him in his dangerous quest. Finally, //The Fellowship of the Ring// should be read by all because of Tolkien’s wonderful descriptive skills. With everything that is mentioned, it feels like you are in the book and you can also understand what is happening at all times.
 * Recommended: **



// The Fellowship of the Ring // is outstanding for several reasons. First, the plot line is very riveting. It makes you want to keep reading to figure out what will happen to each character. Secondly, all of the characters are very well rounded. They all have a main purpose and are driven to work for what they want. This makes it easy to read because you understand the character more and have faith that they can fulfill what they need to do. Finally, the book is entertaining due to the large amount of description. Tolkien makes all events come alive and he makes them seem so real. This in turn, makes it easy to follow the plot and understand all of the characters fully.
 * Why Outstanding? **

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Other Books By the Author: ** Trilogy- //The Two Towers// and //The Return of the King//

Tolkien, J.R.R. //The Fellowship of the Ring//. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1954.
 * Work Cited: **

Doughan ,David. Who was Tolkien?. 2002. Jan. 21, 2010. [].