The Fellowship of the Ring (Middle Earth, #1)

Title: The Fellowship of the Ring (Middle Earth, #1)

Author: J.R.R. Tolkien

Published in: 1954

Date read: 18th October 2023

Score: 5/5

Genre: Fantasy, Classic

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"The Fellowship of the Ring," published in 1954, is the first volume of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic high-fantasy masterpiece, "The Lord of the Rings." It lays the foundational groundwork for the grand struggle between good and evil in Middle-earth, introducing the reader to its richly detailed world, diverse races, and the central quest to destroy the One Ring.

The story begins in the peaceful, idyllic Shire, home to the hobbits. Frodo Baggins, a young hobbit, inherits a seemingly innocuous gold ring from his eccentric uncle, Bilbo Baggins (the protagonist of "The Hobbit"). However, the wizard Gandalf the Grey soon reveals the ring's true, terrifying nature: it is the One Ring, forged by the Dark Lord Sauron in ancient times to dominate all other Rings of Power and enslave the free peoples of Middle-earth. Sauron's power is tied to the Ring, and with it, he can plunge the world into eternal darkness.

To prevent the Ring from falling back into Sauron's hands, Gandalf instructs Frodo to take it away from the Shire. Frodo, accompanied by his loyal gardener Samwise Gamgee, embarks on a perilous journey. They are soon joined by two other hobbit friends, Merry Brandybuck and Pippin Took, and together they face their first challenges, including the terrifying Black Riders (Nazgûl), Sauron's most fearsome servants, who relentlessly hunt for the Ring.

Their path leads them to Rivendell, the Elvish stronghold, where they are reunited with Gandalf and meet other key figures from various free peoples of Middle-earth. Here, a great council is held, and the decision is made: the Ring must be destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom in Mordor, the very place of its creation.

To achieve this seemingly impossible task, a diverse group is chosen to form the Fellowship of the Ring:

• Frodo Baggins (Ring-bearer)
• Samwise Gamgee (his companion)
• Gandalf the Grey (Wizard)
• Aragorn (a Ranger, the rightful heir to Gondor's throne)
• Legolas (Elf Prince of Mirkwood)
• Gimli (Dwarf warrior)
• Boromir (Man of Gondor)
• Merry Brandybuck (Hobbit)
• Pippin Took (Hobbit)

The Fellowship embarks on their epic journey, facing numerous trials and dangers. They brave the treacherous mines of Moria, where they confront a Balrog, and travel through the mystical Elvish forest of Lothlórien, under the watchful eye of Lady Galadriel. The Ring's corrupting influence begins to test the bonds of the Fellowship, particularly on Boromir, who succumbs to its temptation.

The volume culminates in the shattering of the Fellowship near the Falls of Rauros, as they are attacked by Orcs and Uruk-hai. The group is tragically separated, with Frodo and Sam continuing their solitary, desperate quest towards Mordor, while the fates of the others are left uncertain, setting the stage for the subsequent volumes. "The Fellowship of the Ring" is a timeless tale of courage, friendship, and the enduring power of hope against overwhelming darkness.

Comments:
Despite seeing the amazing film when it came out in 2001 and seeing the cartoon film before, I had never sat to read the books. These books are in a league of their own. Please put these on the National Curriculum.

Books that we've read by J.R.R. Tolkien (4):
The Hobbit (The Lord of the Rings, #0) (1937), The Fellowship of the Ring (Middle Earth, #1) (1954), The Two Towers (Middle Earth, #3) (1954), The Return of the King (Middle Earth, #4) (1955)