The Two Towers (Middle Earth, #3)

Title: The Two Towers (Middle Earth, #3)

Author: J.R.R. Tolkien

Published in: 1954

Date read: 16th November 2023

Score: 5/5

Genre: Fantasy, Classic

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"The Two Towers," published in 1954, is the second volume of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic "The Lord of the Rings." It picks up directly after the breaking of the Fellowship of the Ring and divides the narrative into two parallel, converging storylines, detailing the escalating War of the Ring.

Book III follows the scattered members of the Fellowship after Frodo and Sam's departure.

Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli relentlessly pursue the Uruk-hai who captured Merry and Pippin. Their pursuit leads them into the lands of Rohan, a kingdom of horsemen under threat from Sauron's ally, the corrupted wizard Saruman of Isengard.

They encounter the Rider Éomer and later Gandalf, miraculously returned as Gandalf the White, more powerful and luminous than before. Gandalf leads them to Rohan's golden hall, where he frees King Théoden from Saruman's insidious influence.

Meanwhile, Merry and Pippin escape their captors and flee into Fangorn Forest, where they encounter the ancient, tree-like beings called Ents, led by Treebeard. They slowly convince the slow-moving Ents to join the fight against Saruman, culminating in the "Last March of the Ents" and the devastating attack on Isengard, Saruman's fortress.

The climax of this section is the epic Battle of Helm's Deep, where the Rohirrim, aided by Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Gandalf, make a desperate stand against Saruman's overwhelming Uruk-hai army, a pivotal victory for the forces of light.

Book IV focuses on the perilous journey of Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee deeper into the dark lands, striving to reach Mordor and destroy the One Ring.

They traverse the desolate Emyn Muil, constantly battling thirst, hunger, and the Ring's corrupting influence.

Crucially, they encounter Gollum, who has been tracking them relentlessly. Frodo, under a strange mix of pity and the Ring's power, tames Gollum and forces him to guide them through the secret paths into Mordor.

Their journey takes them through the forbidden lands of Ithilien, where they meet Faramir, captain of Gondor, who, unlike his brother Boromir, resists the Ring's allure.

Gollum's guidance ultimately leads them to the treacherous mountain pass of Cirith Ungol and into the lair of the ancient, monstrous spider Shelob, a terrifying ordeal where Sam's loyalty and courage are put to the ultimate test as he believes Frodo has been killed.

"The Two Towers" builds immense tension and expands the scope of the war, showcasing the heroism of ordinary individuals, the strength of friendship, and the ever-present threat of Sauron's encroaching darkness, setting the stage for the final confrontation.

Comments:
Carries the story on wonderfully.

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)