Reviewed By: The Goose

There is a lot of hubbub in the Fantasy and Sci-Fi world right now. Over what, you ask? Well, mostly film. There is a film adaptation of Ender’s Game in the works; and the Sci-Fi Channel is planning a miniseries adaptation of Dune (You would have thought that the original cinematic version of Dune would have taught these people something, but we are NOT going there right now). Finally, there is a live-action version of Fellowship of the Ring in production.

As you know, many years ago there was a very successful cartoon adaptation of The Hobbit, and I hear that the other books in The Lord of the Rings were also adapted in the same format. But live action? COME ON. Especially considering that Elijah Wood is playing the lead: a fifty-something Frodo Baggins.

Strangely enough, this has been quite the topic of conversation between my boss and myself. Mostly we have been discussing the various casting decisions, but we have also been tripping back into our memories of Tolkein and his world. Being that it has been well over ten years since the first time I picked up a Tolkein book, my memory was a little rusty. What I did remember was that I found Tolkein just a bit long-winded and was impatient throughout most of the three books.

So, I decided that it is time to revisit the world of elves, dwarves, orcs, magicians, humans, and, Hobbits. I dusted off my Dad’s copy of Fellowship of the Ring and started reading again-on breaks and lunches. The first thing I noticed was that what I initially found tedious was actually wonderful description. Tolkein may take two or three pages to describe something that other authors describe in two or three paragraphs, but the detail and imagery ensure that you know the scene intimately and can smell the air in that place.

Soon after that I was caught up in the story and paid little attention to anything else. The story, as I have said, is of Frodo Baggins, the nephew and heir-designate of Bilbo Baggins whom fifty years earlier had gone on a quest that led him to Smaug the Dragon and a most peculiar ring. In this story, Gandalf returns and sets a quest for Frodo: to destroy the Ring before it can be used to create havoc in the world of Middle Earth.

And, no, I am not giving anything away. The plot is classic, not many twists and turns to it. Tolkein used the plot as a platform for amazing imagery and character development. NONE of his characters are flat. They are all incredibly rich.

Which brings me to my next realization. It is something that I have heard before, but didn’t have the patience to understand at the time. The Lord of the Rings is the foundation upon which most Fantasy, and especially Fantasy involving a quest is based. I kept finding myself thinking ‘that reminds me of..’ always referring to a newer work. Where the Odyssey is the blueprint for most modern fiction, Tolkein provided the same for modern fantasy. Don’t believe me? Read the LOTR trilogy and then read The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks. In fact, re-reading Fellowship reminded me of something that Brooks said in his forward. He talks about looking for a publisher for Sword and when he does, it is the same publisher that published Tolkein, and he said, “Why would they want me when they already have Tolkein?”

At the time, I didn’t really understand what he meant. To me, they were vaguely similar but not really. Now I get it. Tolkein is ‘North’ for all Fantasy writers.

Tolkein created a wonderful world called middle earth and filled it with a rich landscape and deep characters. It is always a good read. But, if you have no time or no patience, you won’t really get it. For those who have the time, take it to read Fellowship of the Ring again. It is well worth it, and you will be surprised by how much of Tolkein applies to all the other Fantasy you love.

Mass Market Paperback – 479 pages Reissue edition (November 1989) Ballantine Books (Mm); ISBN: 0345339703; Dimensions (in inches): 1.07 x 6.85 x 4.22