#also if you read any fantasy and internally you're going “wow this sounds a lot like tolkien” it's probably inspired by him

[tbookblurbs]

The Fellowship of the Ring - J.R.R. Tolkien (Lord of the Rings #1)

4.5/5 - Delightful, light entrance into the trilogy, plot gets lost sometimes

I have read the entire LotR trilogy so many times that it could be considered embarrassing. I've also taken a course dedicated to Tolkien's works so when I say I could write essays on a topic, trust that I have already.

I really enjoy a number of aspects in this book, with the first among them being the introduction to hobbits. I've never encountered another fantasy author that's introduced the species/race of their main character in such a way and I find it so charming. Classic favorites of this installation of the trilogy include Moria and the Balrog, Galadriel in the woods of Lothlorien, and, of course, the breaking of the Fellowship.

One of the things that always strikes me about this book is the way that Frodo embodies such simple heroism. He's doing this because it happened upon him, but he's willing to put his life in danger for others. It's something that is so small and seen in almost every hero of an adventure, but knowing Frodo's fate just makes it feel so much larger.

Tom Bombadil still confuses me as a character, but taking random things in stride is essential to Tolkien. A long novel, but one well worth taking the time to read even once, if only because knowing the depth in the books makes watching the films that much more enjoyable.

My one con, as always, with Tolkien is that there are hardly any women, but the ones that are present are interesting conceptually. They don't get a lot of screentime though.