The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien
Yup. Still a favorite. There are moments when I read this book where I can hear the call by Theoden as he leads Rohan to Gondors aid. I can smell the ash in Mordor as Frodo and Sam make their way across the barren lands and creep up the side of the mountain.
What is amazing to me is that, for a book that is centered so solely about the Ringbearer and his quest, there is actually not that much time devoted to Frodo and Sam. There is always so much happening, battles and the rallying taking place to get to those battles. But all the while, as I read about these huge scenes and feel the enormity of them, I also feel how closely tied everything is and how small the world is in the sense that if Frodo fails – Middle Earth fails.
I have a few favorite moments in The Return of the King. One the movie did fantastically well, the other was completely ignored by the movie.
The first is, of course, Eowyn’s battle with the Lord of the Nazgul. If Middle Earth were a real place, if we were allowed to go there and to live in whichever place we choose I wouldn’t choose the peaceful land of the Shire, the cold beauty of Lothlorian or the regal beauty of Minas Tirith. I’d choose Rohan. The strength of character in the men there is apparent even through the treachery of Wormtongue. (And I have to admit having a bit of a crush on Eomer – even more so than on Aragorn). Eowyn facing down the Lord of the Nazgul is such a powerful scene that even as I think back on it, my heart leaps into my throat and I feel a thrill from my head to the very tips of my toes.
And my second favorite moment in this book is the Hobbits return to the Shire. I love feeling the confidence that they themselves feel and enjoy watching them take their newfound knowledge, skill and judgment and show themselves to be the worthy Hobbits they are. And there’s something just.. satisfying about seeing their enemy reduced to what he is.
I seriously could go on and on about this book and how fantastic it is. I know I’ve seen some comments from folks who have not read the trilogy informing me that they haven’t read it because it intimidates them. Don’t let these books intimidate you if you haven’t read them. I envy you your chance to explore them for the first time. And if you think you know the story because you’ve seen the movies – let me assure you that you don’t. The level of detail and back-story woven through these books is so complex that the movies, although they were beautiful and well-done, just cannot compare to the original tale put down here by Tolkien.
I re-read Fellowship a month ago but haven’t gone back to the other two books yet. I need to pick them up once I get through my current stack of stuff. (Yeah, like that stack will ever really diminish…)
I don’t remember having such a great attachment to the Eowyn/LotN scene (perhaps because I’m a guy), but the Cleansing of the Shire is pretty much my favorite part – perhaps even of the entire series. I love seeing Merry and Pippen grow up, and I love seeing Sam finally just get to come home.
I love the scene, so much girl power in it!
So much strength is in those paragraphs. Her fear, her emotions, her bravery all wrapped up in a battle that would have taken mere minutes. I love Tolkien’s attention to detail, showing her to be a woman standing between an evil and a love of her own. That in the face of complete devastation (and knowledge that it was indeed just that) she stands so proud and fierce.
And I also love that Merry plays such a vital role in this scene. Such a heroic moment for a hobbit that, after Sam, is my favorite.
This is fantastic to hear! There are so many readers that this book is their absolute all time favorite as well as the movies. Sadly, though the movies are my all time favorites, I’ve never read the books, but your reviews are very inspiring…maybe I’ll take you up on trying this out. Besides, my husband would be extremely happy that I did, his senior English class for his Bachelors was all on Tolkien.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWjt6LGhHsI&feature=related
I also love that scene with Eowyn. In fact, any scene that features the men of Rohan I simply LOVE. Although, I would prefer to live in Rivendell. More books and more my style there.
The Lord of the Rings is one of my favorite books of all time. I did not read it until 2001 when I saw a trailer for the movie which made me realize that I might enjoy the book.
I agree with you about the people of Rohan. They are very brave and noble. I like their devotion to horses too. Eowyn is one of my favorite characters and I always get emotional during her battle scene when I read the book or watch the film. I remember panicking when reading the book and thinking she was dead. Eomer is also one of my lit crushes after seeing the film. From the book it would have to be Faramir.
Now I feel like rereading the book! I haven’t done that in awhile and I used to reread it every year. Fantastic review!