(book review)

“It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

My favorite book is Tolkien’s ‘The Lord of the Rings.’ The book tells about the world, which faces a great evil and friends who try to resist that evil. There are adventures and friendship, a fascinating and well-thought-out world, love and betrayal, difficult achievements and the overcoming good.

I read it two times. And when I did it, I grew older and wiser…I was surprised at how many problems it raises. There are generation gap problems, problems between nations, misunderstandings between trust and lie, love and mockery, courage, and fear, facing alpine obstacles to overcome. It’s also about the values of the world; about the faith leading to the darkest times; about the friends who never leave you; about the common human joys.

“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien

In the magical world you recognize the real world. There are orcs and elves, demons and warriors of light, the evil flashing unexpectedly and destroying the whole world. You just start understanding that you need to have friends and folks, you must have a strong belief and will-power.

“Who knows? Have patience. Go where you must go, and hope!”
– J.R.R. Tolkien (Gandalf)

I don’t have favorite characters. After three volumes of the book, I begin to perceive them all as old buddies and friends. As for me this book has almost no downsides. The only thing that knocks me down is the long descriptions of plants and landscapes. But you can get used to that and enjoy the sites of Rohan, the descriptions of elven life, and the hobbit habits, too.

I would give this book 10 out of 10.