Review of The Fellowship of the Ring, by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I returned to The Lord of the Rings after first reading it voraciously in college many years ago. It was interesting to read this first part with the knowledge and experience I now have, including the study of Old Norse and Old English texts and Early Medieval art history, which provided some of Tolkien’s sources. Though I am no longer twenty, it’s still a great read! I am struck by the sense of humor that crops up here and there, especially when it comes to the hobbits, who have a predilection for drinking songs and dancing on tables. The humor leavens the sense of sadness, loss, and nostalgia for a past golden age, when beings like elves lived in harmony with nature and each other. Tolkien’s reverent descriptions of landscape, woods, waterways, and the night sky also relieve the tension of being tracked by maleficent creatures such as orcs, ringwraiths and balrogs. Were the author alive today, I believe he would be an ardent advocate for natural preservation and sustainability. In early medieval mode, he is also a big advocate for loyalty and commitment to one’s “fellowship,” no matter how different they are. And they are indeed different: several hobbits, a wizard, an elf, a dwarf, and two men. I think Tolkien would fit right in with today’s multicultural world. Finally, Tolkien’s work is surprisingly psychological, addressing the battles within and the difficulty of self-control: the greed for power over others, represented by the One Ring--versus the dedication to peace and respect, not only toward other beings and creatures, but toward the earth itself. Tolkien still speaks in a clear voice to our contemporary world.



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