Bookshelf Essentials: The Lord of the Rings

[@Caliban_80]

The Two Towers, the Stairs of Cirith Ungol chapter is a masterclass in creating intense fear and foreboding in spite of not much happening at all

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

This is an absolute essential for me too.

[@Shelf_Improvement]

Love this series. Hope you'll continue with it next year.

[@lars_993]

A wonderful description of LotR! I love it when you talk about Tolkien. Thank you!

[@Mnnwer]

I agree with you regarding the presentation of it as a trilogy: I have seen people do reading vlogs of Lord of The RIngs, and a lot of the critiques they had of the book seems like they kind of lost patience after reading about so much walking, talking, preparing and hobbits doing their usual whining, that they couldn't appreciate even the really exciting parts of it. While, for instance if it was presented as just one book - which as you rightly pointed out, it is - their expecetations might have changed; leading it to them having a lot more patience, with the knowledge that this is just setting up the story for what it is about to become - because I remember recently reading Thomas Wyatt's poetry, where a change of perception made me go from not thinking that much of him, to a great love for his poetry. This is also a huge bookshelf essential for me - absolutely love the book, and I also find myself (rereading it now) really really loving Tolkiens presence on the page.

[@severianconciliator1862]

The first time I tried to read Book of the New Sun I got bogged down in the first of the 4 books. The second go, I was able to get through Shadow of the Torturer, and then the next three books enthralled me. What Steve says about Fellowship of the Ring reminded me of that.

[@crypsid]

The much awaited return of Bookshelf Essentials! I'm embarrassed to admit that while I've read The Hobbit a few times now, I've never read The Lord of the Rings.. Something to remedy next year.

[@richardthompson1138]

You have a treat in store 🙂

[@scottjones8100]

That 3rd volume in your box is great! I love the part where all the Ents march against V'Ger!

[@saintdonoghue]

"I have been, and always shall be ... your Steward"

[@AmtrakJack42]

Thank you Steve! Nicky is very clever with finding ways to surprise me and you guys definitely did. I really appreciate your taking the time and providing even more motivation to finally complete this bookshelf essential.

[@amy_harboredinpages]

I'm currently rereading... atm my characters are hanging with Treebeard, & the Ents are in council... 🥰 I'm in my happy place.

[@chuckmoss7414]

Always a thought provoking discussion from you. Almost all of my reading of the Lord of the Rings has been in three books, starting way back in the early 70's. Then in '79 I found a single volume. Red, leather like cover, with various reds and blues and gold this and that. And it changed the way I viewed the story.

[@krzysamm7095]

Sam is one of my all time favorite characters.

[@MarelisaFabrega]

Hi Steve, Just today I received my order of Tolkien's "Letters from Father Christmas". I'm really excited to go through it. I'm a huge fan of his work.

[@TheNovelHoneyShelf-Essie]

Love this!

[@josephhix1034]

I'm currently slowly reading The Lord of the Rings (I'm about to start The Return of the King). I didn't understand the appeal when I attempted the book in high school and never finished it. Now that I'm older, I am able to enjoy it so much more! I also think I understand the appeal of the Tom Bombadil chapters. They're so magical and mysterious and other than the Council of Elrond, they may have been my favorite chapters of Fellowship.

[@DavidWiley7]

Not sure which summoned me: the fact that this video is about Tolkien, or if it is because this is a Bookshelf Essentials video. Either way, I have been called forth to approve this video.

[@bigaldoesbooktube1097]

Fantastic pick 👌

[@tomorrowsclassic505]

I love videos like this :)

[@joelharris4399]

An Ode to Tolkien