“The Fellowship of the Ring” by J. R. R. Tolkien needs no introduction as it’s loved by millions. I decided to re-read the trilogy because it’s been so long since I read the books I am not sure where the books end and the movies begin! So, I have decided to re-read them all.
Where to begin? First off, I listened to the audiobook version by publisher Recorded Books and read by Robert Inglis, a writer, actor, journalist, and critic. I thought Rob did a great job except for the singing parts I found less than stellar. I guess they were better than my caterwauling, but still! An OK experience but most songs fell flat and were somewhat ridiculous. I know I will get a tongue lashing for saying that, but that’s how I feel. Give it a listen yourself and let me know what you think?
What struck me while reading “Fellowship” after so many years was how much the movie controls my imagination when picturing details and characters in my mind. Even though there are some significant differences, I can’t stop myself from viewing the book through the lens of the film. “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy is an exception to my personal quirk of never buying movies on DVD. I usually don’t purchase DVDs because I don’t watch movies more than once and with the ease of streaming, I don’t see the need to buy any. What I cannot stream I pick up at the library. I am not a collector, yet I own the trilogy and have watched it many times to include late night viewing on vacations. My kids love the film too, and we enjoy watching it in a mountain cabin on the laptop after a day in the sunshine. Sometimes I wonder what Aragon or Legolas would look like if I never saw the films?
I have read reviews that believe Tolkien would have hated the movies because of the shift in tone between book and movie. I am not so sure about that myself. An example often given of tone shift points to the fight in the caves of Moria where Jackson spent a good chunk of screen-time whereas Tolkien spends a paragraph. The movie understandably spends more time on the visual aspects of war and war-fighting. Tolkien lavishes time in “Fellowship” on storytelling, his primary pursuit, and love in life. That’s where I see the strength in the “Fellowship”—the writing and storytelling is superb. Gandalf, Frodo, and Sam are the stars in the book, and you get to know their characters intimately. I will be honest and fess up—I don’t finish a lot of fantasy novels I start because I can’t buy into the character and world-building. I have a difficult time ever reading anything with zombies because I flat out reject the premise. When you are dead—you are dead, that’s it—game over. In Tolkien’s world-building, everything seems so real and believable you almost feel you have come home when you read through the pages. Personally, I think that the production quality of the films would win over Tolkien. I believe he would have loved the adaptations if he could view both as two distinct art forms. The book is not the movie, and a film cannot be the book because of the differences in how each art form is represented to a reader/viewer.
One thing I discovered after finishing “The Fellowship” is that Tom Bombadil haters exist! What! This was news to me. When I mentioned to someone how I thought it was weird that the film did not include Tom, I got an ear full on how stupid he was and thank god someone left Tom out of the “Fellowship.” My opinion? Respect to anyone that can wear the ring and laugh it off. Scholars believe Tom is unaffected by the ring because he is the creation and immortal and the ring has nothing to offer him. It was said in the novel:
“Tom remembers the first raindrop and the first acorn […] he knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless — before the Dark Lord came from Outside.”
There are other theories, but they are beyond my knowledge of the book. Suffice it to say, I thought Tom kicked ass, and I admire his devotion to Goldberry. When walking in the woods, I always keep an eye out for Tom in case he comes bounding by singing and laughing.
Can’t wait to start The Hobbit next and yes I know I am a tad out of order, but I plan to get on track and read them in the correct chronological order. I look forward to sheathing my sword once again and marching into a forest with members of the fellowship.