J.R.R Tolkien's own design for the First Edition Cover Artwork (c) J.R.R. Tolkien
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Prequel: The HobbitThe Hobbit, or There and Back again is the chronologically first book in what is now recognized as J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of The Rings Trilogy. This is somewhat confusing to the uninitiated as they think of 4 books usually (if they count the Hobbit at all), not realizing that what most people regard as the Trilogy (the 3 books discussed below this) is actually three volumes of the same novel (The Lord of The Rings) and that the actual Trilogy is The Hobbit, The Lord of The Rings, and The Silmarillion.
First published in 1937, The hobbit chronicles Bilbo Baggins (the elder Baggins, for those who have oinly seen the movies) unlikely journey with the Dwarves to reclaim the Lonely Mountain (and its vast treasures) from the Dragon Smaug. On the Journey over the Misty Mountains (yes, over; read the book if you want to know more) the party is caught by Goblins and driven deep underground into the Goblin Tunnels. Gandalf rescues the rest of the party, but Bilbo becomes seperated from them before that and wanders deep into the tunnels. Fumbling in the darkenss he finds the One Ring and then meets Gollum living in the darkness. He engages Gollum in a game of riddles to get him to lead him out of the tunnels (Gollum being a type of Hibbit-kin has a cultural love for such games), and Gollum being confident in his abilities asks the hobbit to wager his life in return. Employing a trick (and forfeiting the rules of the game, though Gollum doesn't realize so until later) Bilbo wins the game and is lead out of the tunnels by Gollum. Only when Gollum decides to get the Ring and makes the connection with Bilbo's Trick Question ("What have I got in my pocket", not actually a riddle) does he realize Bilbo must have it and chase him through the caves. Thanks to the Rings powers Biblo escapes and rejoins his party (and gains much respect from the Dwarves) leaving Gollum to fume and rage (and setting the stage for the next part of the story). After much further adventures (again, read the book, it's good) Bilbo returns home a much wealthier Hobbit and keeps the ring close to himself until the beginning of the First Volume of The Lord of The Rings, when he decides to "retire". |
Volume I: The Fellowship of The RingThe First Volume of The Lord of The Rings, the sequel to the Hobbit. Starting as simply the sequel to the Hobbit and not as the massive work it became, it was written mostly during World War II and first published in 1954. Tolkien originally intended to publish all three volumes together as one work, with the second volume being The Silmarillion, but the publisher dismissed the idea for economics reasons. Interestingly after this delay Tolkien would never finish The Silmarillion, leaving the work to his son Christopher.
The first Book of the first volume chronicles the passing of the One Ring from Bilbo Baggins to his nephew Frodo Baggins and Frodo's subsequent adventures with the ring. These adventures start with Frodo departing the Shire with his friends, fleeing on Gandalfs advice, and ends with Hobbits plus Aragorn the Ranger in Rivendell. Along the way they get lost in the Old Forest, meet Tom Bombodil, get entranced by barrow-wights, and attacked by Ringwraiths. In the second Book of the first volume, Gandalf rejoins the story and recounts where he has been and what he has found out (none of it good). Elrond, the Lord of Rivendell, concocts a plan to rid the world of the Ring once and for all, and entrusts Frodo with the task of being the ring-bearer (since he already bore the ring, and has been fairly resistant to its effects). The full party of 8 (The Fellowship of The Ring) sets off from Rivendell, but are foiled on trying to cross the Misty Mountains (they seemingly foil every journey) and attempt a shortcut through the Mines of Moria (a fallen Dwarf Stronghold) which does not end well. One of the Human companions (Boromir) decides he needs to the power of the Ring himself, which compels Frodo to break the Fellowship and set off to Mordor alone save Samwise. Thus ends the first Volume. |
J.R.R Tolkien's own design for the First Edition Cover Artwork (c) J.R.R. Tolkien
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J.R.R Tolkien's own design for the First Edition Cover Artwork (c) J.R.R. Tolkien
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Volume II: The Two TowersThe second volume containing the 3rd and 4th books was originally published in 1954. The 3rd book opens where the second left off, but starting in Boromir's viewpoint. He lays dying, and explains what happened (and even tells the truth, much to his credit) to Aragorn. Merry and Pippin are captured by Orcs, escape, and get lost in Fangorn Forest, where the Ents reveal what Saruman has been up to (and the Ents don't like it).
Meanwhile the remainder of the Fellowship continues to do what it can to help the war effort and meet up with a resurrected Gandalf (he fell into Hell with the Balrog while in Moria in the first book). After a time Rohan is persuaded to join the war effort with the others (it was fighting before, but not to help anyone else) and the Fellowship together with the Riders of Rohan (but sans Gandalf, as he has other errands as always) ride on Isengard to find the Ents have already pretty well totaled the place. After reuniting the 2 other Hobbits with the Fellowship they return to Rohan to prepare to ride in Gondors defense. The 4th book resumes following Frodo's part of of the journey, where he continues making his way towards the Cracks of Doom to destroy the ring. Together with Sam, they encounter Gollum imprisoned awaiting execution for fishing in a sacred pond (he had been tailing them for some time). Frodo takes pity on him and sets him free as he promises to lead them to Mordor as he knows the way. It is only a matter of time though before he turns on them in an attempt to get the ring. In the ruckus Frodo is bitten by an enormous spider and turns pale and comatose. Sam takes him for dead and resolves to continue the quest himself, taking the ring. Later Orcs find Frodo, quite alive but now quite captive. Thus ends the second Volume. |
Volume III: The Return of The KingOriginally published in 1955, this is the last Volume of the Lord of The Rings, and the last part of the Trilogy Proper that Tolkien was able to finish in his lifetime. He finished many of his other short works set in the same universe, which is what enabled his son to finish his various unfinished works to some degree.
Unlike the other 3 novels I will not discuss the plot of the last book, if you have been enjoying my summaries thus far and have never read them (or perhaps have only seen the movies) I do not wish to ruin anything too much, as everything is resolved in this volume. Briefly though it is safe to say that the Ring is destroyed and Sauron vanquished with it, for part of him was in it. Gollum really does prove he will do anything to get his precious back though. |
J.R.R Tolkien's own design for the First Edition Cover Artwork (c) J.R.R. Tolkien
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