The Two Towers: Being the Second Part of The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Two Towers: Being the Second Part of The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

5 of 5 stars

In this part of the book, I noticed how Tolkien was so creative when it comes to his characters. Each has their own special thing that makes them different from everyone else.

Although the fellowship was disbanded and Boromir was slain by orc-arrows, the company remained true to their duty. The elf, dwarf, and man, remained together and decided to track the two halflings - Pippin and Merry, who were captured by the orcs. In the capture, the hobbits showed their strength and intelligence.

New characters were introduced as the book progressed. Pippin and Merry met Treebeard, or the Ent, or Fangorn. While in other tales, trees are believed to be the wisest because they're one of the oldest, Tolkien did something else. He made them strong, strong enough to face Saruman's Isengard.

The King of Rohan - Theoden, and the siblings Eowyn and Eomer were also introduced, along with the servant of Rohan and traitor - Grima. I personally adored Theoden here because his decisions indeed belonged to a king, and how he formed his words define his authority very well.

Gandalf also appeared at last, as a white wizard this time, cloaked in white and stronger than ever. He was the symbol of hope, for me. I hurried to start this part just to see him alive again.

While in the movie Aragorn was still full of doubt, I see how he's coming out of his shell in this part, leaving the ranger for most of the time, becoming the king he was supposed to be, more and more.

Legolas and Gimli had been close friends, so it seems, and even promised to take a trip together (oh how my heart melts ;)) But while reading their friendship, I sort of got anxious to come to the part where Frodo and Sam would show up again.

And my waiting wasn't all in vain. When the two dear hobbits showed up, another creature joined them. Gollum, or Smeagol, who had a lust for the Precious. Honestly, he makes me laugh for most of the time. Every time I come to the parts where he delivers his lines, it was as if I could hear him, even his hisses. We swore! We swore on the Precious! Haha, he's one of my favorites, but not because of that, because he seems so terribly confused for most of the time. If I hadn't seen the films, I'm pretty sure I'd support Frodo's beliefs - that he shall return, and will be cured of his lust for the Precious.

Sam proved his great quality as a friend to Frodo this time. I cannot believe that one could do what he had done - stick-up with his master. Even when Frodo is getting weaker, and harder to manage, he keeps on accompanying him, always believing that it is the One's devilry and not his master's. For most of the time though, I pitied the three - Frodo, Sam, and Smeagol.

There was another new character who'd be significant in the following parts, I believe. Faramir, Captain of Gondor. I was so awed by the strength he showed and he indeed showed his quality: the very highest. It is important to remember that he is the little brother of Boromir who was the first to die.

I expected this part to be sort of boring, but then, it was unexpectedly rich with plot, and always, full of surprises.

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The Fellowship of the Ring: Being the First Part of The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Fellowship of the Ring: Being the First Part of The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

5 of 5 stars

I feared to read the book for several reasons: first: it might make me all excited and thus I shall feel the extreme urge to read and read until I reach the third installment; second: Tolkien's world is like a maze, and I hate mazes, I hate everything I don't know by heart; third: the movie was too beautiful, and I was afraid that the movie will be one disappointing thing to me after I'm done; fourth: I might cry (haha).

However, since the whole package arrived to me as a present from my parents, I decided to read anyway. It was amazing, from the first page to the last of this first installment, that is the one word I could say.

I had heard from several people that the book might be boring because of the slow phase - this wasn't really true. Perhaps, it was due to the fact that the movie had been faster, and had cut days to shorter lengths.

The Fellowship of the Ring told a great deal about trust, and camaraderie. All the characters are special in their own ways.

The four hobbits seemed smarter in the book, especially Merry. It amazed me how he's like Pippin's older bro. I can't help but picturing them like that. In a way, Merry's like the brother I've always wish to have.

Pippin on the other hand was really consistent in his playfulness. He's smarter in the book too, but he seems to be Gandalf's little pest. It's both adorable and sad whenever he gets scolded, the poor thing. What's funny is that he seems to never let it bother him for a long long time.

Sam is the kind of friend I wish I have; Frodo is one lucky hobbit. He talks in the simplest way, but I am glad that he likes poetries and stories, and elves. His verse about Gandalf's fireworks really made me smile. He showed a great deal of loyalty to his Mr. Frodo, and that just made me send a message to my own best friend.

Frodo, oh what can I say more about the fiercest hobbit of them all? He's a darling, and I cannot praise him even more. I've always believed that authors base their characters on somebody, because that's what I do with the craps I write. I think Frodo is somebody close to Tolkien, and I'm now dying to die and meet him in Middle-earth just so I could squeeze out the answer from him.

The old wizard, Gandalf the Grey, reminded me much of my grandfathers, wise and...old, alright. I think he's a representation of a respectable man who was so loving and caring he need no magic to prove it. When Gandalf fell in Moria, I still became sad even if I knew it was going to happen anyway and he'd return anyway. I can't help it, it's Gandalf. He's one of the reasons why I wanna read right away the Two Towers.

As for Gimli and Legolas, they sure are surprising as well. Gimli wasn't as playful as he was in the movie. He was sort of more respectable, and wiser, especially when he was in Moria. And when they arrived in Lothlorien, I was thankful he and Legolas finally became real friends. I had never been so happy. Legolas was one great elf and he have my respect, even if his folks let Gollum away.

The proud lord of Gondor, Boromir...is somebody I cannot hate but also cannot like. It pains me that he was so persistent in taking the ring to Gondor, and yet I knew two evils drove him to be that way: his Father and the One Ring.

Last, but not the least, Aragorn, the lost king of Gondor. He is one exceptional character and I was like, stunned with the way Tolkien described him. He had my respect even during the time when he's still Strider. He was so humble, and kingly, just like those in the fairy tales I grew up with. Yet, there is a great deal of strength in him, and man, he could lead. There's nothing better than a man who could lead.

When I reached the last page, all those fears I stated above were washed away. And when I looked at the maps, man, I wasn't lost at all. In fact, it's as if I could live there.

I think Tolkien is one hell of a storyteller. I can't wait to start Two Towers.

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