The Hobbit (1938) presented only selections—and for children—from the Red Book of Westmarch, this calls for a complete...

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THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING

The Hobbit (1938) presented only selections—and for children—from the Red Book of Westmarch, this calls for a complete surrender to mythic adaptations. Give in and you have the magic of elves, dwarves—and hobbits and their determination as a free people to withstand the overshadowing threat of the Dark Power from the East. Bilbo, to celebrate his 111th birthday, leaves all to his heir, Frodo—vanishes and leaves also the Ring which the wizard Gandalf recognizes as the master ring of the great rings of power and of which Frodo is to be the ring bearer. Frodo flees before the Black Riders, accompanied by faithful Sam, Morry and Pippin; they are pursued, are saved from the Old Forest by Bomadil and his River Daughter, escape the barrow-wights, pick up the protection of the Strider and come to the council of those who would oppose the Land of Mordor. A fellowship gathered, they travel further, are trapped in the bowels of a mountain, come to Lothlorien and are with Frodo, who has found courage in "unlikely places," deciding to make his way to Mordor in spite of worse dangers. A whole new geography of Westland in the third age of Middle Earth, a whole new population and nomenclature, and the oft told tale of and escape are blended for tastes ready again for perambulatory narration and the of a wonder world. Over the big "if" of appeal, this is very nice.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Houghton, Mifflin

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1954

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