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The Fellowship of the Ring: Being the First Part of the Lord of the Rings
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The Fellowship of the Ring: Being the First Part of the Lord of the Rings Hardcover - 1988

by J. R. Tolkien

The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien's three-volume epic, is set in the imaginary world of Middle-earth - home to many strange beings, and most notably hobbits, a peace-loving "little people," cheerful and shy. Since its original British publication in 1954-55, the saga has entranced readers of all ages. It is at once a classic myth and a modern fairy tale. Critic Michael Straight has hailed it as one of the "very few works of genius in recent literature." Middle-earth is a world receptive to poets, scholars, children, and all other people of good will. Donald Barr has described it as "a scrubbed morning world, and a ringing nightmare world...especially sunlit, and shadowed by perils very fundamental, of a peculiarly uncompounded darkness." The story of ths world is one of high and heroic adventure. Barr compared it to Beowulf, C.S. Lewis to Orlando Furioso, W.H. Auden to The Thirty-nine Steps. In fact the saga is sui generis - a triumph of imagination which springs to life within its own framework and on its own terms.


About this book

The Fellowship of the Ring is the first of three volumes of the epic novel The Lord of the Rings by the English author J. R. R. Tolkien. It takes place in the fictional universe Middle-earth. It was originally published on July 29, 1954 in the United Kingdom. The volume consists of a Prologue "Concerning Hobbits, and other matters" followed by Book I and Book II.

Tolkien's publisher worried that the 'high-fantasy' novel wouldn't sell, and broke the text into three volumes to cut costs: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. Because the popularity had not been tested, initial print runs on the trilogy were low, making first states scarce and valuable.

Summary

The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien's three-volume epic, is set in the imaginary world of Middle-earth - home to many strange beings, and most notably hobbits, a peace-loving "little people," cheerful and shy. Since its original British publication in 1954-55, the saga has entranced readers of all ages. It is at once a classic myth and a modern fairy tale. Critic Michael Straight has hailed it as one of the "very few works of genius in recent literature." Middle-earth is a world receptive to poets, scholars, children, and all other people of good will. Donald Barr has described it as "a scrubbed morning world, and a ringing nightmare world...especially sunlit, and shadowed by perils very fundamental, of a peculiarly uncompounded darkness." The story of ths world is one of high and heroic adventure. Barr compared it to Beowulf, C.S. Lewis to Orlando Furioso, W.H. Auden to The Thirty-nine Steps. In fact the saga is sui generis - a triumph of imagination which springs to life within its own framework and on its own terms.

From the rear cover

In celebration of The Hobbit's fiftieth anniversary, the authoritative edition of its stirring sequel, The Lord of the Rings, is elegantly presented in handsome, uniform editions. The First Part of The Lord of the Rings finds Bilbo Baggins (hero of The Hobbit) preparing to celebrate his 'eleventy-first' birthday. Sixty unremarkable years have passed since his triumphant return from the orcmines, where he outwitted the horrible Gollum and carried off his magical ring----a feat that cannot go forever unavenged. The ring may hold more power than anyone suspects; indeed, dark forces are already conspiring to snatch it back.

First Edition Identification

The first edition, first printing of The Fellowship of the Ring was published in the UK by George Allen and Unwin. Only 3,000 copies were initially published. A fold out map in the read includes a red dot off the coast of Umbar as a first state point and 21s pricepoint on dustjacket.

Details

  • Title The Fellowship of the Ring: Being the First Part of the Lord of the Rings
  • Author J. R. Tolkien
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition 2 Sub Rei
  • Pages 432
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher William Morrow & Company, Boston
  • Date 1988-03-03
  • Illustrated Yes
  • Features Bibliography, Illustrated, Index, Maps
  • ISBN 9780395489314 / 0395489318
  • Weight 1.2 lbs (0.54 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.9 x 5.5 x 1.6 in (22.61 x 13.97 x 4.06 cm)
  • Ages 12 to UP years
  • Grade levels 7 - UP
  • Themes
    • Religious Orientation: Christian
  • Library of Congress subjects Fantasy fiction, Middle Earth (Imaginary place)
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 67012274
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC

Media reviews

"Here are beauties which pierce like swords or burn like cold iron." -- C.S. Lewis

"Destined to outlast our time." The New York Herald-Tribune

"Exciting... Mr. Tolkien's invention is unflagging" -- W.H. Auden

Citations

  • Booklist, 02/15/1992, Page 1101
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The Fellowship Of The Ring: Being the First Part of The Lord of the Rings (The Lord of the Rings, 1)
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The Fellowship Of The Ring: Being the First Part of The Lord of the Rings (The Lord of the Rings, 1)

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