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The Fellowship of the ring written by JRR Tolkien in my eye can be seen as a subtle masterpiece of writing implying many great storytelling and scene building to create the troublesome world of Middle earth. Since his last writing of the Hobbit he has clearly improved his skills with his writings being able to fully immerse any reader into his mystical world. With a new plot and a new set of characters readers familiar or unfamiliar with the hobbit can understand the intricate story created by Tolkien. But, for those unfamiliar with the Hobbit, this book offers a prologue which recaps the events in perfect sequence with an extra sprinkle of lore to help with later plot points found in some of the later chapters.  

A major factor of the book which shows the care put into its writing would be the intense lore which is discussed within the story involving wars of old with fallen kings and kingdoms, as well as betrayals and scattered evil. Although sometimes the lore and how it is explained can be confusing and can take a couple reads to fully understand. It's a factor of why I particularly enjoy the book for many times there are very good stories that leave out some lore making what happens in the story hard to explain but with the Fellowship of the Rings none of these problems are really present.  

As well as I have mentioned previously the scene building is another great part of this book with forest and cities being given so much detail that you can imagine walking through them seeing the sturdy and hard barked trees as well as the elegant craftsmanship of elvish architecture. The mechanique is applied throughout Tolkien's tale building up new settings for the readers to admire as well as using it to show immense danger of freezing mountains and dark caverns. Characters as well receive these details with elves being described by their silken and grey cloaks with their shing silver hair that flies through the air as they jump from tree to tree and their agile and thin bodies, it really helps with one's imagination. That is really why I admire this use of storytelling and do believe it is another reason why this book is a masterpiece for when you can truly feel a book and imagine its setting, its characters it's a sign that the writer has created a masterpiece.  

Moving on from all this praise of Tolkien’s skills it's time to actually move onto the actual plot of the lord of the rings. Taking place nearly 50 years after the hobbit Bilbo’s fantastical quest, it seems as he has actually been viewed as a queer fellow within his home country of shire. Having no children of his own he has adopted his cousin of Frodo and has been raising him as his own. All seems well until the night of his 110th birthday where Bilbo mystically disappears leaving Frodo to learn about his step father’s secrets from ancient wizard Gandalf the Grey. From thereon it is learned that an ancient evil has begun to rise again; Sauron is his name, an old tyrant fueled by his lust for power and desire to rule all of middle earth. So off goes Frodo as he sets out for a long grueling quest just like his step father this time to rid Sauron of his power and prevent another war against him from happening. Along the ride new friends are made with old friends rediscovered. With betrayal and loss befall him as he continues the grueling journey, learning more of Middle Earth's past and the numerous heroes who have been killed and tricked by Sauron’s power.  

The Fellowship of the Rings is really a story to be treasured; it is something that isn’t found much in the world of stories, for even as the years have passed this tale of valor and deceit still holds up as one of the greats. Sure, it isn’t all action but the story it weaves is just great enough of a reason to read and enjoy this wonderful story 

Check out The Fellowship of the Ring from the Newport Beach Public Library.