The Two Towers (The Lord of the Rings, Book 2)

"The Two Towers" continues the epic saga of Frodo and his companions on their journey to rid Middle Earth of the evil One Ring and defeat the evil Sauron and his nefarious followers. This novel contains more action and is faster-paced than "Fellowship of the Rings." As the reader has been already acquainted with much of the lore and mythology of Middle Earth, Tolkien seeks a quicker pace in their adventure tale.

Tolkien continues to paint a mythological world of wonder and enchantment. The battle scenes are particularly vivid, as the Rohan riders and the fellowship attempt to stave off an assault by Orcs. Through brilliant detail, Tolkien delivers a graphic and realistic picture of a heroic battle. Indeed, Tolkien's skill for painting masterful pictures in the reader's mind continues. Although Tolkien is not flowery in his language, he nonetheless presents the sweeping battle scenes and panoramic vistas in a straightforward, yet illustrious manner.

Throughout this novel, the importance of fellowship and friendship become more evident. Sam and Frodo elicit a friendship bond that may be stronger than brotherhood. Although they were certainly close at the start of their epic, their bond has grown stronger. Their loyalty to each other cannot be broken - not by Gollum, the Orcs, or any other evil creature or power. Legolas and Grimli also put aside historic animosity between elves and dwarves and become battle-tested companions. Although they may not be as close as Sam and Frodo, they display the same loyalty and camaraderie that are essential to the strength of the fellowship, and the foundation of victory for the forces of good.

Saruman remains a stark reminder of the ability of absolute power to corrupt. Although he was once the highest and most trust-worthy of wizards, he has evolved into a calculating, power-hungry fiend. It is the power and lure of the One Ring that has corrupted him and turned a once powerful ally into a hideous enemy.

The character of Sam continues to develop from a comic sidekick to a true hero. By the end of the novel, Sam has become a noble hero and combatant. Although he is still a pudgy hobbit, he shows valor in the face of adversary. Although he briefly abandons Frodo when he thinks all hope is lost, he quickly understands that his role may not be as the ultimate hero, but as Frodo's loyal companion, come what may. Indeed, Tolkien reminds us that one need not might and strength to become a hero, for the potential to be a hero resides in all of us, no matter how small and insignificant we may deem ourselves.

The narrative leaves us hanging, as the "Return of the King" will bring us the conclusion of their quest. Yet, even though their quest may end, Tolkien will no doubt leave open many mysteries and legends of Middle Earth.

Consider, if you will, an imposing book so flawed that it is filled with uber-heroes, beatific heroines, irredeemable villains, archaic diction, puffed up prose, overwrought melodrama, entire races consigned to evil, and motivations that are told rather than shown. I am thinking, of course, of... "War and Peace", or perhaps it is "Les Miserables". Then again, it may be "The Odyssey", or "The Merchant of Venice". Come to think of it, this is a pretty accurate description of the Bible.

As its detractors so tediously note, "The Lord of the Rings" has flaws. However, these critics get so absorbed in picking their nits they fail to notice that, like its fellow classics, this work's pre-eminence renders its flaws inconsequential. If one is intent on fault-finding, faults one will find. But one is thereby blinded to the greater glory.

"The Lord of the Rings" is indeed one of the most glorious of literary classics. It attains a majestic tone matched only by a handful of its peers: "Le Morte d'Arthur" perhaps, or "Paradise Lost", where the dimension is epic, and the settings, characters and themes pass into the collective consciousness as archetypes. Such archetypes are not formed by chance; they occur only when a creation taps into universal truths and the most essential elements of human nature.

Middle Earth, the One Ring, Hobbits and Wraiths, the quest not imposed but willingly undertaken, strength not of body but of will, courage not of battle but of endurance, the smallest in stature carrying the heaviest of burdens and doing the greatest of deeds: these images and themes have passed into the common culture. How we respond to these archetypes depends on the person we are.

"The Lord of the Rings" offends by turns: effete intellectuals because it is unashamedly mainstream, the attention challenged because it is lengthy, and jaded cynics because it wears its heart on its sleeve. If you hold membership in any of these clubs, then this book is not for you. Like the best classical literature, this work demands qualities in the reader that are sadly now out of fashion: things like tolerance for detail, a sense of history, a linguistic ear, a love of epic grandeur and an appreciation for literary convention. Most of all, it requires an innocence and an exuberance that runs counter to the existential nihilism of the day. There are no angst-ridden antiheroes in Tolkien, no moral malaise, no self-absorbed ghouls paralysed by the futility of existence. If you must have these things, then look to Michael Moorcock and his Elric sagas. What you find in "The Lord of the Rings" is Tolkien's rejection of such thinking.

Ultimately, Tolkien's creation is for the life affirming. It comes from a perspective where life has meaning--where even suffering and death have meaning--and the act of living is not an end in itself but is dedicated to a higher purpose. For those willing to embrace such virtues, "The Lord of the Rings" makes a sublime connection to our hearts through its grace, its compassion and its incomparable genius.

This story begins with a young hobbit named Frodo whose uncle found a ring that turned the person wearing it invisible. Then Bilbo (Frodo's uncle) had to leave the Shire. So Frodo took the ring. Then, Frodo went to Rivendell were he met Legolas and Gimli who helped on the quest to destroy the ring in the fires of Mt. Doom, which was in Mordor. On the quest Frodo got separated from all of his companions except Sam.
I liked this book because it has a lot of action in it. I also think that J.R.R. Tolkien has a great sense of mystery and action. My favorite character is Legolas because the way the author writes about him is awesome.

The Two Towers, I think, is a wonderful book as are all the Lord of the Rings series. And, I personally think that J.R.R. Tolkien was a genius.

REVIEW OF THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS

In the book there are 8 friends that have a quest to destroy the ring and evil forever. But in the beginning they got split apart, and Sam and Frodo are left with the ring to go to Mt.Mortar where the only the place the ring can be destroyed. Throughout the way Sam and Frodo meet a strange creature who has been acquainted with the ring before. Later on in the book they both figure out what he really is after. In the book there is kindness, love, bravery, friendship, and a life-lesson.
The themes of the book are bravery, love, friendship, kindness, and a life-lesson. Bravery is when Frodo faces his fears in the journey, like when he faces orcs, and love is when Aragorn thinks about his girlfriend. Friendship in the book happens when Sam saves Frodo from almost getting killed and kindness is when Sam helps Frodo destroy the ring. Life-lesson is learned by Frodo who understands to keep your friends close. This is what the theme is in the book.
The characters are Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, Gandalf, Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin. In the beginning of the book Frodo and Sam run away to leave Aragorn sword-wielder, Legolas bow-master, and Gimli axe-holder behind. But later into the book they find an old and lost friend. Also Merry and Pippin are caught by the urau-kia to be taken to Sauroman, the wizard who turned evil. So the ring is left with Frodo and Sam to be destroyed, and they meet something special on the way.
The setting in the story is in Middle Earth. It has lakes, streams, rivers, hills, volcanoes, mountains, cities, towns, and fortresses. Or as I would say, it is just like our planet. It also has cows, fish, wolves, dogs, cats, etc. There is also evil as black riders, trolls, goblins, orcs, cave trolls, and sarouman throughout the land.
I would recommend this book because if you like a book with friends, action, and bravery, this would be the book for you. There is also kindness, love, and life-lesson to be learned in this book. Characters in the book are so courageous, brave, and loyal to one another it ads up to be one important fight throughout their travels. Another thing I like about this book is the setting because it is just like our own earth. Overall I would recommend this book to anyone who deals with friendship everyday.