The works of JRR Tolkien probably need no introduction. This South African writer with British nationality is known worldwide for having created a fantastic and heroic world through books such as The Hobbit, The Silmarillion y The Lord of the Rings. Over the years, these novels became part of classic literature, and, much later, masterpieces of high fantasy cinema.
Tolkien served as a professor at Oxford University, in the chair of Rawlinson and Bosworth, whose purpose was to teach the Anglo-Saxon language. In addition, He was Professor of Language and Literature at Merton. The philologist received great recognition throughout his life. However, the world remembers him for his contributions to letters, although many of his works are known thanks to his third son, Christopher Tolkien.
Synopsis of JRR Tolkien's most notable books
The Hobbit, or There and Back Again - The Hobbit (1937)
This novel was written in parts, beginning in the year 1920 and ending in the late 1930s. The publisher responsible for its publication was George Allen & Unwin. The book has a youthful air, since, in principle, it was written for the author's children. The story tells of the adventures of the hobbit known as Bilbo Baggins. He sets out on a journey to find the treasure that the dragon Smaug guards in the Lonely Mountain.
Its plot begins when Bilbo, inhabitant of the Shirereceives an unexpected visit from a magician known as Gandalf the Gray and a company of 13 dwarfs. The group needed an expert looter to undertake a dangerous mission: reach Erebor, defeat Smaug, reconquer this kingdom and seize the treasure hidden in it.
The Lord of the Rings: the fellowship of the ring - The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (1954)
The Lord of the Rings: the fellowship of the ring It is the first of a trilogy that Tolkien wrote as a sequel to The Hobbit. The story takes place in The Third Age of the Sun, in middle earth. It is a fictional place where anthropomorphic creatures live, such as: elves, dwarves and hobbits, as well as human beings.
The story begins with the 111th birthday of Bilbo Baggins, whose plan for old age is to make one last trip, where he expects to live in tranquility. Aware of his friend's behavior, Gandalf attends the party. This celebration culminates with a speech by the honoree, who, after pronouncing a few words of farewell, puts on a magic ring and disappears.
As a consequence of this, Gandalf searches for the reaver. Upon finding it, he claims that he had not left the ring in the hands of Frodo, his nephew and heir. In the end, Bilbo leaves without the jewel. The magician feels doubts about the strange object, and begins to search for information about its properties. Nearly two decades later, Gandalf returns, telling Frodo of his discoveries.
That piece belonged to Sauron, The Dark Lord. The item was taken from him by King Isildur of Arnor. And now Frodo and his friends must go to the village of Bree to bring the One Ring to the land of Rivendell, where the wise men must decide what should be done with it. However, his quest will be marred by countless setbacks, battle and flight, and the persistent hunt by Sauron and his allies.
The Two Towers - The two Towers (1954)
The two Towers is presented as the second volume of The Lord of the Rings. Likewise, follow the journey of Frodo Baggins and his friends to the final destination of the Ring of Power. In this book, the Fellowship of the Ring is attacked by orcs sent by Saruman —the magician king— and Sauron. Because of this assault, a member of the Community dies while he tries to protect two others.
These last characters are kidnapped. To rescue them, the remainder decide to pursue the orcs. The event causes the captured to escape to the Fangorn Forest, where they gain allies. After they meet Gandalf, who had separated from the group to fight the Balrog. The wizard tells them that he himself died during the fight, but that he was sent back to Middle-earth to finish his mission.
The sorcerer becomes Gandalf the White, and he becomes the new head of the wizards. This character, through alliances, finds a way to get rid of the orcs forever.
Meanwhile Frodo and Sam have a battle in the mountains of Emyn Muil, on his way to Mordor, and discover that they are being hunted by a creature known as Gollum. So, the travelers ask him to guide them to their destination, but before they must face many other adversities.
The Return of the King - The return of the King (1955)
The return of the King It is the third and last volume of the Ring Trilogy. The book begins when Gandalf and company travel to the Tirith Mines.. His goal is to warn his king that his firstborn has died, and that the threat is imminent, which causes the regent to fall into madness. Allied armies fall, and enemy forces grow stronger.
Meanwhile another battle takes place which allows the defeat of Saruman's war party. At the same time, Aragorn, the human from the Fellowship, confronts the Dark Lord, and set out on the quest for the army of the undead. On the other hand, Frodo is paralyzed by the poison of Ella-Laraña, and Sam must carry the One Ring. Once the protagonist recovers, he and Sam head towards the barren lands of Mordor.
The territory is purged of almost all its inhabitants, leaving it defenseless against the entry of the heroes. Frodo succumbs to the power of the ring just as he is about to throw it into Mount Doom.. The protagonist dons the jewel, but Gollum betrays him and bites off his finger. However, the creature loses its balance and falls into the lava, ultimately causing the item's destruction.
About the author, JRR Tolkien
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was born in 1982, in Bloemfontein, Orange Free State. Tolkien was a British writer, philologist, linguist, university professor, and poet. Due to the fame and success of his work, Queen Elizabeth II decided to make him a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
The author was also a friend of the writer CS Lewis, responsible for The Chronicles of Narnia. Both professors were members of a literary debate club known as the Inklings. Tolkien, educated at Exeter College, is known as the father of high fantasy literature. In 2008, The Times named him one of “The 50 Greatest British Writers Since 1945”.
Other Popular Tolkien Books
- Leaf by Niggle — Leaf, by Niggle (1945);
- The silmarillion — The Silmarillion (1977);
- The Children of Hurin — The sons of Húrin (2007);
- The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun — The legend of Sigurd and Gudrún (2009);
- The fall of arthur — Arthur's fall (2013);
- Beowulf: A Translation and Commentary — Beowulf: translation and commentary (2014)