The People’s Guide to J.R.R. Tolkien

Essays and Reflections from TheOneRing.Net, “The Internet’s #1 Tolkien Fan Website”

by Cliff Broadway, Erica Challis, Cynthia L. McNew, Dave Smith and Michael Urban

This is a fun book written for and by fans of Middle-earth. There is something for everyone, whether your favorite people are Hobbits, Elves, Men or Dwarves. Many of them are thoughtful essays on various aspects or themes of the books and fantasy in general and there are reviews of the first two films. One of my favorites was Tehanu’s “We Cry at Beauty” which speaks among other things about the tremendous impact this story has had on people’s personal lives, how they have held on through their own struggles because Frodo did. My very favorite though is Quickbeam who wrote in “...And in the Closet Bind Them” contains some of most beautiful words I’ve read about Frodo and Sam’s loving friendship, another salvo in the battle to say that they were not lovers but brothers. He’s also the reason that I finally watched the much-maligned Rankin-Bass animated production of Return of the King. Yes, it is quite silly. Elrond looks ridiculous and the Orcs are even more, singing “Where’s the Whip There’s A Way.” Not at all threatening except for the one that whips Frodo in the tower. But there is much that is very good also in detailing Frodo and Sam’s bond, the tower scene with its loving reunion which is my favorite scene from the whole story because of the that and the constant support they gave each other on their perilous journey to the Fire. I am glad I saw it and it was because Quickbeam spoke of his love-hate relationship with it and recommended it for the very reasons I state above.

Go see it, you’ll laugh but you’ll also be touched.