There are legendary books with such an attractive atmosphere that you can reread them endlessly. Such works include the famous series The Lord of the Rings, the books in the order of which, unfortunately, not everyone knows correctly. This cycle of novels gained fame immediately after the publication of the first volume. Today, the series has experienced a new round of popularity - after the film adaptation of it by director Peter Jackson.
History of creation
The cycle The Lord of the Rings, the books in the order of which will be considered later, is actually a continuation of Tolkien's novel The Hobbit. It was a great success, the publishers informed the writer that they were ready to consider other manuscripts of the author. Encouraged by this, in 1937, Tolkien began writing a new novel.
First, he wanted to tell in a book about the new adventures of Bilbo Baggins, the main character of The Hobbit. But then the center of the plot became the ring of omnipotence and it took a new character. They became Frodo, Bilbo's nephew.
As history developed, new faces appeared: Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Boromir and others.
Series of Tolkien's novels “The Lord of the Rings”: books in order
Many people mistakenly think that the series consists of three books. This is actually not the case. Tolkien himself wrote one novel, but its volume was so great that publishers prefer to divide it into three parts. However, occasionally a novel is released in a single volume.
So, what does the Lord of the Rings epic cycle about Middle-earth look like? Books are arranged in order as follows:
- "The Fellowship of the Ring".
- "Two fortresses."
- "The return of the sovereign."
First part of the cycle
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is the only book in the series whose title never changes.
The first part tells about the beginning of the wanderings of Frodo Baggins, who, by chance, had to take on a heavy burden - to deliver a powerful ring that belonged to Sauron hundreds of centuries ago. He was one of the most dangerous enemies of all life in Middle-earth and planned to completely subdue him. Having united in the Last Alliance, the forces of elves, people and gnomes were able to defeat the army of evil. The victory was brought by Isildur, the ruler of Gondor. He managed to cut off the finger of Sauron, on which a ring of omnipotence was worn, by a fragment of the sword of his father who died in battle. The body shell of the latter was destroyed.
Unfortunately, the noble Isildur could not resist the magical power of the ring. Instead of destroying a powerful and dangerous artifact, he kept it for himself. Two years later, on the way home, the king and his squad were attacked by orcs. Isildur died crossing the river, and the ring slipped from his hand. After many centuries, it was found by those who later became known as Gollum. Bilbo Baggins found the ring in dark caves and carried it home. From him it got to Frodo.
The magician Gandalf, who had long suspected the ring of Sauron in the ancient relics, arrived in the Shire, convinced of this. He sends Frodo with friends to the only safe place - to the elves in Rivendell.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is one of the best epic books. It shows the story of the acquaintance of the protagonists who made up the union of nine guardians, and there is not yet such a gloomy atmosphere of despair that will be felt more and more in the next parts of the cycle.
The second part of the trilogy
It is called The Lord of the Rings: Two Fortresses. Sometimes there are other options for the title of the book - “Two strongholds” and “Two towers”.
This part of the trilogy is very different from The Fellowship of the Ring. If the first book about the danger looming over the Middle-earth only spoke, because the Shire was located far from the center of all events, now Frodo and the rest of the guardians were personally confronted with how evil grew stronger and how far it penetrated deep into the once calm lands.
From the second book, events are becoming global. The fraternity of the ring breaks up, because Frodo sees how a dangerous relic is trying to capture the thoughts of his friends. Not wanting to put them at risk, at the end of the first part he leaves them. Only Frodo's best friend , Sam, notices his escape and rushes after him.
The rest of the guardians make the decision of the hobbit, realizing why he did this. Their path lies in the ancient forest of Fangorn, and then into Ristania.
The final part of the series
“The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the Sovereign” is the most powerful book of all passions. Tolkien was able to create such a work, the reading of which first causes deep despair from what is happening in him, and then pure joy for his favorite characters.
The final book of the cycle talks about the newly emerged alliance of humans, elves and gnomes. Like many centuries ago, they again united against the eternal evil of Middle-earth - Saruman. And the life of all living things now depends only on the hobbit Frodo and his determination.
Sometimes there is another version of the title of the book - "The Return of the King."
The significance of the Tolkien epic saga
The series of books “The Lord of the Rings” is the most significant literary work in the fantasy genre of the 20th century. She was repeatedly filmed. Based on the saga, a huge number of computer games were created.