Tolkien's sequel to Fellowship Of The Ring receives a wonderful treatment in this highly entertaining dramatized version. The story does not begin on the lightest of notes as Boromir is down for the count, Frodo is on the lam, and Merry and Pippin have been captured by Uruk-hai. The stakes are rising for all involved in The Two Towers: Book Two in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, and they are only going to get higher as this epic tale unfolds.
As the narrative goes on, three plotlines are presented - one following Sam and Frodo in their journey to destroy the ring in Mordor; another following Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas as they deal with issues in Rohan; and the last following Merry and Pippin's escipades of trouble and tomfoolery. Each group of heroes is working toward a common goal, that is to foil Sauron's wicked deeds. They are three entirely separate pieces that will all come together in the end for a glorious conclusion.
This second insallment is a beautiful transition into the third and final book of the series. It neither outshines the first, nor does it pale to the third, but stands as a strong and satisfying read on its own, complete with adventure and heart-wrenching depth to grip you to your core. We are introduced to several characters - some returning and others brand new - who will prove intricate in the culmination. The lore of Middle Earth continues to build, character development continues to open up, and if you're still with the series at this point, there is no turning back now.
J.R.R. Tolkien was a master-storyteller in early/mid-1900's Britain. He was primarily a linguist and historian, which is evident in his construction of the Middle Earth realm. The level of mythology and cultural structure he developed within his world is still unparalleled in modern literature, and his influence upon writers will carry on for generations to come.
"What can I say - one of my favourites of all time. An allegory of WWII with the nasty nazi's as Mordor and rural England as the innocent yet noble rural Englanders (pre-industrial) as the Hobbits. To design whole languages, interlocking stories and cultures. What an achievement....
"
—
Cindy (5 out of 5 stars)