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The Two Towers

Being the Second Part of The Lord of the Rings
Jan 05, 2018Andrew Kyle Bacon rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
This book divides the narrative of the fellowship (now broken) into two separate narratives, each taking up one half of the book. The first half, involving Aragon, Legolas, and Gimli, are fascinating and quick. The action is wonderful, the characters colorfully drawn, and the narrative engaging. The second half, with Frodo, Sam, and the loathsome creature Gollum, carrying the ring to Mordor, is less engaging, but also shorter and faster. Tolkien wisely keeps the narrative with the ring-bearer brisk and short, since their journey mainly involves walking, rather than war (as in the first half of the book). I remember when I was younger and I read these books for the first time, I thought The Two Towers was dreadfully slow, but this time I found myself hanging on every word. I can't wait to read the final portion of Tolkien's signature work. The Lord of the Rings is not a trilogy, but rather a singular book published in three volumes, and it is one of the finest works of fiction ever put on paper.