The Lord of the Rings

The Lord of the Rings is the overall title of the work by J.R.R. Tolkien generally packaged as a trilogy:

• The Fellowship of the Ring
• The Two Towers
• The Return of the King

Although Tolkien had intnded the book to be published in one volume, the economics of publishing argued for three volumes spaced out over a longer period. As it happened, the author needed another year to complete the appendices of the last volume, so the time was well-spent. Since then, one-volume omnibus editions have appeared, along with boxed sets, illustrated editions, and so on.

It tells a tale that starts with Frodo Baggins, a nephew of Bilbo Baggins, in turn the protagonist of Tolkien's earlier novel for children, The Hobbit, as Bilbo turns over the ring he found on his journey to the Lonely Mountain and back again to Frodo. Bilbo is strangely reluctant.

And from there, it all gets very complicated...

The books have been turned into movies on several occasions, including an animated version directed by Ralph Bakshi in 1978 and an epic three-part adaptation by New Line Productions, Inc., directed by Peter Jackson. The New Line version is better.