The Return of the King

I have loved Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy since the first time I read it in 6th grade. I say that so that up front you have an understanding that this review is written by a Tolkien fan. I have read just about all of his books, and enjoyed them all. The purchase of this book was an impulse buy in that I wanted all 3 books in the trilogy to be of the same edition so that the style of the artwork is all the same. I know, that sounds a little odd, but I have that human compunction that things in a series should look like they belong to that series. Previously, each of the LOTR books I owned were from different editions, and it always bugged me. Anyway... The cover of this book is taken from an illustration by J.R.R. Tolkien probably one of the many drawings he made while developing the Middle Earth concept. The image is printed in gold ink on the cover. The image is a little cryptic, and it makes one feel like they found an ancient manuscript from Middle Earth. I think this is much better than a dramatic scene of an epic battle which would only remind one that they are looking into this world and yet are not a part of it. The book itself contains the last two books (5 and 6) of the Lord of the Rings saga as well as the Appendices to the whole Lord of the Rings trilogy. The book starts with a small synopsis so that you are reminded of what has happened up to this point, and then starts with the arrival of Gandalf and Pippen at Minas Tirith. Tolkien does a great job of painting a picture of the tension in Minas Tirith. Everyone in the city knows this is where Sauron's next strike will be and that the fate of mankind hinges on the outcome of the coming battle. Next we are taken to Rohan where King Théoden is rounding up the Rohirrim in an attempt to bring aid to Gondor. They will sorely need the bravery of King Théoden's calvary in the battle to come. Then there is the battle of Pelennor Fields itself and the aftermath. One of the nice things about the book versus the Peter Jackson movie is that you can see the love developing between Eowin and Faramir instead of only a momentary glance like we received in the movie. And, let's not forget Frodo and Sam. Book 6 brings to conclusion what the other 900 or so pages of the trilogy has led up to. Here we see the effects of the ring on the relationship of Frodo and Sam, and how Frodo sees his own reflection in Gollum. There is a palpable sense of how heavy the burden of bearing the Ring has become and you can sense Frodo is nearly at his wits end. And what makes it all worse is that no one can trust Gollum who is leading them closer to Mount Doom but is being coy and truly devious. Throughout the Lord of the Ring trilogy up to this point, my favorite character was Gandalf. Who wouldn't like someone that powerful and wise. But as I read the books and each time I re-read the books, I find I like Sam more and more. And in The Return of the King, Sam truly shines as his loyalty and his love for Frodo never falter even as the difficulties and the challenges mount. The appendices are also great for delving further into the background of the world of the Lord of the Rings. We get a look at the lines of kingship not only for the history of the kings of Numenor, but also a history of the Stewards of Gondor. There is a tale of Aragorn and Arwen. There is a look at the history of the Second Age (the age prior to the Third Age, the age where Lord of the Rings takes place), and finally a Pronunciation of Words and Names in the Common Speech. Truly, Tolkien spent a lot of time imagining this world and the beings who dwell there in. This was no mere dashing off a story on a Sunday afternoon, this took years and years of effort on Tolkien's part, and you get a glimpse of how much effort he went to in the Appendices. Anyway, I can't say enough about all 3 Lord of the Rings books. I highly recommend these books, and I hope this review helps someone decide if this book is right for them.

J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Return of the King" is perfect conclusion to the trilogy; additionally it is a profound exploration of Christian themes like redemption, sacrifice, and the victory of good over evil. Reading this book, you cannot detach the biblical parables and teachings, if you do, you will completely miss the weight of this beautiful story. The journey towards redemption is a core element of the narrative, illustrated through characters who embody forgiveness and change. Aragorn's ascent to the throne is not just a tale of a king reclaiming his crown but reflects the Christian belief in fulfilling one's God-given destiny despite past failures or doubts. Similarly, characters like Theoden and Boromir, who overcome personal failings, remind us of the power of grace and the possibility of redemption through faith and courage. The battle between the forces of good and evil in Tolkien's world can be seen as a reflection of the Christian battle between light and darkness. However, the ultimate triumph of good in "The Return of the King" resonates deeply with the Christian faith in the ultimate victory of God's kingdom. The perseverance of Frodo and Sam in their quest, despite the overwhelming shadow of Sauron, mirrors the Christian journey of faith through trials and tribulations. Suffering and sacrifice are portrayed not as pointless hardships but as necessary paths to glory, a theme deeply rooted in Christian theology. Frodo's sacrifices, in particular, echo the concept of bearing one's cross. His willingness to suffer for the greater good, to carry a burden that was not his by choice, mirrors the sacrificial love at the heart of Christianity. The message is clear: through suffering and sacrifice, redemption and salvation are found. In "The Return of the King," Tolkien weaves a narrative that uplifts the spirit and speaks to the heart of Christian values. The victory of good over evil, the importance of faith and forgiveness, and the power of sacrifice for the greater good are themes that not only provide depth to the story but also offer hope and inspiration. This book, with its rich Christian allegory, is more than an epic tale; it's a reminder of the enduring power of faith and the promise of redemption for all. This story doesn't just deserve praise for its adventure and fantasy; it's a beacon of light, showcasing the strength of Christian principles in the face of darkness. "The Return of the King" captures the essence of the Christian journey — the belief that through faith, sacrifice, and perseverance, there is always hope for redemption and renewal.

My familiarity with this series thus far has been more from the movies, an excellent series. I've put off reading the books for far too long, but admit that knowing the base story helped bring them to life in my mind while reading. 43% of the box is appendices and further information about Middle Earth; don't be daunted by the reading time or page count knowing this. This volume seemed to have some definite differences from the film. Both have their merits, and spotting them made for fun reading, even in the darker parts of the book. While the cast is male driven, they're beautifully, openly affectionate with each other in ways that current time would find startling. I find it lovely: "Merry seized his hand and kissed it. ‘I am frightfully sorry,’ he said. ‘Go at once! Ever since that night at Bree we have been a nuisance to you. But it is the way of my people to use light words at such times and say less than they mean. We fear to say too much. It robs us of the right words when a jest is out of place.’ ‘I know that well, or I would not deal with you in the same way,’ said Aragorn. ‘May the Shire live for ever unwithered!’ And kissing Merry he went out, and Gandalf went with him." There are strong female characters as well, including an epic scene with Eowyn. Great read, I'm sorry I waited this long to enjoy it!

No matter how many times I’ve read this series, it never gets old and I always end up rereading! Normally after watching the movies lol I still feel this book gives much more closure than the movie does, especially with the events of the shire. Definitely a must read.

Very beautiful vintage looking cover, I know my daughter will love her gift.

Ürün kargosunda kitabın üstünde ekstra bir koruyucu yoktu ama sorun değil yine de sağlam geldi beğendim

Niceee..!❤️

Y for fin, parte 3 de la famosa trilogía, no hay película como esta, no hay libros como estos. Después del último libro del regreso del rey, recomiendo los Unfinished Tales. Recomiendo el universo de Tolkien a todo el mundo.

イギリスのHarperCollins社が出しているこのペーパーバック版のLord of the rings第三部は、日本語訳だと「補遺」として別巻で出ている内容も含んでいて、大変お得である。表紙はトールキン自身が描いたもので、物語に見合った重厚感があってよい。写真ではよく分からないが、黒でさらにエルフ文字（ルーン文字かも）や、木の絵が、指輪の絵に重なっている。内容は本編と補遺のほかに、異様に詳細なインデックス（研究者もこれで満足？）のほか、何枚もの地図がついている。 補遺にはミドルアースの年表や、家系図、さまざまな年代記、さらにはこの冒険の最中に起きた出来事の日付なども載っているので、物語を読んでいく最中に、知らないミドルアースの歴史や人物の名前がでてきたときにすぐ確認できるし、それぞれの冒険の詳しい日程もよく分かる。はじめて物語を読む人がこれを見てしまうと、結末がわかってしまって興ざめかもしれないが、一度映画を全部みてしまった人や、日本語で一度読んだ人などは、これを片手においておくとたいへん便利だと思われる。そうでなくとも、もっとも感動のつまった第三部を原書で手元に置いておくのもいいものでしょう。

I first read these books about a year before the first movie came out. I loved them! The movies came out and changed cinema forever. They were epic in their scale and as faithful to the books as it was possible to be. As a result, Since then whenever lord of the rings has been discussed, it is the world created by Peter Jackson that is the focus and that is fine; it's a great world. Jackson, took the story that was said to be un-filmable and brought Tolkiens world to an amazed generation that may not have otherwise discovered the tale. I recently re-read the trilogy and while the movies are an excellent guide to Tolkiens world, they are only a pale shadow to the books. The writing in these books is superb, the journeys of the members of the fellowship far more perilous than I remembered and Tolkiens mastery of the English language is used to full effect. The depth of the world of middle earth is stunning. From the histories of each of the races there, to the languages that are fully formed and linguisticly beautiful or harsh depending on the race they belong to. The first time I read the books I skipped past the songs and poems that litter the trilogy, but, this time I read them and they were another jewel of the tale. Unforgettable characters that permeate the world we live in, and an unforgettable story. I don't think any author of this genre has ever matched this trilogy for it's literary achievement. The only downside for me is that they are not long enough. If you've never read The Lord of the rings, then I cannot recommend them highly enough; and if you have read them in the past, you would almost definately enjoy another trip with the fellowship. Probably the finest fantasy tale, ever!