The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
**Spoiler Warning**
I’ve completed listening to these dramatized abridged versions of the Lord of the Rings novels. It has been interesting to hear and notice differences in the written version compared to Peter Jackson’s film adaptations, and certain scenes have just as much impact in both versions.
After listening to the final novel in the trilogy, certain scenes stood out. The most stirring to me was definitely Eowyn’s incredible scene when she confronted and slew the Witch-king of Angmar, Lord of the Nazgul, after her father Theoden, the king of Rohan, was mortally wounded (with help from a good stab from Merry).
I also enjoyed the scene after the battle where Aragorn was harassing the local folks in The Houses of Healing chapter to get him an herb(Athelas, commonly known as Kingsfoil) that the people did not know the value of, so he could heal the wounds of those damaged by their encounters with the Nazgul. It was a very calming and funny scene after such an intense battle outside of Minas Tirith.
Towards the end of the Fellowship’s journey, when the host of men and elves and others that Gandalf led to the front gate of Mordor, the scene with the Mouth of Sauron was pretty cool–but even hearing the same mocking cruelty in the written and film versions, I feel like the film version conveys so much more with the Mouth’s small, unnatural movements and corrupted smiles.
I was also surprised that the scene where the ring falls into Mount Doom was much the same between book and film, and we saw how much Frodo had been affected as the ring bearer over so much time and striving and struggle–and if not for Gollum, the ring may never have been destroyed.
I found it endearing but a bit silly that the eagles could talk with Gandalf as they came to bear him to Frodo and Sam and take them away from the realm of Sauron as it collapsed in on itself. But it makes sense and falls in line with Gandalf’s ability to speak with all creatures, from men and elves to moths and eagles. It did feel more ethereal in the film when the eagles did not speak and simply carried Frodo and Sam away when they almost perished and started the denouement of the tale.
I was surprised to see the changes in the Shire when the hobbits returned, with gates erected and all their beautiful trees cut down. Merry and Pippin led the battle as commanders against the ruffians(with Frodo and Sam’s help) that had taken over the region with Saruman as their supposed true leader and were encouraged by Lothos. Everything is wrapped up much more neatly in the film, but it was great to see that The Shire was not a perfect place, protected from the ravages of war in some kind of unrealistic limbo.
It was interesting to see the final scene with Saruman and Wormtongue. Frodo showed great wisdom there, regardless of how it fell out in the end. Sam became an even better gardener and keeper of the Shire and the realm around it with his little box of seeds and tiny grains that restored the Shire’s foliage with a great 20 years of growth in a single growing season after Sam had planted those grains everywhere–another demonstration of the wondrous magic of the Lady Galadriel.
The description of the scene when Frodo leaves with Bilbo to sail to the Undying Land of the elves (Valinor) is sublime and when he sees the far green shores coming into view after the silver veil of mists falls away–I wouldn’t mind seeing the same thing when I die.
I enjoyed this third installment a lot, and I’m not sure if I enjoyed this or The Fellowship of the Ring better. The Two Towers is also great, but I’d pick my favorite from the other two if I had to. I would highly recommend these abridged audiobook versions as a fast way to enjoy these tales–and you’ll learn a lot more about the content of the novels if you’ve only ever seen the films.
Maggie Cann Can Do It! 