Tag Archives: gollum

The Hobbit, Chapter By Chapter: Riddles In The Dark

Posted on Mar 9, 2018 by NFB

This may be the best-known chapter in Tolkien’s entire works, and is certainly one of the most highly regarded. Within the pages of the spookily titled “Riddles In The Dark”, Tolkien presents an incredibly vivid and remarkable episodic adventure, and … Continue reading →

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The Lord Of The Rings, Chapter By Chapter: Mount Doom

Posted on Jan 21, 2012 by NFB

Sam is still the man in charge. Acting almost like a parent to a toddler with Frodo, who seems content to go in and out of these phases where he makes no effort to do anything at all. The two … Continue reading →

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The Lord Of The Rings, Chapter By Chapter: The Land Of Shadow

Posted on Jan 14, 2012 by NFB

(Updated on 17/2/16) We’re back on a moment of cliffhanger tension, the two hobbits still not free from the clutches of Cirith Ungol. The chapter break between these points is a little odd in my view. The moment when Frodo … Continue reading →

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The Lord Of The Rings, Chapter By Chapter: Shelob’s Lair

Posted on Oct 4, 2011 by NFB

(Updated on 01/12/15) When he was just a small child, no more than three, J.R.R Tolkien was playing in a garden in South Africa, when a “baboon spider” – a species of tarantula – bit him. Baboon spiders have a … Continue reading →

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The Lord Of The Rings, Chapter By Chapter: Journey To The Cross-Roads

Posted on Sep 17, 2011 by NFB

(Updated on 17/11/15) Time for one of the shortest chapters, one in fact that might not even justify being its own chapter. “Journey To The Cross-Roads” could easily be merged into both the proceeding and following chapters, and I wonder … Continue reading →

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The Lord Of The Rings, Chapter By Chapter: The Forbidden Pool

Posted on Sep 9, 2011 by NFB

(Updated on 10/11/15) “The Window On The West” was a nice self-contained chapter, which did little to advance the narrative generally, but still offered a lot great character and dialogue moments. Having got back a bit of drive and momentum … Continue reading →

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The Lord Of The Rings, Chapter By Chapter: Of Herbs And Stewed Rabbit

Posted on Aug 26, 2011 by NFB

(Updated on 28/10/15) It is a pretty off chapter title isn’t it? It’s the first few pages of this chapter that might show just why Book Four is so disliked, in that it is very, very boring. It’s more travelling, … Continue reading →

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The Lord Of The Rings, Chapter By Chapter: The Black Gate Is Closed

Posted on Aug 19, 2011 by NFB

(Updated on 21/10/15) “The Black Gate Is Closed” is a short chapter, but vital nonetheless. We’ve reached a very important point in the story, as the Ring-bearer arrives at the borders of Mordor, and we’re greeted with one of the … Continue reading →

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The Lord Of The Rings, Chapter By Chapter: The Passage Of The Marshes

Posted on Aug 12, 2011 by NFB

(Updated on 15/10/15) This chapter really does show clearly the main complaints that are standard with Book Four, in that it can, at an initial glance anyway, be summed up in little more than a sentence: They walk through a … Continue reading →

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The Lord Of The Rings, Chapter By Chapter: The Taming Of Sméagol

Posted on Aug 5, 2011 by NFB

(Updated on 12/10/15) I often find that Book Four gets a lot of flak. I think it is fair to say that is generally perceived as the worst of the six, in that it encapsulates fully the more negative aspects … Continue reading →

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