Tag Archives: the two towers

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: The Stairs Of Cirith Ungol

Posted on Sep 23, 2011 by NFB

(Updated on 24/11/15) The following three chapters, starting here, form the conclusion of Book Four, an extended finale that sees the tension get ramped up at a gradual level. It begins with Frodo, now being dragged down by the literal … 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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The Lord Of The Rings. Chapter By Chapter: The Palantir

Posted on Jul 29, 2011 by NFB

(Updated on 05/10/15) We’ve reached the end of Book Three and the mid-point of the entire story. And no, I’m not going to use the damned umlaut thing. Sue me. The heroes turn their backs on Saruman and ride out … Continue reading →

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The Lord Of The Rings, Chapter By Chapter: The Voice Of Saruman

Posted on Jul 22, 2011 by NFB

(Updated on 26/09/15) New update 06/09/2020: As this post has been linked to by a far-right website seeking to use it as part of a bizarre argument against following COVID-19 restrictions, let me take the opportunity to say that COVID-19 … Continue reading →

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