Book Review: The Two Towers (Lord of the Rings #2) by J. R. R. Tolkien
(Five Stars)
(This review is of the 1990 unabridged audio recording by Rob Inglis.)
“For I was talking aloud to myself. A habit of the old: they choose the wisest person present to speak to; the long explanations needed by the young are wearying.”
Have read this series at least once a decade since college (a few decades ago), and it continues to be fresh and refreshing. Often imitated; seldom equaled.
“Be not too eager to deal out death in the name of justice, fearing for your own safety. Even the wise cannot see all ends.”
Great story and great storytelling. Excellent narration, especially the rendition of the songs as songs
“The wise speak only of what they know”
The gold standard for fantasy. Tolkien creates—or, he would say, subcreates—whole worlds with a few words. Inglis’s plethora of voices from a single throat is almost as amazing.
“War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend.”
As a Matter of Fancy 
Soon I’ll probably read Tolkien again. It has been years since I have. You’re a good reminder! Yep, no one surpasses him. Thanks.
He recreates whole worlds with a few words – in writing. The worlds are there, already fleshed out, in his amazing prep work. Few fantasy writers do the work, so their worlds cannot be as deep as his.
When you do the work, it shows.