Imagine you’re reading this in 1954 and you have to wait for the next installment in the series oh my god. I know I am literally 70 years late to the party but this was SO fun and engaging and WHOLESOME. Ultimately it’s a story about friendship. Yes there’s corruption, power, a battle of good v evil etc etc BUT at the end of the day???? Those little hobbits love each other. It makes me cry thinking about it.

Andy Serkis is absolutely freaking it with the narration and you can tell he’s having the time of his life. Now, the number of songs in here is insane. Every time they meet someone new (they are ALWAYS meeting someone new it’s a hero’s JOURNEY) there are new songs to sing. I did grow to hate them but I also have to respect how much fun JRRT must have been having with it. It’s also INSANE to me (again, about 25 years late here) just how much JK Rowling bit from JRRT. So many plot points/details about the story reminded me of big plot moments in Harry Potter, much more than just “hero’s journey” plot beat similarities. I understand now why all the nerds were up in arms for so long. Can’t wait to watch the 4+ hour movie adaptation with my designated Man I Can Ask Annoying Questions To The Entire Time™️. I’m so excited to keep reading!!!