Three Thoughts after Rereading The Lord of the Rings
Photo by Joshua Baudelaire on Unsplash
Aaron Sharp | April 21, 2020
I recently reread the Lord of the Rings trilogy and here are three thoughts I have after turning the last page, at least one of which will likely get me some hate email from other Tolkien fans.
Thought 1 - Tom Bombadil is overrated
Bombadil is generally adored by fans of The Lord of the Rings. I am probably in the minority, but I don’t think he really adds all that much to the story. Meh, that’s what I have to say.
I have spoken.
Thought 2 - The Battle of Baywater needs its own movie.
I know the movies are really long as is, but man the culmination of character arcs and storylines is so much better when the four hobbits take back the Shire. Not to mention Saruman’s ending is so much more fitting in the books.
Thought 3 - Characters are so much better in the book
Yes, the book is always better than the movie, and I love the movies enough to watch the extended editions every year. But Merry, Pippen, Sam, and Saruman all have so much more depth and fulfilling storylines in the books. And to reitterate, Saruman’s demise is far superior in the books.