- Hardcover
- Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd (4 Nov 1991)
- ISBN-10: 0261102036
- ISBN-13: 978-0261102033
- Product Dimensions: 22.6 x 14.6 x 4.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,377,126 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
The first part of The History of The Lord of the Rings, an enthralling account of the writing of the Book of the Century which contains many additional scenes and includes the unpublished Epilogue in its entirety.
The Return of the Shadow is the story of the first part of the history of the creation of The Lord of the Rings, a fascinating study of Tolkien’s great masterpiece, from its inception to the end of the first volume, The Fellowship of the Ring.
In The Return of the Shadow (the abandoned title of the first volume of The Lord of the Rings) we see how Bilbo’s magic ring evolved into the supremely dangerous Ruling Ring of the Dark Lord; and the precise, and astonishingly unforeseen, moment when a Black Rider first rode in to the Shire. The character of the hobbit called Trotter (afterwards Strider or Aragorn) is developed, and Frodo’s companions undergo many changes of name and personality.
The book comes complete with reproductions of the first maps and facsimile pages from the earliest manuscripts.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.From the Back Cover
'The Return of the Shadow' is the first part of the history of the creation of 'The Lord of the Rings', a fascinating study of Tolkien's great masterpiece, from its inception to the end of the first volume, 'The Fellowship of the Ring'.
In 'The Return of the Shadow' (the abandoned title of the first volume of 'The Lord of the Rings') we see how Bilbo's 'magic' ring evolved into the supremely dangerous Ruling Ring of the Dark Lord; and the precise, and astonishingly unforeseen, moment when a Black Rider first rode into the Shire. The character of the hobbit called Trotter (afterwards Strider or Aragorn) is developed, though his true identity seems to be an insoluble problem. Frodo's companions undergo many changes of name and personality; and other major figures appear in unfamiliar guises: a sinister Treebeard, in league with the Enemy, and a ferocious, malevolent Farmer Maggot.
This book comes complete with reproductions of the first maps and facsimile pages from the earlier manuscripts.
”The pure imaginative power of J.R.R.Tolkien shines through…an excellent example of the creative imagination at work.”
BALTIMORE SUN
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The Return of the Shadow is the first volume of the history of the Lord of the Rings. It is an essential addition not only to the Tolkien lover's library but also to that of anyone who is interested in litterature and wants to discover how the book that was voted best novel of the 20th century in the UK, was conceived and written. It is followed by the Treason of Isengard and Sauron Defeated.
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I knew that I had hit upon something special when I first read 'The Lord of the Rings'. 'The Return of the Shadow' allows the reader to explore the background to Tolkien's writing and the development of his epic, and it makes fascinating reading. To see how the charcters of Frodo, Sam and most notably, Strider unfold, helps one appreciate the labour that went into Tolkien's masterpiece. The false starts and revisions enable the reader to see how the story might have progressed were it not for the authors care in delivering a story that both follows on from 'The Hobbit' but also builds a more complete story which ties in with his privately developing 'Silmarillion', covering the earlier times in middle earth. Christopher Tolkien, as editor and recipient of many letters during the writng of LOTR has researched his father's work expertly. It is necessary to continue with the other volumes of the 'History of Middle Earth' series, but it is rewarding and well worth the effort. This book is a fascinating insight into the development of the greatest book of the 20th century (allegedly), and why it took nearly 2 decades to complete.
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read tjhe Lord of the rings the first time almost 15 years ago, and since then I have read it over and over again. But there was always the question : "How did he write it ?" Christopher Tolkien gives a perfect explanation about how his father starts writing the Lord of the Rings - You can read a lot of different versions of the farewell party for Bilbo - seeing how the story evolves and how the names were invented and choosen. So for a real fan who wants to know how hard it is to write a book - to write this book - its a pleasure to walk with Tolkien on his journey from the Shire to Bree and Rivendell ...and the road goes ever on and on.
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