John Ronald Reuel Tolkien is one of the most famous writers of fantasy stories.His "Hobbit, or There and Back Again" and "The Lord of the Rings" became the world best-sellers. I think those two books brought him the biggest fame. However, to understand this English writer's work, I will try to show you his personality.

Tolkien and his younger brother Hilary were born in South Africa, where there mother Mabel got married to Arthur Tolkien. After his father's death, Mabel with sons came back to England. There John got a scrupulous education. He was interested in the Old English literature for special and simultaneous translation from Old Germanic languages. The first published composition was "Goblin Feet" (1915). When Tolkien was starting to write "The Hobbit", he didn't expect to become so famous. The readers demanded next parts of such a fascinating story. And that's why he decided to write "The Lord of the Rings". Now I will try to describe it with more details. In this book we have a story about fight between Good and Evil. Tolkien transfers us to a fairy world, where we can meet hobbits, elves, people, wizards and imps. The central figure is Frodo Bagginis, hobbit, who can't permit to get the Ring into Evil's hands. If this happened it would be the end of the world. Frodo travels with his good friends, who help him in his mission.

In my opinion many people won't read this classical position of the literature. They think, that three volumes: "The Fellowship of the Ring", "The Two Towers", "The Return of the King" are too much and they will be boring. But I can honestly assure you, that if you start to read, you won't realise when you finish. This book is awfully absorbing! Besides, to make you satisfied I know that the film adaptation of the first volume will be shown on 15.02.2002 as the premiere at the cinemas. But I suggest reading "The Lord of the Rings", because nothing will replace such a wonderful book.

Anna Wadówka