I have been making my way through a long list of so-called classic books over the last 5 years or so. I have read so many of them that I have read nearly all on a list of 100 greatest classic books.
One book I had not read, and which appears on virtually any list of ‘classics’ is “The Lord of the Rings” by J.R. Tolkien.
I knew that this is not my type of book as I am not into fantasy or science fiction. But as it always appears on these lists, I decided I would put aside by indifference to this type of novel.
I figured if I could get into the story and put aside my hesitation about make believe characters like elves and hobbits the story was bound to be a good one which would be guaranteed to engage.
I expected it to be full of twists and turns and cliff-edge narrative moments.
I have been sadly disappointed. I have found it to be boring and almost totally devoid of action.
I will continue to finish it, but I must assume the reason it is on a list of classic books is because critics and connoisseurs have good memories of reading the book as children.
This is the only explanation I can think of, to be frank. Because I have found it boring and would say it is overrated. Unless, that is, it is simply a children’s book in which case a slightly different view might be taken.
But it is still boring.