Your Top TEN - CHAPTERS

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Since this is a discussion forum, we do ask that members who post lists give at least a brief explanation for their choices. Please don't just name your favourite chapters - tell us why you chose them! Thanks.

[Macalaure]

Well, well, well...

1. The Siege of Gondor:
   I know the arguments between Gandalf, Denethor, Faramir, and Pippin aren't really at the center of the story, and shouldn't merit the first spot here, but I enjoy reading them like few passages else. Also, the development of the siege with the climax of the confrontation of Gandalf and the Witch-king is a nail-biter.
2. The Shadow of the Past:
   It's amazing how Tolkien turned a chapter which, in essence, is nothing but boring exposition into such an exciting read.
3. The Bridge of Khazad-dûm:
   The most exciting of the more action-focussed chapters. This chapter draws upon the atmosphere established in "A Journey in the Dark" and makes it unbearably dense. It is maybe the part where danger seems most "graspable".
4. The Breaking of the Fellowship:
   The dialogue of Boromir and Frodo is more than superb, and Amon Hen is a real breath-holder.
5. The Stairs of Cirith Ungol:
   The description of Minas Morgul alone would qualify this chapter, but then there's also the near-detection by the Witch-king and Gollum's near-repentence.
6. Mount Doom:
   The climax chapter. I love the last scenes between Gollum and Frodo and Sam - quite intense.
7. The Battle of the Pelennor Fields:
   Probably the most fast-paced chapter of all. The chapter contains the death of Théoden and the fight of Éowyn, Merry, and the Witch-king - enough said.
   Death!
8. The Pyre of Denethor:
   The extension of "The Siege of Gondor" concerning Denethor, Faramir, Gandalf, and Pippin.
9. The Window on the West:
   I had to include a more quiet chapter here. I have to admit it took me a long time to appreciate the three Faramir-chapters in Book IV.
10. The Council of Elrond:
    The point where finally everything starts to make sense. At the surface, this chapter is painfully long and contains painfully much of dry talk, but at the second view, this chapter contains more excellent passages than can be listed, and it's a joy to experience how this mess of various accounts given leads precisely where Tolkien wants it to lead.

Sooo many nice chapters left out. *sniff*


Hmm... if more people add their favourites here, I might be tempted to turn it into one great list, giving 10 points for 1st place on each top 10, 9 for 2nd etc.
The result could be interesting.

[Gordis]

OK, I have edited my post above, inserting some explanations.

[Dimturiel]

1 The Steward and the King I find this a delightful chapter from beginning-the scenes with Eowyn and Faramir are really touching-to end. And the description of Aragorn's coronation is simply splendid.

2 The Siege of Gondor Especially the end. I still feel shivers down my spine whenever I read the part with Grond advancing.

3 Lothlorien It has to be the best description I've ever read.

4 The Houses of Healing As Aragorn is my favorite character, it is impossible for me not to like the chapter. It's touching, beautiful and very impressive.

5 The Window on the West Mainly because of the talks between Faramir and Frodo, but also because of the description of Henneth Annun.

6 The Shadow of the Past I like the contrast between it and the first chapter of the story. I really was taken by surprise when I first read it. I did not expect things to get so dark so soon

7 The Battle of the Pelennor Fields Another one that can still send shivers down my spine. I also like the song of the mounds of Mundburg at the end.

8 Three is Company Because it has a very nice atmosphere with the three Hobbits walking and all. Whenever I read it I feel the urge to go on a trip myself. Also, I like their meeting with the elves and Frodo's talk with Gildor.

9 The Fields of Cormallen Wonderful and very impressive. Also, my favorite quote is there, the one when the ministrel starts singing. It's really beautiful.

10 The Grey Havens What can I say? The perfect ending to a perfect story.

[MatthewM]

Fine, I will add descriptions soon...

Thanks to all that replied so far!

[mark12_30]

One stands out for me.

The Battle of the Pelennor Fields: because I read it over, and over, and over again, when I was an Eomer addict. It is still an outrageously fine chapter.

"Out of doubt, out of dark, to the days rising
I came singing in the sun, sword unsheathing.
To hope's end I rode, and to heart's breaking--
now for wrath, now for ruin and a red nightfall!"

[skip spence]

1) The Shadow of the Past
This chapter was hard to get past as a kid but now it's my favorite. Gandalf tells Frodo that the ring is in fact the One Ring that was lost to the Dark Lord Sauron thousands of years ago. Frodo finds this hard to believe and Gandalf tells the whole story. And what story! It's so intricate, multilayered and mindblowing.

2) A Long-expected Party
I love how Tolkien "grounds" his fantasy story in the Shire, a place I, as a reader, instantly feel at home in. It reminds me of the romantic image I've got of the time and place my parents, or rather grandparents, grew up in, based on the stories they've told me. This image is of a less complicated world more in harmony with nature, where competition is less fierce, and the people more colourful and interesting as a result. I know this image is not true and that the nostalgic stories I've heard usually leave out all the dull and downright nasty details, but still.
It's also great that dragons, ents and such are dismissed as fairy tales here, which makes is easier to symphatize with the Hobbits: what happens later is just as mindblowing to them as it is to us.

3) The Council of Elrond
Another chapter I found a bit slow as a kid but absolutely adore now. There are so many backstories and so much history you could swear is was real.

4) A Journey in the Dark
I just love the episode outside the West Gate and the clear images it brings to me. Already inside, we also get some fascinating glimpses into the great history of the dwarves.

5) At the Sign of the Prancing Pony
The Hobbit come face to face with the big people for the first time, and that's pretty scary, especially for Sam. Here, at the wonderfully atmospheric Inn, we also meet Strider, and I always prefered him to the pompous Aragorn.

6) A Short Cut to Mushrooms
Farmer Maggot is great, isn't he? I always get a craving for buttered bread and fried mushrooms when reading this chapter.

7) Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit
This chapter is great because of the unlooked for respite it brings for the Hobbits, and this feeling of relief carries through to the reader. They think they are heading straight into the pits of hell, but then suddenly find themselves in a lush spring garden where they even get to enyoy a well cooked meal.

8) The Old Forest
A wonderfully written chapter. You can really feel the antipaty and enchantment of the trees. I'm not a great fan of Tom Bombadill though.

9) The Uruk-hai
Here get a glimpse of various Orc cultures and their grisly habits. I for one would like to learn more about the Orcs. Are they really beyond redemtion, or did they just have bad childhood experiences?

10) A Conspiracy Unmasked
Another short respite for the Hobbits. Anyone up for a hot bath and a few draughts to cool down with?


Wow, that's 9 chapters from FotR, one from TT and none from RotK. Guess FotR has a special place in my heart.