So we return to Frodo, Sam and Gollum doing the equivalent of a tv roadtrip in Mordor. Actually, overall for the first time in this novel I actually feel like we have characters!

Chapter 3 – The Black Gate Is Closing aka Three Is A Crowd

An interesting some would say obsessive use of geography to describe Mordor but it does all have a sense of scale and menace that this is what three small hobbits have to stand up against. We get the three travellers and their uneasy alliance with likely fractures all around them. I do like the exploration and for this novel getting into Sam’s and Gollum’s psychology in particular. I wish we had had more of this so far in the book. Overall, it all feels very daunting. We even get the Black Rider’s appearing and a haunting phrase of ‘Silent Watchers’ to beware of. This place is dangerous.

Chapter 4 – Of herbs and Stewed Rabbits aka Masterchef Interlude

Some more really interesting character work is on display. We have Frodo who has been a passive figure now turning into a tragic heroic one. Sam watching his face as he sleeps is rather sweet and this is very much a tale of deep friendship. We get the intriguing battle of Smeagol and Gollum which Sam reacts badly to. These two battle for Frodo’s attention and betrayal looms.

Faramir makes their appearance and Tolkien holds back the reveal of Boromir being their brother. It does though set up Minas Tirith and an ominous feeling of war on the horizon. There is a really interesting and mature section where Sam gets to see Man Vs Man in battle for the first time and ponders for us humans if anyone in this battle actually truly evil. An unusual scene and one that speaks of someone that knows war is a very strange concept and not nearly as black and white as people think. It is also a place for weird events as the oliphaunt’s arrival proves. War is scary and can awe us at the same time.

Chapter 5 – The Window On The West aka The recap

So Faramir eventually gets to the truth he is aware Boromir is dead and Frodo’s ambiguous reaction leads to a discussion and pondering as to is any of the fellowship alive. Frodo very much now feels on their own. I liked how Sam happily now stands up to a Prince of Gondor and also see how Faramir could become an ally for Aragorn. It’s a nice piece of set-up for the final volume to come. Do have to say that the image of the Window on the West is rather beautifully described.

Chapter 6 – The Forbidden Pool aka No Swimming Allowed

A short useful chapter to trigger Gollum’s eventual betrayal not much else to really capture my attention.

Chapter 7 – Journey To the Crossroads

We Are Walking Again! Again the landscape here it is being used to create a sense of menace. A place where even daylight is now fading during the day and an ominous crossroads. There is though a little bit of foreshadowing with an ancient king’s statue being bathed by sunlight to have a crown. Ther eis a chance still of hope winning. But overall a bit too much padding here.

Chapter 8 The Stairs of Cirith Ungol aka Meta-Tolkien

I actually really liked this chapter. The scenes of Minas Morgul are truly unearthly and the description of it being lit by corpse-light does give the scene a sense of something not human in design. The departure of the army of Mordor led by the Witch King is all again remaining us of the odds that Frodo is up against. Add in his temptation to use the Ring here and its feeling dangerous and personal.

I’m fascinated by Sam going meta about the power of stories. There is a fascinating feeling of reality. How we seek them in fiction as ‘sport’ how when you find yourself in one its much more dangerous. I cannot help again think this is a WW1 survivor thinking about the difference. Credit to our author though because it is true now that people will want to hear about ‘Frodo and The Ring’ – it summarises that all stories real or otherwise are choices for us to go forward to backward. This feels a chapter we are perhaps hearing an author talk to us far more than at any other point in the novel.

Next week – Spider-Hobbit