The Return of the Shadow黑影重临 英文原版

The Return of the Shadow is a must-read for any Tolkien fan as it offers an unprecedented insight into the writing process of The Lord of the Rings. In this first part of The History of The Lord of the Rings, readers get to witness how the world and characters of Middle-earth evolved from Tolkien's initial inspirations into the epic we know and love today.One of the most fascinating aspects of the book is the development of the Ruling Ring, which started off as a mere magical ring in The Hobbit, and gradually transformed into the ultimate weapon of the Dark Lord Sauron. The book also reveals the surprising moment when the Black Riders first appeared in the Shire, setting the stage for the conflict to come. Another highlight is the development of the character Trotter, who later becomes Strider or Aragorn, and the numerous transformations of Frodo's companions, who go through many name and personality changes before settling into their final forms.The book also includes plenty of additional scenes and drafts of passages that did not make it into the final version of The Fellowship of the Ring. Readers get to see how Tolkien experimented with different ideas and themes, and how the story progressed over time. The inclusion of reproductions of the first maps and facsimile pages from the earliest manuscripts adds to the immersive experience of diving into the history of The Lord of the Rings.Overall, The Return of the Shadow is an essential addition to any Tolkien fan's library. It sheds new light on the creation of one of the greatest works of fantasy ever written and provides a wealth of fascinating insights into the mind of J.R.R. Tolkien.