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The Lord of the Rings is an epic[1] high-fantasy novel[a] by English
author and scholar J. R. R. Tolkien. Set in Middle-earth, intended to be Earth
at some distant time in the past, the story began as a sequel to Tolkien's 1937
children's book The Hobbit, but eventually
developed into a much larger work. Written in stages between 1937 and
1949, The Lord of the Rings is one of the best-selling
books ever written, with over 150 million copies sold.[2]
The title refers to the story's main antagonist, the Dark Lord Sauron, who in an earlier age created the One Ring to
rule the other Rings of Power given to Men, Dwarves, and Elves, in his
campaign to conquer all of Middle-earth. From homely beginnings in the Shire, a hobbit land reminiscent of the English countryside, the
story ranges across Middle-earth, following the quest to destroy the One Ring
mainly through the eyes of the hobbits Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin.
Although often called a trilogy, the
work was intended by Tolkien to be one volume of a two-volume set along with The Silmarillion.[3][T 2] For economic reasons, The Lord of the Rings was
published over the course of a year from 29 July 1954 to 20 October 1955, in
three volumes[3][4] titled The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers,
and The Return of the King. The work is divided internally
into six books, two per volume, with several appendices of background material.
Some later editions print the entire work in a single volume, following the
author's original intent.
Tolkien's work, after an initially mixed reception by the literary establishment, has been the
subject of extensive analysis of its themes and origins. Influences on this earlier work, and on the story
of The Lord of the Rings,
include philology,
mythology, Christianity, earlier fantasy works, and his own experiences in the First World War.
The Lord of
the Rings has
since been reprinted many times and translated into at least 38 languages.[b] Its enduring popularity has led
to numerous references in popular culture, the founding of many societies by fans of Tolkien's works,[5] and the publication of many books
about Tolkien and his works. It has inspired numerous derivative works, including paintings,
music, films, television, video games, and board games, helping create and shape the
modern fantasy genre, within which it is considered one of the greatest books of all time.
Award-winning adaptations of The Lord of
the Rings have been made for radio, theatre, and film. It has been named Britain's best novel of all time in
the BBC's 2003 poll The Big
Read.
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