Lord of the Rings is an epic high fantasy novel, written and published by J.R.R. Tolkien from 1954–55. It tells the story of an epic quest by a small fellowship of hobbits, elves, and humans to defeat an evil Sauron and reclaim the one ring of power, thus saving Middle-earth from enslavement. It is both an allegorical work of literature and a classic heroic adventure, filled with symbolism and imagery that reflects Tolkien’s deep understanding of mythology and philology. The trilogy has become a literary and pop culture phenomenon, spawning numerous adaptations and imitations since the 1960s.

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