The Last Ringbearer
Kirill Yeskov
9 people recommended it in 3 threads, 2019–2024.
1 commenter pushed back on it — worth reading the threads.
What people on Hacker News said
The Last Ringbearer by Kirill Yeskov does the same to Lord of the Rings. It effectively becomes a fantasy spy thriller.
It's a sequel/retelling of Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" written from the Mordorian perspective and based on the premise that LOTR is "a history written by the victors".
In short and without too much of a spoiler - it’s about relativism of everything, including history and importance of narrative in shaping perspectives.
Stark contrast between believable realities gave me plenty of space for wandering thoughts.
I'd like to second the suggestion of "The Last Ringbearer" which is indeed brilliantly iconoclastic, and I say that as someone who considers The Lord of the Rings as my favourite work of fiction.
I read this a few years back and even as a die-hard Tolkien fan I also thought it was brilliantly done.
Where it comes up
- Ask HN: What's the "best" book you've ever read? 2024 · 4 recommendations
- Ask HN: What's the best book you read in 2021? 2021 · 3 recommendations
- Ask HN: Best books you read in the past decade? 2019 · 2 recommendations