After a year and nine months of reading to the girls the saga finally ends. I must admit the last few chapters of this book was disappointing me no end as it comes across as the resistance of a conservative rear guard against any sort of change - depicted of course as evil. Despite that the last couple of pages rose above the previous tweeness to affect me - saying goodbye to old friends for the last time is never a good thing and Tolkien nails it. However in general, aside from the classic Minas Tirith chapter, Aragon's fraught relationship with Éowyn and the choices of Master Samwise, much of the rest of the book was disappointing compared to the magnificent Two Towers. Publisher deadlines perhaps spoiling Tolkien's use thoughtful and deliberate prose.