Two decades years ago, when I first started working in arctic exploration, we were limited to how much weight we could take with us to our exploration camps. Most of us would decided on a couple of books to bring with us. But I didn't want to bring books I wouldn't like, because then I've wasted my weight allowance. So I brought that gold-coloured LotR copy with me and read it over and over, year over year. Probably read it at least once a summer for seven consecutive years. Sometimes in environments even more desolate than Mordor. Imagine reading it here.
Later, I got a kindle and the weight problem sort of went away.
Eh, maybe? It's part of the fantasy-world-is-real trope. A spiritual successor to Narnia, but with adult characters. Or a predecessor to something like The Magicians. If you like these sorts of books, where the real world is part of the setting, then it may appeal. It's almost Isekai.
Honestly though, I've forgotten most of it. It's a "read once" book.