I actually read from the book he died to the book he came back, and I think at least one after, where he was all broody 'n stuff.
So I didn't get any early impressions.

Also, always glad to see somebody who isn't nuts for Tolkien. So many people chide me on not reading LotR yet, but even the diehard fans say the movies were pretty faithful. . . and the movies were linear as fuck.