Im a Lord of the Rings newbie, need some info

[ArmenK]

My roommate has read the LOTR series and recommends that I read it, so i was thinking about picking it up over break. Some places i see the series has 3 books other places i see that it has 4 (the original three + the hobbit)... so which one should i get and what order should i read them in?

 

[rgwalt]

If you can, pick up all four and start with the Hobbit. Whatever you do, don't start in the middle of the trilogy. The trilogy isn't like some trilogies where it will catch you up with the previous book, but rather it just starts right in.

Ryan

 

[WhoDeeny]

Start with the Hobbit! Although the actually trilogy doesn't start with the Hobbit, you get some really good back ground there so you should'nt miss it, even if that's all you get to read before you actually see the movie (but I do recommend you read at least the Hobbit & the firdt book, Fellowship of the Ring...)

 

[Nemesis77]

The Hobbit is an independent prequel to the trilogy. It's not 100% necessary to read it first (I didn't), but if you have the possibility, I strongly suggest that you read the Hobbit first. It gives alot of background info which comes in handy in LOTR.

Hobbit is written in a bit different style than LOTR is. Hobbit is more for younger readers, whereas the style in LOTR is more for mature readers. But I don't have any problems reading the Hobbit, and I'm 24 years old

 

[UNCjigga]

I recommend reading the Hobbit first. You can skip a bunch of the prologues then (the prologues are really dry.)

And for Godsakes, DO NOT READ THROUGH THE SONGS!!!! The songs are, IMHO, the worst part of the books. I read through all of them only to find out that they're useless, so don't make the same mistake! If I hear them break into one song/poem/ballad in the movie, I'll walk out of the theater.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Yes, start with the Hobbit -and read the songs. Good god, read the songs. They're part of the story and they tell things about the people who's singing them, psychologically.

Nik

 

[RossGr]

Definitly read the first Hobbit, it is essential background for the LOTR trilogy. Beyond that it is a very good story.

 

[mithrandir2001]

Hobbit
Fellowship
Towers
Return

In that order. Read the Hobbit because a lot of background is introduced (particularly Gollum and The Ring) and is quite easy to read quickly.

 

[fatalbert]

:|

what are you all thinking.

1st-The Hobbit,
2nd-The Fellowship of the Ring
3rd-The Two Towers
4th-The Return of the King
5th-The Silmarillion

how could you all forgot the important history of the first age

Then you can see the movie

 

[bunker]

I just started reading them too, after all the talk here and seeing the previews for the movie. I can't stand to see a movie not having read the book (assuming there is a book).

I'm 3/4's of the way through the second in the trilogy (I also read the hobbit), and I've gotta say, very good writing and interesting books.

 

[Juniper]

Read the Hobbit first, then the 3 books. ENJOY! Welcome to the LOTR!!

 

[thedarkwolf]

I just finished the Hobbit last week and started Fellowship yesterday. I pretty much liked The Hobbit but sofar Fellowship is kicking my butt I hope it gets better soon.

 

[mithrandir2001]

Hope it gets better? What page are you on?

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

I just finished the Hobbit. I have Fellowship of the Rings at home waiting for me to start it. I doubt I'll finish it before the movie gets out

Nik

 

[AreaCode707]

Gotta start with The Hobbit, best way to go.

 

[exp]

Yeah, the Fellowship of the Ring starts out pretty slowly but once the hobbits reach Bree things start to pick up.

 

[Radiohead]

Read The Hobbit if you want, but skip The Fellowship of the Ring.
That'll be in the bag after the 19th

 

[Herbman]

I agree with reaching Brea and then the party meets Strider. Its get awesome.

 

[BettyBoop]

<< Read The Hobbit if you want, but skip The Fellowship of the Ring.
That'll be in the bag after the 19th >>


I hope you are joking. There is NO way that a 3-hour movie, excellent as it is likely to be, will ever capture the richness of Tolkien's prose. Seeing a movie, even a great movie, cannot supersede the experience of reading the book upon which the movie is based.

Reading threads like this one make me a bit envious of the person who is about to begin the marrvelous adventure of reading these books. I have read them many times over the years, but you know what they say... you never forget your first time.

 

[thedarkwolf]

"Hope it gets better? What page are you on?"

I am only on page 66 . I didn't get much reading done at work lastnight.

 

[AkumaX]

"Read the Hobbit 1st"

i feel like a drone repeating what everyone else is saying

 

[Radiohead]

I hope you are joking. There is NO way that a 3-hour movie, excellent as it is likely to be, will ever capture the richness of Tolkien's prose. Seeing a movie, even a great movie, cannot supersede the experience of reading the book upon which the movie is based.

Uh... yeah I was joking. Gosh, I thought the would give it away.

 

[auyong]

There's no way the movie will do justice to the book. You gotta read it first...then watch the movie...you owe it to yourself to do that! And btw, don't watch the animated Lord of the Rings, it sucked sooo bad.

 

[Midnight Rambler]

<< And btw, don't watch the animated Lord of the Rings, it sucked sooo bad. >>

Depends on which animated version you are talking about. Ralph Bakshi's version wasn't too bad, it certainly captured the dark imagery of the story very well.

And yes, like most have said, you must read The Hobbit first. Shoot, it's nearly sacrilege if you don't.

 

[kami]

<< And for Godsakes, DO NOT READ THROUGH THE SONGS!!!! The songs are, IMHO, the worst part of the books. I read through all of them only to find out that they're useless, so don't make the same mistake! If I hear them break into one song/poem/ballad in the movie, I'll walk out of the theater.
>>


I dunno, I kind of like the songs. Some are meaningless but some also go into the history of some things, or even tell a story!