lotr book reading

[habib89]

so what should i read first? from what i understand the hobbit is a prequel written after the trilogy.. should i read the hobbit first, or the fellowship first?

sorry, i know this is a repeated question, but i can't find it with all the lord of the rings threads out there..

 

[Sandor]

Read the Hobbit first- it is a prequal, and intriduces several characters and events that are referenced later. Its not vital to understanding the rest, but I would recomend it.

 

[glen]

I also think the Hobbit first. LOTR is, for me, a very difficult book to read.

 

[Lorax]

i believe hobbit was written first, then the trilogy several years later

read hobbit first

 

[Passions]

The Hobbit was written first. It is sort of a children's book imo. Tolkien later re-edited it to make it fit with LOTR. Particularly when Bilbo finds the ring and takes it from Golum. That wasn't in the original Hobbit, but a later version. LOTR - the sequels, are for an older audience. Read the Hobbit first!

 

[Juniper]

The Hobbit first, and if you can find the picture book, itd be great.

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

And if you find a signed first edition, mail it to me!

 

[habib89]

haha.. alright.. thanks guys/gals

 

[ForsakenGemini]

Actually Tolkien started the foundations for Lord of the Rings well before he conceived the Hobbit, but set them aside in order to bring his new idea to fruition. I would also say try the Hobbit first as it will give you some of the immediate backdrop for Lord of the Rings (though it's not crucial), but keep in mind in case you don't like it that it IS more of a children's book and that the writing style and tone in the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings are quite different. If you don't like it, don't give up, try LotR.

-Forsaken

 

[Triumph]

Definitely read the Hobbit first. Makes you appreciate and understand the characters in LotR better.

BTW, anyone know when Two Towers is coming out? And when is DVD of Fellowship supposed to be out?

 

[The Dancing Peacock]

I finished reading The Hobbitt before I saw LOTR, and it definitely helped make more sense of a couple of things in the movie, good background info for the story. Going to read the other books next week.

 

[kami]

Yeah start with the hobbit, then LOTR. If you're still interested in more of the history of the races and other little unexplained things in LOTR, then read The Simarillion.



<< BTW, anyone know when Two Towers is coming out? And when is DVD of Fellowship supposed to be out?
>>


TTT: December 2002
FOTR DVD: I've heard two dates so far...May and August. august is the most likely.