OK I want to start reading Tolkien, where do I start?

[tokamak]

after reading this website for about 3 hours the other night, I've decided to see what all the hype is about and read some Tolkien. What would be the best place to start? I bought a copy of The Hobbit today, is that the first book?

 

[polm]

Start with the Hobbit..then read the entire LOTR trilogy...then START OVER again...and again...and again....

 

[BigJohnKC]

Originally posted by: polm
Start with the Hobbit..then read the entire LOTR trilogy...then START OVER again...and again...and again....

Agreed. You'll get more out of the LOTR trilogy if you read the Hobbit first.

 

[FeathersMcGraw]

Originally posted by: tokamak
What would be the best place to start?

Ignore any answers which begin with "The Silmarillion".

The Hobbit is a prequel to the events in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and is where I'd recommend people start. At the very least, you'll get a complete story if you finish it and decide that you don't like it (but don't tell Kami that).

 

Ditto.

I just did it all, it was worth it. Start with The Hobbit and end with The Silmarillion.

 

[CKDragon]

You should know that the trilogy was actually written first, however. But I would also start with The Hobbit.

CK

 

Originally posted by: CKDragon
You should know that the trilogy was actually written first, however. But I would also start with The Hobbit.

The Hobbit was written a decade or so before The Lord of the Rings.

KAMI!!!

 

[tokamak]

but isnt the Silmarillion the history of the earth or whatever. seems like it would be best to start from the absolute beginning...

 

Originally posted by: tokamak
but isnt the Silmarillion the history of the earth or whatever. seems like it would be best to start from the absolute beginning...

The Silmarillion is like The Bible. It does not really read well. You will enjoy The Hobbit and LOTR a whole lot more, then if you want to dig deeper into the Tolkien universe, read The Silmarillion.

I just read the last chapter of The Silmarillion where Sauron gets his ass kicked and that was enough for me.