good ones.
2007-08-25 00:26:39 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
I am a really big fan of LOTR and The Hobbit. However, the only other book I read of his that was any good was a short stories collection called Farmer Giles of Ham. It was pretty good.
There are other books The Silmarillion and the Tolkein Companion, but they are all just sort of myths he wrote as back story to LOTR. There's no character development, no sense of adventure and no charm whatsover. Only for a truly hardcore fan.
Otherwise, read Chronicles of Narnia and all other books by CS Lewis (Screwtape Letter, the Great Divorce, etc.) They are far better and the two of them were great friends and often discussed these books as they were being written.
PS: If you like those read some Kurt Vonnegut books and other science fiction including Ray Bradbury, Robert Heinlein (my personal favorite) and Arthur C. Clarke.
2007-08-25 00:35:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Hobbit, and then The Lord of the Rings are his best known books. He did write a few short stories like 'Farmer Giles of Ham' and 'Leaf, by Niggle'; but the other great Tolkein Book 'The Silmarillion' was actually finished after JRR's death by his son Christopher (JRR had all but completed it). But it's still a GREAT book. Later , "Unfinished Tales' was published, which is fascinating, but probably only for those who are familiar with the arlier stories. There was also a book published a "The Letters of JRR Tolkein", but again probably only of interest to the affectionados of his writing.
Then, progressively during the 1980's and 90's, a whole series of books was published including "The Book of Lost Tales", which are collections of JRR's earlier writings, including earlier drafts of The Lord of the Rings. They are a little hard to find nowadays.
2007-08-25 07:47:46 · answer #2 · answered by AndrewG 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
He also wrote Farmer Giles of Ham and Smith of Wooton Major, two short fairy tales, they are together in one book and are very good but not as popular as the Hobbit.
2007-08-25 11:13:28 · answer #3 · answered by Legolas 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Hobbit is basically a children's book, though adults also enjoy it.
Tolkien's major work is "The Lord of the rings", a fantasy in 3 volumes. It's one of the greatest books ever written.
2007-08-25 07:34:22 · answer #4 · answered by Andrew L 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, *none* that compare with The Hobbit. However, LOTR *is* excellent. Also "The Adventures of Tom Bombadil" (after you read LOTR) and "Leaf by Niggle" (anytime) are very good to excellent. The Silmarillion is boring - you have to be *really* into LOTR to make it through that history book (finished by his son). His translation of "Sir Gawaine and the Green Knight" is also very good.
Jim, http://www.life-after-harry-potter.com
2007-08-25 15:56:29 · answer #5 · answered by JimPettis 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like "The Hobbit" the best. "Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" is good but the others are pretty much war stories, with some good asides...
He's deceased now so that's it... Though he wrote up whole runes and made-up languages in manuscripts, I'm not sure they were ever published.
Anyone know?
2007-08-25 08:48:03 · answer #6 · answered by LK 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋