what is the best order to read J R R Tolkein books?

Question

With the new book out do I read that fist then the Hobbit, then the trilogy.

Answer 1

Read the Hobbit first ... then read the Lord of the Rings (the three books ... Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, the Return of the King ... in that order). The newest book was NOT published by J.R.R. Tolkein when he was alive ... his son 'edited' the manuscripts, and it's not anywhere near as 'good' as the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings. There are also several other books by J.R.R. Tolkein, and some that have been edited since his death ... The Silmarillion is the only one I can remember at the moment (hey, it IS Christmas morning, after all), but if you go to Amazon.com and put Tolkein into their search line, you should get a 'full list' of the books as well as many of the 'other stuff' that has been put on sale ... and Amazon also has one of the BEST 'used books' sources I've ever seen or used. I suggest you get these books in paperback to read, but buy them in hardback to KEEP and pass on to your own children and grandchildren ... and you may also want to consider putting your own 'comments' in on folded paper or notes on the margins ... just ENJOY reading these books ... the movies of the Lord were GREAT ... the BOOKS are EVEN BETTER!

Answer 2

It might depend on your age. I'd start younger readers with "The Hobbit," but at the age of 16 I read "The Lord of the Rings" (which, by the way, is NOT a trilogy but a single work sometimes published in three volumes) first and picked up "The Hobbit" later. ("The Silmarillion" had not yet been published then.)

For older teens and adults, I recommend starting with LotR because "The Hobbit" may not appeal to their tastes without understanding the larger scope of the sequel. It was, after all, intended as a children's book, though it contains some bits intended to entertain an adult who might be reading it to a child.

In any case, I would read those two (in one order or another) and move on to "The Silmarillion" if the material still suits your taste. (Whether or not you enjoy the story portions in the appendices of LotR is a good basis for deciding.) Someone a while ago on YA mentioned having trouble getting started on "The Silmarillion," by the way; I recommend skipping the first two bits (Ainulindale and Valaquenta) and jumping into the real story if you seem to be bogging down at the beginning.

I do not recommend "The Children of Hurin" unless and until you have gotten very serious about trying to sop up all versions. It was very little improvement on the shortened form of the same story in "The Silmarillion."

Answer 3

First read The Hobbit, so you'll have a better understanding of what happened before The Lord of the Rings and basically understand the whole story better. Then read the Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, & The Return of the King.

Answer 4

In the order that J.R.R. Tolkein wrote them in. Or at least published them.
First read the Hobbit, because it tells of what happens before.
Then The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King.

Answer 5

You should definitely read "The Hobbit" first. Then, read The Lord of the Rings trilogy in order. If you're like me, you'll want to read every word Tolkien ever wrote.

Answer 6

Well, personally, I think you should read "The Children of Hurin" first, then "The Silmarillion", then "The Hobbit" and then the trilogy.

Answer 7

the silmarillon, the hobbit, then the trilogy. later consider reading "roverandom". BDW, a new book by tolkien is out? and i don't know????

Answer 8

read them in the order they were printed, it brings better understanding to the whole

Answer 9

no read the semillion last or it wont make any sense