The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R.Tolkien is a legend among the books.
I read it the first time when I was 12 years old. I liked these books very much and of course I always appreciate any author who puts so much effort into creating a whole world for the reader. By the way, if you haven’t read these books, don’t even dare to tell you are reader.
Tolkien describes the characters very well, he also does his best to introduce the reader this new race called hobbits, especially in the first book: The Fellowship of the Ring. I think that through whole series, there a lot of philosophical questions like for example: who should have the power over One Ring and what/who is good or bad.
I’d give 9/10 to whole depth of the Middle-earth stories, maybe only 8½/10 to LotR alone. I don’t think there really are people who would even dislike this epic story. There’s only people who haven’t read it or put that much effort into reading it.
Your guide on How- To Read The Lord of the Rings
1. It takes time. You can either read the three parts combined or separately. In either case, it is still over 1000 pages.
2. Welcome to Middle-earth. You should start with Hobbit before LotR because it is easier to read and it happens 60 years before LotR. Also it introduces Gandalf and Bilbo to the reader. Afterwards…there is Silmarillion, Children of Hurin…
3. I know there are movies. And most of us have seen the movie before the books. But hey, you can spot all the differences in the book.
4. You can skip the introduction and return to it later if you want to. It’s all about Hobbits to explain LotR if you haven’t read Hobbit (yes, you can skip it)
5. Embrace all the bonus material. There are poems and songs (that some of have really have nothing to do with the story itself), runes. In all together 100 pages of appendix (explaining history, languages…).
6. Don’t think too feminist (if you are female reader), the Middle-earth doesn’t have too many women but the few ones are very powerful.
7. Yay! Bunch of names you play tongue twister with.
“I will take the Ring,’ he said, ‘though I do not know the way.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
I enjoy your blog so far, enough so to comment on the subject. Lord of the Rings (the books, that is. Movies, not so much) has been close to my heart for a while. Because of this, I take issue with a couple of your points above.
1. You definitely should read the three parts as three parts, taking your time and making sure to take a break in between. They are a long and heavy read, and you need to give the subtexts and stuff time to settle in.
2. I would recommend starting from LotR. Experience suggests that (assuming you are an adult when reading either) Hobbit seems like a better book if you are already attached to the milieu and characters (well, mostly Gandalf).
6. There is such a thing as male feminist, you know.
And, lastly, I’m really sorry for being “that guy”, but…
*through
Be cool!
-J
Thanks a bunch for your feedback :)
1. I’d disagree and recommend to get the three parts combined and then decide for yourself when to use the bookmark. Though, of course, I am just fan of those giant books so yeah…good this one has both options.
6. That’s a good point. (Note to self)
And thank you also for pointing that error out. (Having text without grammar errors is something I will try to achieve in future.) I have corrected it now.
Cheers
Agree with most though I do prefer LOTR to Hobbit. Miss the appendices and you miss out on a treasure house of invention. Have also read Silmarillon (which needs a lot of concentration) and Children of Hurin.
You have a point on appendices, the story is not as rich and amazing without them but readable still. I agree on Silmarillion. Tolkien has created stunning world.
I enjoy your blog so far, enough so to comment on the subject. Lord of the Rings (the books, that is. Movies, not so much) has been close to my heart for a while. Because of this, I take issue with a couple of your points above.
1. You definitely should read the three parts as three parts, taking your time and making sure to take a break in between. They are a long and heavy read, and you need to give the subtexts and stuff time to settle in.
2. I would recommend starting from LotR. Experience suggests that (assuming you are an adult when reading either) Hobbit seems like a better book if you are already attached to the milieu and characters (well, mostly Gandalf).
6. There is such a thing as male feminist, you know.
And, lastly, I’m really sorry for being “that guy”, but…
*through
Be cool!
-J
Agree with most though I do prefer LOTR to Hobbit. Miss the appendices and you miss out on a treasure house of invention. Have also read Silmarillon (which needs a lot of concentration) and Children of Hurin.
You have a point on appendices, the story is not as rich and amazing without them but readable still. I agree on Silmarillion. Tolkien has created stunning world.
Thanks a bunch for your feedback :)
1. I’d disagree and recommend to get the three parts combined and then decide for yourself when to use the bookmark. Though, of course, I am just fan of those giant books so yeah…good this one has both options.
6. That’s a good point. (Note to self)
And thank you also for pointing that error out. (Having text without grammar errors is something I will try to achieve in future.) I have corrected it now.
Cheers