It is a great series and it has a lot of history and mythology to it there might be parts will you be banging your head against the wall particularly when Tolkien doesn’t bother to translate the Elven language. The single longest part my opinion I shouldn’t say part I should say chapter. Is the Council of elrond it is just people sitting around talking and it is a long chapter. But it is worth reading.
I’ve read it several times. The story is fabulous, but it is very clear that it was written many years ago. Even if the language fits Middle Eart, still it is old fashioned. Still love it though.
I love fantasy. It’s mostly what I read and I have to say that LOTR is amazing. It is my go to. I loved it so much my hubby bought me the anniversary 50th. It’s so beautiful. Read it. You’ll fall in love. Sorry. I’m a geek when it comes to lord of the rings.
I can’t get away with reading The Lord of the rings. I’ve tried numerous times, even as recently as last year. I do however have the Illustrated edition by Alan Lee, gorgeous artwork but I just don’t think that these are for me.
@Richard I’ve wanted to get the GoT illustrated book, but figured I’m never going to read it again, so why waste money. But after reading this convo, I just might. And also the illustrated version of LotR just to look at, and keep reading my well worn version.
The first time I read the series I was 8 and it was after reading The Hobbit. These books got me hooked on fantasy and I have read them many times since.
I’m always faintly surprised that there are people that haven’t read it. If you enjoy fantasy, I think you’d be doing yourself a disservice not to read it.
@Richard of course. It’s just that it’s such a huge part of my life, I can’t quite accept that it’s not the same for other people. It’s like when people say they’ve never seen Star Wars. The rational part of my brain completely understands, but my heart is always a little confused.
I enjoy a good fantasy book, but have tried on multiple occasions to start these and just can’t do it. I find them boring as heck & can’t get past the first chapter.
@Cyndie, I recently picked up a illustrated paperback copy and settled down with it. I may have managed two chapters possibly three then hit the stop button.
Its is very descriptive of trails, trees, mountains and journeys!!! Its Tolkien’s style! If you are not sure—- You can read the Hobbit first!! These are all great High Fantasy books!
@Regan I’ve read the hobbit, very hard work to read, I’m not a fan of books like that. I like a book to flo and not be a chore to read. That’s my opinion anyway.
@Tori I love Discworld, historical fiction and books set around the time of the second world war, both fiction and non fiction. I read a lot of fantasy in my early twenties, I was a member of a Science fiction and fantasy book club at the time. Up until recently I’d been into crime, with other genres in for good measure. Lately I’ve been reading Clive Cussler, absolutely loving the adventure genre.
Have read it through (including The Hobbit) about four or five times during my life. Probably never found a book I’ve enjoyed more. I just absolutely love it.
Read it, love it, own and periodically read it over and over. Tolkien created an entire world complete with language, culture and history. My favorite book of all time. Waiting to introduce my little one to Middle Earth.
I first read it in Junior High when it was just becoming popular in the US. I’ve got several editions AND have read both LOTR and the Hobbit multiple times. In fact, from high school, through college and a few years beyond, I read the books once a year. When Peter Jackson announced he was doing the movies, and we began to get excited about them, I found out my husband, as big a fantasy and science fiction fan as I am, had NEVER read them. So, since I like to read aloud, and he likes to be read to, for the next couple of months I read the books to him, maybe a chapter or two a night (yes, bedtimes stories!) The books are definitely worth reading. If you do read the Hobbit (which should be read first) remember Tolkien originally intended it to be a children’s book. These books really kicked off the world-building fantasy genre.
Love these books. I had to read The Hobbit for a module at university and I really didn’t want to read it and moaned like crazy about having to read a silly book about dwarves and elves ? Read it, loved it and went on to read LOTR straight after ? I’ve read it again many times since and fantasy is probably my favourite genre now ?
Couldnt read them, too many big words that I didnt understand and too complicated. Watched the films tho however with The Hobbit, it was the other way round.
They are classics, so I recommend anyone who is a fantasy nerd at least try them once. Now, with that being said, no one would judge you for skipping all the fluffy descriptions about the trees, rocks, lighting, the stuff that makes up 60% of the bulk ?
Great series but for a lot starting it off the first time the first half of the Fellowship of the Rings can be slow going, keep going it improves and hooks you after this.
I couldn’t get through it. There was a scene where one person was singing to another and it went for about two pages. That is when I put the book down. Definitely worth giving it a go though – you might like it.
i liked it
The Hobbit, not technically part of the trilogy, is actually the best of the lot.
@Ann actually, that’s you’re opinion.
I’ll second that opinion Ann. ?
I’ll third.
@Ann ????
It is a great series and it has a lot of history and mythology to it there might be parts will you be banging your head against the wall particularly when Tolkien doesn’t bother to translate the Elven language. The single longest part my opinion I shouldn’t say part I should say chapter. Is the Council of elrond it is just people sitting around talking and it is a long chapter. But it is worth reading.
I’ve read it several times. The story is fabulous, but it is very clear that it was written many years ago. Even if the language fits Middle Eart, still it is old fashioned. Still love it though.
LOVE it.
I love fantasy. It’s mostly what I read and I have to say that LOTR is amazing. It is my go to. I loved it so much my hubby bought me the anniversary 50th. It’s so beautiful. Read it. You’ll fall in love. Sorry. I’m a geek when it comes to lord of the rings.
I can’t get away with reading The Lord of the rings. I’ve tried numerous times, even as recently as last year. I do however have the Illustrated edition by Alan Lee, gorgeous artwork but I just don’t think that these are for me.
@Richard and there is nothing wrong with that
@Tori I’ve also got an illustrated copy of Game of Thrones which I’ll probably never read but again the art is fantastic.
I have also never read them or watched a single movie of them…My friend loves those movies .i also dont think they are for me.
@Goabaone, I’ve never fancied the movies either
@Richard I’ve wanted to get the GoT illustrated book, but figured I’m never going to read it again, so why waste money. But after reading this convo, I just might. And also the illustrated version of LotR just to look at, and keep reading my well worn version.
The first time I read the series I was 8 and it was after reading The Hobbit. These books got me hooked on fantasy and I have read them many times since.
Read it each year. Love it. I also read the similarian as well as that gives further insight into the history of middle earth
After reading the hobbit i fell in love with the books, reading lord of the rings now and i have all the movies as well.
Which book to star with Ashlyn?
@Linda fellowship of the ring. You can read hobbit before or after the lord of the rings
Great books
I enjoyed them ?
It’s not bad. The random bits of singing was a surprise.
Very good.
I read it 21 years ago, when I was 15. I absolutely loved it at the time.
I’m always faintly surprised that there are people that haven’t read it.
If you enjoy fantasy, I think you’d be doing yourself a disservice not to read it.
@Angela, looking at the comments here, I appear to be the minority. Just goes to show that not every book is fo each individual.
@Richard of course.
It’s just that it’s such a huge part of my life, I can’t quite accept that it’s not the same for other people.
It’s like when people say they’ve never seen Star Wars.
The rational part of my brain completely understands, but my heart is always a little confused.
@Angela, ooo I love Star Wars.
@Richard you’re still one of the good guys then ?
I enjoy a good fantasy book, but have tried on multiple occasions to start these and just can’t do it. I find them boring as heck & can’t get past the first chapter.
@Angela thanks ?
@Cyndie, I recently picked up a illustrated paperback copy and settled down with it. I may have managed two chapters possibly three then hit the stop button.
I’ve never seen Star Wars ? I have read LOTR though ?
Its is very descriptive of trails, trees, mountains and journeys!!! Its Tolkien’s style!
If you are not sure—- You can read the Hobbit first!! These are all great High Fantasy books!
@Regan I’ve read the hobbit, very hard work to read, I’m not a fan of books like that. I like a book to flo and not be a chore to read. That’s my opinion anyway.
@Richard do you like classical fantasy?History and legends? Because if not then the genre is not for you. And it’s ok
@Tori I love Discworld, historical fiction and books set around the time of the second world war, both fiction and non fiction. I read a lot of fantasy in my early twenties, I was a member of a Science fiction and fantasy book club at the time. Up until recently I’d been into crime, with other genres in for good measure. Lately I’ve been reading Clive Cussler, absolutely loving the adventure genre.
I am new to this also, at an advanced age, LOL. Just finished the Hobbit.
Have read it through (including The Hobbit) about four or five times during my life. Probably never found a book I’ve enjoyed more. I just absolutely love it.
I really enjoyed them but it became difficult to keep track of all the characters at some points
Yes, I really enjoyed them. However there are parts that dragged a bit. I had to be in the right mood when I read them.
@Karen the two towers were super slow to me but very rewarding once you read them
Read them and loved them! They’re a must read!
Yes! The second one was very, very slow but they are worth the read.
@Laressa yes!!!
Read it, love it, own and periodically read it over and over. Tolkien created an entire world complete with language, culture and history. My favorite book of all time. Waiting to introduce my little one to Middle Earth.
its one of my favorites… tolkien is my favorite author and its immensely inspired my life
The Hobbit and LOTR for the first time when I was like 11! Changed my whole world!
Read them and the Hobbit several times. My favorites!!
I read them when I was in high school (a long time ago). I remembered loving them.
high school long time ago, only read the hobbit and the first book, but i love it
I loved them in high school. Have not read them since but I intend to one day.
To me, that should be on every readers list of top books/series to read before you die.
I have them and have read them repeatedly. They are very good.
I enjoyed them very much
Love them
If you read the series you are in for a treat!
I have read them at least 7 times.
Love them. Masterpieces
Loved it!!!!! Gotta read Silmarillion too though.
Really loved it!
I first read it in high school…and have no idea how many times I’ve reread it over the years since lol
It is an epic fantasy
I first read it in Junior High when it was just becoming popular in the US. I’ve got several editions AND have read both LOTR and the Hobbit multiple times. In fact, from high school, through college and a few years beyond, I read the books once a year. When Peter Jackson announced he was doing the movies, and we began to get excited about them, I found out my husband, as big a fantasy and science fiction fan as I am, had NEVER read them. So, since I like to read aloud, and he likes to be read to, for the next couple of months I read the books to him, maybe a chapter or two a night (yes, bedtimes stories!) The books are definitely worth reading. If you do read the Hobbit (which should be read first) remember Tolkien originally intended it to be a children’s book. These books really kicked off the world-building fantasy genre.
Yes. Numerous times since i was in middle school
Love these books. I had to read The Hobbit for a module at university and I really didn’t want to read it and moaned like crazy about having to read a silly book about dwarves and elves ? Read it, loved it and went on to read LOTR straight after ? I’ve read it again many times since and fantasy is probably my favourite genre now ?
Couldnt read them, too many big words that I didnt understand and too complicated. Watched the films tho however with The Hobbit, it was the other way round.
They are classics, so I recommend anyone who is a fantasy nerd at least try them once. Now, with that being said, no one would judge you for skipping all the fluffy descriptions about the trees, rocks, lighting, the stuff that makes up 60% of the bulk ?
One of the most carefully constructed imaginary worlds in all of literature.
LOVE that trilogy. I read it when young and still re-read it every few years. Best literature ever IMHO.
Great series but for a lot starting it off the first time the first half of the Fellowship of the Rings can be slow going, keep going it improves and hooks you after this.
My favourite. Language exquisite, Tolkien a genius. Have read several times
Loved the series!!
Loved it! It’s definitely worth the read.
I couldn’t get through it. There was a scene where one person was singing to another and it went for about two pages. That is when I put the book down.
Definitely worth giving it a go though – you might like it.
I watch “Big Bang Theory,” is that enough?
Ha ha ha