Hmmmmm it’s a difficult one, the hobbit is a prequel, even though it’s a children’s book, but honestly I thought you get more history about middle earth from TLOR. If you do start with the hobbit, then reading TLOR will be a totally different reading style, I personally read TLOR first and then the hobbit. I like the hobbit, but I love TLOR. Happy reading x
@Chez, no it doesn’t…. only three of them, well, five if you count Elrond, who really only had small appearances in LOTR, and the other wizard (what *was* his name again?!) who was radically different. It tells the story of how Bilbo got the ring!
Some of the characters are introduced in the hobbit but they aren’t major roles in lotr. It really doesn’t even give you a proper feel of middle earth just glimpses of what brilliance it would be
@Chez, oh it’s absolutely a “worthy read”, as you put it; it just doesn’t introduce the characters in LOTR, nor does it “set the scene”. It simply tells the (otherwise completely unconnected) story of how The Ring got into Bilbo’s possession!!
The Hobbit does come first, but it’s a stand-alone book. I’ve had some people tell me they couldn’t get into it, though (the language is much more formal than we’re used to, being that it was written back in the 1930s), and were kinda turned off from trying LOTR because of it, so you might try starting with LOTR, then read The Hobbit as a prequel!
@Cheryl it’s funny how people view these books. My brother liked the hobbit and yet gave up on lotr as there are so many pointless parts like the party.
@James, and that’s exactly why I recommended that she start with LOTR!! They *are* very different books, so don’t let your negative view of the first keep you from the epic adventure that is the second!!
LOTR. The Hobbit is a bit slower, slightly harder to get into and reads better as a prequel. It helped me to have the epic of LOTR knowledge before reading the Hobbit.
Hobbit is the first but honestly you can read lotr without reading it. There are parts that might be a little confusing if you do it but it really doesn’t affect pleasure of the read
Hobbit, . . . seriously, . . . this is where the story starts.
The reason Jackson did LotR first is then animated film The Hobbit was so widely seen by his, . . . and my generation, . . . and it’s sequel was not so well received.
That is the one thing Jackson got right, . . . Do Not remake a great film, . . . remake a flawed one. ?
I personally read the Silmarillion first (because I wanted to know about the Elves) and thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. It’s a great window into Middle-Earth and has some great stories. However, the Hobbit is usually the best starting point because of the way it’s written. Either way, you’ll enjoy yourself! Welcome to the Fellowship ☺️
Hobbit…. Enjoy. I read the Hobbit then the Lord of the Rings when I was 12 and 13, I re read it about every 5 years…. LOVE the way it is written. I learn something new every time!
Well technically, it was lotr then the hobbit by release. However, they have been out long enough now, begin with the hobbit, then lotr. The hobbit is the prequel.
In my opinion – LOTR. The Hobbit was written as a children’s book. Really has a different feel. It so happens that I read them in that order – LOTR first and then Hobbit, andnhave always felt that if I had read The Hobbit first, I wouldn’t have been willing to invest in the depth and scope of LOTR, but picking up The Hobbit after felt like learning more about an old friend.
Well the hobbit is the prequel so I’d start with that. Though I would say they are totally different genres with the hobbit being a “softer” read.
@Vicky agree. Hobbit is written for much younger audiences to me so very quick and easy
@Vicky The Hobbit is the start of everything
The Hobbit
You have to start with the Hobbit
Be wary of middle earth – it could be Hobbit forming….. I say start at the beginning with the Hobbit
@Michael lol. So bad but funny
The Hobbit, definitely.
The hobbit.
It’s not necessary but it’s smaller so it will be an easy nice start
Hmmmmm it’s a difficult one, the hobbit is a prequel, even though it’s a children’s book, but honestly I thought you get more history about middle earth from TLOR. If you do start with the hobbit, then reading TLOR will be a totally different reading style, I personally read TLOR first and then the hobbit. I like the hobbit, but I love TLOR. Happy reading x
The Hobbit. It introduces all the characters
@Chez, no it doesn’t…. only three of them, well, five if you count Elrond, who really only had small appearances in LOTR, and the other wizard (what *was* his name again?!) who was radically different.
It tells the story of how Bilbo got the ring!
Some of the characters are introduced in the hobbit but they aren’t major roles in lotr. It really doesn’t even give you a proper feel of middle earth just glimpses of what brilliance it would be
@Cheryl yes but it sets the scene. Its a worthy read
@Chez, oh it’s absolutely a “worthy read”, as you put it; it just doesn’t introduce the characters in LOTR, nor does it “set the scene”. It simply tells the (otherwise completely unconnected) story of how The Ring got into Bilbo’s possession!!
It still provides you with an idea of the setting and writing style
@Chez, now there I agree with you; apparently we just have different definitions of the phrase “set the scene”! ?
Hobbit
The Hobbit
The hobbit
????
The Hobbit
Silmarillion xD Hobbit
@Alice silmarillion is one i could never get into. It’s more ancient history stuff
The same story, lol xD but I have it and hope to read one day
Hobbit
Hobbit
LOTR.
The hobbit.
Hobbit
The Hobbit does come first, but it’s a stand-alone book. I’ve had some people tell me they couldn’t get into it, though (the language is much more formal than we’re used to, being that it was written back in the 1930s), and were kinda turned off from trying LOTR because of it, so you might try starting with LOTR, then read The Hobbit as a prequel!
@Cheryl it’s funny how people view these books. My brother liked the hobbit and yet gave up on lotr as there are so many pointless parts like the party.
The Hobbit.
Hobbit! Tolkien’s authors note said that Lotr started as reference material to hobbit. Have to start at the beginning.
Always The Hobbit
Personally I didn’t like the Hobbit and thus never read LOTR…
@James, and that’s exactly why I recommended that she start with LOTR!! They *are* very different books, so don’t let your negative view of the first keep you from the epic adventure that is the second!!
Just never got around to it after I read the Hobbit. One day I will…
LOTR. The Hobbit is a bit slower, slightly harder to get into and reads better as a prequel. It helped me to have the epic of LOTR knowledge before reading the Hobbit.
Def The Hobbit
Hobbit
Hobbit is the first but honestly you can read lotr without reading it. There are parts that might be a little confusing if you do it but it really doesn’t affect pleasure of the read
The Hobbit. It’s set before LotR. You just gotta get beyond the Hobbit hole first
The hobbit
Hobbit
Hobbit for sure…
LOTR. You don’t need to have read the Hobbit first.
The Hobbit—it’s an easier entrance into Middle Earth!
Hobbit, without question
The Hobbit!
Skip every other page is best—you will lose nothing.
Hobbit. It gives you some insight into LOTR. Good luck!
hobbit. it’s easier and a good gateway to lotr.
Hobbit, . . . seriously, . . . this is where the story starts.
The reason Jackson did LotR first is then animated film The Hobbit was so widely seen by his, . . . and my generation, . . . and it’s sequel was not so well received.
That is the one thing Jackson got right, . . . Do Not remake a great film, . . . remake a flawed one. ?
I personally read the Silmarillion first (because I wanted to know about the Elves) and thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. It’s a great window into Middle-Earth and has some great stories. However, the Hobbit is usually the best starting point because of the way it’s written. Either way, you’ll enjoy yourself! Welcome to the Fellowship ☺️
The Hobbit
I have all too. Just need to read them!
The Hobbit
Hobbit
Hobbit
Hobbit
Hobbit
Hobbit
_The Hobbit_.
Hobbit…. Enjoy. I read the Hobbit then the Lord of the Rings when I was 12 and 13, I re read it about every 5 years…. LOVE the way it is written. I learn something new every time!
Hobbit
Tolkien is one of my top favorites
Hobbit… It’ll lead you into LOTR
Hobbit?
Hobbit
If you feel brave, the silmarillion
The Hobbit
The Hobbit is where it all begins
THE HOBBIT
Hobbit!!
Hobbit
Well technically, it was lotr then the hobbit by release. However, they have been out long enough now, begin with the hobbit, then lotr. The hobbit is the prequel.
Read the Hobbit first.
Hobbit!
Hobbit!
The hobbit ♥
Go for the RING!
The Hobbit
Hobbit! 🙂
?Hobbit
In my opinion – LOTR. The Hobbit was written as a children’s book. Really has a different feel. It so happens that I read them in that order – LOTR first and then Hobbit, andnhave always felt that if I had read The Hobbit first, I wouldn’t have been willing to invest in the depth and scope of LOTR, but picking up The Hobbit after felt like learning more about an old friend.
Lotr
hobbit definitely
Hobbit
Hobbit if you want to follow the story in chronological order
I did Hobbit, then LOTR. And because I wanted more, went on to Silmarillion.
Hobbit.
The Hobbit
Hobbit. then no need for any others.
LOTR. Read it 3 times now
Hobbit
The Hobbit.
Hobbit for sure
Hobbit
The Hobbit.
The Hobbit!
Hobbit definitely!
Start with the Hobbit. It’s a truly awesome book…one of my best memories reading a book
The Hobbit
Hobbit
hobbit
The Hobbit
Hobbit
Hobbit is the firat book really ??
The Silmarilion
Hobbit
Hobbit!!
LOTR in my opinion.