Should I read this before the LOTR trilogy?

[[deleted user]]

You don't really have to read the Hobbit first. I actually read it last. But if you want to go in order, then I'd start with the Hobbit.

[[deleted user]]

I'd say so; it takes like a day to read. Then you aren't curious while reading LOTR and wanting to start it while working your way through the much larger books.

[Elentarri]

Very many years ago, my friend lent me "Fellowship of the Rings". Halfway through that, she gave me "The Hobbit" for my birthday, so I stopped FotR and started the Hobbit.

It doesn't matter which one you read first, but there are passing references to the Hobbit which make LOTR a deeper read. E.g. the trolls that got turned to stone make an appearance in both books and the relationship between Legolas and Gimli make more sense if you know that Legolas' father is the King of Mirkwood and that Gimli is Gloin's son.

[William]

I have the same Dilemma! I read the Hobbit ages ago and remember loving it, hated the Hobbit films (but that's another story all together!) I love the LOTR films though! I want to read them all but do I go LOTR then Hobbit or Hobbit then LOTR? Also I want to read the Silmarillion. Would that make more sense before the others or after? I want to start reading it soon as I have meant to for such a long time but never knew which one to start with! Thanks in advance (:

[Lauren]

Personally, I would recommend you read The Hobbit first. It offers the backstory of Bilbo Baggins and some history about the coveted ring, and thus provides for a richer experience when reading the LOTR Trilogy. However, you can jump straight into the LOTR series if you want.

[Larry]

Most emphatically, YES! Besides, The Hobbit is better written.

[Elentarri]

William wrote: "Also I want to read the Silmarillion. Would that make more sense before the others or after? "

Silmarillion after the Hobbit and LOTR. When you read the Silmarillion I suggest you have a printed out copy of all the family trees and map next to you so you can write down all the different names the same characters go by.

[William]

Elentarri wrote:

Silmarillion after the Hobbit and LOTR. When you read the Silmarillion I suggest you..."

Wow, so it is as difficult a read as my friends/family have told me? :S

[Elentarri]

William wrote: "
Wow, so it is as difficult a read as my friends/family have told me? :S"

Not sure what you mean by difficult. It has the usual words on a page. ;)

But some of the elves end up with about 3 names each depending on who they meet and what they are doing. It helps if you print out the family trees and write the extra names in to keep everything straight.

[Claire]

You don't necessarily have to read The Hobbit first since the main points of The Hobbit and how it relates to The Lord of the Rings are explained in the The Fellowship of the Ring. However, if you'd like to get a better understanding of the context and the breadth and scope of Middle Earth, and see the sly little ways in which Tolkien makes references to The Hobbit in LotR, I'd recommend you read The Hobbit first.

And it's not like The Hobbit is a super-long arduous investment like LotR. It's a fun, relatively short, relatively quick read.


(It also helps explain that "plot-hole" that everyone who hasn't read the book complains about: why Gandalf can't just summon the giant eagles whenever he needs them. The Hobbit drops some hints as to why Gandalf can't do that, and The Silmarillion explains why completely.)

[Monique]

I think you can read it before or after LOTR it is written so well you will understand either way! Great book and pretty good movie to ! Loved it

[Andres]

I don't think so, the hobbit is a very specific history, the movies have added a lot of material to make it more like a prequel

[Andres]

Aye, I was trying to say that the goal of the hobbit isn't be a prequel, from my pov.

For example I can't remember any reference of sauron, legolas, saruman, etc.

[Athelstan]

If you haven't started this yet, I would urge you to start at The Hobbit. It tells the story of how the ring came back into the world. Since the ring is so pivotal to the other books I think it's a good place to start.

[Shiv]

DDEFINITELY. You miss a lot of the character development and background setting if you just jump into the Fellowship. I strongly recommend reading the Hobbit first.

[Haley]

the hobbit is very good book i don't think it matters which one you read first it helps to read the hobbit first since it gives u some back round information

[Heather]

I would have begun with the Hobbit myself, and after having read it for a class in grad school, I actually would read the Silmarillion as well, which takes place even before the Hobbit.

[William]

Heather wrote: "I would have begun with the Hobbit myself, and after having read it for a class in grad school, I actually would read the Silmarillion as well, which takes place even before the Hobbit."

But would you recommend to read the Silmarillion first or last? I want to try to understand as best I can but also enjoy the actual story side of things.
Thanks (:

[Heather]

William wrote: "Heather wrote: "I would have begun with the Hobbit myself, and after having read it for a class in grad school, I actually would read the Silmarillion as well, which takes place even before the Hob..."
I would read the Silmarillion first.

[William]

Heather wrote: "William wrote: "Heather wrote: "I would have begun with the Hobbit myself, and after having read it for a class in grad school, I actually would read the Silmarillion as well, which takes place eve..."

Ok, thanks for the help! (:

[C. J.]

Bookworm wrote: " I was wondering whether I should read the Hobbit first or should I start with 'The Fellowship of the Ring'...What would you suggest?"

I think you should read in that order. I have yet to read the trilogy but I felt to read them in a progressive order. The Hobbit is like an introduction to the world and leads to the trilogy (that is more for adults than the "children's type" of book in Hobbit) that is the complicated world of Middle Earth and Mordor.

I think I'm gonna love reading the trilogy! (you will probably too whenever you get to it, this is just a suggestion). I just haven't because I am a slow reader.