Is it worth reading?

[Claire]

So I've read HP and thought it was really good. When I was a kid I always thought the "My Precious" troll guy was scary, (Sorry I dont know his name or what he is). So I've kinda avoided the series, I'm older now, so I'm thinking of reading it. Should i? What did you guys think?

[Renee E]

Yes. Absolutely. Gollum gets less scary as what he is unfolds throughout the story, but there are scarier things than Gollum to face, but really, if you did okay with HP, and you're older now, you should be okay.

I've always had a bad time with things giving me nightmares. My imagination runs wild, but LoTR didn't bother me that way. I read it for the first time when I was eleven.

[Phyllis]

Have you been living under a rock? Yes, definitely. Reality is bearable mixed with a bit of suberb story-telling.

[Yuki]

If you were to compare all three books from the trilogy, I found that the Fellowship of the Ring was harder to get through, since there is a lot of background information that Tolkien goes into. Some people like all the detail. I personally had a tough time since I have an attention span of a fruit fly. After you get through the first 1/3 or the first 1/2 of the book, then things really start picking up, and it gets really fun. I'm just telling you this, since you are HP fan, and I know that Rowling can start unfolding things from the very beginning. Tolkien instead, loves giving in all the details so that you have a greater idea of the huge world that he created.

If you are a movie fan (as I was before reading the books), reading the books allowed me to have a much greater appreciation for the world Tolkien created, but as well as the talent that Peter Jackson had in being able to not screw up this world that Tolkien so perfectly created.

[Claire]

YES. It definitely is, but I must warn you that the first book is the hardest to get through because so much of it is descriptions and stuff happening that doesn't seem to affect the story as a whole. But that's only because, being the first book, it has to spend most of its time just establishing the setting and the numerous peoples and creatures in it, and there's A LOT to establish because this world is so creative and thoroughly thought out (and The Lord of the Rings doesn't even tell you HALF of the entire history of Middle Earth). That's approximately the first quarter of Fellowship.

But then the rest of the story kicks in and sucks you right into it, and all of those descriptions that seemed "pointless" in the first quarter actually help to create a sense of context for what's going on, and how literally EVERYTHING rests on Frodo and the Ring's fate.

[Adam]

You might want to start with The Hobbit if you are new to Tolkien. As others have noted, Fellowship can be tough going.

The Hobbit is a better intro to Middle Earth for new readers. Like Harry Potter, it's aimed at a younger audience but can easily be enjoyed by adults.

[[deleted user]]

This is an absolute must-read!
If not now, then after you have read The Hobbit.
If you like any books within the fantasy Genre, you should absolutely read this classic piece :-)
The Hobbit is absolutely easier to digest if you are worried about tension.
Gollum isn't scary when you know the full series, you actually will feel kind of sad for him.

[Jerry]

To sound like a part of the chorus who commented on this, it's a must read, the Hobbit first and then progress to the LoTR trilogy. It is such a different experience than HP. In some ways, I believe you become more immerse in Tolkien's universe with its extensive history and background built around the world of Middle Earth. HP developed a unique magical world, but more entrenched in pop culture (not a bad thing) but not as distinctive.

[Renee E]

Tolkien is high fantasy. He created another world, compleat and separate.

Harry Potter is low fantasy (really, couldn't they come up with better differentiations than "high" and "low," it sounds so derogatory); being set essentially within the normal world but involving aspects beyond Muggledom.

Going into either one with expectations carried from the other can hamper your ability to fully enjoy both. It's like comparing a present boy/girlfriend to a former one. It can ruin the relationship.

[Suzanne]

Max wrote: "So I've read HP and thought it was really good. When I was a kid I always thought the "My Precious" troll guy was scary, (Sorry I dont know his name or what he is). So I've kinda avoided the series..."

Yes, this is definitely a must read! Tolkien is by far one of the most magnificent storytellers ever! As others have pointed out, I would advise reading The Hobbit first. Oh, and that scary "troll guy" isn't a troll...And his name is Gollum. To answer your question though, it is absolutely worth reading! Give it a try, I promise you won't regret it.

[B.]

The LOTR trilogy is one of the greatest pieces of literature ever assembled. Definitely intended for a slightly more mature audience than Harry Potter but I see no reason why a fan of one cannot fully appreciate the other. I have probably read the trilogy in full at least ten times during my life and it never gets old.

[Jesse]

I'm actually going to disagree. It is not a must read. I have read it. I loved it. I gleefully return to it from time to time but I am interested in the origins of fantasy as it is written today. Because LOTR has been covered so many times a lot of the things that were new and novel when it was written are old hat now so the time Tolkien spends on them can feel excessive UNLESS you are interested. As has been said The Hobbit is an easier read and may fit better if you are not looking to delve wholeheartedly into Tolkien's world.

[Sorrel]

It's a really good book and thousands of people enjoy it and think it's great. However, don't be cowed or intimidated by people saying that its the greatest book ever written and all people who dont' like it are intellectually deficient (no ones said this here hich is good, but it has been said elsewhere). I found this put way too much pressure on me to enjoy it and I ended up rushing through it the first time. My advice is yes! Read it, but read it at your own pace and only think of your own enjoyment. DOn't read it because you think you should, read it because you want to, if thaty makes sense?
The idea to start with the hobbit that people have already suggested is a good one. Bear in mind that it is a children's book, though, so if you decide that you think it's talking down to you or is a bit immature (I don't think it is but I've heard others by put off by it), LotR has a different tone.

[Ahmed]

Are you kidding me !! must must read but first read the hobbit,i just finished the trilogy and i'll read it again :)

[Kelly Brigid ♡]

Yes, READ IT!

[Chaya]

Do not read it.

[Madeleine]

Of course! This is among the best fantasy fiction books in the world. In fact, the Lord of the Rings is the best fantasy fiction book in the world. Ever. Ever. Ever. READ IT!

[Bonnie]

I read The Hobbit first then the LOTR trilogy before the movies came out so I had no idea what was coming in the stories. And I truly enjoyed them! I agree with those that say to start with The Hobbit. One warning about the LOTR trilogy though - the romantic aspects from the movies are not really present in the book trilogy. (I read they were pulled in from different books but I don't know that for a fact.) But I didn't miss them - I was absorbed until the very end.

[Fady]

Sure, 100% recommendation.
Just read the Hobbit first, then the Lord of the Rings.
Enjoy the epic journey. :D

[Renee E]

So, Max . . . have you read any of it yet?

[Samantha The Escapist]

Jesse, I was about to say something very similar. (I'd have done the point a disservice though, you covered it perfectly)

I like the Hobbit, but by the time I actually read the Fellowship and having been an avid fantasy fan most of my life (books, games, movies - including the sword and sorcery craze of the 80s) I did find LOTR ultimately a little redundant and unenjoyable for myself.

As another poster mentioned though, I should note that I, too, have the attention span of a fruit fly and as it was I was skipping literally EVERY bit of italicized text to get as far as I did (Amon Hen) before abandoning the books "temporarily"

I will always have nothing but respect for LOTR and Tolkein himself, I have some of my other favourite works to thank him for influencing and inspiring and I won't forget it, but as for his writing in particular, it's not really for me.

And just because it's such a cherished novel and it's certainly worth giving it a try, you shouldn't feel too pressured to like it, Max, and don't be afraid to dislike it if that's truly how you feel.

Personally I find there aren't enough hours in the day to read the books I adore, so why spend too much time trying to force myself to like something I don't?

[Vickie]

Samantha The Escapist wrote: Personally I find there aren't enough hours in the day to read the books I adore, so why spend too much time trying to force myself to like something I don't?

I loved LOTR and the Hobbit. When I was in 4th grade our teacher read us The Hobbit and I was hooked. I have read them all numerous times, and I have the LOTR videos which I watch multiple times.

But I do agree with Samantha and others. Read "The Hobbit" first, then LOTR. And if it is too descriptive, or you really don't like it, then don't finish it. But give it a good try - don't quit before the action starts.

[Yx]

You could have guess the answer after so many replies haha. Read it, it is truly a masterpiece!
In fact, I didn't get to appreciate its awesomeness when I was young too. My dad bought me the trilogy during my primary school age, and I never fail to fall asleep whenever I started reading. It was too heavy for me and look at all the names in the first chapter itself! After the exposure of movies, finally I picked it up again and this is the best decision I made. All the details I hated before now become just nice and interesting and I just want more of it. I guess it is because I see more details and depth in the story when I become more mature now. The imaginary world Tolkien created is fantastic. If you are worried about the length The Hobbit would be a good choice to start since it was meant to be light reading :)

[Roddy]

Yes, for all sorts of reasons.

[Rabab]

Coming from someone who loves the Harry Potter series, I did NOT enjoy the Fellowship of the Ring. I found it to be very dull, with too much description of events that should have been experienced (by the characters, and in turn the reader) rather than just talked about. I felt like the majority of the story was characters just talking about stuff that's happening which is rather dull, instead of actually doing much. After struggling through half of it I had to give up...

[Chris]

Try again, you have to let your imagination take you over! It is a little descriptive, and in some places complex, but try again, once you have the first part under your belt there will be no stopping you! Don't know if I'm allowed to do this but... I hope my fantasy book will be out soon... The Beginning, give it a try you may like it... I hope it will be advertised on Goodreads when it is released. Oh and try David Eddings... Brilliant!

[Job419]

Max wrote: "So I've read HP and thought it was really good. When I was a kid I always thought the "My Precious" troll guy was scary, (Sorry I dont know his name or what he is). So I've kinda avoided the series..."

Yeeeesssssss! As Golum would say. I first read the trilogy when I was in my late teens and have read it again many times since then. As others have suggested, start with The Hobbit. It is a great introduction to Middle Earth and is easier reading.

[Kryzad]

It definitely is, man. Fellowship of the Ring opens up Middle Earth in ways we are baffled to even recognize since The Hobbit. If you don't read this, then its a big, huge, gigantic,humongous WASTE

[Claire]

Heyo guys. I did read LOTR. It took me awhile, but by the time I got to the middle I was hooked. And then I realized regardless if I like the book or not, I bought the whole series at my local used books store for like 8 bucks. Now to find the hobbit...

[Chris]

Tolkien still has to be the king. Whoever you read you can make reference back to his work, HP, Belgariath series (brilliant by the way) Shannarra, even my own book The Beginning (out very soon I hope)all take from the master. If you haven't read Tolkien then you have definitely missed out. Oh and guys make sure you try my book when out! Maybe not a Tolkien but although I say so myself it is enjoyable! Chris