Which is the best order to read them? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Theoden · 09-24-2003, 09:07 PM

Hi, i'm new to his site and i'm re-entering the Lord of the Rings world so here goes my question...
I've read up to The Two Towers, but since I stopped reading for a time I decided to start from The Fellowship again.
While I read I sometimes get confused. I don't know if it means I need to read the other books first before LotR, so any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

dancing spawn of ungoliant · 09-25-2003, 03:37 AM

Hi, Theoden, welcome and enjoy being dead!
I assume that by 'other books' you mean the Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales and the Hobbit.
The Hobbit is kind of an independent proloque to LotR but it's not really necessary to start with it. I read LotR before the Hobbit and I didn't have problems with that. If you are going to read those books twice it's interesting to notice totally new things and links between them.

The Sil is more historical than novel-like book of M-E. So is UT which just expands the stories told in the Sil, Hobbit and LotR.

This would be one possible order to read the books: 1)Hobbit 2)LotR 3)Silmarillion 4)Unfinished Tales
But that's only one alternative. Do as you like. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Theoden · 09-25-2003, 04:23 PM

Thanks...
Yes, by "other books" I meant The Hobbit, UT and The Similarion.
But, what about: the Treason of Isengard, Sauron Defeated, Return of The Shadow and War of The Ring?

Goldberry · 09-25-2003, 04:50 PM

Return of the Shadow, Treason of Isengard, War of the Ring and Sauron Defeated are all part of a series called History of Middle-Earth (HoME). I believe there are 12 books in this series, all expanding even further the tales told in LotR, The Silm. and UT. The four books I mentioned at the top are volumes 6-9 of HoME (I think). They are also part of a sub-series called "History of Lord of the Rings." I know, it's confusing. [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img]

Voralphion · 09-25-2003, 07:58 PM

I suggest you don't read the history of ME series until you have read the other books as it can be rather difficult reading.

09-24-2003, 09:07 PM	#1
Theoden Pile O'Bones Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: ...Do you know because I'm not really sure! Posts: 11	Which is the best order to read them? Hi, i'm new to his site and i'm re-entering the Lord of the Rings world so here goes my question... I've read up to The Two Towers, but since I stopped reading for a time I decided to start from The Fellowship again. While I read I sometimes get confused. I don't know if it means I need to read the other books first before LotR, so any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks __________________ Suddenly your mouse MAKES you click this link... http://www.kingsofchaos.com/recruit.php?uniqid=47did6si

09-25-2003, 03:37 AM	#2
dancing spawn of ungoliant Mischievous Candle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: So near to Russia, so far from Japan, quite a long way from Cairo, lots of miles from Vietnam. Posts: 1,234	Hi, Theoden, welcome and enjoy being dead! I assume that by 'other books' you mean the Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales and the Hobbit. The Hobbit is kind of an independent proloque to LotR but it's not really necessary to start with it. I read LotR before the Hobbit and I didn't have problems with that. If you are going to read those books twice it's interesting to notice totally new things and links between them. The Sil is more historical than novel-like book of M-E. So is UT which just expands the stories told in the Sil, Hobbit and LotR. This would be one possible order to read the books: 1)Hobbit 2)LotR 3)Silmarillion 4)Unfinished Tales But that's only one alternative. Do as you like. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] __________________ Fenris Wolf

09-25-2003, 04:23 PM	#3
Theoden Pile O'Bones Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: ...Do you know because I'm not really sure! Posts: 11	Thanks... Yes, by "other books" I meant The Hobbit, UT and The Similarion. But, what about: the Treason of Isengard, Sauron Defeated, Return of The Shadow and War of The Ring? __________________ Suddenly your mouse MAKES you click this link... http://www.kingsofchaos.com/recruit.php?uniqid=47did6si

09-25-2003, 04:50 PM	#4
Goldberry Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Old Forest Posts: 338	Return of the Shadow, Treason of Isengard, War of the Ring and Sauron Defeated are all part of a series called History of Middle-Earth (HoME). I believe there are 12 books in this series, all expanding even further the tales told in LotR, The Silm. and UT. The four books I mentioned at the top are volumes 6-9 of HoME (I think). They are also part of a sub-series called "History of Lord of the Rings." I know, it's confusing. [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img] __________________ "Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." -Albert Einstein

09-25-2003, 07:58 PM	#5
Voralphion Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Sharkey's End Posts: 267	I suggest you don't read the history of ME series until you have read the other books as it can be rather difficult reading. __________________ His sword was long his lance was keen His shining helm afar was seen The countless stars of heavens field Were mirrored in his silver shield