any stats on Tolkien's books on top 100 lists?

[thalioniathiel]

all of us Tolkien fans know how good his books are and we have our opinion about how Lord of the Rings is one of the greatest books, but I was wondering if any of you know of it being on any Best Seller or Top 100 lists. I have a friend who is an English major and she hasn't read Lord of the Rings or think much of fantasy books, and she made a comment about it being widely read but not on Top 10 Must-Read lists. well, I don't pay attention to those lists myself, and I don't suppose it could compete with Homer and Shakespeare and all those great authors I don't read, but I'm sure it ought to be on some sort of top-100, best seller, or must-read list!

[Elven-Maiden]

I think this topic might belong in the Novices and Newcomers section, but to answer your question, I'm really not sure if LotR is on the Top 100 list, but it's definitely in my Top 5. It really depends on who makes the lists, doesn't it.
But I do beg to differ when saying that Tolkien will never to compare to Shakespeare, I think he does. But this might be better as a whole new topic itself...

1977, The Silmarillion was the top best selling fiction book.

[Iarwain]

LotR was voted book of the Century by Amazon.Com.

Happy to Announce it,
Iarwain

[thalioniathiel]

thanks for all your replies! sorry if this was not the right forum; I thought Books would be the place to ask a question about the Books, then right after my topic posted, I noticed the header says this forum is for in-depth conversations about Middle Earth. but I thought, hey, the Books people would probably have more answers for me than Novices and Newcomers. <shrug>

I definitely agree that it all depends on who makes the lists. personally, I don't even like Shakespeare and much of "great classical literature", so no comparison there, but I guess I'm trying to look at it from the viewpoint of my English-major friend and find stats to mention to her that might mean something to her. Amazon's book of the century sounds quite impressive! last night I also read an article that mentioned the rarity of a bestseller from almost 50 years ago climbing the bestseller lists again.
one of my friends described it to a non-Rings fan that it is the epic of epics. I would agree...but then, I haven't read many other epics. [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img]

[Bill Ferny]

Try this with your English Major friend. How many of Shakespeare’s plays were written to be read by English Majors in the 21st century, and how many of Shakespeare’s plays were written to put some shillings in Shakespeare’s pocket?

“Must read” is a rather generic category, no doubt established by some pontificating fool who has established a monopoly on literary relevance. Maybe you should ask your friend if she is just as generic.

[Beren87]

Tolkien himself did not like Shakespearen Liteerature, and therefor his writings are completely diferent. Its meant to be Mythology.

Now its true that nearly everyone can tell you who Romeo was, but its also true they can tell you who Hercules was as well. It cannot compare to Shakespeare simply on the grounds that they are completely different. Tolkien is meant as something more than a work of fiction.

[Tar-Palantir]

I believe I heard this on one of the Tolkein television specials (biography style), that for this century's book sales LotR is #2 behind the bible. Sorry, I wish could give you a source, but I done forgot...

[ January 16, 2003: Message edited by: Tar-Palantir ]

[ January 16, 2003: Message edited by: Tar-Palantir ]

[Diamond18]

Well, I wish I could be more specific, but...

Recently at my library there was a display for the 100 (or was it 50?) Children's Books that Shaped the Century. The Hobbit was named as one of them. I can't remember who declared this to be so, but it was some organization for children's literature that voted about it. Whether it means anything or not, it was a nice accolade, I suppose.

[Bill Ferny]

The following appears at Tolkien Society Website

In the 1960s he was taken up by many members of the nascent "counter-culture" largely because of his concern with environmental issues. In 1997 he came top of three British polls, organised respectively by Channel 4 / Waterstone's, the Folio Society, and SFX, the UK's leading science fiction media magazine, amongst discerning readers asked to vote for the greatest book of the 20th century.

The same site also states that Tolkien was mostly rejected by the “Eng. lit.” establishment.

[Beren87]

According to Librarians Tolkien, Orson Scott Card, and Isaac Asimov books are the most stolen. At my library you even have to ask for them behind the counter.


Edit: Also, LotR and The Hobbit box set is at 16 on the Amazon.com sales ranking. Lets see Shakespeare do that.

[ January 17, 2003: Message edited by: Beren87 ]

[Iarwain]

A little off subject, but Beren: Who, pray, is "Orson Scott Card"?

[Beren87]

O_O Orson Scott Cars is the writer of the IMMENSLY popular sci-fi book, "Ender's Game" and its sequels and parrallel novels. A must read for any sci-fi fan. Its a book that I rank up near LotR and the Foundation series.

And now back to topic.

[thalioniathiel]

thanks for all your comments! they've been really helpful!
I thought I remembered something about Lord of the Rings being #2 after the Bible somewhere, too. I should try to dig up that info somehow...