Jessi Johnson
asked:
I've never really watched the Lord of the Rings movies or read the books (not for lack of interest, just haven't gotten around to it). Would you suggest I read The Hobbit before LotR?
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Michael
The Hobbit can be sort of a "gateway" book, as it provides Tolkien's amazing fantasy and storytelling but without the (sometimes intimidating) detail and complexity of LOTR. The Hobbit will introduce Tolkien's world and mythology, so you will have some context when you read LOTR.
Pauline
Yes, but be prepared for the difference in tone between the two books. The Hobbit is intended for a middle-grades audience. Though it is far more sophisticated in vocabulary, style, and theme than much current middle-grades fiction, it's written with a certain whimsy and lightness. The Lord of the Rings starts whimsical, but rapidly becomes a serious epic. That said, in some ways I love the Hobbit more. It's got a lot to say about greed, pride, snobbery, habit, and broadening one's view of the world. It's a gloriously written book that is a true children's book not because it excludes adult readers, but because nothing about it excludes children.
Sam K.
You can read LOTR without reading The Hobbit before it. However, reading The Hobbit will allow yourself to gain some Middle-earth background knowledge and context, and become familiar with Tolkien's world.
If you are planning to read both LOTR and The Hobbit, then it would be a good idea to read The Hobbit first as some may believe it is significantly 'easier' to understand. (i.e. LOTR is more complex).
If you are planning to read both LOTR and The Hobbit, then it would be a good idea to read The Hobbit first as some may believe it is significantly 'easier' to understand. (i.e. LOTR is more complex).
John
I'm late to be responding, but I'd suggest reading The Hobbit first. I could see someone loving The Hobbit but not enjoying the LOTR as much, but would expect that the reciprocal is more rare. The Hobbit is a purer story. When Tolkien wrote LOTR he was no longer just telling a story but also trying to do something more grand.
That all said, you gain some background by reading The Hobbit first, but I don't think you really need it to enjoy the LOTR.
That all said, you gain some background by reading The Hobbit first, but I don't think you really need it to enjoy the LOTR.
Addison Dixon
I actually read LOTR before The Hobbit. It didn't really matter. But, just as a general rule, it's probably best to read The Hobbit first. Both are amazing books and very insightful (think, The Chronicles of Narnia). :))
Tim
If you're planning to read both, definitely read The Hobbit first, it was written first and provides useful information. With that being said, if you only want to invest the time in reading three books and not four, you can certainly get through LOTR without issue without The Hobbit.
Axel Nydén
Yes. Definitely. Chronologically Hobbit was written before the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and is set some sixty years before (I think Bilbo is fifty-ish in 'Hobbit', and 'The Fellowhip of the Ring' commences with his 111th birthday). Though it doesn't have many references to 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy, you'll recognize several characters. It's not essential, but you'll get familiarized with Tolkien's style and world, if you read 'Hobbit' before.
I'd also suggest reading all books before watching the films.
I'd also suggest reading all books before watching the films.
Phillip Meyer
Read the hobbit first for sure.
Hat Kid
The Hobbit can provide a good backstory, and help explain some of the loose ends in LOTR. It really is your choice, as I read LOTR first and still enjoyed the book a lot.
Sarah
So this is probably not the usual way to go about reading Tolkien, but here's what I did:
1: Read 2/3 of The Hobbit. DNF.
2: A year later, went out with a guy I really liked who was into Tolkien and read the whole LOTR trilogy on a whim.
3: Then finished The Hobbit.
It's unconventional, and not something I did on purpose, but it worked fine, because I'd "met" Bilbo, Gandalf, Elrond, and the dwarves, and knew some of the geography of Middle-earth before I read LOTR. I'd say not essential to read The Hobbit first, probably helpful, but definitely at least find a way to "meet" some of the main characters from The Hobbit (and consequently LOTR) first.
1: Read 2/3 of The Hobbit. DNF.
2: A year later, went out with a guy I really liked who was into Tolkien and read the whole LOTR trilogy on a whim.
3: Then finished The Hobbit.
It's unconventional, and not something I did on purpose, but it worked fine, because I'd "met" Bilbo, Gandalf, Elrond, and the dwarves, and knew some of the geography of Middle-earth before I read LOTR. I'd say not essential to read The Hobbit first, probably helpful, but definitely at least find a way to "meet" some of the main characters from The Hobbit (and consequently LOTR) first.
Sanjana Mandal
Yes you must. I also was not a fan till I read The Hobbit. Just the first line and I knew I am turning into a LOTR fan. So the very second I ordered all the LOTR books from Amazon.
Johanna
Amé este libro! a pesar de su fantasÃa, llegué en un momento que disfrute y me adentré en su narrativa! La siento que no le hizo justicia a la historia.
Marco Corsa
I definiticvely answer Yes. And see the film Talkien too.
Patrick Jean-Jacques
Not necessarily! Although the chapter 'Riddles in the Dark' is a precursor to LOTR. Bilbo's journey in The Hobbit is lighter, less complex and more fun (in tone) than Frodo's in LOTR.
ExquisiteReads
The Hobbit comes before LOTR, but you can read/watch either first. The Hobbit starts of kind of slow so it can be taxing if you don't have prior knowledge, but they are both good books/series. 10/10 would read again.
Stefanie
You don't have to, but I suggest it.
BlanketBoy
Yes, in my opinion, you will have to read The Hobbit before the LOTR series, considering that it takes place before the events in LOTR. It introduces the "one ring to rule them all", and Tolkien's world.
However, it isn't a necessity to read the Hobbit before LOTR.
However, it isn't a necessity to read the Hobbit before LOTR.
Gemma
I have not yet read The Lord of the Rings trilogy, but I have actually just started reading The Hobbit now. While technically it did take place before Lord of the Rings, it is seen as a stand-alone book and so it's not absolutely necessary to read it first. Since The Hobbit is really aimed for younger readers, I thought it'd be a bit more simpler and easier to read first before getting into LotR, which is a bit more serious and adult.
Zouhair Barhoumi
Yes, it is necessary.
Blake
i think that u should read the lord of the rings then the hobbit
Karen
Yes as it will help to set up for the trilogy in some part to give a more rounded picture. Or so I feel, reading it many time over the years. I always start with the Hobbit. It was a great was to start my children out right and get them interested in books.
Cameron
yes, it is the first of the series.
Paul Atreides
My recommendation would be to avoid the movies. I personally find the movies to be Hollywood trite. Also The Hobbit is a good place to start, it's my personal favorite. Also search for this illustrators to help your imagination. John Howe, Ted Nasmith, the Hilderbrant brothers, Tony DiTerlizzi and Diddier Grafert.
Janis Griffiths
Liked The Hobbit and loved the LOR on first reading as a 17 year old. I still like The Hobbit, but loathed LOR on a recent re-reading. It's inconsistent in tone and style, and shifts about a bit in terms of focus. I really hated the portentous myth making and found it all a little wearisome in the end.
Kat Ends Here
Yes. The Hobbit is the prequel to The Lord of The Rings and if you want to read the books in order of story chronological events then yes definitely ...
However you can read The Lord of The Rings without previously reading The Hobbit and still understand the story line and still understand what is happening within the story ...
However you can read The Lord of The Rings without previously reading The Hobbit and still understand the story line and still understand what is happening within the story ...
Porter
yes however they are very different in style
Thorin Oakenshield
Watch the movies first. It will give you a better feeling about them. The hobbit is WAY better than LOTR so read hobbit first.
Madhupria
I would definetely suggest you read The Hobbit before LotR. It provides a background to this world. I am reading The Fellowship and it definately helps. Also you won't be so confused when reading the prologue.
Rose Bain
The "Hobbit" first so you understand the "Lord of the Rings."
Dan
Tolkien wrote the hobbit first. read the hobbit first. it is not a big deal though.
Nathaniel selby
Yes you would have a better understanding of the time line and also how it all began.
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Dec 01, 2014 03:03PM · flag