ŷ

Celebrate Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month with These Great Books
Jessi Johnson asked this question about The Hobbit, or There and Back Again:
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?
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 wi…mǰSo 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.
(less)
flag
More questions about The Hobbit, or There and Back Again�
Image for The Hobbit, or There and Back Again
The Hobbit, or There and Back Again
by J.R.R. Tolkien
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars

About ŷ Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the ŷ community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions