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A Tolkien books question?
Where can I find a list of the order in which to read the Tolkien books. I've read the hobbit and I have the Silmarillion audiobook and I picked up the new one today. Silmarillion is the very start of the middle earth books so where does the story go from there?
Are the 12 part "history of.." books just fillers or are they actually in order of events (I still have to get those).
Any links or help would be greatly appreciated.
7 Answers
- Anonymous1 decade agoFavorite Answer
Have a look at this link. Sounds like good advice.
- blahLv 41 decade ago
The Hobbit
The Fellowship of the Ring
The Two Towers
The Return of the King
His other Middle Earth books are basically a compilation of Middle Earth's history. You should definitely read the above four, first, in order. The others should be read later when you're still hungry for more Tolkien. It will just be mroe about what Middle Earth is. They are exceptional, but not on the same level as the above four.
- tentofieldLv 71 decade ago
Lord of the Rings is not a trilogy. It was written as one book and reads as one book. Tolkien's publisher split it into three as it would be easier to sell in three parts. Tolkien was never happy with the name given to the third part, he did not choose the names.
Read The Hobbit, then The Lord of the Rings. The Silmarillion does not have to be read in order as it is a collection of pieces. It is very obscure in parts but is much easier to understand if you have read the first two books.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
You really don't ever have to read the Silmarillion, but it helps to understand the pre-history of the elves and men of Middle-earth, and Sauron's role in their lives.
Christopher Tolkien edited the History of Middle Earth from his father's notes, and some of the incidents and characters do not match with either The Hobbit or LOTR.
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- Anonymous1 decade ago
The Hobbit
Lord of the Rings Trilogy
book 1. fellowship of the ring
book 2. the two towers
book 3. the return of the king
that's all i know, as far as order goes. some of them are just like general stories, that are referenced to in other books (there is many stories referenced to in the lord of the rings trilogy).... many of the books were written out of order... like some ancient history one was written after lord of the kinds... sorry i can't help you more, but tolkien rocks! try wikipedia.com? good luck!
- 1 decade ago
I'm so jealous...wish I was reading them for the first time :)
The Hobbit
The Fellowship of the Ring
The Two Towers
The Return of the King
Silmarillion
