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**lindil** · 07-23-2003, 02:59 PM

Welcome to the Downs Gandlaf Jr.

The general consensus on most Tolkien boards is to approach them in the order released to the public [more or less].

The Hobbit
LotR (one or 2 times at least)
The Silmarillion [ again 1 or 2x's]personally I was 11or12 when I read it, and it only sank in on the second effort, but it is more than worth the effort. The LotR can not be fully appreciated with out THe Silm and UT as a minimum. Also with the Silm - avail yourself of the index and glossarry frequently, and the genealogies! They are truly there for a reason.
Unfinished Tales and or Letters by JRRT.
Personally, after the above and before the History of Middle-Earth Series, H. Carpenter's Tolkien:A Biography is fascinating, as is Shippey's Road to Middle-Earth
Armed with these and another read or so of LotR after all of the above and you will probably be salivating at the thought at the 12 volumes of the History of Middle-Earth.

It all may seem like alot, but it actually turns out to be a pretty common and organic experienceof entering Middle-Eart, with out too much repetition and without overloading [a distinct possibility, especially with the Silm].

The History volumes, are really kind of like College, the Silm and UT High School, LotR middle/Junior high, The Hobbit = Elementary.

That is my take anyway.

However you do do it - enjoy! they are some of the finest and deepest writings ever composed.

07-23-2003, 02:59 PM	#7
lindil Seeker of the Straight Path Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: a hidden fastness in Big Valley nor cal Posts: 1,680	Welcome to the Downs Gandlaf Jr. The general consensus on most Tolkien boards is to approach them in the order released to the public [more or less]. The Hobbit LotR (one or 2 times at least) The Silmarillion [ again 1 or 2x's]personally I was 11or12 when I read it, and it only sank in on the second effort, but it is more than worth the effort. The LotR can not be fully appreciated with out THe Silm and UT as a minimum. Also with the Silm - avail yourself of the index and glossarry frequently, and the genealogies! They are truly there for a reason. Unfinished Tales and or Letters by JRRT. Personally, after the above and before the History of Middle-Earth Series, H. Carpenter's Tolkien:A Biography is fascinating, as is Shippey's Road to Middle-Earth Armed with these and another read or so of LotR after all of the above and you will probably be salivating at the thought at the 12 volumes of the History of Middle-Earth. It all may seem like alot, but it actually turns out to be a pretty common and organic experienceof entering Middle-Eart, with out too much repetition and without overloading [a distinct possibility, especially with the Silm]. The History volumes, are really kind of like College, the Silm and UT High School, LotR middle/Junior high, The Hobbit = Elementary. That is my take anyway. However you do do it - enjoy! they are some of the finest and deepest writings ever composed. __________________ The dwindling Men of the West would often sit up late into the night exchanging lore & wisdom such as they still possessed that they should not fall back into the mean estate of those who never knew or indeed rebelled against the Light.