I've only read the first five, and some of Peoples of Middle-Earth. For some strange reason, I've always held back on reading those volumes detailing the evolution of LOTR. I guess I'm somehow worried that if I read this, then it will seem like something that has been cobbled together from humble beginnings. I prefer to think of LOTR as something that emerged in perfect form, even though I know that's a ridiculous notion.
My favourite song lyric may be kind of applicable in this situation (it's from Come to Me by Björk):
Quote:
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"you know that I adore you, you know that I love you, so don't make me say it, it would burst the bubble, break the charm"
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I'm afraid of bursting the bubble and breaking the charm. But the sad thing is, I feel I cannot consider myself a true, die-hard Tolkien fan if I have not read all his works, even the posthumous ones. So I'm a bit torn about whether or not to read the History of LOTR volumes. Some advice would be appreciated. Sorry for rambling.