Should I Read the Hobbit Before Lotr
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J.R.R. Tolkien discussion
Okay, so I'one thousand planning on reading "The Lord of the rings" series. I have had it read it to me, I but don't remember it, well I remember a actually long epilouge, and long songs and poetry, I've decided to endeavor to read the whole entire serial, by starting over. I've been told sevral times to showtime with "The Hobbit", and I'm wondering why. Cheers so much for your help! :D 
Mod The Hobbit is a classic in its own right, as well as being an introduction to Middle-earth. You will larn more about the nature of Hobbits and dwarves, wizards and elves, yous will empathize more about Gollum and why Bilbo's meeting with him was so important to the events of LOTR.
Most importantly, you will get to enjoy an incredibly good volume. I'one thousand jealous at the thought of you lot experiencing it for the offset time!
I first read The Hobbit about 40 years ago when I was 8 and have read information technology dozens of times since, the last fourth dimension just a couple of months ago. Each time it's like a visit from an erstwhile friend, and I withal notice little things that I hadn't noticed, or had forgotten.
It's a relatively quick, and definitely rewarding, read. Exercise information technology, Nelle: you know information technology makes sense :-D
Non only is The Hobbit fun, but the difference and similarity betwixt it and its sequel help one understand both Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings better.
I know I'm dragging on here, simply a expert instance of this is found in the character of Gollum. Tolkien'due south Gollum in The Hobbit was very different in the beginning edition, and Tolkien changed his motives and character dramatically for the second edition afterward he began writing The Lord of the Rings. If you can observe a copy of that scene (the affiliate 'Riddles in the Dark') from the first edition, I would encourage it. I once heard a Tolkien-scholar describe him while writing as 'flying blind': his ideas were then multitudinous and complex that he wasn't sure how to plow them into commercial fiction.
AND (ha ha!! sorry for taking so much space) if you want to understand The Hobbit a little better, read the novella Roverandom, a children's story about a toy dog his son had lost at the embankment. The Hobbit, I think, is a very good median between the feel and aim of Roverandom, which was done essentially for the Hell of it (to be glib), and the very serious experience of The Lord of the Rings, by which fourth dimension Tolkien realised that people wanted to run into and hear more of his invented mythology and his vast fictional globe.
OK, I'm done. Have fun with it!
Thank you Logan and Michael, the other people who told me to read "The Hobbit" kickoff, gave no explanation. Your opinions have helped alot. I will start reading "The Hobbit" as soon as possible! (I have other reading projects I need to terminate starting time). I will also check out the "Roverandom" book as soon as possible! Thank y'all so much for your help it is greatly appreciated! :D Mod 
I may exist a bot belatedly to the party, but I will comment any way. :) The Lord of the Rings was originally supposed to exist a sequel to the Hobbit, although it grew into an epic all its own. They essentially follow the aforementioned story, and that it ane reason to read the Hobbit kickoff. Another reason is because Tolkien wrote in a style that is a bit more formal and more intellectual than near modernistic fiction writers. If you practise non often read historical or mythological works, you may detect his elevated writing tone and primitive wording a little tough at first. Because the Hobbit was originally intended as a children's volume, the way is a little more playful and less heightened. Therefore it may be improve for some to read information technology offset, and gradually adapt to Tolkien'due south more intellectual fashion. :) Also, if you find yourself struggling with the Lord of the Rings, I urge yous to rent or stream the audio book while you read. I used that technique with my younger sis, and successfully turned her into an avid Ringer. ;) @ Sidhe. Thanks I'll try the audio volume idea! I tried reading The Lord of the Rings first, and I had alot of trouble keeping track, so hopefully reading "The Hobbit" first will help. Thanks for your assist! 
Also, (nobody slap me please) if you tin can't go through the prologue in LOTR, skip it. I've never read it. I've started it, only information technology is very........... not entertaining. ;) Mod Why, you little....! ;-)
Michael wrote: "Connor wrote: "Also, (nobody slap me please) if you can't get through the prologue in LOTR, skip it. I've never read it. I've started it, simply it is very........... non entertaining. ;)"Why, you l..."
At least you didn't slap me. ;)
True, you can read Lord of the Rings without reading The Hobbit. Lord of the Rings tin stand alone. Just when I read the series, I decided to kickoff with The Hobbit because the events in it takes place threescore years before the events in the Lord of the Rings. And there are a few referances to The Hobbit in the Lord of the Rings that y'all would empathise ameliorate if you lot read The Hobbit start. 
Mod 
I too feel the same way as Dena and Stefan above me. I read "The Hobbit" after reading "Lord of the Rings" and I had no trouble enjoying both to the fullest. The finding the ring is not actually a major event in "The Hobbit" information technology'southward a subplot or something. Other than that it depends on the readers age. Equally others have explained here.
Mod I would agree that it doesn't really thing which y'all read first, just if you oasis't read either it'south but kind of logical to showtime with the earlier of the ii. Plus LoTR contains some "spoilers" for The Hobbit if you oasis't read that already.
Suffice to say, you'll probable savor them both regardless of the order yous read them in.
Mod 
I did read 'the lord of the rings' long before the hobbit, hence i would recomend that you lot read the hobbit first every bit information technology does help to ready the scene, before one is introduced to Bilbo and Frodo. Knowing the history between Bilbo and Gandalf first is helpful and i think that you would bask LOTR more if yous read them in this society (not that at that place is a set up lodge). 
Actually not simply would I read the Hobbit first, but I would also read the Silmarillion and Lost Tales first to give yous a experience for the history of Middle earth before you become into LOTR. Then again peradventure you should only relieve those earlier you reread LOTR like I'm doing now.Definitely read the Hobbit get-go though.
I read LotR before The Hobbit and I didn't feel it made whatever divergence in my eventual enjoyment of the latter (I sandwiched The Silmarillion between the two). I'd say go with any seems more interesting first, though if you lot plan on come across The Hobbit motion picture in December, you might desire to get that 1 finished, first and LotR is decidedly more time consuming. 
I read The Hobbit first, but I think it doesn't make that much of a difference which one y'all read offset or 2nd. I'd personally read Hobbit showtime, only eitherway circular is fine. 
The Hobbit should definitely exist read first for continuity sake. It is at that place we are start introduced the darkly seductive ability of The Ring, and the creatures of Center Earth, including Bilbo. John wrote: "The Hobbit should definitely be read beginning for continuity sake. It is there we are first introduced the darkly seductive power of The Ring, and the creatures of Centre Globe, including Bilbo." I do agree.
Reading The Hobbit first would serve well if you wanted to 'innovate' yourself to Centre Earth. However, I personally read LOTR outset, which gave The Hobbit that actress dimension, knowing everything that was to come.In the end though, it doesn't really affair that much.
Yes do read The Hobbit outset. Just because it was released first and introduces Gandalf and Bilbo and merely considering it'southward a easy way to get into Tolkien and how he writes and all. 
Reading "The Hobbit" is not crucial to agreement "The Lord of the Rings", just it would give you an agreement of Heart Earth. I read LOTR outset and then read the Hobbit. I read all at least one time a yr! Enjoy! 
Like if you tin can't wait for the Hobbit to come out this December! 
Both LotR and The Hobbit are stand-alone novels and don't need each other to exist properly understood. However, The Hobbit is a corking book and a perfect introduction to Middle-globe and its main characters.I recommend reading information technology before The Lord of the Rings.
hey, Nelle, i read the Hobbit when i took I class in Children'southward Lit at U.Ç.Riverside and didn't much care for it, Simply my teacher recommended LOTR (this was in 1964 before whatsoever fame or fortune had come up to Tolkien). So I just picked upwardly "The Fellowship of the Ring" at the Pomona Library. I couldn't put it down (even tho I had 4 Children to care for. I accept been a fan always since. I regret I never wrote to TRR before he died. My husband once played Gandalf on phase and did a smashing task---LOTR is like existence inside all the great fairy stories, I read them when I feel depressed and demand to be lifted. I read The Hobbit after and only and then loved it. 
I'd get for the Hobbit beginning, merely to get your feet wet in the world of middle globe. You don't have to, but information technology volition heighten the reading of LOTR in a big style. 
In that location And Back Once more will give yous a fiddling more of the backstory that might help you to understand what'due south going on in the trilogy. A few of the characters appear in both works. I would hesitate to say that it's mandatory to read it first, simply it would certainly make LoTR amend. 
So happy i plant this word! I have been wanting to read LotR and didn't know if i should read the Hobbit start. I will defiantly exist picking up the Hobbit mon morn when the library opens.:) I experience similar I have been living nether a rock, I have non even watched the movies and I am a Junior in high school! 
I'g 1 of those readers who missed out on reading Tolkien as a kid (even though I saw the Cartoons). When I finally got around to reading the books, I had a hard time getting my easily on the professor'southward books from the library, equally they were always--and I practise mean--ever rented out. I got tired of waiting to read the books in literary order, so I decided to take hold of the only volume that was available to me and that was The Silmarillion. Fortunately, I'grand a fan of mythology and archetype literature, so it made my introduction to Tolkien much easier than the average reader. I dived correct into 'Rings" subsequently that and actually stopped after reading The Two Towers so I could read The Hobbit. Just afterwards, did I go on to read The Render of the King.Having read the books in this haphazard order, I highly recommend readers to beginning with The Hobbit. As others have mentioned, it'southward the most reader-friendly of the Heart-Earth books and will prepare the storyline for "Rings" for y'all. If you read Rings first, you'll miss some of the references to The Hobbit and lose some of the bear on of the circadian nature of the tales.
If you lot desire to offset right at the very beginning and so you should read The Silmarillion. That way y'all'll know how Centre Earth was created and all but its a long complicated history. The Hobbit is a lot easier to read and its more than fun too. It would be better to read it before reading LOTR considering that style you lot'd empathise Hobbits and Dwarves better and it provides the perfect back story to the trilogy. 
The Hobbit has ever been a fun read for me. I started to reread over Thanksgiving and I know I am farther forth than the first movie. Read it now earlier the motion picture put images in your caput. Modern I have to give you kudos on reading The Silmarillion commencement and getting through it then standing on to LOTR and The Hobbit. I thoroughly enjoyed The Silmarillion, merely having already read the other books and loved them, helped my in navigating my way through The Silmarillion tremendously. It's a bully volume, but I would never suggest that someone new to Tolkien read information technology before getting comfy with his world and manner.
That said, The Hobbit is actually the best identify to start. It eases the reader in to Middle World in a fun way and gives a lot of good groundwork to prepare the reader for LOTR.
Stefan wrote: "I have to give you kudos on reading The Silmarillion first and getting through it so continuing on to LOTR and The Hobbit. I thoroughly enjoyed The Silmarillion, but having already read the other books and loved them, helped my in navigating my way through The Silmarillion tremendously. It's a great book, but I would never propose that someone new to Tolkien read it before getting comfortable with his world and style." I agree, Stefan. The Silmarillion is my all-time favorite volume, but I wouldn't cartel recommend anyone to start their educational activity of Tolkien with information technology. Aside from the sheer size of the book, its contents would scare away virtually readers who aren't familiar with mythic tales. The Hobbit, on the other hand, is the perfect manner to familiarize oneself with Middle Globe. In fact, if the new picture lives up to its billing (and I have no reason to recall it won't), I'd recommend picture show goers to start at that place before watching The Lord of Rings as well.
I agree with everyone that yous'll want to read The Hobbit showtime. I had read half of it a few years before I read The Lord of the Rings and as shortly as I finished LOTR I went back to read The Hobbit. You can read the LOTR firsts but you will desire to read The Hobbit when your washed so you might besides offset with it!! 
a friend told me that if i want to read the series in a chronological mode I should start with The Silmarillion. However when I read it, information technology was a little bit too much in my kickoff endeavour of Tolkien's works. So, now I just decided to read The Hobbit first instead. :) I read The Hobbit earlier I read LOTR considering I heard there was some referances in LOTR that happened in the Hobbit. And the Hobbit takes palce threescore years earlier the events in LOTR then to me information technology just made sense to read The Hobbit get-go. 
Yes, it was written beginning therefore Tolkien intended for it to be read outset :) 
I hold with the general consensus in here and advise reading The Hobbit first.My hubby went straight to LOTR and he just doesn`t have the aforementioned love for Bilbo as I take.
I read The Hobbit as a teenager and went directly to LOTR. I`ve been re-reading every couple of years since.
I as well love Roverandom, it is pure Tolkien, enchanting and very sweet.
I am reading The Hobbit right now. I just checked it out from the library. Fun read. 
Brooke wrote: "I am reading The Hobbit right now. I simply checked it out from the library. Fun read." Enjoy! Information technology's pretty crawly.
Mod Enjoy! It's pretty awesome."
And the volume is much amend than the motion picture in my opinion.
Namarie, God bless, Anne Marie :)
I'd definitely say read it considering it familiarizes you with the globe and some of he creatures and locations mentioned in The Lord of the rings trilogy, not to mention in that location is a lot of referencing in the first part of the fellowship which might get you lost and confused. Personally it does make the whole story more enjoyable and easier to understand since you met almost half the cast or relations to them at least beforehand. 
Yes. 
Haha! An respond that is short and sweet and correct. 
I've honestly read it after The Lord of the Rings, just because I've met the latter first. I cannot say I regret that, since has been rather sweet to know improve Bilbo and his story knowing already the struggles he had to endure in his last years and the story of the Ring itself.So, what I tin tell you is this: Should you read information technology before The Lord of the Rings? It depends. For me, it has been better this way, reading it later on, because I couldn't accept been able to appreciated it and it could have put me off Tolkien altogether. So, knowing what you now know well-nigh them and about how unlike they are from each other, you lot tin can make a choice based on your tastes.
(I hope I didn't explain myself too poorly, English is not my first language!)
Modernistic You did great, Eleanora - if you hadn't said so, I wouldn't even have known English was not your first. :)
I read The Hobbit afterwards LOTR as well and enjoyed it in that order as well.
Namarie, God bless, Anne Marie :)
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