Best way to read lord of the rings

In Which Order Should I Read Tolkien’s Middle-earth Books?

There’s no easy answer. But here are some options.

I do have an answer and I do know you won’t like it.

It doesn’t matter. The order in which you read Tolkien’s stories about Middle-earth the first time doesn’t matter. Because you’ll have to read those stories multiple times before you start to deep under the surface, make the connections and read the deeper meanings and symbols. Before, that is, you’ll be in a position to receive what it actually has to offer. So pick whatever book you prefer, then the next, then the next, and when you’re done, start all over again. It’s totally worth it. I promise.

But since I also know you’re not here to get unhelpful answers, I think there are at least a couple of other options to consider.

Going with logic

Middle-earth has its own history. It starts at the beginning — and I truly mean the beginning, that is the beginning of time — and proceeds in an unbroken chain of events to the end of the Third Age.

So, of course, logic would suggest to start at the beginning and stop and the end.

This course of action would look like this:

The Silmarillion

The Silmarillion is the first of all the stories in many ways. Tolkien conceived it first. The very first story he wrote that consciously belonged to Middle-earth was The Fall of Gondolin, which is one of the three Great Stories of the Silmarillion. All through the 1920s, Tolkien wrote the stories and the elements (geography, anthropology, linguistics, etc.) of what it was then his entire mythology, but would become later on the Elder Days, the First Age of the world.

It’s the first story because it is considered by many the container of the essential events to fully understand this world. I’ve often heard the Silmarillion be described as a history textbook of Middle-earth.

While I may agree with the first statement, I’m not inclined to agree with the second.

The order in which you read Tolkien’s stories about Middle-earth the first time doesn’t matter. Because you’ll have to read those stories multiple times before you start to deep under the surface

Yes, The Silmarillion contains many stories that will allow the reader to better understand Middle-earth as a whole. Yes, on the surface, it may look like a compilation of many different stories. But here’s the thing: The Silmarillion isn’t a compilation. It is one grand story that has a beginning and unfolding and an ending, which comprises many stories all connected to the central one and are more chapters of one grand tale then separate entities.

Now, is it complex?

Yes, it is complex because of the inclusion of many stories all connected, because there are an incredible number of characters, most of whom are related to each other, because it happens in many different places and because together with the bare events of the actual story, it also covers many other matters.

But we readers tend to make it even more complex because we want to keep track of everything. Of the family trees, of the different clans of Elves, of all the Valar, of the different kingdoms, of the different battles, of the different names every character has. These are all things that are in the book. But listen, on the first read, you don’t need to bother. You’re just bound to become confused, think that the book is illegible, and quit it.

Instead, go with the story. Let it carry you.

There are a curse and three magic jewels at the heart of the story. Keep sight on them and you’ll be fine. All the characters, all the events, all the places revolve around these two things: the Silmarilli and the curse linked to them. That’s what you want to keep track of.

If you do, you’ll see that there is a complete, logical, fairly linear story that carries the Silmarillion, and a majestic theme that hinges on a recognizable narrative structure containing its own message.

The Hobbit

On the surface, The Hobbit is a very simple story and you’ll wonder how the same author of The Silmarillion who wrote it. I certainly wondered the first time I read them.

Another thing you’ll wonder is what does The Hobbit has to do with the Silmarillion. This is a children’s story (or at least, that’s how it was conceived in the first place), with a very linear movement, a very sympathetic main character (Mr. Bilbo Baggins) who unwittingly goes on an adventure with a group of Dwarves and a Wizard, and ends up retrieving the lost kingdom and treasure of those Dwarves and meeting lots of funny characters on the way.

So, what does it have to do with the creation of the word, the stealing of the Silmarilli, the war against the Dark Enemy, and the curse hanging on the House of the Elven King Finwë?

Strictly speaking: nothing.

When The Hobbit was first envisioned, it wasn’t meant to be part of the legendarium of Middle-earth at all. It was conceived to be a stand-alone children story with quite a few ideas filtering in from Tolkien’s beloved Norse mythology and — for his comfort as a storyteller rather than for the reader’s involvement — also a few elements popping in from his Silmarillion stories.

But that was just a joke, not a plan. It only served to make the story more coherent to the storyteller. It was all background.

But it was Tolkien undoing. When his publisher asked him for a sequel, it was total doom.

Anyway, as a first-time reader, the only risk you may incur is mistaking The Hobbit for a silly children's story. But keep your antennae up straight and read on.

The Lord of the Rings

The Lord of the Rings is Tolkien’s improbable masterpiece. Improbable because he probably never imagined to write it. When the publisher asked him for a sequel to The Hobbit, Tolkien started off with the same kind of idea, a simple, quite a linear story that would explore the nature of Hobbits while going on a great adventure.

At that point, the Silmarillion recounted the stories of the First Age and a first version of the stories of the Second Age (which Tolkien created on a dare with C.S. Lewis, of all things). The Third Age wasn’t in Tolkien’s plans.

But as The Lord of the Rings progressed, the humble situations of Bilbo’s story and the majestic epic of the Silmarillion came together. Tolkien had indeed agreed to write the New Hobbit, but he longed to recount his epic stories. It all came together in this new adventure that was epic but also close to home. Characteristics that, in my opinion, make it the masterpiece that it is.

The Lord of the Rings is Tolkien’s improbable masterpiece. Improbable because he probably never imagined to write it.

There’s a lot of material from Tolkien’s legendarium in The Lord of the Rings, and this time he didn’t punt it in for comfort. He included it in all awareness, to make this new story another piece in the legendarium. He connected it strongly with the Second Age, and reworked the Second Age to make it strongly connected to the First Age, so that in the end, the history behind the events in The Lord of the Rings became one long beautiful narrative.

The Lord of the Rings is a complex book, but I wouldn’t say it is difficult. There are characters we can relate to, with their own arc, their fears, their failures, and their success. There is a story arc that, while not linear, is coherent and therefore, not so hard to follow. And everything is perfectly created and built in its complexity and different aspects.

This is the only place where a story intended for the legendarium found its integrity. Most of The Silmarillion is just synopsis and the few pieces Tolkien pursued with more determination were never completed.

Many elements of The Silmarillion are there: the Dark Enemy, the magic object that everyone wants, the teamwork, and the struggle with individualism. But there’s also the down-to-earth attitude of the Hobbits, their concept of a simple life, and their willingness to be part of an epic battle without giving up who they really are.

It is a thick book with many complexities at many levels. Reading it is a commitment. But it’s also extremely satisfying even on the first read.

So, would I suggest reading the books in this order?

I would not.

Going with comfort

Following the logical order of the legendarium makes a lot of sense, not only because it follows the internal chronology of the story but also because it follows (more or less) the order in which Tolkien actually wrote them. But in my opinion, it presents a very serious problem. It starts with The Silmarillion.

The Silmarillion is a beautiful story, make no mistake. But it might feel overwhelming. I appreciate that. Especially considering that many readers can’t even handle Concerning Hobbits right at the beginning of The Lord of the Rings. So personally, I would never suggest starting reading Tolkien picking up The Silmarillion.

Now, I won’t say the reverse order is the absolute best way to go, but it might be, depending on how you feel about ‘children’s stories’.

The Lord of the Rings

The most likely reader of any story about Middle-earth is a fantasy reader. So, starting with The Lord of the Rings might indeed be the best thing to do.

It can be read as a classic fantasy story with one of the most classic fantasy trope at his heart: a quest. Fantasy readers will be familiar with the structure of the book and all its elements. It is a long book, but fantasy readers are accustomed to long sagas.

Besides, this is the only story that Tolkien conceived as part of the legendarium and he actually finished. Here, characters and arcs are all complete, not just suggested. The story expresses complex themes in complex characters and story arcs and presents descriptions and backstories. You only get this in a nutshell in The Silmarillion.

From a reader’s perspective, this is a book that can be enjoyed in a more classic way. A true novel.

Here we will also find all of Tolkien’s most relevant themes, such as sacrifice, friendships, community, renunciation, and the Fall. The Lord of the Rings is indeed the best way to approach the totality of what Tolkien’s writing is all about.

From a reader’s perspective, this is a book that can be enjoyed in a more classic way. A true novel.

There are a few issues, though, which is why I normally hesitate to suggest starting with this novel (though it really depends on the reader).

The Prologue is one. I’ve heard countless readers say they never read The Lord of the Rings because they never manage to go past the Prologue. I do understand it. Seriously. Even if I adore the Prologue. But I can see why first-time readers don’t.

Tolkien wrote it as a response to the many letters he received concerning Hobbits. Many readers who had read The Hobbit wanted to know more about these creatures. Now, you have to consider that back in the 1950s there was no social media. Authors didn’t have many options to connect with their readers apart from personal letters and their books. So of course, because the letters asking more about Hobbits were so common, Tolkien decided to just write the answer in his sequel to the book.

And this is the main problem for first-time readers: this Prologue was written for readers who were already familiar with The Hobbit. If you have never read anything about Middle-earth, it will be very difficult to ground yourself in that kind of writing.

So my recommendation is: just skip it. Really. You don’t need it the first time you read the book, though I’m fairly sure by the end you’ll be quite curious to read more about these Hobbits.

A second complaint I often hear is that the book takes a long time to start rolling.

Now, I don’t agree with this. On a narrative level, the book isn’t particularly slow (considering that it is more than 1000 pages long) and it does provide new information continuously. It may well be a problem for today's readers especially since instant gratification seems to be a big part of the pleasure of reading today.

I don’t have any recommendations here other than maybe you should really start with The Hobbit.

The background is another major issue first-time readers have. That they couldn’t handle the long Council of Elrond is one of the complaints I hear more often and this is indeed another point in the story were first-time readers often drop out.

Again, there is no solution to this. The Lord of the Rings is indeed a complex story that is part of an even more complex world. There are countless events, characters, and different elements that do have a bearing in the novel even if they never actually appear in it. So I don’t feel like suggesting to skip this chapter. I can only promise you that it is totally worth reading. And maybe, when you’ll have read the book more than once as I’ve done, you’ll also feel that, Jeez! That chapter is really too short!

The Hobbit

There is a lot to say in favor of The Hobbit as an introduction to Middle-earth.

It is a very fun story, quick to read, that starts right away. No preambles, no intro. On page 10, things are already rolling. And they keep rolling at a very clip pace to the very end.

The storyline is linear and straightforward, with no detour from the main goal. It’s easy to follow. Most characters have just one name.

Still, there are echoes of the larger story that will allow you to enter The Lord of the Rings more easily since you’ll be familiar with a few of the characters. You’ll recognize some of the names and some of the concepts. You’ll have already encountered some of Tolkien’s most cherished themes.

It is, in my opinion, a very good, easy to handle introduction to Middle-earth, and this is why I normally suggest starting with this book.

It is, in my opinion, a very good, easy to handle introduction to Middle-earth, and this is why I normally suggest to start with this book.

But there is a major setback: some readers only take it for its face value and consider it a silly children's story. Comprehensible. I mean, it was written as a children’s story. But personally, I think it is far more than what it may seem at first glance — just like Mr. Baggins.

But then, most of the echoes of the larger legendarium that are indeed in The Hobbit will be invisible to first-time readers.

So there, it really depends on what kind of reader you are. If you don’t like children's stories (or what look like it) you might be better off picking up The Lord of the Rings after all.

The Silmarillion

In any case, I’d never suggested starting with The Silmarillion. Don’t get me wrong, I know readers who did pick up The Silmarillion first of all, fell in love with Middle-earth and never leave. It’s absolutely possible. But I’ve said above why I think this book can trip first-time readers. It is complex, it branches out in many directions, it is comprehensive and still lacking in many places (last time I read it with my Tolkien reading group, we commented on the fact that a lot of chapters felt short because entire pieces of the story that Tolkien did write elsewhere were missing).

And still, the sheer amount of information there is quite daunting.

The Silmarillion is indeed, in my opinion, a book that needs multiple reads. In my reading group, we all had the same experience: because all of us had read it at least once before, we were already familiar with the characters, the events, the different stories, and so we could focus on what’s beyond it. On the themes, the messages, the symbols, the relationships between characters and events. That’s were as a reader you find your greatest satiation. That’s where you really see why it is worth reading such a strange book.

We simply don’t have the means to accomplish this on a first read.

Conclusion

This is my two cents about the matter.

The stories of Middle-earth are so complex and so intimately interconnected that on the whole it really doesn’t matter where you’ll start. There will always be something you’re missing on a first read. But I hope that at least I’ve given you some directions on how to decide what to do.

I hope I’ll find you soon in Middle-earth. It is a beautiful place to be.

Sarah Zama is a Tolkien nerd and proud of it. She read The Hobbit the first time as a teenager and was a Tolkien fan years before Peter Jackson’s trilogy ever hit the theatres. In 2017, she started reading Tolkien’s work with a group of other nerdy readers, one chapter a day. They are still on the road together.

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