The Ultimate Guide to Reading Tolkien’s, ‘The Lord of the Rings’
So you want to read The Lord of the Rings? I once spent an entire year in the early 2000s proving to my AP English class that The Lord of the Rings was a book of literary merit, after a rude boy in my class said it wasn’t. For every literary device assignment, I’d find an example in the text. So you’ve come to the right place. The Lord of the Rings and its prequel The Hobbit, are quintessential classic, high-fantasy novels that have captured the hearts of millions of readers around the world. Myself included. So it came as no surprise when some members in my Discord community mentioned they had never read them before, and I spur of the moment decided it should absolutely be our next casual buddy read.
However, reading The Lord of the Rings can be an intimidating task for many readers, especially those who are new to the fantasy genre or an older style of writing. With its complex world-building, intricate plot, and numerous characters, the novel can be overwhelming at first. And yes, it is technically one novel, split into three parts. It was published in three volumes originally because there were paper shortages as a result of World War II.
While this has been one of my favorite fantasy series for over 20 years, I know some of you reading this might be discovering Middle-earth for the first time, or perhaps you’re revisiting it after many years away. This guide is for you. One part reading resource to help you get the most out of this epic tale, one part fun facts and info to know about Tolkien and his worlds, and of course, share a few of my favorite editions if you’re looking to add this beloved fantasy series to your own shelves. If you’re a fellow fan, feel free to drop any more tips or fun facts you think are of note in the comments!
First things first…which books should you get? If you don’t already have copies you can dust off your shelf, here are some of my favorite editions:
LOTR Boxed Set
I LOVE this set. It’s affordable, and I personally love the artwork. I’ve been using this set to photograph and create a lot of the graphics for our LOTR buddy read. The cover photo for this blog is this box set. :)
Splurge LOTR Boxed Set, illustrated edition by Alan Lee
If you didn’t know, Alan Lee is one of the concept artists from the Peter Jackson films, and is such an incredible talent. These editions are my pride and joy, and come with large fold out maps. And only true bookworms will understand, but…they smell so good?!
The All-in-one Volume with sprayed edges
Perhaps another splurge, but it has the entire trilogy in one volume as Tolkien intended, along with some original illustrations by Tolkien, and fold out maps. Plus, the sprayed edges are so beautiful. There’s also an accompanying special edition of The Silmarillion and now The Hobbit each with gorgeous sprayed edges.
***If you want to check out more special editions, or my other Tolkien recs, head here. Additionally, you can currently get The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring on Kindle Unlimited.
Ok, now that we’ve got the actual books acquired, where to start? What do you need to know?
Start with The Hobbit: Although it isn't technically part of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, it's a great place to start as it introduces many of the characters and settings that you'll encounter in the Trilogy. It’s also a quick read, as it’s technically a children’s adventure story, and is a standalone. Basically, it’s exactly what you’d expect from a cozy fantasy. And if you’re new to Tolkien’s writing style, it’s a great way to ease yourself in, as LOTR can be quite dense at times.
To audio or not to audio?
Someone in our Discord chat said, “Bilbo Baggins and Arthur Weasley have the same energy”. Another followed up with saying they now had a new narrator stuck in their head. haha If you don’t want to hear Aurthur Weasley’s voice in your head while reading, I’d highly, highly recommend the audiobooks narrated by Andy Serkis (who also plays Gollum in the Peter Jackson films). He does an incredible job bringing to life all of these characters. I’m listening to them as I’m following along with my physical copies on this reread, and it’s been fantastic. They’re also free from my local library, so definitely check your Libby or Hoopla if you have a library card.
What’s with all the songs?
Is LOTR actually a musical? There are numerous poems and songs throughout The Lord of the Rings trilogy. While the exact number varies depending on what you count as a poem or song, it is safe to say there are at least 60 poems and songs included.
Some of the most well-known include "The Road Goes Ever On," "Tom Bombadil's Song," "The Lay of Beren and Lúthien," "The Song of Eärendil," and "A Elbereth Gilthoniel." Many of these poems and songs play an important role in the story IMO, serving as a way to convey important information, evoke mood and atmosphere, or provide insight into characters' thoughts and emotions. Some people are really not a fan of the songs and poems, but I personally love them. They’re a touch of whimsy.
Tolkien was a prolific poet, and many of the poems and songs in The Lord of the Rings draw on his love of language and mythology. Speaking of which….
How many languages are there in The Lord of the Rings? Are they ‘real’?
J.R.R. Tolkien's profession as a linguist played a significant role in his creation of The Lord of the Rings and its languages. Tolkien was fascinated by language, and spent much of his life studying and creating fictional languages. In LOTR, he created several languages for the different races and cultures in Middle-earth, including Elvish, Dwarvish, and the Black Speech of Mordor. These languages are not only intricate and fully developed, but also serve as a fundamental aspect of the story, as characters use them to communicate and convey important information.
So yes, Tolkien's languages are not just a collection of words, but fully developed systems with grammars, syntax, and extensive vocabulary. Some of the languages, like Elvish, have multiple dialects and even different writing systems. While these languages are fictional, they are designed to be learnable and fully functional, and some fans have even become fluent in them. I only know some phrases, but this book is an incredible resource, if you decide you want to learn more.
There are also grammar guides, and language courses online if you do a quick Google search. Some fans have even created online communities and language learning groups where they can practice speaking and writing in these fictional tongues. Pretty cool, right?
Don’t be hasty
LOTR is not a quick read. This story spans over 1,000 pages and contains a vast amount of detail. It is a book that demands your full attention, so take your time and read it at a pace that suits you. And don’t speed read it–you will miss the intricate world-building, details, and nuances. A great example of this are the Ent chapters. You’ll often hear readers complaining about how slow those chapters are. They drag. But, the Ents are a slow-moving race, and that slowness in Tolkien’s writing is very intentional. He wants you to be just as frustrated as Merry and Pippin are (no spoilers!).
Keep the maps handy, and delve greedily + deep into the world of Middle-earth
To get the most out of the story, it's important to have a basic understanding of the world in which the story is set. The world of Middle-earth is vast and complex, and it can be overwhelming, especially with all the ‘traveling’ that happens. ‘Where are they now?’ Because the maps are so detailed, it’s easy to reference if you’re feeling lost. Familiarize yourself with the different races, kingdoms, and creatures that populate Middle-earth. There are many resources available online, but here are some favorites:
The LOTR Project *this one is esp. cool if you love insane family trees
Pay Attention to the Details
The Lord of the Rings is a book that rewards careful attention to detail. Pay attention to the descriptions of characters, places, and events, as these often contain important clues and hints about the story. Tolkien was a master at creating a rich and immersive world, and there are many small details and nuances that can be easily missed if you're not paying attention. For me, this is why rereads are such a joy. I feel like I discover something new every single time.
Ask for Help, Join a Community!
Reading The Lord of the Rings can be a daunting task, and it's not uncommon to feel overwhelmed at times, especially if you’re just getting into epic fantasy as a genre. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you're struggling to understand something or need clarification on a particular point. Join an online community (like mine!), or reference the forums and wikis I mentioned above. There are also some incredible LOTR Creators on TikTok who delve deep into the details of Tolkien and his writings.
HERE ARE SOME OF MY FAVORITE CREATORS YOU SHOULD FOLLOW
Watch the Adaptations after you read the books
Peter Jackson’s version of The Lord of the Rings are still some of my favorite movies to this day. If you somehow have managed to never watch these, do yourself a favor and get ready for the marathon watching of your life. P.S. Extended version is the only acceptable version to watch. JK, but if you’ve already read the books and you’re familiar with Middle-earth, they add so much more to the story for us nerds. Amazon’s new series, The Rings of Power, is not an adaptation of LOTR, but rather a prequel with pieces pulled from the Appendices (more details on those below!), and covers more the time period of The Silmarillion.
2024 UPDATE: Season Two of The Rings of Power was an imperfect masterpiece. I loved it! Does it stick to all of the lore, or the timeline? Absolutely not. But it’s still a fantastic watch. You can check my spoiler reviews of all the episodes on this blog under “fantasy shows”. We also have War of the Rohirrim, an animated series to look forward to this December.
The road goes ever on and on…
Ok, so you’ve finished reading The Return of the King, but you noticed there’s still a ton of pages left! Congratulations, you’ve reached the Appendices of The Lord of the Rings. The Appendices are a series of documents providing additional information about the world of Middle-earth. Do you have to read them? No. But they do provide some answers, especially for those who have watched Peter Jackson’s films, or Amazon’s The Rings of Power. Additionally, the Appendices add depth and complexity to the world of Middle-earth, giving a larger historical and cultural context to the story. Here’s what you need to know:
There are five Appendices, labeled A through F. Each part covers a different aspect of Middle-earth, such as the genealogy of the royal line of Gondor or the languages of the Dwarves.
The Appendices provide a detailed history of Middle-earth: The Appendices cover the history of Middle-earth from the creation of the world to the end of the Third Age, which is the time period in which The Lord of the Rings takes place.
The Appendices include many family trees and genealogies, which can help readers understand the complex relationships between the different characters and races of Middle-earth.
They provide detailed explanations of the calendars used in Middle-earth, including the Shire Calendar, the Gondorian Calendar, and the Dwarvish Calendar.
They include information on the languages of Middle-earth, including Elvish, Dwarvish, and the Black Speech of Mordor. There are even examples of the different scripts used to write these languages.
Also covered are the different races and peoples of Middle-earth, including the Elves, Dwarves, Men, and Hobbits. There is information on their histories, cultures, and languages.
AND MAPS! The Appendices include several maps of Middle-earth, including a detailed map of the Shire and a map of Gondor and Rohan.
Fun Facts:
Tolkien was a linguist: Before he became a novelist, J.R.R. Tolkien was a linguist and a professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford University. His love of languages inspired him to create several fictional languages for Middle-earth, including Elvish and Dwarvish.
The Hobbit was originally a bedtime story for Tolkien's children: Tolkien wrote The Hobbit for his children, and he would read them a chapter every night before bed. His son Christopher later recalled that his father would sometimes make up the story as he went along.
Gandalf was originally named Bladorthin: When Tolkien first started writing The Hobbit, the character of Gandalf was named Bladorthin. Tolkien later changed the name to Gandalf, which he thought was more fitting for a wise and mysterious character.
Tolkien's experience in World War I influenced his writing: J.R.R. Tolkien fought in World War I, and his experiences in the trenches and on the battlefield had a profound impact on his writing. The horrors of war and the idea of a small group of people fighting against overwhelming odds are both themes that appear in The Lord of the Rings.
The One Ring was inspired by a dream: According to Tolkien, the idea for the One Ring came to him in a dream. In the dream, he saw a golden ring with the inscription "One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them."
The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings have sold over 250 million copies worldwide, making them some of the best-selling books of all time.
Before it was finally published, The Lord of the Rings was rejected by several publishers who thought it was too long and complex. One publisher famously told Tolkien that it was "unreadable" and "would never sell."
More of Tolkien’s Published Works:
And in case you want to tackle Tolkien’s other works, here’s a complete list of his published works (including those that were published posthumously, and edited by Christopher Tolkien):
The Hobbit, or There and Back Again (1937) - a children's fantasy novel set in Middle-earth, which follows the adventures of Bilbo Baggins.
The Lord of the Rings (1954-1955) - a high fantasy trilogy set in Middle-earth, which follows the quest of hobbit Frodo Baggins to destroy the One Ring.
The Adventures of Tom Bombadil and Other Verses from the Red Book (1962) - a collection of poetry and songs set in Middle-earth.
Tree and Leaf (1964) - a collection of essays on fairy tales and fantasy, including "On Fairy-Stories," an influential essay on the nature of fantasy.
The Tolkien Reader (1966) - a collection of short stories and essays, including "The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth Beorhthelm's Son," "Leaf by Niggle," and "On Fairy-Stories."
The Road Goes Ever On (1967) - a collection of poems and songs set in Middle-earth, with music by Donald Swann.
Smith of Wootton Major (1967) - a novella set in a fantasy world, which tells the story of a young man who is granted entry to the Land of Faery.
The Silmarillion (1977) - a collection of stories and legends set in Middle-earth, which provide the background and mythology of the world.
Unfinished Tales of Numenor and Middle-earth (1980) - a collection of unfinished and unpublished stories and essays, including early drafts of The Lord of the Rings.
The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien (1981) - a collection of letters written by Tolkien to family, friends, and fans, which provide insight into his life and work.
The History of Middle-earth (1983-1996) - a 12-volume series of books that provide a detailed history of the creation and development of Tolkien's legendarium.
Bilbo's Last Song (1990) - a poem set in Middle-earth, which describes Bilbo Baggins' departure from the shores of Middle-earth.
Letters From Father Christmas (2004) - Tolkien’s complete Father Christmas letters, including a new introduction and rare archive materials.
The Children of Hurin (2007) - a novel set in Middle-earth, which tells the tragic story of Turin Turambar.
The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun (2009) - a retelling of Norse sagas, with commentary by Tolkien.
The Fall of Arthur (2013) - a poem that tells the story of King Arthur's final battle.
Beowulf: A Translation and Commentary (2014) - Tolkien's translation of the Old English epic poem, with commentary.
Beren And Lúthien (2017) - Edited by Christopher Tolkien, and tells the Tale of Beren And Lúthien.
The Fall of Gondolin (2018) - Edited by Christopher Tolkien.
The Lay Of Aotrou And Itroun (2018) - Originally written in 1930 and long out of print, a retelling of a legend.
The Nature of Middle-earth (2021) - J.R.R. Tolkien’s final writings on Middle-earth, edited by Carl F. Hostetter, one of the world’s leading Tolkien experts.
The Fall of Númenor: And Other Tales from the Second Age of Middle-earth (2022) - Edited by Brian Sibley a comprehensive volume of the Second Age of Middle-earth.
The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien Box Set (2024) - The first-ever publication of the collected poems of J.R.R. Tolkien, spanning almost seven decades of the author’s life in a three-Volume Box set.
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The list of Tolkien’s published works above was put together with the help of ChatGPT researching and confirming facts. If you noticed a work is missing, it can be added by shooting me a message.
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