Non-LOTRO/Hobbit works

[jimmyboy]

So we know everyone here loves LOTR and The Hobbit.

Have you read the Silmarillion? Have you read any parts of Unfinished Tales? These are essential parts of the history of Middle-earth that no fan should be ignore.

What parts do you like or not like?

For me, one of the things I liked in Unfinished Tales is the chapter, "The Hunt for the Ring". It tells of a meeting between the Witch-king and Saruman, when the Nazgul were looking for Baggins and the Ring. It gives more insight into both characters that can't be had anywhere else.

For example, did you know that the Nazgul, except for the WK, are afraid of water? I think I know why, but we're not told why. But I'd like to get other people's thoughts on the matter. :)

[PiRaTeGiRl]

To be honnest, I tried to read Silmarillion but it was boooring and I just didn't finished it... I only remember that I read the first part of the book.. like, the creating of the heavens.

[jimmyboy]

To be honnest, I tried to read Silmarillion but it was boooring and I just didn't finished it... I only remember that I read the first part of the book.. like, the creating of the heavens.
Yeah the first time I tried it was boring to me too. But then I understood what it was, went back and read it, and loved it! There's soooo much going on in there, and much of it leads us eventually, even directly, to the LOTR. To me it's all one big story.

[PiRaTeGiRl]

Oh yeah it is. I tried, I really tried but I just couldn't read it! lol. But yeah it is connected directly to the Lord of the Rings.

[Emmie]

This is rather embarrassing, but I've never even tried to read anything of Tolkien's other than The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. His other stuff is on my "to read" list and I'm definitely going to get around to it someday. It just might take me a while.

[Niniel]

I've read The Silmarillion, and I loved it. I found some chapters more interesting than others though.
I also got The children of Húrin for my birthday last year, but I have to admit I haven't read it yet:o I want to, just haven't gotten around to it.

I have one book of the Unfinished Tales, and I've read some parts of it(that was ages ago though, so I can't remember much of it. Only one part where Samwise was talking to his children).

[jimmyboy]

I've read The Silmarillion, and I loved it. I found some chapters more interesting than others though.
I also got The children of Húrin for my birthday last year, but I have to admit I haven't read it yet:o I want to, just haven't gotten around to it.

I have one book of the Unfinished Tales, and I've read some parts of it(that was ages ago though, so I can't remember much of it. Only one part where Samwise was talking to his children).
I recommend all Middle-earth fans pick up a copy of Unfinished Tales (UT). Honestly I don't know how you could get by with "just" the LOTR and The Hobbit. The book UT has many smaller stories and essays on the details of Middle-earth, such as who the Wizards are, what those crystal balls are that we saw in the movies (they're called Palantiri), and other stuff not found in the other books.

This is truly good stuff, and I often refer back to UT when having a discussion of many things Middle-earth.

Other things you'll miss if you only read the LOTR and The Hobbit:
-If you read The Silmarillion then you'll know who Feanor is (a First Age elf), and what his connection is to the Palantiri.
-If you read UT then you'll know the connection between the Dunedain (Numenoreans), Aragorn, and the Palantiri, and why they were important to the LOTR story.

So don't delay, my friends! Go out and get yourselves a copy of these marvelous Middle-earth books. :cool:

[PiRaTeGiRl]

Yeah I totally have to buy that book UT, but I'm not sure I would read this.

[Lanyare]

Hehe, I absolutely LOVE the Silmarillion! Granted, I too needed more than one try to fully get into it, as it is by far the hardest part of his works.
I've read Unfinished Tales too, but I do like The Silmarillion better. Though, maybe that's because so far, I've read the Unfinished Tales just once so far.

Has anyone tried other Tolkien books, though? I have Roverandom and Tales from the Perilous Realm here. I have to say I quite liked those too. They're very thin books and probably more intended for children, but I don't mind that.

[Alyssa]

Like many here, I've only read LOTR and the Hobbit, but someone recently gave me a copy of the Silmarillion. I'm really looking forward to getting into it.

[Sam]

I am thinking of buying the audio book, has anyone ever heard it?

[Emmie]

I haven't heard the audiobook for the Silmarillion. I thought the unabridged versions of both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings were good, but it looks like it's a different person who read the Simarillion, so that doesn't help much.

Anyone else?

[Lanyare]

Good luck on the Silmarillion, Alyssa... It's not the easiest read, but definitely worth the effort.

Haven't heard any of the audio books. Perhaps I should acquire them sometime, though, and then add them to my iPod. That way, I could listen to them on the train and the bus, while on my way to work.

[Sowen]

I have read Silmarilion and few parts of Unfinished Tales. It was quite interesting but i had to omit all the names beceuse I was not able to remember them and I lost the plot;)
I have read Children of Hurin as well - so much different than LOTR but I enjoy it. The story was interesting.
I read also some short stores but you can shot me, I forgot how the title sounded properly then I won't write it now:>

Anyway, I am eagerily waiting to buy Silmarilion which I have seen n Poland some time ago - it had a green cover with gold leaves around it. I know we shoudn't judge by the cover;) but it really suits the stories.