You've done it again, Rich! Another fantastic entry, definitely gives me something to look forward to on a Monday  I've only read the three volumes of The Lord of the Rings, and none of this other stuff, but the more of these chapters I read, the more my resistance to spend money diminishes! Damn you! I'm definitely going to get The Hobbit next, anyway, but am really interested in these Unfinished Tales, and so by extension, the Silmarillion, too...

As for the comparison with George that has arisen here, well, I've read up to halfway through his latest offering at the minute, and I must say, I like them both equally. It's like has already been said here, the only thing they really have in common is the fact they'll both be found on the fantasy shelf of a book shop. The pseudo-medieval world in which both take place aside, they deal with different themes and do so in a different way, so any comparison drawn between the two is largely meaningless, anyway, in my view. I like both series about equally, for different reasons. But both are eclipsed by my love of that other George and his universe...

thank you spalanzani, im pleased im spreading the bug as it were, and seeing as ive lost most of the other JRR works, you and me both may be giving the tolkien estate a lot of our money soon

id recommend getting and reading the hobbit before the films come out, as that book gives just pure nostalgia every time i revisit it- it just fires up the imagination like no other- its basically like the first chapters of the fellowship all the way through

 I think emphasizing that Tolkien was writing mythology rather than fantasy is an excellent point to make. My version of The Fellowship of the Rings has a very long introduction written by Christopher Tolkien that talks about Middle Earth and his father's intentions for writing the story, and so does The Silmarillion. Understanding that it was supposed to be a mythology of our earth before I even started reading it might be one of the reasons I didn't feel bogged down by scenery or the pace at which the story progresses.

Anyway, great topic.

excellent points budgernaut- thanks for reading

 Well rich, I apologize for not saying the following before, but the comment I made in the previus chapter was made in a hurry and the "hobbit" (nine months) I have at home let me very little time.

So, thank you very much for your tolkienology. Not being my language, I used to dwell in this forum rarely, but since I read your posts, I have registered in this forum just for reply and congratulate you for them.

I also share your love for Tolkien and his works. I think it's been more than 20 years I read the Lord of the Rings for the first time (it's 7 or 8 times now I think).

About the reading recomendations, I would say, in the following order:

1- The Hobbit (it's like an introduction, easier to read, and the movie is nearer)

2- The Lord of the Rings (it's a MUST)

3- Unfinished Tales (gives insight to the previous and is not as dense than the Silmarillion)

4- The Silmarillion (completes a whole vision of Tolkien's vision)

So rich, thanks and keep going this way.

 PS: I forgot to say something about George R. R. Martin. Having read all his Song of Ice and Fire books to the date, and liking them, I can say as commented before, that his work can not compare at all with Tolkien's. So different styles, conceptions, focus, intent... etc

thank you robert mcmutton!

Robert McMutton said:

People I know have often recommended those books to me and having watched the tv-series, I have to think those people don't know me at all if they think I'd want to read the books. Assuming the books and the events in them are anything similar to the tv show.

God, I didn't think you could make fantasy bland and boring, but the show succeeds with flying colors. First five episodes were all yadda-yadda-yadda-yawn. It was just like I thought about them (and my friend said out loud) after the first couple of episode, medieval Bold and the Beautiful. There was arguably even nothing fantasy about it, just plain medieval nobles plotting and inbreeding.

I love the A Song of Ice and Fire series, about equally as I do The Lord of the Rings. But I would also agree that you can't really compare the two. They have both created the most complete, "alive" and engaging fantasy worlds that I've ever read but that aside, the two series differ greatly and scratch different itches for me. They are both outstandingly great in their own right though.

Obviously people on these boards will side with The Lord of the Rings, but no reason to trash the other one, please. Besides, that's not really the point of these Tolkienology articles, in my humble opinion.

Mattr0polis said:

you are correct mattropolis- its not really the point with these, in fact i didnt even  mention him in the chapter, i was just replying to cordeiroo on something he asked me about, which was perfectly fine- i enjoy replying to questions, and i dont have a problem with people disucssing it either, just as long as people see that isnt the point of this series....i do them to give those with a passion of middle earth something to read/those who are new to middle earth lore a good source for information and finally it helps me brush up on my errr...lesser known lore!

Just read episode 3 rich and really enjoyed it, thanks for all the work you put in on this subject as it allows us, as tolkien fans, to see that LOTR isnt just the trilogy. I read The Hobbit, Silmarillion and the trilogy 25 years ago when i was 15 but really struggled with the Silmarillion. Last year i bought the Silmarillion on audio tape to listen in my postvan and it was a lot clearer to me, so i may give the book another go this year. At the moment im in the middle of the trilogy again and it hasnt lost any of its magic from 25 years ago!! Eomer is presently slaughtering the orcs on the border of Fangorn! Lovely!!! Cheers mate and well done again on your enlightening series.

cheer ted, im currently half way through the pelennor again (with eomer slaughtering orcs yet again)

Well, Rich, thanks to you I've gone and spent £30 on Tolkien books! Got The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, and a smashing Hobbit/LotR box set - I hope you're satisfied 

Seriously, I've been loving this Tolkienology, especially since it has made me want to go back and really immerse myself in this mythology once again. This is a great series you've been working on - top marks, that man!

spalanzani said:

Hah, it's about to be two of us! I've been eying some nice hardcovers of the Silmarillion and Children of Hurin. And I also saw some really nice ones of the Hobbit and LotR, which I might have to upgrade to.

Look what you've done, Rich!

sorry both of you and thanks again for your kind words

i also have been eyeing some new copies up- as my two towers is in two pieces, torn right down the middle.

im also trying to get my hands on the histories and unfinished tales as they seem to be gone forever in  box somewhere.

for those who have a bottomless pit for wallets try here for all of your tolkien needs http://www.tolkienlibrary.com/dmiller/dmiller.htm

for these rest of us lot who cant afford £10,000 for a book () i guess we'll have to stick to amazon.(or like me trying to get them free on a swapping site.....but no luck....for those who have spare copies who may want some books to replace them my book swap list is here http://www.readitswapit.co.uk/UserBooks.aspx?UserID=71497