Try watching the movies, they’re more easily digestible.
I must disagree with this advice. To have the novels present and choosing instead the films would be like visiting the Vatican and choosing to look at the School of Athens on your phone instead of walking over to see the original. Yes, the image on the phone might give you an idea of the art and you will generally be able to know what is occurring, but it lacks the scale and context of the original piece, loosing much of its impact. Given the choice betwixt the two, when both are equally available, the novels are clearly the superior option.
Not only are the stories and characters better developed in the novel, the very part people struggle with--the language--is the true beauty of the Lord of the Rings. Tolkien was, at heart, a linguist, and his unparalleled prose is one of the novel's true joys. Rather than struggle against his language and feel like you are fighting the books to finish, simply accept them for the artistry they are and just read, letting the words flow through you as you digest the story.
After, then you should watch the films--for they are excellent in their own right--but they so clearly pale in comparison to the novels that I would hate for your first experience with the story to be the inferior option.
I agree completely. The novels are far superior to the movies. But, a lot of people will find them hard to read. You can’t deny that they are long, complicated, and sometimes hard to follow. That’s just one of the things that make them great, they’re simply packed with content. But you have to be a massive reader who reads gigantic novels regularly to properly follow and digest the Lord of the Rings. And a lot of people aren’t like that, and they’ll simply find themselves lost in, or bored, by the books.
If you’re type two, and you’re finding Lord of the Rings hard to digest, watch the movies. They’re considerably better then not experiencing LotR at all.
I probably would deny all those points and would argue that many books seen as "more accessible" are actually less accessible than LotR itself.
On length: Let's recall that Harry Potter as a franchise is 603,067 words longer, weighing in at more than twice the length of LotR's 481,103 words.
On complexity of language: Tolkien writes in a higher form of English, but it still follows the grammatical rules of English prose and language. He was not someone like Cormack McCarthy, who would forgo things like punctuation because he is a terrible writer who is pretentious for no point other than being pretentious and who is inexplicably critically acclaimed went out of his way to make his novels difficult to read. Yet, books like the Road are still bestsellers, read by millions despite the complexity of the writing itself. In fantasy, LotR might use more elegant words than something like Wheel of Time, but Tolkien's ability to actually write--unlike Jordan who is a terrible writer--means his more elegant language is still easier to digest than that of Jordan.
On complexity of story, and being hard to follow: Tolkien's themes are relatively simple, with a fairly straightforward good versus evil story. While there are multiple narratives going on at once, he organizes the story by narrative and never lets the number of perspectives grow out of control. Compare to A Song of Ice and Fire, with its more complex and branching narrative and myriad different simultaneous perspectives.
What made LotR successful and genera-defining is that is is a surprisingly accessible work of literature, in the way many other "classics" are not.
I’m just basing this off my experiences with people, not on numbers and comparisons. 99% of people I have met say that LotR is awesome, but it is hard to read and sometimes follow. I know some pretty stuffy Tolkien purists, and even they admit that not everyone can read Lord of the Rings.
Your argument is completely valid, and probably better then mine. You’re obviously a Tolkien expert and well versed in literature and book critique. I’m just going off what I’ve seen and heard in my life.
I'll also admit that I am very much biased on this front. I was, admittedly, the weird kid that was reading Tolkien in second grade, which probably has skewed my perception of how easy the novels are to digest!
I'll also admit that I am very much biased on this front. I was, admittedly, the weird kid that was reading Tolkien in second grade, which probably has skewed my perception of how easy the novels are to digest!
Wow. That’s impressive. I read the thing when I was twelve and loved it, but I still got lost in the later parts Two Towers and Return of the King. I only really got it when I was about 14.
I'll also admit that I am very much biased on this front. I was, admittedly, the weird kid that was reading Tolkien in second grade, which probably has skewed my perception of how easy the novels are to digest!
Wow. That’s impressive. I read the thing when I was twelve and loved it, but I still got lost in the later parts Two Towers and Return of the King. I only really got it when I was about 14.
I read it at seven, but tbh I used the plot summary of Books 1 and 2 in the front of Return of the King and the timeline of the Fellowship’s travels in the back to help me understand what was going on. I love LOTR, but I still prefer the Silmarillion. More epic and more tragic in feel.
I'll also admit that I am very much biased on this front. I was, admittedly, the weird kid that was reading Tolkien in second grade, which probably has skewed my perception of how easy the novels are to digest!
Wow. That’s impressive. I read the thing when I was twelve and loved it, but I still got lost in the later parts Two Towers and Return of the King. I only really got it when I was about 14.
I read it at seven, but tbh I used the plot summary of Books 1 and 2 in the front of Return of the King and the timeline of the Fellowship’s travels in the back to help me understand what was going on. I love LOTR, but I still prefer the Silmarillion. More epic and more tragic in feel.
Yeah the Silmarillion is great. I do wish there was more personal stuff on people other then the likes of Beren and Turin tho. But if we had stories for ever single significant character in the book, it would take decades to read.
My personal theory on the Witch King: He was definitely a high ranking Numenorian. We can infer that he practiced magic and was kinda evil even before he was a Nazgul. However, it is said that he was a king of men. And there’s only one king allowed in Numenor. Does that mean he’s possibly Ar-Pharazon? He definitely fits the bill, he was totally evil and definitely tried magic before he was a Nazgul, and was Sauron’s best ally, so it makes sense that he’d give him a Ring.
My personal theory on the Witch King: He was definitely a high ranking Numenorian. We can infer that he practiced magic and was kinda evil even before he was a Nazgul. However, it is said that he was a king of men. And there’s only one king allowed in Numenor. Does that mean he’s possibly Ar-Pharazon? He definitely fits the bill, he was totally evil and definitely tried magic before he was a Nazgul, and was Sauron’s best ally, so it makes sense that he’d give him a Ring.
My personal theory on the Witch King: He was definitely a high ranking Numenorian. We can infer that he practiced magic and was kinda evil even before he was a Nazgul. However, it is said that he was a king of men. And there’s only one king allowed in Numenor. Does that mean he’s possibly Ar-Pharazon? He definitely fits the bill, he was totally evil and definitely tried magic before he was a Nazgul, and was Sauron’s best ally, so it makes sense that he’d give him a Ring.
Idk let’s see what everyone else thinks.
That’s a great idea!
Definitely a cool idea, and I don't know of any evidence to the contrary. Plus, it would be pretty cool to know more about who the Witch King was before becoming the Witch King.
My personal theory on the Witch King: He was definitely a high ranking Numenorian. We can infer that he practiced magic and was kinda evil even before he was a Nazgul. However, it is said that he was a king of men. And there’s only one king allowed in Numenor. Does that mean he’s possibly Ar-Pharazon? He definitely fits the bill, he was totally evil and definitely tried magic before he was a Nazgul, and was Sauron’s best ally, so it makes sense that he’d give him a Ring.
Idk let’s see what everyone else thinks.
That’s a great idea!
Definitely a cool idea, and I don't know of any evidence to the contrary. Plus, it would be pretty cool to know more about who the Witch King was before becoming the Witch King.
It really would. You could make a whole quest around discovering the Witch-King’s true identity.
One day no posts, so Imma post LotR LotR LotR as usual and see what happens.
The more I think about it, I do prefer Eowyn and Faramir’s romance to Arwen and Aragorn’s. At least in the books. And I think it would be really cool if the Witch-King was Ar-Pharazon.
Best I could come up with on four hours’ sleep lol.
Also it’s too bad there are no female hobbits other than that horrible Lobelia. Hobbits are Tolkien’s image of English domesticity and we only get to see the male side of that.
Also it’s too bad there are no female hobbits other than that horrible Lobelia. Hobbits are Tolkien’s image of English domesticity and we only get to see the male side of that.
Yeah. Though Bilbo’s mother and the daughter of the Old Took sound cool, I wish we had more on them.
Also it’s too bad there are no female hobbits other than that horrible Lobelia. Hobbits are Tolkien’s image of English domesticity and we only get to see the male side of that.
Yeah. Though Bilbo’s mother and the daughter of the Old Took sound cool, I wish we had more on them.
What did the daughter of the Old Took do in the novels?
Also it’s too bad there are no female hobbits other than that horrible Lobelia. Hobbits are Tolkien’s image of English domesticity and we only get to see the male side of that.
Yeah. Though Bilbo’s mother and the daughter of the Old Took sound cool, I wish we had more on them.
What did the daughter of the Old Took do in the novels?
Not much, but Tolkien described them as extraordinary and hinted that one or two of them might have had an adventure.
Also it’s too bad there are no female hobbits other than that horrible Lobelia. Hobbits are Tolkien’s image of English domesticity and we only get to see the male side of that.
Yeah. Though Bilbo’s mother and the daughter of the Old Took sound cool, I wish we had more on them.
What did the daughter of the Old Took do in the novels?
Not much, but Tolkien described them as extraordinary and hinted that one or two of them might have had an adventure.
I’d say Smaug, just because he’s Smaug. Even the lord of the Balrogs wouldn’t be able to kill him just cause his size and immunity to everything except in one tiny spot.
I’m just basing this off my experiences with people, not on numbers and comparisons. 99% of people I have met say that LotR is awesome, but it is hard to read and sometimes follow. I know some pretty stuffy Tolkien purists, and even they admit that not everyone can read Lord of the Rings.
Your argument is completely valid, and probably better then mine. You’re obviously a Tolkien expert and well versed in literature and book critique. I’m just going off what I’ve seen and heard in my life.
I'm the Valar (leader and creator) of The Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit/Anything Tolkien Cult!
Member of the Cult of Cats, High Elf of the Elven Guild, and Sauce Priest & Sauce Smith of the Supreme Court of Sauce.
If you want some casual roleplay/adventures in Middle Earth, check out The Wild's Edge Tavern, a LotR/Middle Earth tavern!
JOIN TIAMAT'S CONGA LINE!
Extended Sig
I'll also admit that I am very much biased on this front. I was, admittedly, the weird kid that was reading Tolkien in second grade, which probably has skewed my perception of how easy the novels are to digest!
Wow. That’s impressive. I read the thing when I was twelve and loved it, but I still got lost in the later parts Two Towers and Return of the King. I only really got it when I was about 14.
I'm the Valar (leader and creator) of The Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit/Anything Tolkien Cult!
Member of the Cult of Cats, High Elf of the Elven Guild, and Sauce Priest & Sauce Smith of the Supreme Court of Sauce.
If you want some casual roleplay/adventures in Middle Earth, check out The Wild's Edge Tavern, a LotR/Middle Earth tavern!
JOIN TIAMAT'S CONGA LINE!
Extended Sig
I read it at seven, but tbh I used the plot summary of Books 1 and 2 in the front of Return of the King and the timeline of the Fellowship’s travels in the back to help me understand what was going on. I love LOTR, but I still prefer the Silmarillion. More epic and more tragic in feel.
Yeah the Silmarillion is great. I do wish there was more personal stuff on people other then the likes of Beren and Turin tho. But if we had stories for ever single significant character in the book, it would take decades to read.
I'm the Valar (leader and creator) of The Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit/Anything Tolkien Cult!
Member of the Cult of Cats, High Elf of the Elven Guild, and Sauce Priest & Sauce Smith of the Supreme Court of Sauce.
If you want some casual roleplay/adventures in Middle Earth, check out The Wild's Edge Tavern, a LotR/Middle Earth tavern!
JOIN TIAMAT'S CONGA LINE!
Extended Sig
My personal theory on the Witch King: He was definitely a high ranking Numenorian. We can infer that he practiced magic and was kinda evil even before he was a Nazgul. However, it is said that he was a king of men. And there’s only one king allowed in Numenor. Does that mean he’s possibly Ar-Pharazon? He definitely fits the bill, he was totally evil and definitely tried magic before he was a Nazgul, and was Sauron’s best ally, so it makes sense that he’d give him a Ring.
Idk let’s see what everyone else thinks.
I'm the Valar (leader and creator) of The Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit/Anything Tolkien Cult!
Member of the Cult of Cats, High Elf of the Elven Guild, and Sauce Priest & Sauce Smith of the Supreme Court of Sauce.
If you want some casual roleplay/adventures in Middle Earth, check out The Wild's Edge Tavern, a LotR/Middle Earth tavern!
JOIN TIAMAT'S CONGA LINE!
Extended Sig
That’s a great idea!
Definitely a cool idea, and I don't know of any evidence to the contrary. Plus, it would be pretty cool to know more about who the Witch King was before becoming the Witch King.
Looking for a campaign? Or, perhaps, trying to start one? Come join Rolegate! Just send me a friend request (same name as here) and I'll help you get started!
Ducks are just geese lite. Focus on the future. It'll become the past soon enough.
Istari and White Counsel in Club. Not the wish-granter of a thread.
Become a Plague Doctor today!
Join the Knights of the Random Table and Calius and Kothar Industries!
Homebrew: Artifact, Dungeon
May be offline due to school
It really would. You could make a whole quest around discovering the Witch-King’s true identity.
One day no posts, so Imma post LotR LotR LotR as usual and see what happens.
I'm the Valar (leader and creator) of The Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit/Anything Tolkien Cult!
Member of the Cult of Cats, High Elf of the Elven Guild, and Sauce Priest & Sauce Smith of the Supreme Court of Sauce.
If you want some casual roleplay/adventures in Middle Earth, check out The Wild's Edge Tavern, a LotR/Middle Earth tavern!
JOIN TIAMAT'S CONGA LINE!
Extended Sig
The more I think about it, I do prefer Eowyn and Faramir’s romance to Arwen and Aragorn’s. At least in the books. And I think it would be really cool if the Witch-King was Ar-Pharazon.
Best I could come up with on four hours’ sleep lol.
Also it’s too bad there are no female hobbits other than that horrible Lobelia. Hobbits are Tolkien’s image of English domesticity and we only get to see the male side of that.
Yeah. Though Bilbo’s mother and the daughter of the Old Took sound cool, I wish we had more on them.
I'm the Valar (leader and creator) of The Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit/Anything Tolkien Cult!
Member of the Cult of Cats, High Elf of the Elven Guild, and Sauce Priest & Sauce Smith of the Supreme Court of Sauce.
If you want some casual roleplay/adventures in Middle Earth, check out The Wild's Edge Tavern, a LotR/Middle Earth tavern!
JOIN TIAMAT'S CONGA LINE!
Extended Sig
What did the daughter of the Old Took do in the novels?
Not much, but Tolkien described them as extraordinary and hinted that one or two of them might have had an adventure.
I'm the Valar (leader and creator) of The Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit/Anything Tolkien Cult!
Member of the Cult of Cats, High Elf of the Elven Guild, and Sauce Priest & Sauce Smith of the Supreme Court of Sauce.
If you want some casual roleplay/adventures in Middle Earth, check out The Wild's Edge Tavern, a LotR/Middle Earth tavern!
JOIN TIAMAT'S CONGA LINE!
Extended Sig
Interesting.
Smaug vs Gothmog: who’d win?
I’d say Smaug, just because he’s Smaug. Even the lord of the Balrogs wouldn’t be able to kill him just cause his size and immunity to everything except in one tiny spot.
I'm the Valar (leader and creator) of The Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit/Anything Tolkien Cult!
Member of the Cult of Cats, High Elf of the Elven Guild, and Sauce Priest & Sauce Smith of the Supreme Court of Sauce.
If you want some casual roleplay/adventures in Middle Earth, check out The Wild's Edge Tavern, a LotR/Middle Earth tavern!
JOIN TIAMAT'S CONGA LINE!
Extended Sig
Gothmog. Smaug has hard scales, but they're not immune to everything, and Gothmog is a Maia.
I have a weird sense of humor.
I also make maps.(That's a link)
I agree with Half
Yeah, Gothmog is way tougher than Smaug, even though I love Smaug, great character.
I am an Arachpriest, Cat Cultist, Sauce Monk, Angel of Death, and First Spinjitzu Master.
I play Thirteen the necromancer elf, Timber the tabaxi child, and more at the tavern. Hope you like yams!
Oh yeah, don't forget to be kind and loving and stuff. Not on during weekends.