While the films do a fantastic job of bringing Tolkien’s story to life, they have confused many fans about the order in which these stories should be read or watched.

The Hobbit films are structured as prequels, however, Tolkien actually wrote this series in chronological order, publishing The Hobbit in 1937 and The Lord of the Rings in 19 in three parts. Film adaptations of Tolkien’s The Hobbit books were not released until 2012, leading many viewers to believe that Tolkien’s The Hobbit books were, like the films, released after The Lord of the Rings. The Lord of the Rings series has been popular ever since its release, however, an influx of readers joined Tolkien’s literary fanbase when the film adaptations were released between 20. However, all of these texts take place in Middle-Earth and can be read as add-ons and prequels. They are not compulsory reading, so if you’re looking for the minimum, stick with the most well-known books. These texts were written either at the same time or before his most famous works and provide an in-depth context for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. He is one of the most reputable authors in history and his books are very much worth reading if you haven’t done so already.Īlthough he is best known for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, Tolkien has written a plethora of other works set in Middle-Earth, which will be incorporated into this list. He won this award for his services to national literature and also became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature (FRSL). Tolkien was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) which is one of the highest-ranking awards possible in Britain. However, there is no doubt that these books offer a fully immersive experience and contain meticulous details that develop vivid images and characterizations for all. His writing is vivid and descriptive, often criticized by modern readers as overly intricate. Tolkien’s work has been widely appreciated for almost a century. The story begins as Bilbo’s home is infiltrated by dwarves and he is obligated to embark on a long, tiresome journey with them, which exposes him to new lands, creatures, and dangers. This book tells the intriguing story of Bilbo’s experiences during his journey through Middle-Earth. He was the one that brought the dangerous ring to the Shire, setting up the foundations for the trilogy that follows. The Hobbit, however, follows the life and journey of Frodo’s uncle, Bilbo.

The hobbit prequel book