Favorite Tolkien Story/Stories

[gizzywiz]

I ask to find out how popular Tolkien's works are to the people here.  I am currently reading the Lays of Beleriand (in the Lost Tales series).  Would anyone want to see more than the Lord of the Rings get made into a movie?

[Ghost_Rider]

I voted for Lord of the Rings.  I have read the Hobbit and the three books in the Lord of the Rings series.  I did not know he had so many other books.... maybe once I have gotten through all the other ones piling up that I would like to read, I'll take a look at what some of his other books are about.  

[gizzywiz]

The Silmarillion is the story prior to the Lord of the Rings.  It starts with the creation of that world, the battle between the Valar and Melkor the evil one, the awakening of the elves, the creation of dwarves, the first kingdoms of men, and most importantly the stories of the elves that desired to go to Middle-earth.  Some of the characters in the Lord of the Rings are also in this book (Sauron, Galadriel, Celeborn, Celebrimbor, Elrond, Gil-Galad, and Cirdan have parts in the Silmarillion and the Lord of the Rings).

The Lost Tales series tells much of the same story of the Silmarillion, but in it's origanal form and with commentary from Tolkien's son.

Most of the other stories are just short stories Tolkien wrote and do not involve Middle-earth

[Gronagor]

I knew about his other books, but never read it (as would be the case with most Lord of the Ring fans). So I think your poll will have an obvious answer.

[elfwizard]

Hi!!!

I really like Tolkien's philosophy! Even his smallest fairy tales (that wrote for his little children) has something to teach us. My favorite is LOTR trilogy (and Hobbit), but I also like Sillmarillion and his unfinished stories (who published his son, after his death) very much!!!

Best Regards!!!

[gamecreator]

Ignore my vote for The Lord of the Rings.  Two seconds after I voted, I thought about it: I haven't read anything beyond the the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Hobbit.  That being the case, I can't judge the other books and I certainly can't compare them fairly.  You can't have a favorite over something you don't know (at least, that's my case).

[gizzywiz]

I really should have grouped the lesser known books as one option "his other books".  However, I read in the news that his son is publishing and editing another of Tolkien's stories.  

[Schloss Ritter]

The Silmarillion was interesting at points, but I remember it being pretty dry overall, reading more like a history book than a novel.  I have heard this is because it was compiled after Tolkien's death from his notes on the history of Middle Earth.  He never got around to paring it down to a more readable (set of) novel(s).

I think LotR is is most developed work.  He even rewrote part of The Hobbit to better fit in with the LotR storyline.

[Brainiac]

I really should have grouped the lesser known books as one option "his other books".  However, I read in the news that his son is publishing and editing another of Tolkien's stories.  

The Children of Húrin.  I haven't gotten a copy yet, but from what I hear, it's supposed to be a decent read.

The Silmarillion was interesting at points, but I remember it being pretty dry overall, reading more like a history book than a novel.  I have heard this is because it was compiled after Tolkien's death from his notes on the history of Middle Earth.  He never got around to paring it down to a more readable (set of) novel(s).

I think it works better if you consider it through the concept of The Silmarillion being Middle-Earth's equivalent to the Bible or Rig Veda or any other combined historical/mythical/religious treatise on our planet.

[Mitch]

I never really liked his books, I found that David Edding's 'The Belgariad' were much better  ;)

[Xyloc]

The Silmarillion is a bit hard to read. But the mythology is great.
The world being made by playing a symphony. Such a beautiful thought...
The story of Lúthien Tínuviel and Béren is great as well. It reads like a complete book of fairy tales.
The Lord of the Rings shines when it comes to coherence. Ahh, maybe I should have switched my vote to the Lord of the Rings...

[mgoetze]

I ask to find out how popular Tolkien's works are to the people here.

You kinda asked the wrong question then, didn't you? How will you distinguish between people who have read only LOTR, and people who have read a lot more than that but consider LOTR superior to anything else?

I am currently reading the Lays of Beleriand (in the Lost Tales series).  Would anyone want to see more than the Lord of the Rings get made into a movie?

I read LOTR 6 times and never watched the movies. Does that answer your question?