Lord of the ring Books are kinda boring.. sorry to say it.

[GV-Tanith]

Yeah, I recommend any Tolkien fan to slog through the Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales at least once, but expect them to be very dry, as they are written as histories rather than stories, and more informational than entertaining. I use them mainly as research resources now, as they do tie up some loose ends. I did actually enjoy the unabridged audio book version of the Silmarillion, however . . . it really helped having a human voice relating it.

They're not that dry...I found them very absorbing but couldn't get into reading them...until I started playing LOTRO. I became curious about he ancient kingdoms referenced in the game itself. It's helped me to develop an even deeper appreciation for Tolkien's mythos than I held before I started playing.

[Celestrata]

Moving this post to the J.R.R. Tolkien forums, as it relates to the books.

[omegadeth]

get the trilogy read by Rob Inglis, he makes it very interesting

[Jeffor]

I've read the books at least six times and I am sure I will read them again. So no I don't agree but I wil admit I can understand how others might not appreciate them I much as I do.

For future reference, the J.R.R. Tolkien forum is that way. -->

http://forums.lotro.com/forumdisplay...J.R.R.-Tolkien

Thanks for your service to our country. Where would we be without the proper forum patrol?

[Hammerfast]

I love the game and movies and I am trying my best to like the books. Last time I read them was 20 years ago in middle school.

But the books soo far are boring. Im in the middle of fellowship of the ring.

too many long boring poems and too much lore and names of stuff thats irrelevant.

please dont take this personally..

I was just wondering if others agree or feel the same way?

Since you are asking, here is my opinion. Keep in mind it is just an opinion; this is how I feel about the books. I'm not trying to tell you how *you* should feel about them.

I'm not much into poetry. A lot of poetry in fiction books isn't very good. Tolkien understood poetry and knew how to write it, and the poems are usually miniature stories from deep in the world's past history. And in many cases, they are the only surviving fragments of that history.

The history (lore) revealed *IS* extremely relevant to the story. What occurred in the past explains how the world got to where it is during the time of Frodo and Bilbo. Sure, some people find that boring. I personally love that aspect of the books.

As a person who has studied literature for years and years and writes fiction, I find that Tolkien's writing stands out as some of the very best our age has to offer. The story is wonderful, the lessons of history are fascinating, the messages he conveys are significant moral and ethical lessons, the characters are endearing, and the overall tale is epic.

For me, the movies were mostly a big fail. They just don't do justice to the story. But then, I don't expect anyone will ever be able to tell that story in a few hours as well as Tolkien wrote it.

That's why I differentiate the game from the stories. The story of Lord of the Rings remains, no matter what Turbine does to the game. The game is a game. The game will never be able to compare to the books, just as the movies don't do justice for the books.

Two different genres. I expect the books to be a story. I expect the game to be a game.

[Hammerfast]

Sadly threads like this tend to bring out the elitist in a lot of the Tolkein fans, even if they don't realize it. I've loved Tolkiens writings since I was in third grade- which means longer than many of these posters have been alive. I love the depth, the detail, and everything about them. However, I also realize 2 things- they are not easy simple reading. And there are long stretches where nothing happens and there are just a number of people talking- especially in the Council in Fellowship of the Ring. That Council, and how long it is, stymies a LOT of people. And it doesn't mean they are illiterate, stupid, or otherwise as some here are implying. It means that a lot of people find such a long discussion with no action boring- and that's ok.

It's often the same ones that struggled in history classes or other similar things, where the details and interrelationships of time/ date/ place or people to each other get confusing. It's ok to be that way. In fact, it's actually far more normal than all of us who cherish and practically drool over all the little detail and minutiae of the books.

So OP, don't feel bad. However, I would also strongly encourage you to keep reading. It does pick up again and moves much better once the council is over and they get moving.

"You cannot give Sirwillow any more rep......"

Dang it!

Nice post. I remember plenty of times in my youth when I struggled over the blander portions of those books. For the last few years, those same areas have become (to me) the better parts of the story because they provide insights you don't gain from the action segments. But I suspect old age has a lot to do with that

[ShammWoww]

Skip the poems.

You know what amazes me about the poems? That
A.) Tolkien made up the languages
B.) Then he wrote poetry in it that rhymes.

Seriously even if you don't understand it (and I don't!) reading it in your head it has a certain lilt, meter and rhyme. I know I'm not that talented

A Elbereth Gilthoniel
silivren penna miriel
o menel aglar elenath!
Na-chaered palan-díriel
o galadhremmin ennorath
Fanuilos le linnathon
nef aear, si nef aearon!

[BIGeyedBUG]

You know what amazes me about the poems? That
A.) Tolkien made up the languages
B.) Then he wrote poetry in it that rhymes.

Well, unlike a composer in English, say, Tolkien did have the freedom to reverse A and B from time to time. :P

[Mircea12345]

Actually Tolkien was a master writer and Professor of English and Literature. He was also a very detailed oriented person which may lead to the thought his books were more in depth then they should have been.

Another point that others have said to me is that most of the books of the Ring series in print are still printed the same as Tolkien wrote them and in Queens English which in it self can lead to a bit of the difficult read if a person is use to reading in our American bastardized English.

Uh huh. Whatever you say.

I used to read a 200-400 page mystery, fantasy, and sci-fi book every night for about 15 years straight (I have a hard time reading and concentrating since my car accident in 2004 or I'd still be reading above anything else) and he's the only writer that has never been able to keep my attention no matter what my age has been. Yet he must be one of the best writers anyone has ever seen --- NOT!

Sorry but Piers Anthony, Mercedes Lackey, Timothy Zahn, Homer, and even William Shakespeare are and were better than he was. Ahh hell, lets add Charles Dickens, Emily Bronte, JK Rowling, and Lewis Carol to the list of better writers too. Among the miriad others.

None of THEM bored me to tears when I read their books and stories. But Tolkien MUST be a better writer than all of them because he was a professor of literature. Even though he was boring and spent wayyy too much time creating the world for you.

So I must be terribly wrong, because you say so.

[BIGeyedBUG]

Piers Anthony, Mercedes Lackey, Timothy Zahn...JK Rowling...

/shudder :P

[Ayrolen]

Sadly threads like this tend to bring out the elitist in a lot of the Tolkien fans, even if they don't realize it.

Nail, meet head.

Look, I love the books, but I'm by no means as "hardcore" as some of you. I've only read them a handful of times. But that doesn't mean we should be jerks to those that aren't fans of the literature. And some of you are being gigantic jerks. Get over yourselves, please.

[8skyfaller]

Nail, meet head.

Look, I love the books, but I'm by no means as "hardcore" as some of you. I've only read them a handful of times. But that doesn't mean we should be jerks to those that aren't fans of the literature. And some of you are being gigantic jerks. Get over yourselves, please.

You and sirwillow are mistaken. Did you even read all the posts (so far) in this thread? The "jerk" posts in this thread are by people who don't like Tolkien's work.

Less knee-jerk faux sagacity, more observation please.

[Vilnas]

For anyone who likes LotR but can't quite get into the Silmarillion, I strongly recommend that you at least skip to the last chapter of the Silmarillion entitled Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age, as that directly relates to the story told in LotR and is a much easier read than the some of other chapters.

If you like that well enough and have access to a really good public library, try and track down The Unfinished Tales and read the chapter concerning Galadriel and Celeborn. That provides the best information we have on the specific events surrounding the forging of the Rings and the immediate aftermath. It describes how Sauron personally took the field, sacked Eregion, and took Celebrimbor's body and made of it a standard of it to terrify his foes (to paraphrase a certain dwarf of the Iron Garrison). Sauron then drove deep into Eriador, inflicting heavy losses on the elves of Lindon under the high king Gil-Galad. Elrond was cut off from Gil-Galad and had to withdraw north, where he founded a refuge at Rivendell. Things were looking very grim for the free peoples until the Numenorians arrived with a great fleet and routed Sauron's armies. Sauron himself was forced to flee with a small bodyguard and scarcely made it back to Mordor. Absolutely fascinating stuff for any fan of the LotR story.

[Nishika]

I understand that Tolkien is not for everyone. Just like Japanese animation isn't for everyone, or MMO's, or any number of things. If you are expecting an angry response, you are fresh out of luck, at least coming from me. The majority of my immediate family shows no interest in Tolkien's work, and my father(the only other Tolkien fan in the family) is rather casual in his interest. And that's perfectly okay.

[MummyLord]

As a voracious reader it was odd that I had never read the books until right before the movies came out. They are long and in this day and age reading is slowing fading away so books of any length can be quite a challenge to some. I find the length is not a problem if you love the writing but I am not a big fan of T's writing style but I did read them but I had to force myself too. In my opinion T is not a great writer of action and that's ok but it's just not for me. The hobbit being the exception. Great story and gripping writing. But to each their own and there is nothing wrong with not liking a writer no matter how imaginative he is.

For the most part I think the Ring books missed the mark and could of been much better if written in the style of the hobbit instead of being almost encyclopedic by nature. But that's just how I feel and in no way do I consider myself an expert on writing or anything. I just know what I enjoy.

[Lohi]

I've loved Tolkiens writings since I was in third grade- which means longer than many of these posters have been alive. I love the depth, the detail, and everything about them. However, I also realize 2 things- they are not easy simple reading.

But this is not a Tolkien-only effect. You find this sort of thing in much of literature. If someone does not like Tolkien I will be fine and be able to handle that, even if a tiny bit peeved. I don't feel put out of someone says they don't like Wuthering Heights or War and Peace. I can understand if someone prefers Oliver! to Oliver Twist. Everyone has different tastes.

On the other hand sometimes these complaints sound too much like the person doesn't like literature at all. Lack of patience with the unrolling story or characterization. Too long to read in an evening or two. Not enough action. I think we have posters here who are thinking the original poster is in that camp, so there's a self-defensiveness in action to defend literature and the slower arts against the hordes of twitterers.

And there are long stretches where nothing happens and there are just a number of people talking- especially in the Council in Fellowship of the Ring.

Compare to the beginning of Alice in Wonderland where Alice doesn't like her older sister's boring book because there's not enough pictures or dialogue in it. So a bit ironic that now someone can see a lot of dialogue and think that it's the boring part.

[Dr.Mindbender]

To the OPs point, I first read LotR in high school & found it hard to slog through those first chapters until the Fellowship reached Moria. Then I was hooked. Although, I do remember skipping several pages of Sam & Frodo trudging through the Emyn Muil. Anyway, I later bought Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, the atlas & mapbook, etc. & became one of the biggest Tolkien fans I know. But on the first read, yeah, it can be a bit boring.

[Parnard]

When I think of "kinda boring" literature I immediately think of Bleak House by Dickens. It makes LOTR absolutely riveting (all of it, even parts of Book II). And Charles Dickens is one of my favorite writers (also Balzac, whom nobody mentioned).

On a side note, the first recorded use of the word ‘boredom’ appears in Bleak House, quite fitting indeed.

[kimano]

If Tolkien tried to have them published today, they would never have seen print. He does everything wrong for a modern publisher POV. Thank Stanley Unwin for having his son be the critic on "The Hobbit." See what we know about books these days.

I disagree with this statement completely. I am wondering if you have read any modern fantasy outside of what is being sold at Wal-Mart. I am not trying to insult you however The Wheel of Time series(as well as The Black Company, Game of Thrones) are part of parcel of the same literary tradition. They go completely in depth and have just as talking if not more than Tolkien's work. In fact, Although I love the stories, I struggle to get through the Wheel of Time series(I have yet made it through book 4).

Also, A lot of current best sellers are pretty hefty reads(Wicked contains hardly any action and consistently sells). The books that are best sellers and are not hefty are marketed for a younger demographic(Twilight is marketed for the preteen crowd).

[Sneezer]

I love the game and movies and I am trying my best to like the books. Last time I read them was 20 years ago in middle school.

But the books soo far are boring. Im in the middle of fellowship of the ring.

too many long boring poems and too much lore and names of stuff thats irrelevant.

please dont take this personally..

I was just wondering if others agree or feel the same way?

Some books are more difficult reads than others.

This doesn't necessarily make them "boring" they just take more time to enjoy.

Try reading the Iliad and the Odyssey sometime....

[Ayrolen]

Some books are more difficult reads than others.

This doesn't necessarily make them "boring" they just take more time to enjoy.

If the OP finds them boring, then he/she finds them boring. It's called an opinion, folks. Boring isn't something based on the difficulty of a book. Is the Twilight series difficult to read? No, but I find them horribly boring. Is Harry Potter a difficult read? Again, no, but I think the books and movies are awful and boring. That's my opinion.

The OP can still enjoy the game and the movies (maybe they're a more visually-stimulated person?) and not like the books.

[doctowhofan]

Is it just me or is it a profoundly sad thing that Tolkien's works might someday be considered "tripe" by future generations because they are so ADD and have such a short attention span? They should require every future generation from this point forward to completely "unplug" for a few weeks, once a year, like cyber-detox. I'm glad I grew up in the 70's where computers took up entire rooms and playtime meant getting fresh air, and not picking up a controller or mouse. ROFL.

-sigh-
Thal

No you are not the only one who thinks that.

[doctowhofan]

Uh huh. Whatever you say.

I used to read a 200-400 page mystery, fantasy, and sci-fi book every night for about 15 years straight (I have a hard time reading and concentrating since my car accident in 2004 or I'd still be reading above anything else) and he's the only writer that has never been able to keep my attention no matter what my age has been. Yet he must be one of the best writers anyone has ever seen --- NOT!

Sorry but Piers Anthony, Mercedes Lackey, Timothy Zahn, Homer, and even William Shakespeare are and were better than he was. Ahh hell, lets add Charles Dickens, Emily Bronte, JK Rowling, and Lewis Carol to the list of better writers too. Among the miriad others.

None of THEM bored me to tears when I read their books and stories. But Tolkien MUST be a better writer than all of them because he was a professor of literature. Even though he was boring and spent wayyy too much time creating the world for you.

So I must be terribly wrong, because you say so.

YOu must be wrong...Since the Lord of the Rings was the second most popular book(s) of the 20th century...outside the BIBLE.

GRanted, it isn't foreveryone. However, when you say such things on a game forum that is BASED on the author's work, that is asking for trouble. Also, I believe most if not all the authors you mention (whom are all very good writiers) don't have an MMO and a history breaking movies based on them. While you can be justified on your opinion, and that is fine, do realise there is alot of fact backing up that Tolkien IS one of the most popular authors out there.

[doctowhofan]

I disagree with this statement completely. I am wondering if you have read any modern fantasy outside of what is being sold at Wal-Mart. I am not trying to insult you however The Wheel of Time series(as well as The Black Company, Game of Thrones) are part of parcel of the same literary tradition. They go completely in depth and have just as talking if not more than Tolkien's work. In fact, Although I love the stories, I struggle to get through the Wheel of Time series(I have yet made it through book 4).

Also, A lot of current best sellers are pretty hefty reads(Wicked contains hardly any action and consistently sells). The books that are best sellers and are not hefty are marketed for a younger demographic(Twilight is marketed for the preteen crowd).

I have a reading speed of 2400+ a day. I have read alot of Fantasy, including George MacDonald, LeGuin, Doyle, Carroll, Baum, Lewis, Tolkien as well as Lackey, Jordan, Rowling, Butcher among others. I don't buy books at Wal-mart. Try Borders or BArnes and Nobles. I have read alot of books about TOlkien himself. Most editors agree that they would not publish him (you do not edit Tolkien btw) as is today. If it was published today,. it would not be as good, due to the editing process. I mean, there would be some who would take the risk and see it for a whole, however, as someone who istrying to get published, writing like Tolkien is bad. Not the meat of the story, please realise, but HOW it is written.

BTW: I read Tolkien, all of it, once a year, for the last 25 years.

[doctowhofan]

For anyone who likes LotR but can't quite get into the Silmarillion, I strongly recommend that you at least skip to the last chapter of the Silmarillion entitled Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age, as that directly relates to the story told in LotR and is a much easier read than the some of other chapters.

.

THIS:

I did this when I was 8 and I could not wrap my head around it. THat helped ALOT. Also, when the story splits in Two TOwers and Return of the King, Follow one story at a time. THat helped me when I was young.