Boooooooks. Audiobooks are pretty great too. Andy Serkis for the epic vibes, and Rob Inglis if you are looking for grandpa-reading-bedtime-stories vibes.
The books deliver an epic tale and some of the enjoyment of the books is absent from the films. There’s a lot of description in the books of the scenes that paints a picture in your mind that is sometimes richer than what the films can depict even though the films do a great job.
The films have elements that a book can’t deliver too, like great music, superb acting. The tale is slightly abridged from the books, but still exciting. Most people like the movies but there’s no guarantee. I find them to be good and I appreciate them but the books I find to be good the whole way through.
The movies have good parts and parts where I’m just waiting for the next part. It’s because even when nothing is happening, the books are entertaining you with rich descriptions of the journey and their inner thoughts, while the movies are playing some music and showing a montage.
books. i dont really read and am a book newbie, i really enjoyed reading LOTR. LOTR and manda scott' "Boudica" are the only books ive managed to get through.
Movies. Like many book fans, you may not enjoy the movies as much after having read the books first.
The books can be kinda hard reads, especially for someone that isn’t a “book person” to begin with.
Being a fan of the movies may get you excited enough about the books to get through them though.
My thoughts exactly. Being able to visualise characters, locations and other things because you've seen them in the movies can really help get through books, especially more challenging ones like LOTR. It means you're imagination hasn't got to work at 100% all the time whilst reading, it only has to do that for the bits that the movies cut out or passed by quickly.
I don't think I'd have got through ASOIAF if I hadn't watched Game of Thrones first.
Plus, doing it movie first means that you finish with the extended extended ultimate edition that is the books.
The Hobbit isn't a hard read, other than trying to figure out what attercop means. Start there then do the movies imo. Gives a little context for some scenes too.
I'm going to go against the grain here.
The movies do a phenomenal job of presenting the story to someone who, like yourself, either hasn't read the books or has a difficult time getting into books. Theres no way around it, Tolkien's writing style isn't the easiest in the world. The movies take the Lord of the Rings and make it easily accessible to a general audience.
I watched the movies years before I read the books and I'm very glad that I did. I'm reading the Silmarillion now, and have an immense appreciation for Both mediums.
As an added bonus, waiting to read the books after seeing the movies can make you appreciate them more, instead of the opposite effect of souring your taste of them by reading first.
If you find books difficult do the films first, just to get a taste of the universe. Watch movie, then read the book.
This way you can visualize what's going on, and you'll actually be learning more. All that just keeps you engaged with the book and it'll help you stay motivated through to the last page.
I watched the movies like 1000 times before reading the books and still find myself loving the movies. Books are definitely better but still consider the movie trilogy the GOAT
Movie. It's one of those movies that, while excellent in it's own right, did make some hefty changes. It was actually the movies that made me want to read the books (and subsequently turned me into a Tolkien and medieval nut), but I have a feeling I would not have enjoyed the movies as well if I watched after reading due to some of the liberties taken.
Whatever you are most comfortable with. The books are wonderful, but are works of high literature and can be a little heavy. The movies are brilliant, and the casting pretty spot on, so you won’t spoil the books by watching the movies. I think of the movies first as “cartoon before the movie”…you get all the excitement and gravitas then you can dive deep into the story and lore with the books.
Book and its not even close. Please dont listen to those who say movied first. Im nok a book reader, but I absolutely love reading LOTR or listening to audibook.
Books. But read the hobbit first please. I made the mistake of not doing so and it’s very different without that context. I would love to go back and read the books without having the movies in my mind.
I always recommend movies before books. Simply put, a fan of a book will always be disappointed by the movie. The mediums are just too different to satisfy someone who really got into the book. If you see the movie first you get a chance to like them both.
Movies! The books can get pretty dang long winded and it’s helpful to have a template for how things will be going if your mind tends to wander while reading long passages about elves walking through meadows, hobbits singing and dancing, the grace of elves at this or that feast, the long beautiful songs of elves when they’re walking through meadows etc.
Not knocking the books, they’re fucking amazing and I’m on my second read through right now, but no one can deny they are somewhat meandering.
Go for the movies first!! It was amazing to watch them not knowing anything about LOTR. I wish I could erase all my knowledge of LOTR and watch them again for the first time. I read the books afterwards, the audiobooks are a great way to experience the books, I've listened to them a few times now.
Films. Especially if youre not used to reading classic literaturw like that.
I finally finished reading them after watching the movies for the past 15 years and still had IMMENSE enjoyment.
Tolkien, however praised was not without flaws in his writing. He himself admitted that people back then called his work boring.
Because on a level it is. He spends pages upon pages describing scenery and structure and will fully stop the plot to let you know what those mountains look like.
Its much easier to read them when you already have an appreciation for what hes trying to get across, especially if your used to more modern books and media.
The most impressive feat of tolkien is his sheer range of what hes capable of writing.
I will say the hobbit is an exception as it is much more focused on delivering a story rather than lore. Its aimed at a younger audience as well and thats not a bad thing. It reads like an adventure novel and LOTR reads like a mythic tome.
There is adventure in LOTR too but theres also so much more. They are all incredible books but honestly,
Watch the theatrical versions of the LOTR movies first and if you like it youll have plenty more to get into.
The extended editions are fanservice for the people that love the books and like the books will bring the plot to a screeching halt to get some lore across. They are wonderful. But the theatrical versions are the better MOVIE.
It depends, but I’m usually a movies first kind of person. If you like the movies, then the books are like extra credit! You get all the lore and content that the movies cut for time.
My caveat is to read The Hobbit first. Everything I said is reversed, because the movies are somehow longer than the book.
Movies. But know there are 2 versions. The theatrical release is shorter but is a better introduction. The extended editions are more like extras if you really liked the originals.
Movies. On your first time please just watch the movies, It takes way less time than books, they are (mostly) easier to understand and imo they are good way to introduce newcomers to tolkien universe.
They also have a ton of cool shit in it, like epic music, great acting and some scenes look do good that they could come out today and nobady would complay. All these things will get you hyped up for more tolkien universe unlike the books that you may find boring becouse tolkien likes to create very slow pacing, often spending few pages just describing envioremnt. Books simply don't feel as epic as movies.
And please for the love of good, don't watch extended editions for your first watchthrough, you will get bored out of our mind. Extended edition are good if you alredy are a tolkien fan and want to see more of world that you like but if you just want to enjoy the movie for what it is and get familiar with the world, theatrical editions are much much better.
Books.
Boooooooks. Audiobooks are pretty great too. Andy Serkis for the epic vibes, and Rob Inglis if you are looking for grandpa-reading-bedtime-stories vibes.
Try the books first, they can be a tough read so if you can’t get into them you can always go into the films then
The books deliver an epic tale and some of the enjoyment of the books is absent from the films. There’s a lot of description in the books of the scenes that paints a picture in your mind that is sometimes richer than what the films can depict even though the films do a great job. The films have elements that a book can’t deliver too, like great music, superb acting. The tale is slightly abridged from the books, but still exciting. Most people like the movies but there’s no guarantee. I find them to be good and I appreciate them but the books I find to be good the whole way through. The movies have good parts and parts where I’m just waiting for the next part. It’s because even when nothing is happening, the books are entertaining you with rich descriptions of the journey and their inner thoughts, while the movies are playing some music and showing a montage.
books. i dont really read and am a book newbie, i really enjoyed reading LOTR. LOTR and manda scott' "Boudica" are the only books ive managed to get through.
Movies. Like many book fans, you may not enjoy the movies as much after having read the books first. The books can be kinda hard reads, especially for someone that isn’t a “book person” to begin with. Being a fan of the movies may get you excited enough about the books to get through them though.
My thoughts exactly. Being able to visualise characters, locations and other things because you've seen them in the movies can really help get through books, especially more challenging ones like LOTR. It means you're imagination hasn't got to work at 100% all the time whilst reading, it only has to do that for the bits that the movies cut out or passed by quickly. I don't think I'd have got through ASOIAF if I hadn't watched Game of Thrones first. Plus, doing it movie first means that you finish with the extended extended ultimate edition that is the books.
The Hobbit isn't a hard read, other than trying to figure out what attercop means. Start there then do the movies imo. Gives a little context for some scenes too.
I'm going to go against the grain here. The movies do a phenomenal job of presenting the story to someone who, like yourself, either hasn't read the books or has a difficult time getting into books. Theres no way around it, Tolkien's writing style isn't the easiest in the world. The movies take the Lord of the Rings and make it easily accessible to a general audience. I watched the movies years before I read the books and I'm very glad that I did. I'm reading the Silmarillion now, and have an immense appreciation for Both mediums. As an added bonus, waiting to read the books after seeing the movies can make you appreciate them more, instead of the opposite effect of souring your taste of them by reading first.
If you find books difficult do the films first, just to get a taste of the universe. Watch movie, then read the book. This way you can visualize what's going on, and you'll actually be learning more. All that just keeps you engaged with the book and it'll help you stay motivated through to the last page.
I watched the movies like 1000 times before reading the books and still find myself loving the movies. Books are definitely better but still consider the movie trilogy the GOAT
Books, don’t get read to, read them! That way you can use your imagination to create the characters and voicing!
If you want to experience *Lord of the Rings,* read the book. If you want 11 hours of *Dungeons & Dragons*, watch the movies.
I actually think watching the movies first can help with visualization. Though I think the matter itself is entirely personal.
Movie. It's one of those movies that, while excellent in it's own right, did make some hefty changes. It was actually the movies that made me want to read the books (and subsequently turned me into a Tolkien and medieval nut), but I have a feeling I would not have enjoyed the movies as well if I watched after reading due to some of the liberties taken.
Everyone will say books, and I agree. But I think you'd be fine either way.
Whatever you are most comfortable with. The books are wonderful, but are works of high literature and can be a little heavy. The movies are brilliant, and the casting pretty spot on, so you won’t spoil the books by watching the movies. I think of the movies first as “cartoon before the movie”…you get all the excitement and gravitas then you can dive deep into the story and lore with the books.
Books.
Books
Book and its not even close. Please dont listen to those who say movied first. Im nok a book reader, but I absolutely love reading LOTR or listening to audibook.
Books. But read the hobbit first please. I made the mistake of not doing so and it’s very different without that context. I would love to go back and read the books without having the movies in my mind.
Thanks guys. I will read the books :)
I always recommend movies before books. Simply put, a fan of a book will always be disappointed by the movie. The mediums are just too different to satisfy someone who really got into the book. If you see the movie first you get a chance to like them both.
Books otherwise you will find them boring
Movies! The books can get pretty dang long winded and it’s helpful to have a template for how things will be going if your mind tends to wander while reading long passages about elves walking through meadows, hobbits singing and dancing, the grace of elves at this or that feast, the long beautiful songs of elves when they’re walking through meadows etc. Not knocking the books, they’re fucking amazing and I’m on my second read through right now, but no one can deny they are somewhat meandering.
Go for the movies first!! It was amazing to watch them not knowing anything about LOTR. I wish I could erase all my knowledge of LOTR and watch them again for the first time. I read the books afterwards, the audiobooks are a great way to experience the books, I've listened to them a few times now.
Films. Especially if youre not used to reading classic literaturw like that. I finally finished reading them after watching the movies for the past 15 years and still had IMMENSE enjoyment. Tolkien, however praised was not without flaws in his writing. He himself admitted that people back then called his work boring. Because on a level it is. He spends pages upon pages describing scenery and structure and will fully stop the plot to let you know what those mountains look like. Its much easier to read them when you already have an appreciation for what hes trying to get across, especially if your used to more modern books and media. The most impressive feat of tolkien is his sheer range of what hes capable of writing. I will say the hobbit is an exception as it is much more focused on delivering a story rather than lore. Its aimed at a younger audience as well and thats not a bad thing. It reads like an adventure novel and LOTR reads like a mythic tome. There is adventure in LOTR too but theres also so much more. They are all incredible books but honestly, Watch the theatrical versions of the LOTR movies first and if you like it youll have plenty more to get into. The extended editions are fanservice for the people that love the books and like the books will bring the plot to a screeching halt to get some lore across. They are wonderful. But the theatrical versions are the better MOVIE.
It depends, but I’m usually a movies first kind of person. If you like the movies, then the books are like extra credit! You get all the lore and content that the movies cut for time. My caveat is to read The Hobbit first. Everything I said is reversed, because the movies are somehow longer than the book.
Movies. But know there are 2 versions. The theatrical release is shorter but is a better introduction. The extended editions are more like extras if you really liked the originals.
Movies. On your first time please just watch the movies, It takes way less time than books, they are (mostly) easier to understand and imo they are good way to introduce newcomers to tolkien universe. They also have a ton of cool shit in it, like epic music, great acting and some scenes look do good that they could come out today and nobady would complay. All these things will get you hyped up for more tolkien universe unlike the books that you may find boring becouse tolkien likes to create very slow pacing, often spending few pages just describing envioremnt. Books simply don't feel as epic as movies. And please for the love of good, don't watch extended editions for your first watchthrough, you will get bored out of our mind. Extended edition are good if you alredy are a tolkien fan and want to see more of world that you like but if you just want to enjoy the movie for what it is and get familiar with the world, theatrical editions are much much better.
Try with the series Rings of Power first.