The two UT's?!? What is the book that I have then?

[eowyntje]

Sorry for the stopit question, but: how many books are there?
I only have the Sil, is there a list of all the books?

[Mithalwen]

The books set in Middle Earth that were published in Tolkien's life time are:

The Hobbit
The Lord of The Rings
The Adventures of Tom Bombadil (Poetry)
The Road Goes Ever On (Poetry set to music with an analysis of the Elvish poems "A Elbereth Gilthoniel" and NAmarie


However after he died, Tolkien's son Christopher edited and published the rest of his father's writing on Middle Earth.

The Silmarillion alone is presented as a "finished" work
In Unfinished Tales described above, his role as editor is much more explicit and there are many notes ans some alternative versions. Nevertheless it is quite readable, and parts may interest people who don't like the Sil.


The History of Middle Earth is a 12 volume + index collection of early drafts and working notes. Each volume has it's own title and the volumes that contain the drafts of the Lord of the Rings are known as "THe History of the Lord of the rings"

Hope that helps

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Here is the complete booklist from the Barrow-Downs main site page.

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

I guess I am a little sensitive because I was taught that it was a character weakness not to finish a book and still feel a little guilty if I don't (unless the book is utter tripe) but while reading all sequentially may well be ideal if you are up to the task, I just wanted to emphasize that it is worth looking at the later volumes even if you are daunted by the early ones.

I've now got a notion to sit and read all the volumes in order, although I must have already done this to some extent with the early volumes many years ago as I used to religiously visit the Tolkien shelf in the local library and snap up anything I hadn't seen before. I'd like to see if it gave me the sense of a 'story' of the creation of Tolkien's life work.

But I still say that if reading all the volumes is daunting - and it may well be so for anyone quite new to Tolkien - then it is well worth beginning in the middle with those relating to LotR. And some of the volumes do include 'stand-alone' pieces, such as The New Shadow, set in the fourth age.

Now, while I was never taught it was a weakness not to finish a book, I do feel guilty if I don't at least give a book a chance. Even if I only read a random chapter I would call that giving it a chance. If the rest of the book is not useful, interesting or entertaining then I'm afraid I move on, as there are far too many books waiting to be read. I also have a nasty habit of skim-reading factual books, looking for the parts I need to read, a habit picked up from work. Maybe one of the reasons I like Tolkien so much is that skim-reading is out of the question; it's all too easy to miss something.

[eowyntje]

Wow, a lot of books.
Thanks a lot Mithalwen and Estelyn, for that information.
I'm reading the Sil right now and I hope I'll get my hand son the unfinished tales soon.

[Mithalwen]

Ah but Lal ....I was also taught that "only a woman of ill-repute would read a novel before lunch" (that one didn't register though .... ) and "a lounge is something they have in Hotels, darling" ... (which did and causes frequent verbal contortions)...

But certainly, despite my struggles with the early volumes, I found that the LOTR HoME volumes a relatively strightforward read.

I skim factual books if I need something specific.....but it took me many years to trust my judgement and accept that if a book hadn't engaged me (and I do give them a fair shot) and have very wide tastes) then I didn't have to waste my life finishing them.

[Thinlómien]

Thanks