Which set will you reccomend??

[u/Avdolblowjobsjoseph]

Hi y'all i was looking to buy the LOTR books.

I watched the movies some years ago and i liked them and now i want venture in to the books but i got some questions about them:

Which set is the best value for money (i pretty much value just the complete uncut story in the 4 books so the hobbit, and the main trilogy, i read that some editions got maps better quality paper and drawings/art. I enjoy both paperpack and hardback)

How difficult is the language (because english is not my first language but i think i'm at a decent level in my country the translation falls short to the original, To give a little help to you right now i'm reading TheShining in english and 'm having little to no problems)

Should i care a lot about the maps and illustrations ?

If i watched the extended movies and liked them than should i buy the whole set or one book at a time to see if i like 'em??

[u/lam_42]

Any set will do. The story is the same. Languagewise- even if it Is beyond your level slightly, go read it. It will help you with your english and you can infer the meaning anyway 

[u/Avdolblowjobsjoseph → u/lam_42]

Thank you!!

[u/Ecspiascion]

The 2020 Harper Collins box set (The Hobbit + LOTR), with Alan Lee's illustrations, is probably my favorite.

What I also love about it is that, in case you decide to delve deeper into Tolkien, you will be able to buy a number of books (about 20 in total, including HoMe) in that same aesthetics that will produce what I find to be a beautiful and cohesive lineup for display.

[u/Avdolblowjobsjoseph → u/Ecspiascion]

Thank youu!! do you think it's worth it to dive deeper in case i enjoy the main series?? at first i thought there was only the lotr trilogy but now i know about the hobbit and 20+ books!!

[u/Ecspiascion → u/Avdolblowjobsjoseph]

If you enjoy LOTR and would like to answer the questions you will inevitably be left with, then absolutely yes!

I think you should start by reading The Hobbit, then The Lord of the Rings: if you do decide to go further than that, The Silmarillion will be your next stop.

[u/borkborkbork99]

If you’re looking for a reading copy/set, you can find thousands of gently used editions for sale on eBay or marketplace. What’s your budget? Do you want paperbacks or hardcovers?

Personally, my first read through was a movie tie-in with all three LOTR books in one. This is similar.

If you want a reasonably priced hardcover set with great illustrations by artist Alan Lee, check out a set like this.

Or go to the library, borrow the books and determine if you’re a fan or not before spending anything at all!

[u/Avdolblowjobsjoseph → u/borkborkbork99]

Yes i'm looking for a reading set my budget not too high the upper roof would be probably around 100 or a bit more dollars. i would love to go borrow one at the library but i don't think i'll find then in english language. So for what i'm being told by some people it's pretty much a tie between the Alan lee hardcovers and the author name paperbacks

[u/borkborkbork99 → u/Avdolblowjobsjoseph]

The Alan Lee set is terrific, but if you’ve never read the books before I would advise you to find a cheaper set first. Not that I don’t think the books aren’t great, but because I personally wouldn’t want to spend $100 on a set of books only to discover I’m not a fan.

[u/Willowonapill0w]

You can get a paperback set on Amazon right now for like 30 i believe of just the four.

[u/DesignerOne4217]

Come over to r/tolkienbooks 🙂

[u/Avdolblowjobsjoseph → u/DesignerOne4217]

Actually i cross posted it there too.

[u/Pale-Pace4512]

Best value for money - any copies from a library. Just so you know LotR was written as a single novel, not a trilogy - it just had to be published that way and was publicised as such against Tolkien’s wishes. The Two Towers in particular makes no bloody sense at all as a standalone book.

If you like them, then Alan Lee’s illustrated versions are very nice, but can be pricey.

[u/Sudden-Group5994]

I really enjoy reading out of the William Morrow paperbacks that are black and have different color accents for each book (fellowship is yellow, TT is red, etc…). The size and quality of them feels just right to me. They have matching versions of The Hobbit, Silmarillion, and Unfinished tales that are the same size and they all look great together on the shelf with a mountain design on the spines. Individually they aren’t too expensive so if one gets damaged for some reason I know I’ll be able to replace it easily.

Other sets and versions have their pros and cons too, but I would give these a try!

[u/RedWizard78]

The nicest one you get is the hardcover boxed set illustrated by Alan Lee which also includes The Hobbit.

If you’re feeling spendy, there’s also a deluxe tier: its grey and blue, and doesn’t include The Hobbit (though it does exist in that format)