Lord of the Rings Editions

[Taurendil]

When I considered buying the LotR I didn’t know it would turn out such an interesting read. I bought it only because I was fascinated by the movies to tell the truth. Therefore I didn’t care much about the quality of the edition, rather about its price and so I bought a paper back one volume edition which I now find not convenient for me. I’d like to buy LotR divided into 3 books, but not sure which edition to choose. I have got the Silmarillion and the Unfinished Tales of HarperCollins with black cover and intend to buy FotR, TT, RotK to match them, but I’ve heard of the new 50th edition which contains 400 corrections and so I’m torn in two between these editions. Could any of you give me an advice on this matter?

[Mithrandir]

I personally use the black paperback editions as my reading copies, and I like them as they're nice and compact and they all match. To be honest, the 50th Edition doesn't make that much difference to your reading experience, a lot of the changes are adding in the odd word here or there.

I believe the editions which are white paperback (exactly the same as the black ones but white) contain all the changes so if you want a more up-to-date text for reading, those copies would be your best bet.

[Lessa]

go for the black editions they are complact and look neat on the shelves. I had both Lost Tales in this version.

I have an all in one copy complete with appendices this time. My forst copy was an edition with none still it was 1980 and I knew no better. Found a copy in a charity shop for a pound so grabbed it. It's looking rather dog earer no so may well invest in a new copy, my 3rd in 20 years. I gave the 1st to my husbands uncle seeing as it was only sitting on the shelf

[Athelas]

  My aunt gave me my first copy of LOTR for a Christmas gift in 1968 (yeah, yeah - do the math. I'm the elder statesman around this joint.) It was the Ballantine edition with the blue, orange and red covers that sort of fit together into a mural ( which I understand, Professor Tolkien hated). This was intact until college, when I lent TTT to a friend and his cat dragged it into its water bowl. The friend replaced that copy of TTT with the paperback with the Tolkien painting on the cover.
  I bought my copy of The Sil as soon as it came out, and didn't read it for decades! The first chapters were so hard to read I lost interest, and it wasn't til about 5 yrs ago that I finally read it - either because I saw the films and was inspired or I got into this site and had to read it to keep up with the other Tolkies!

[Lessa]

You know I had the same problem with the Sil. Got it right after I'e finished reading lotr really couldn't get into it. So shelved it for about 20 years, finally got round to it after reading discussions on here. So glad I did!!

[Taurendil]

Thanks for your replies!  I think I’m quiet conversant with the qualities of the editions now. I’ll be after the black covered copies. It’s good to have all Tolkien books of the same style.

As for reading the Silmarillion, it wasn’t that hard and boring after all. Especially when you’ve just read the LotR and the Hobbit before it. Actually I’m reading it for the second time just now, having read TLotR and the Hobbit twice.

[Lessa]

I think it helps also knowing that once you've over the first few chapters it seems to flow nore easily Glad you joined the ranks of the enlightened

[Athelas]

Yes, and now I can understand the humor of the Sil synopsis!

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