I have been a huge fan of the Lord of the Rings trilogy since Peter Jackson’s amazing films. However, possibly shockingly to some who know me, I’ve never read the books. This is however not for trying over the years.

I randomly found out I was dyslexic the first week at college, when I was receiving the results of an assessment test. “So you’re obviously dyslexic”, my tutor started with in our one-to-one feedback. “Sorry..? What..?” I replied confused and slightly taken back by the statement.

Up until then, I had always been a ‘clever but  lazy lad’ in school. I cannot remember a school report that didn’t state in multiple places from multiple teachers ‘Leigh is clever, but really needs to apply himself more’. Which looking back, really cut deep, when all I was doing was trying to apply myself. Nothing seemed to be enough for these people.

I borrowed the Hobbit off a friend for weeks, just before the first film was about to be released. I had heard repeatedly Tolkien’s writing was difficult to read, not knowing that I know now (embarrassingly) that the Hobbit is a children’s book. But the book lay unopened on my bedside table. Waiting for the ‘right moment’ for me to fight with the words to try and understand it.

The moment never came, and the book went back unread several weeks later. As the biggest frustrations for me reading fiction is the fight between reading the words and loosing the plot. As the art of simply reading the words sometimes can, if not always, snaps me out of the world of fiction I am trying to escape to. The place of wonder, gone. The frustration with the mechanics of words, very real.

Over the years, my friends have suggested audiobooks – which is understandable. However, I don’t see that as really reading. I do enjoy podcasts and listening to the radio – don’t get me wrong. But these have always been a passive relationship with me. Something ‘on in the background’ while you are doing other bits and bobs. Also meaning, I find myself not focusing on the material at times, as I focus on chores. But with lockdowns continuing, I felt this would be the ideal opportunity to take the time out to actively set out time to try and enjoy the escapism.

But I’ve always known I have been missing out. So today, I have finally pulled the trigger and purchased the books to read. Today is the day that I am going to get the books and actively read them. This is what I got:

The Hobbit &
The Lord of the Rings Boxed Set

Four books, with 1664 pages.

Supposedly, the most difficult of all the works written by Tolkien, but if I even get to this point, I’ll be proud.

“The Silmarillion is an account of the Elder Days, of the First Age of Tolkien’s world. It is the ancient drama to which the characters in The Lord of the Rings look back, and in whose events some of them such as Elrond and Galadriel took part. The tales of The Silmarillion are set in an age when Morgoth, the first Dark Lord, dwelt in Middle-Earth, and the High Elves made war upon him for the recovery of the Silmarils, the jewels containing the pure light of Valinor.”

Unfinished Tales of Numenor and Middle-Earth

“JRR Tolkien’s legacy of short stories which inhabit the realm of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion.

Unfinished Tales is a collection of narratives ranging in time from the Elder Days of Middle-earth to the end of the War of the Ring, and provides those who have read The Lord of the Rings with a whole collection of background and new stories from the twentieth century’s most acclaimed popular author.”

Overall, as paperbacks go, these seemed to be a reasonable price to get them all. However, the money has been spent. I will read them (eventually). And the journey will be written here.

Why not get them yourself? Nothing else to do during lockdown 😛