Tolkien classics

I just ordered The Lord of the Rings EP 5 volumes. I’m sure many of you have this 5 vol edition. Is it any good, quality wise. I liked it a lot and was saving for it for a long time.

>1 fancythings: that is my number one book set and movie set. I have read it twice and viewed all of Jackson’s movies 4 times and probably will have a Tolkien marathon in my man cave every couple years. Blew my subwoofer on the last marathon.

We have lamented in previous posts that this set should be made into an oversized 5 volume DLE with about 24 color plates per volume. I was always dissatisfied with its bland design and lack of illustrations. I did not like the Folio Society set either.

Last year I sold my EP set and purchased the definitive set in 10 x 8 HC, The Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) editions of the LOTR (3 volume slipcase) with illustrations of Alan Lee, the HMH Hobbit with illustrations of Alan Lee, HMH The Silmarillion with illustrations of Ted Naismith. This is pretty close to the set I always wanted, just ready for EP to bind in leather with marbled end pages.

>2 HugoDumas: I love LOR movies as well. Want in in 3D. I just like leather and like that this set was illustrated by Tolkien. Of course, if EP comes out with limited edition that has more illustrations and marble end papers, we will get it. But, for now I will have this 5 vol. Glad EP separated it in 5 volumes for easy reading.

>3 fancythings:

I'm not sure how prevalent the technology is but my 3D TV has the ability to convert any 2D content to 3D on-the-fly. Does it perform as well as a properly mastered 3D Blu-ray containing a movie shot with 3D in mind? No. However, it does a good enough job that some things not meant to be viewed in 3D can be quite entertaining to watch in 3D. If you have access to a 3D TV, you might want to check if it can also do on-the-fly conversion, too, and try watching the LOTR movies in 3D that way.

>4 treereader: thanks for advice. I did not know that. I do have 3D TV

>5 fancythings:

Let us know how the LOTR movies turn out if it works!

>6 treereader: will do

Can’t wait to get my 5 vol ep edition. Hobbit sounds like fairy tale, short story compare to complexity of the lord of the rings books. But Hobbit explains how the ring came to be, right?

>8 fancythings:
Partly. It explains how it was found by two different characters. I believe the Silmarillion got into how and why it was created beyond what the Lord of the Rings already described.

The Hobbit is a fun read and a fine adventure story, though.

>9 treereader: thanks for explaining. Do you also have ep 5 vol LOR. If yes, do you like the way EP produced them?

>9 treereader: I must admit I did not enjoy The encyclopedia-like Silmarillion in the EP edition. I found the Houghton Mifflin edition so much more enjoyable with the 45 full page color illustrations of Ted Naismith.

>11 HugoDumas: I saw houphton edition. Didn’t like the look of it but you know what they say to each.....

>10 fancythings:

Yes, but I haven’t read my EP copies yet. I read all 5 in paperback form years ago, starting with the Hobbit in grade school. I have actively avoided re-reading anything so as to cover as much ground as possible in this short life but I plan on eventually re-reading the Hobbit and the trilogy (perhaps not the Silmarillion, though), and my EP versions are the intended medium. Hugo is right about his preferred version of the Silmarillion - well, basically any version with illustrations is going to be helpful in getting through it.

So, for having not read those specific versions, I still like the relative simplicity of their design, and I am always a fan of deep green. They are a great size for holding while reading, too. Compared to DLEs and DIEs, I would call these just practical and durable reading copies.

>13 treereader: I also find 5 vol EP LOR attractive and like matching volumes very much. Just like you I really like green leather.

I'm reading LOTR one-volume set by HarperCollins Deluxe edition, and bought the LOTR Extended version movie bundle on AppleTV. I quite found it better than the regular release. I enjoyed it so much that I went ahead and bought the Hobbit Extended version as well

>9 treereader: I find The Hobbit a light hearted read, not sure why they went the other way with the movie. It's such a short story I was surprise they made it a trilogy, money talks I guess.

>15 ironjaw: I read the single volume a few years back, the one with Alan Lee's illustration and that was hefty to hold. The 50th anniversary is lighter but lacks the illustration.


Can't wait to receive the new special edition that will have Tolkiens own illustration. They say it's quarter bound in leather but for the price it's most likely bonded.

>16 JuliusC:

Is there any way for us US folks to preorder this deluxe edition? I can't seem to find a link anywhere. I see a preorder available on ebay for $500 bucks, but I don't really trust that or know if the price is legit.

EDIT: I see now that I can use my Amazon account to browse Amazon.co.uk. It is letting me get all the way to the checkout page and it isn't stopping me. Of course fees have to be paid for shipping and conversions, but it seems like it will let me check out? Have I found a loophole or will this be stopped at a point in the future closer to release?

>17 Clobby: I ordered mine here: https://www.bookdepository.com/.

They're known as a longtime source for UK books for US residents.

Note, however, that you will pay in full in advance for your order.

>18 whytewolf1:

Ah thanks! That is a very good resource to have. I am beginning to notice the superiority of the UK (or really Europe in general) over the US when it comes to books...