. . . and besides The Hobbit. Tolkien was quite the prolific writer, even though he is most known for his epic The Lord of the Rings (which is not a trilogy! It’s actually six books!). Here are eight other books or stories Tolkien wrote.
A Middle English Vocabulary
This glossary of Middle English words for his students was the first work he had published, in 1922.
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Though not an original work, Tolkien beautifully translated this Middle English romance tale from the stories of King Arthur.
Farmer Giles of Ham
After he published The Hobbit, Tolkien wrote and published this tale of a farmer and his adventures with giants, dragons, and the machinations of courtly life.
Tree and Leaf
This is a collection of Tolkien’s lecture “On Fairy-Stories” and his short story “Leaf by Niggle” published in 1964.
Smith of Wootton Major
Published in 1967, this is a short story about an English village, its customs its Smith, and his adventures in the faery world.
The Silmarillion
Though published after his death and edited by his son Christopher, these are Tolkien’s mythological tales of the beginnings of Middle-earth (and the tales of the High Elves and the First Ages). He worked on this for over 50 years! If you want to dive into this enormous work but are feeling overwhelmed (it me!), join Tea with Tolkien’s book club and read along with a community starting this Fall!
Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien
Another published after his death, this is a collection of his letters he wrote (and kept copies of) that reveal many insights to his literary creations and worldview. I mean, get a load of this powerhouse quote contained in this volume: “We all long for Eden, and we are constantly glimpsing it: our whole nature at its best and least corrupted, its gentlest and most human, is still soaked with the sense of exile.” Can you say EPIC?!
The Monsters and the Critics and Other Essays
Edited by, again, his son Christopher, this is a collection of seven lectures or essays Tolkien gave and wrote on Beowulf, Gawain, and “On Fairy Stories”.
J.R.R. Tolkien wrote so much more and it’s so worth it to read as much of his work as you can! This list is a great starting place. What’s your favorite work by Tolkien?
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