Is Lord of the Rings ok for an 8 year old?

[Greenpeanutsnail]

My DD is reading the Hobbit and so far thinks it is the best book she has ever read. She wants to read Lord of the Rings next. Despite loving reading, I’ve never managed to get into Lord of the Rings. I’ve heard it’s a bit more grown up than the Hobbit. Is there anything unsuitable about Lord of the Rings for an 8 year old? I thought here would be a good place to ask! Thank you.

I don't have a copy sadly, I borrowed from the library.

Have a look a the forum, you will find nerdship beyond your wildest imaginations

I’d give that second place. The Voyage of Dawntreader is not just the best of the Narnia books (imo), it’s the best children’s book I have ever read.

The Magician's Nephew is my favourite.

Ohhh Dawn Treader is a superb book

I was so very disappointed at the Voyage of the Dawn Treader film. Half the places they visited missed out and a different storyline as to why the trip was being made. There was nothing wrong with Lewis' storyline, it was far better than the one made up for the film - but that's the problem with films they are never how you imagine they should be

I always loved the Dawn Treader too.

Have very very rarely re-read The Last Battle, though.

There was nothing wrong with Lewis' storyline, it was far better than the one made up for the film

I've forgotten the film, though I do remember thinking the boy who played Eustace was good.

Sometimes you can see why parts of a book couldn't be filmed, or had to be left out - for length if no other reason. But it's supremely arrogant for a film maker to presume to think they know better than the author about the story she/he set out to tell.

The Eagle and the Child where they used to meet shut in 2020 but there are plans afoot to re-open it.

I'd have thought it would be a popular tourist spot. They could have historical info and photos, as Wetherspoons do. And all the Inklings' books displayed. Generations of O Level Eng Lit students remember Nevill Coghill for his edition of The Canterbury Tales! Didn't Morse drink there too? But not Lord Peter, the Mitre was his place as I recall.

When I was about eight or nine or 10 years old, I read The Hobbit and I loved it.
I tried to read the Lord of the rings and I really didn't like it it was not at all the same.

To me, it was like the difference between reading Stephen King's short story "the body" (in which the movie "stand by me" was based on) and reading something else a little more hardcore written by Stephen King.
(Or you might say the difference between Harry Potter book number1 and Harry Potter book number 7? The themes are just that much more grown up and the idea is just that much more scary...)

I would suggest that she moves to a different author but same genre and in a few years if she wants to try the Lord of the Rings, go for it...absolutely 100% always encourage a voracious Young reader. Kudos to you and to your daughter!!