Expectations from Books

[u/RedWizard78]

One of the topics that often gets talked about (ususally via a comment or two) is the quality of a Tolkien book. I mean the book itself - not its contents. (‘Is it sewn?’ ‘What’s the paper like??’)

So I’d like to ask you the question and then talk after:

What do you ‘expect’ from a Tolkien book?

He is many people’s favourite author. As such, his works (and the editions) are usually cherished. That being said…..realize that these are mass-produced paperbacks and hardcovers (with a deluxe edition tier existing for certain titles) in the 2020s.

If you walk around….say….,Waterstones, and check out non-Tolkien books (Stormlight, Wheel of Time, Ice and Fire, Empreyean…) you’ll likely notice that the books are typical made the same way.

While HarperCollins has given us many editions over the years, at the end of the day, they don’t treat Tolkien as ‘extra special’ when it comes to producing his books any more than other authors that they publish.

Are Tolkien fans’ expectations TOO high whenever a new Tolkien book (brand new or new edition of an existing title) is too high?? Possibly. I will say that any format higher/nicer than a standard hardcover should be well-made.

Remember that at the end of the day, we are consumers, and we can vote with our wallets if something doesn’t appeal to us or isn’t to our liking, we can always say ‘no’.

[u/Cool-Coffee-8949]

This is why I collect old books (although, to be fair, many of them were new when I bought them).

[u/Link50L]

Personally, my expectations are chiefly around "getting what I pay for". If I am paying good dollar, then I expect good paper and a good binding.

I was perhaps disappointed by the variation in quality amongst Tolkien publications... some, like the most recent HC HoME hardcover editions may as well have just been paperbacks, while others, such as Foster's Complete Guide, or Hammond and Scull's Readers Companion, are of stellar quality and I would happily pay for this treatment in all my Tolkien books - unfortunately, it's not available consistently or broadly.

[u/RedWizard78 → u/Link50L]

A few points:

1) you get what you paid for. If those HoM-e titles COST more, they’d, in theory, be better made. They’re standard hardcover, appropriately priced.

2) the variance in quality IS annoying.

Not saying you’re wrong, just wanted to point a few things out.

[u/OneLaneHwy]

The Tolkien Estate and its publishers take advantage of JRRT collectors who can't help themselves. There. I said it.

[u/Link50L → u/OneLaneHwy]

I'm not sure if it's the Tolkien Estate or the Publishers or both, but yeah, someone is heavily milking Tolkien's legacy.

[u/RedWizard78 → u/Link50L]

Likely the publishers, as they’re a business, and it’s their job to create products.

[u/RedWizard78 → u/OneLaneHwy]

And said collectors aren’t forced to buy what they don’t like 🙂