Impossible to describe in a few words, JRR Tolkien's great work of imaginative fiction has been labelled both a heroic romance and a classic fantasy fiction. By turns comic and homely, epic and diabolic, the narrative moves through countless changes of scene and character in an imaginary world which is totally convincing in its detail. Tolkien created a vast new mythology in an invented world which has proved timeless in its appeal. Accolades Runner-up for The BBC Big Read Top 100 2003. Runner-up for The BBC Big Read Top 21 2003. Shortlisted for BBC Big Read Top 100 2003. Author Biography J. R.R. Tolkien (1892–1973) was a distinguished academic, though he is best known for writing ‘The Hobbit’, ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Silmarillion’, plus other stories and essays. His books have been translated into over 40 languages and have sold many millions of copies worldwide.