The Magic World vs Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth: Which Should You Read?

Both live on shelves: Short Stories, Fantasy fiction, Fiction

Cover of The Magic World

The Magic World Edith Nesbit · 1959 ★★★★☆ 3.8 172 pages · ≈ 3 h 11 m · Light Find on Amazon

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Cover of Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth

Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth J.R.R. Tolkien · 1980 ★★★★☆ 4.0 512 pages · ≈ 9 h 29 m · Moderate Find on Amazon

The verdict

Ratings are close: 3.8 vs 4.0 — either is a safe pick by score.
The Magic World is the quicker read — about 3 hours vs 9 for Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth.
The Magic World is the easier read (Light), Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth more demanding (Moderate).

Side by side