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Aamir Sattar asked this question about The Return of the King:
Is it necessary to read the appendices at the end?
Su It's not necessary to the core story but for anyone wants more, it is in the appendices that you will find the final fates of Aragorn and Arwen, Elron…moreIt's not necessary to the core story but for anyone wants more, it is in the appendices that you will find the final fates of Aragorn and Arwen, Elrond, Galadriel and so on. Also more post-War of the Ring historical information about Gondor, the Shire and so on. It is very abbreviated and dry but worth reading for those who want all of the story in the work.

For trivia: I believe Tolkien actually wanted to publish the Appendices as a separate fourth volume to the work, but there wasn't enough interest from the public or publisher to make it worthwhile. He was also revising it continuously and it was never really finished. The explains in part why it is such hard reading. (less)
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The Return of the King
by J.R.R. Tolkien
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