Sales of J R R Tolkien's fantasy novel The Hobbit have jumped in New Zealand ahead of the release of the latest Hobbit film, the book's publishers say.
Sales of Hobbit books are booming. Photo: RNZ
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - the first in the latest trilogy based on J R R Tolkien's books - has its premiere in Wellington on Wednesday.
Publisher Harper Collins says sales of the book have rose 50-60% week on week over the past month.
Harper Collins spokesperson Sandra Noake says the company has published 16 different Hobbit-related books to mark the movie.
These include the official movie guide, books detailing the history of The Hobbit and a 75th anniversary hard cover edition.
Matt Bilostocki of Unity Books in Wellington says the anniverary edition has been the most popular of all the 30 books about The Hobbit on its shelves.
