I will never, ever finish The Silmarillion. I know because over the years I have tried no less than five times to read the thing cover to cover and I just cannot do it. There are so many characters to track and so many people running in one direction or another and it isn’t as if the whole thing is really a cohesive story. It’s more like a collection of short stories except that they are all intertwined with each other and you, the reader, are supposed to be able to track it and make sense of it all so as to really, really understand the whole world Tolkien created and really, really, appreciate the depth behind The Lord of the Rings. And I suppose part of the problem must be that I just didn’t feel as if I didn’t understand the world and appreciate the depth in the first place. So, I send this book into the West to its deserved rest. ( )

I believe this is my second re-read (three reads total). It can be hard going, but just let it wash over you. Tolkien's theology, it feels like an otherworldly retelling of the old testament. Occasionally a beautiful tale will jump out of the mirk, like that of Beren and Luthien. ( )

Finally finished this after quite some time. Even better than The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien creates his fantasy world interwoven with rich theological insights and the ever present victory of hope. ( )

If you’re a Tolkien fan, then you need to read this book. It recounts the history of the Tolkien World, from it’s first creation all the way up to the Third Age, outlining the Tolkien universe and filling in a lot of background to [b: The Hobbit|5907|The Hobbit|J.R.R. Tolkien|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1372847500s/5907.jpg|1540236] and [b: The Lord of the Rings|33|The Lord of the Rings (The Lord of the Rings, #1-3)|J.R.R. Tolkien|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1411114164s/33.jpg|3462456]. I have to admit though, it’s not an easy read at first. Some chapters read like a genealogy from the Old Testament, with many names and places that can get confusing. That said, the included index of names is an excellent reference and eventually the reader begins to appreciate the sheer scope of this work. I would also recommend reading [b:The Atlas of Middle-Earth|92003|The Atlas of Middle-Earth|Karen Wynn Fonstad|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1452027305s/92003.jpg|1502479] as a companion to this book. It provides an excellent reference to the geography of the Tolkien universe and is a useful accompaniment.

Note on edition reviewed: I originally read the kindle edition of The Silmarillion. By the time I read it, I felt like I had to have a copy for my bookshelf so I purchased this Houghton Mifflin 2004 hardcover edition. It is printed on a nice glossy stock and beautifully bound with 45 color illustrations and a foldout map of Beleriand. I highly recommend this edition if you want something in your library to show off to your friends. ( )

It is quite eerie to me, reading the Silmarillion at the age of 12, right after devouring Tolkien's Trilogy and the Hobbit that it is the only book that I have a vivid recollection of imaginings not stripped by the simulacra of the movies (fortunately, Silmarillion is too difficult to portray and hopefully it won't be touched). It is quite interesting that this book was the foundation for my later exploration's in gnostic movements at the age of 15 (Hans Jonas, Religion of Gnosis) that bloomed into broad interest in all mysteries and secrets of the ages - with an academic flair and a practical ardour of a practicioner of arts subtle and strange. ( )

Third time reading, first time since high school. As my dad once told me, The Silmarillion is like the Bible- really, a collection of stories bound together with some contradicting each other, and starting off fairly dull with the Creation myths but if you go further you'll find exciting tales of daring, etc. In general, this is not an easy pleasure read unless you like reading in-world religious texts/epics but it is very worth your while for Arda worldbuilding.

Ainulindalë is the Creation mythos.

Valaquenta lists the Valar and Valie and introduces the Maiar. Also outlines the Enemies, Melchor-turned-Morgoth, and his maiar agent Sauron.

The bulk of The Silmarillion is the Quenta Silmarillion, which tells of the elves in the First Age, centering on Fëanor's creation of the Silmarils and his quest to destroy Morgoth/regain the Silmarils after he steals them away. There are a great many tragedies from this, but they're all an epic.

Akallabêth is about the fall of Numenor, where men grew jealous of their immortal friends and Sauron saw the opportunity to corrupt the line of kings.

Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age is essentially a prelude to and summary of the events of the [b:The Lord of the Rings|33|The Lord of the Rings|J.R.R. Tolkien|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1566425108l/33._SX50_.jpg|3462456] We learn more about who created the 3 elven rings and where they went, and Sauron's intent with the One ring to rule them all. A great section if you want to review without rereading the whole trilogy! ( )

Finally finished this.. after many years (mumble mumble decades) of continuing to attempt to do so. I am probably one of a handful of people worldwide who simply cannot manage to enjoy Tolkien. I appreciate all the world building and effort on an intellectual level.. but this is BORING, so so so BORING -- and I can get through 4th c. panegyrics. I honestly don't get how people enjoy this series. Thanks to J for giving it to me all those years ago at university, but you were wrong about it being "up my alley" and that I'd like it.

Will not be attempting any of the other novels.

Read for: Turf Wars (2023) Space Battle 7 (1 - 7 Oct) ( )

This book has many negative reviews, and I think that is because most readers expect it to be a novel, which it is not. It is a monumental work that contains writings of Tolkien's mythology, published after Tolkien's death, edited by his son Christopher. So yes, there are endless characters and places, a lot of stories (each of those could fill a proper novel when told in detail), the language is often archaic. But as said above: It is not meant to be easy or catchy. This is the essence of Tolkien's work over several decades, and my advice is to just go with the flow and don't worry. If you enjoyed "The Lord of the Rings" and wish to learn more about Middle-earth, just give "The Silmarillion" a chance. You will find spell-binding characters, tragedy and heartbreak, but also joy and love and passages that are incredibly beautiful.
Rereading this book reminded me why Tolkien has been my favourite author for more than twenty years - because no other writing has ever illuminated my life like this. ( )

this is absolutely outstanding. Tolkien's bible of his world ( )

How does one review The Silmarillion? It's a stunning feat of imagination that comprised elements of Celtic, Norse, Greek, and Arthurian legends into a new mythology for the land of Britain. It was the life work of a talented man. At its best, it is vivid and breathtaking, full of action, intrigue, beauty, and violence. But it is also incomplete, and at times, a slog to read through with its often archaic language.

The Silmarillion is essentially a collection of mythopoeic works by English writer J. R. R. Tolkien, edited and published posthumously by his son, Christopher Tolkien (who in some cases filled in the missing threads), in 1977, with assistance from Guy Gavriel Kay.

The Silmarillion comprises five parts. The first part, Ainulindalë, tells of the creation of Eä, the "world that is". The Ainulindalë is perhaps my favorite section, as I am a sucker for a good creation story. Valaquenta, the second part, gives a description of the Valar and Maiar, the supernatural powers in Eä. This section helps explains that the Wizards, (like our pal Gandalf) initially known as the Istari, are actually Maiar spirits sent to Middle-earth as human forms to aid the Free Peoples against the threat of Sauron. Neat! The next section, Quenta Silmarillion, which forms the bulk of the collection, chronicles the history of the events before and during the First Age, including the wars over the Silmarils that gave the book its title. This is basically about the rise of the elves and their various clans and the rise of dwarves and men. The fourth part, Akallabêth, relates the history of the Downfall of Númenor and its people, which takes place in the Second Age. The final part, Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age, is a brief account of the circumstances which led to and were presented in The Lord of the Rings.

This is a very influential work of art but I would suggest this book to Tolkien completeists only. I for one am glad I made the journey! ( )

The Silmarillion is without a doubt impressive. That is the highest praise that can be given: that it is a stunning window into the overwhelmingly rich and detailed world that was contained within the mind of JRR Tolkien. It has received criticism for being dry and dense, with no central narrative thrust or protagonist; in defence of the book, this criticism is also regularly labelled null, being that The Silmarillion is more of a history, and should be approached as such.

Both of the above are true. Much of it is not a naturally compelling read, but it should not be approached as a novel. However, even as a history or collection of mythology, it is dry, with much repetition. I've never thought Tolkien to be much of an artist when it comes to prose, and I don't think he was a great story teller (ducks tomato). His appeal and his (well-earned) reputation come from his insane commitment to the development of a world and its history. I am certain (certain) that there is an alternative universe in which the same information, rich with detail, is written and released as The Silmarillion, but in a way that invites more gusto. It says a lot that even fans of Tolkien's books struggle with some of this (looking at you, 'Of Beleriand and Its Realms'). Still, it is only fair to acknowledge that it is a posthumous work, edited by Tolkien's son, Christopher. And the work put in on his part is nothing short of admirable.

While The Silmarillion remains an imperfect and unfinished work, it is still nonetheless a marvelous achievement, and a must read for any serious fan of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. As for me, while it's been 15 years since I made my (only) trek through those works, reading The Silmarillion has been surprisingly enriching; and the cavernous gap in time has not kept the book from adding new depth to my appreciation of LOTR. Aspects that I previously considered arbitrary or weak now have context, and I have a desire to reread the trilogy in a new light.

Tolkien's style does not naturally appeal to me, but there truly was no one like him. For all that's frustrating, his work remains fascinating and I keep wanting to force myself to read more of it... Does that make me a Tolkien fan stubbornly in denial, or merely a glutton for punishment?

The jury's still out. ( )

This book provides much of the backstory to The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Many things reference in those two books in passing or in minor detail are expanded upon here. You can really appreciate the depth of Tolkien’s creation and get a better glimpse of the world he created. My rating is colored by the fact that I greatly enjoy Middle-Earth and this book expands and explores Tolkien's myth.

This is the first time that I have read this book. I really cannot say when I started it, but I did finish it today! It took me awhile as I would take a break from it, read other things and then come back. Also, as I read this book I would listen to the corresponding podcast that discussed the chapter on The Prancing Pony Podcast. This podcast by the way is *highly* recommended both for the depth of content and just the fun that is had in listening to it.
( )

The creation of the world, and the rebellion of its creatures. The history of the first age of middle-earth and the downfall of Numenor. The wars of vengeance of Feanor and his sons to win back the precious jewels containing the light of the trees of paradise. ( )

La novela perfecta para los amantes de la fantasía y la mitología , soretodo si ya se conocen un poco del mundo de J.R.R. Tolkien. Aún así, la novela no es amena, contiene muchas descripciones y es difícil de leer. ( )

This book actually gets better every time I read it, something that probably has to do with the fact that I get older each time I do. First time I read it was when the LotR movies came out, which means I must've been between 12 and 14. Yeah. A little too young. My next attempt, I think, was at 20, when I understood it better but still didn't love it. It wasn't until two years ago, when I was finally digging into the history of Middle-Earth and more obscure knowledge that I truly appreciated it. This time, I loved it.

I mean, yes, I had to consult the family trees a little too much to keep track of everything, but for once, I actually DID. Probably because I've spent these past years learning more about the events of this book, meaning I had a deeper understanding of what to expect when I started it. This isn't exactly a good selling-point for a book, but come on, if you're ready to read this book you're already a bit of a Tolkien nerd and should be able to deal with the consequences.

I'm actually almost tempted to read the Books of Lost Tales and Unfished Tales again now, since I know they deal with much of the same stories as in this one, but more detailed. Although, maybe not. My plan is to move on to Hobbit and then LotR, getting the story in chronological order for once.

Is it bad that I pictured Tom Hiddleston!Loki as Feanor? Yeah, I don't even care. But as fun as that is, after a reread I am more convinced than ever that we're not gonna see a movie adaption of this any time soon, if ever. Apart from the legal issues, this book isn't really filmable in any sense. Maybe one or few tales from it, but let's be real, why would they do that?

Anyway, I'm happy that I'm enjoying this more each time. It would suck if it was the other way around. ( )

If you like Lord of the Rings and Middle Earth, this is a great summary of the early history and background of the storyline. It introduces the "gods" of Middle Earth, recounts the arrival of the various peoples, including Elves, Dwarfs, etc. Introduces Morgoth, Sauron, Orcs and other bad-nasties, and the men who would be heroes. This is a first class edition of the book. It has special binding, great illustrations, and an introduction. It's hard to slog through if you're not familiar with Tolkien's writing style, but well worth the effort. ( )

I can’t believe I was so scared to read this one. I adore LOTR and never tire of rereading those, but I thought this one would be more like a textbook. It was a delight! It’s full of new Middle Earth adventures and the history of many characters I already love. This edition includes beautiful illustrations from the author. I’m so glad I finally took the time to read it!

“Help oft will come from the hands of the weak when wise falter.” ( )

This is a book compiled by Tolkien’s son after his death. It contains a bunch of different types of information. The stories varied from origins, tragedies, and to a summation of history. I found much of it poorly written and complex in the locations and many characters. The book does fill in some information that helps to understand the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. I do not recommend this book other than to those who are big fans of Tolkien’s other books. ( )

This was my second time through (my third attempt in total) and it took me over a year (I started May 2014). I was intentionally slow this time around. It's true, this is a very hard book. It's fiction, but this is not straightforward bubblegum. This is the fiber to The Lord of the Rings's meat and potatoes. You might read of Gondolin in the comparative bubblegum of The Hobbit, but the reality of this book is that it is religious text, prophecy, cosmology, and history all in one. But yes, fiction, and all from the mind of one man.

Tolkien devoted much of his life to writing the history, and it remained unfinished at his death. How? You try writing a self-contained fictional history of over ten thousand years. Though unfinished, its creation and development bookends the releases of his two most popular books. Even in the bird's-eye view of the mythos, you can see Tolkien's philosophy, religion, and worldview. Interestingly, when the stories zoom in to examine these characters in depth is when the moral ambiguity dissolves into place. There are complaints that Tolkien's characters are weird black or white, good or bad, but these people have never read anything beyond his two popular books. What to think of the characters that are presented as among the greatest mortals to ever grace Middle-Earth, but commit fratricide? Or the tragic warrior held in high esteem that unwittingly plays into the hands of a demon, killing his closest friends and entering an incestuous relationship? This is Tolkien at his most Shakespearian if you can take it.

If you've tried, and failed, at this book, but maintain a love of Tolkien, I cannot recommend enough following along to lectures on what you've just read. The Tolkien Professor is great and knowledgeable not only of this work but all the other supporting ones.

I guess I'm off to read The History of Middle-earth now.

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First read: Oct 17, 2013-Dec 3, 2013
Second read: May 21, 2014-Oct 12, 2015 ( )

I loved this book. Endstop. It's insane and amazing how much I loved this book. I went into it with ten years of friends voices and the conglomerate internet voice tell me this book would be hard, dry and like crossing a desert more than reading a book. But I was in love before I finished chapter one. I do not know how I listened for ten years, or how not one person ever informed me it was a mythic text. But it was gorgeous and golden and I loved it.

I listened to it driving to and from my job, to and from a camping weekend. It was everything filling up my head for a week and a half, and I felt both more victorious with every chapter crossed off and more full of deep regret that the end was coming for me. I loved learning about the background of so many things I've always loved. Gods, Goddess, Music, Holy Cities, The terrible falls and great aspirations. I did skip the nearly verbatim chapters of Hurin nd Turin from Children Of, but everything else had my undivided attention and love. ( )

4**** for the work itself, but 3*** or at best 3½*** specifically for ISBN 0618391118, a rather expensive and oversized coffee-table book. I'm not that impressed with the originality of the edition's copious illustrations, which could have shown a bit more variety in style. It would also have helped if the captions accompanied each illustration at the bottom of the page rather than being limited to a table of illustrations at the beginning of the book. ( )

Brilliantly captures a sense of true mythology and history. A fantastic book. ( )

Imaginem um grande argumento; um roteiro extenso para escrever outros livros. Nele, há todo os arcos, acontecimentos e personagens necessários. Mas não há descrições, conversas, elocubrações, desenvolvimento, nem personalidades. O Silmarillion é isso e emprega como estratégia pra viabilizar isso um tom mítico, constante, grandioso, de frases certeiras mas de conteúdo vago, indeterminado. E muitos nomes em élfico, pra dar um efeito de "tempos remotos". A magia infanto-juvenil do Hobbit e as detida prosa incrível do Senhor dos Anéis não comparece. ( )

Reads like the Bible, and not the good parts. Still, forward, glad to have finished ahead of the new Prime series. Hadn't attempted since about 14 after purchasing a long-lost paperback at a mall bookstore. Folio Society version was much nicer. ( )

Summary: An epic retelling of the Hobbit and LOTR and everything that went before. Epic (did I mention that already). Epic.

Things I liked:

Realness (if that's a word) even though it's set in a fantasy setting the it's written in the style and structure of an ancient history. Good guys don't always win (in fact they often get abruptly killed, go corrupt). As I was reading a lot of the stories reminded me of fairy tales or other stories I had read before; but all worked into the same big narrative. I was very impressed.

Touching: While a lot of the story is full of begats and transitions of hundreds of years at a time; the whole thing is peppered with little stories of people in love, or who love their family or who fill lost and afraid, or terribly hurt and angry. The contrast keeps it readable and creates lovely little mental anchors to the larger more impersonal stuff.


Things I thought could have been improved:

Hard to say, I know I ended up just letting a lot of the names flow past me (there's lots and they get confusing). I was reading an ebook version and it occured to me that names could have been hyperlinked back and forth to the index of names at the back of the book (I probably would have used this to keep track of who was who a bit more). That said if I'd been reading a paper book that would have been pretty easy as well. Similar story with the maps.

I wouldn't have minded a few more maps perhaps contrasting middle earth pre/post the vengence of the valar on numinor .

Highlight:

I think for me the highlight was right at the end. The epic retelling of all of the hobbit and lotr in about 5 pages and seeing it in the new context as the end of a larger tale of the Eldar gave me a lovely sense of peace and completion. I think I'll rewatch/reread LOTR now with a lot of satisfaction. ( )