Click on a thumbnail to go to Google Books.
Loading... The Silmarillion (original 1999; edition 2004)by J.R.R. Tolkien
Work InformationThe Silmarillion by J. R. R. Tolkien (1999)
Best Fantasy Novels (45) 1970s (3) » 32 more Favourite Books (265) Favorite Childhood Books (607) 20th Century Literature (319) Books Read in 2021 (592) Childhood Favorites (116) Books Read in 2022 (619) Folio Society (368) Books Read in 2019 (2,083) Art of Reading (83) SantaThing 2014 Gifts (173) Swinging Seventies (60) Favorite Long Books (312) Unread books (925) Loading...
Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book.
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.
At its best Tolkien's posthumous revelation of his private mythology is majestic, a work held so long and so power fully in the writer's imagination that it overwhelms the reader. Like Tolkien's other books, The Silmarillion presents a doomed but heroic view of creation that may be one of the reasons why a generation growing up on the thin gruel of television drama, and the beardless cynicism of Mad magazine, first found J.R.R. Tolkien so rich and wonderful. If "The Hobbit" is a lesser work that the Ring trilogy because it lacks the trilogy's high seriousness, the collection that makes up "The Silmarillion" stands below the trilogy because much of it contains only high seriousness; that is, here Tolkien cares much more about the meaning and coherence of his myth than he does about these glories of the trilogy: rich characterization, imagistic brilliance, powerfully imagined and detailed sense of place, and thrilling adventure. Not that these qualities are entirely lacking here. Is contained inTolkien Fantasy Tales Box Set (The Tolkien Reader/The Silmarillion/Unfinished Tales/Sir Gawain and the Green Knight) by J. R. R. Tolkien LORD OF THE RINGS, SILMARILLION, HOBBIT, BOOK OF LOST TALES, UNFINISHED TALES IN 8 VOLS Easton Press by J. R. R. Tolkien The Children of Húrin Paperback Box Set: The Children of Hurin / The Silmarillion / Unfinished Tales by J. R. R. Tolkien ContainsIs abridged inIs parodied inWas inspired byInspiredHas as a reference guide/companionHas as a studyHas as a supplementHas as a commentary on the textAwardsDistinctionsNotable Lists
Tolkien considered The Silmarillion his most important work, and, though it was published last and posthumously, this great collection of tales and legends clearly sets the stage for all his other writing. The story of the creation of the world and of the First Age, this is the ancient drama to which the characters in The Lord of the Rings look back and in whose events some of them, such as Elrond and Galadriel, took part. The three Silmarils were jewels created by Feanor, most gifted of the Elves. Within them was imprisoned the Light of the Two Trees of Valinor before the Trees themselves were destroyed by Morgoth, the first Dark Lord. Thereafter, the unsullied Light of Valinor lived on only in the Silmarils, but they were seized by Morgoth and set in his crown, which was guarded in the impenetrable fortress of Angband in the north of Middle-earth. The Silmarillion is the history of the rebellion of Feanor and his kindred against the gods, their exile from Valinor and return to Middle-earth, and their war, hopeless despite all their heroism, against the great Enemy. No library descriptions found.
|
Current DiscussionsBook Discussion: The Silmarillion in The Green Dragon Popular covers
Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)823.912Literature English & Old English literatures English fiction Modern Period 1901-1999 1901-1945LC ClassificationRatingAverage:
Is this you?Become a LibraryThing Author. |
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. ( )