The Silmarillion is difficult to read and I don't think it is even meant to be read straight through like a novel. Another reviewer put it best when he said "The Silmarillion is like the Bible, it's the Bible of Middle Earth". It's the magical setting of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings and it tells the history of the place, the inhabitants, the languages, and the legends that came before Bilbo and Frodo. For you Ring fanatics, you haven't finished the story until you've read the history.

OKAY THIS IS MY FAVORITE THING RIGHT NOW AND I'M ACTUALLY IN TEARS BC I ALREADY FORGOT HALF THE NAMES (I'M WRITING THIS REVIEW ONE MONTH LATE) BUT I'M ALSO FULL OF JOY BECAUSE I KNOW THAT I WILL RE-READ THIS FRIGGIN' MASTERPIECE MANY TIMES THROUGHOUT MY LIFE.

This is my favorite work of Tolkien so far... I have only read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings and they're both fantastic BUT The Silmarillion is 10 times better! In my opinion, Tolkien really shines when it comes to worldbuilding and creating original concepts... you just have to look at the detail that went into creating the languages and names of Middle-Earth, it is breathtaking work! However, he's not the best at characterisation and making his readers feel with his characters. When reading his primary work, I always struggled to connect with Bilbo or Frodo or any of the side characters. I loved reading about their journey, seeing the places they got to see, facing the struggles they had to face, but they as characters remained rather pale to me.

That's why I think I personally vibe so much with The Silmarillion. This book of lore and background information is not about characters at all, it's basically 100% worldbuilding and concepts and that's what Tolkien does best! Each chapter can be read on its own, it always holds a "finished" story – though, of course, the chapters go hand in hand and are in chronological order. That works really well with Tolkien's way of approaching his work because he doesn't have to give us fully fleshed out characters (almost every chapter focuses on a different set of characters basically), he can just explore themes, the world and important events.

I can't go into detail when it comes to the plot/world building of this text (I promise I will next time I reread it this thang and properly annotate it) but for now I want to leave you with my two favorite stories: first off, the story of Fëanor who was a Ñoldorin Elf, second King of the Noldor, and one of the Elven kindred that departed from Valinor in the land of Aman, where they had lived with the Valar. I loved his particular story so much because he is a rebel and didn't give to shits about Iluvatar and the Valar. He's the reason the whole story gets rolling (comparable to Adam and Eve eating the apple and being banned from the Garden of Eden :D). And lastly, the story of Túrin Turambar, a man of the House of Hador, who became a tragic hero of the First Age. The way Tolkien narrates his particular story is so heartfelt and tragic, it really makes me want to read The Children of Húrin.

The Silmarillion gives a clear and comprehensive history of the mythological world Tolkien created to set his Lord of Rings trilogy. In five parts, he describes the world of which Middle Earth is a part, the spirits who rule the world (who the Men called gods), the making of Elves, Men, and Dwarfs, and the events that took place in the world, especially on Middle Earth from the First Age to the Third Age. In short, The Silmarillion can be safely described as a forerunner to the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Amidst the history, The Silmarillion also tells the dark story in the First Age, where Elves and Men in league battle with the First Dark Lord, Morgoth, to recover the "Silmarili" (three perfect jewels) which he has stolen from the High Elves. The bulk of the story (Quenta Silmarillion) is devoted to the heroism and valour of the Elves and Men in their terrible war against Morgoth, in the absence of the support of the ruling spirits (gods). Although I say there is a story (for there is), it is not a continuous and smoothly flowing story; in fact, the story is continued in detached episodes. Yet there is a sort of connectivity between the chapters to keep the readers on track with the story.

There are a huge number of characters, both Elves, and Men, without proper notes or charts that you cannot keep track of. The same can be said to places and battles. There were some helpful charts and maps in the edition I read which made the read a little easy. But I should have taken notes as I read along. That is something to remember when I return to it again (for I do plan to reread).

This was an interesting read, though I admit that it was one of the most difficult books that I read. What is amazing is the thoroughness that is displayed by Tolkien in creating this mythological world, the characters - Elves, Men, Dwarfs, Gods, Dark lord, and his creatures. The main characters being Elves and Men are described to the minutest detail including their different races and their descendants. It is really impressive. I have read that Tolkien always felt the absence of British lore and had felt the need to remedy the defect. I think his works quite compensate for that absence.

I did enjoy the read but I think I would have enjoyed it more had I given my full reading attention without other books getting in the way. So when I do return to this, I want to take proper time and space to read it.

After binge watching the extended editions of Lord of the Rings with one of my best friends, I have decided now's the time to return to Middle Earth in novel form. Very excited, very intimidated. Let's do this.

درود بر آسیموف عزیز که در مصاحبه‌ای گفت پنج بار ارباب حلقه‌ها را خواندم و برای من نوجوان عاشق‌اش اولین و مهم‌ترین کار زندگی‌ام شد خرید آثار تالکین

نوشتن درباره‌ی سیلماریون سخت است همان‌طور که اولین خوانشش در نوجوانی پدرم را درآورد. چون خیال می‌کردم باید تمامی اطلاعات کتاب را حفظ کنم. و در میان هزاران اسامی خودم را گم می‌یافتم. اما در خوانش دوم فهمیدم که قرار نیست مطالب کتاب را به ذهن سپرد بلکه باید در میان اسامی و مکان‌های کتاب که حفظ کردن‌شان اصلا ممکن نیست و هر وقت نیاز بود می‌توانیم به کتاب بازگردیم باید به نبوغ و قدرت آفرینش شگفت‌آور تالکین نگریست که چگونه دوره‌ی اول را خلق می‌کند. تالکین تالیف سیلماریلیون را در ۲۵ سالگی شروع کرد دهه‌ها قبل از انتشار هابیت و ارباب حلقه‌ها... این کتاب در تمامی عمر نویسندگی او همراهش بود و بعد از مرگش به چاپ رسید. کتابی درباره‌ی خلقت، تاریخ، نسل، خیانت، صلح و روایتی از ماندگاری کینه‌ها و دشمنی‌ها میان نژادهای مختلف. شروع جهانی پر از شخصیت و پیچیدگی که قرار است در ارباب حلقه‌ها و دوره‌ی سوم به اوج خود برسد

"Oh woe-begotten spirit, fall now into dark oblivion, and forget for a while the dreadful doom of life."

I must admit. I struggled.

Though I love the Lord of the Rings and the Middle Earth Universe with all of my heart, tackling a large part of its history in this manner was tough going.
The world Tolkien created is absolutely extraordinary, without a doubt. Unfortunately The Silmarillion is written as a long history or mythology of biblical proportions. Name after name, battle after battle, son after son. It was hard to follow.
I can respect how wonderfully intricate and detailed the world is - but with that many characters and no straight story to follow through.... I'm pleased to be able to say I've done it, but I don't think it's one I'll be able to come back to time and again. I'll stick to LOTR I think. Though I will read Beren and Lúthien and The Children of Húrin when I can. Tolkien truly is a master. 3.5 stars.

"Help oft shall come from the hands of the weak when the wise falter."

Addio, due volte amato!

Questo libro è la vita di Tolkien. Posto in gestazione dall'autore mentre era in trincea con il gas mostarda che imperversava sul fronte (fuoco dei draghi, Balrog) Questo libro rappresenta la mitopoietica del Fantasy. Tolkien crea il mondo di Arda (che per lui avrebbe dovuto rappresentare la Terra stessa) e non ha mai visto la luce proprio per le continue modifiche del primo padre John Ronald Reuel. Il figlio Christopher, con un inteso lavoro di editing, metterà la parola fine all'ultima avventura.
Parla della genesi, della creazione e dell'annientamento di razze ed ere.

Può essere suddiviso in:

- AINULINDALË e VALAQUENTA - ✸✸

Dove è forte l'aspetto biblico (Tolkier era molto religioso)

- QUENTA SILMARILLION - ✸✸✸✸✸

il cuore del romanzo e la vera gemma del genio creativo di Tolkien.
Basti pensare l'intreccio con cui genera le stirpi rese immortali nella storia della letteratura. Tale è la complessità che, al confronto, le casate nobiliari di Martin nella loro lotta al trono di spade possono essere composte da soli figli unici.
La nascita delle razze e la contrapposizione tra gli Elfi immortali, legati al Fato della Terra, e gli uomini, a cui è stato conferito il dono della morte, mostra il genio di Tolkien nel creare conflitto nella natura stessa delle cose, anche quando sono opposte e contrarie. Così gli Elfi aneleranno la morte e gli uomini la vita eterna.
Non ha senso spiegare i Silmaril. I gioielli di Arda sono l'arazzo su cui si snodano l'intera vicenda della Prima Era e penso sia giusto godersela leggendola o ascoltandola da esperti. Tolkien lascia poco spazio ai singoli personaggi perché sono le stirpi a muoversi sulla scacchiera del fato. Ci sono però delle eccezioni, tra questi mi hanno colpito:

1) Le peregrinazioni di Túrin Turambar dal Fato avverso (e l'accostamento alle 3 metamorfosi di Nietzsche )
2) La storia d'amore struggente di Beren e Lúthien e la stirpe dei mezzelfi
3) Il marinaio Eärendil detto “Stella del Vespro”.

- AKALLABÊTH e GLI ANELLI DEL POTERE E LA TERZA ERA -✸✸✸✸

Nel penultimo capitolo dell'opera si parla dell'ascesa e della caduta di Númenor, mentre l'ultimo è l'introduzione alla terza era, quella conosciuta ai più, Con Saruman (ex servo di Morgoth) e la forgiatura degli anelli del potere.

Libro densissimo. Sicuramente unico e incredibile (anche nei suoi momenti di noia e nei profluvi di elenchi; è un testo che ai giorni nostri è totalmente anti-commerciale: Elenchi di personaggi a profusione; assenza di dialoghi; Tell e don't show. Anni compressi in pagine e vite riassunte in poche righe. Eppure o forse proprio per questo è un libro unico, che racchiude gemme di bellezza e di una scrittura, quella sì, che si è persa nelle ere.
Sono stato tramortito dalla mole di storie ma sono soddisfatto di essere riuscito a tessere, seppur in modo superficiale, parte dei collegamenti che erano presenti nella mente di Tolkien su un'opera che ha smesso di scrivere e riadattare solo al sopraggiungimento del suo dono di morte.



haiku in Sindarin de "Il Silmarillion"

file:///C:/Users/39349/Desktop/haiku%...

I love this book.

A a teen in the late 70's I read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy and to this day they stand as my all time favorite story ever. I've read them, read them to my children and reread them to my self several times.

Many times I have heard people say that the one thing that bothered them most about LOTR is all the names, places and history mentioned that they do not understand. That is one of the reasons why I love The Silmarillion so much. Even though it is not usually mentioned in the same breath as The Hobbit and the LOTR, it is part of the story. And knowing this story gives a much greater appreciation for the others.

In the first book of the LOTR triogy (The Fellowship of the Ring) a Ranger called 'Strider' led Frodo the hobbit and his three companions to a place called Weathertop where, after setting up camp, he began to tell them the story of Beren and Luthian.

It is just a short pause in the trilogy, but how many know who Beren and Luthian were? Do you know the story of them, an elf maiden and a wayfaring man, falling in love and eventually battling Morgoth and winning back the precious Silmarillion gems? And do you have any idea who Morgoth was?

What if I told you that as powerful and evil as Sauron was, that Morgoth was even more so. After all, Morgoth was Saurons master.

And what about that Ranger I mentioned? Yeah, I know. You already know he is Aragorn, son of Arathorn, the rightful heir to the throne of Gondor. But do you know why he is the heir? Do you know the history of the Rangers, who are actually the Dunedain, who are the last race of Numenoreans, whose long ago island home of Numenor was sunk into the sea after being decieved by Sauron? Numenor, whom the elves also called...Atlantia!

The Silmarillion is a goldmine of this kind of history all the way from the creation of life to the third age of Middle Earth.

Learn the history of Sauron. Here you will actually read of him when he had shape, deceivingly befriended and even served men and elves on different occasions. Learn that he was a master of werewolves and vampires. Learn of his creation of the rings of power and the story behind the 9 men who fell under their power, eventually becoming the wraiths that served the dark lord.

And so much more. Discover the arachnid monster Ungoliant, the mother of Shelob. And Glaurong, the father of Smaug. Discover how the dwarves and the orcs came into existance.

And some of my favorites; learn of the history of Elrond, half elven and the Lady Galadriel. And finally, the wise ones sent by the Valar to aid against the evils of Sauron: Radagast, Saruman and Mithrandir who we know as Gandalf.

The Silmarillion, like the LOTR, is rife with names places and history. But to me, there is nothing boring about this book. It is mythological poetry...epic, and beautifully written by a master who actually began this venture because he wanted to create his own language. And a beautiful language it is.

If you have read the LOTR and then you read The Silmarillion, I guarantee it will make you want to go back and read the LOTR again. And when you do...when you listen to Strider relaying the lay of Luthian... you will know the story and the present tale will then become so much more richer and meaningful.

Did I already mention I love this book?

Το πραγματικά μεγάλο έργο του Τολκιν, δεν είναι ένα παραμύθι για παιδιά.
Είναι μοναδικό το βάθος του κόσμου που έφτιαξε ο Τολκιν (είναι γνωστό ότι εμπνεύστηκε και δημιούργησε μια ολόκληρη καινούργια γλώσσα για τα ξωτικά)
Ο όρος ''επικό'' δεν είναι αρκετός γι αυτό το βιβλίο.

The first fantasy book I ever read and still my all-time favorite. That said, it's not for everybody. It's been compared to the Old Testament, and that's still the best analogy; if you think that Moses leading his people out of Egypt is the stuff of grand drama, then this is the book for you, Tolkien fan or not. If you don't, then you probably ought to give The Silmarillion a pass, no matter how much you liked Tolkien's other work. This is not Lord of the Rings Plus; it's quite literally the Old Testament for Middle Earth, beginning with the creation of the world and ending just before the War of the Ring, which forms little more than a footnote in the more-than-epic sweep of time portrayed.

If you're excited rather than put off by the above, then what a ride you're in for. This is high fantasy on the grandest of scales: the song of creation, by which the gods call the world into existence; the first rising of the sun, sowing panic among the many dark creatures of Middle-Earth; the first dwarves, emerging blinking and wondering from their underground birthplace; and the great kingdoms of the Elves, at the height of their power, locked in war with Sauron's master. There are some slow parts: the beginning in particular features an overlong description of Middle-Earth's imaginary pantheon that almost made me put down the book the first time, and the ending seems tacked-on, a half-hearted attempt to extend the Silmarillion's timeline to that of the Rings trilogy. But the middle is golden. For those who are into this sort of thing, it'll be some of the best fiction you've ever read. Just know what you're getting into beforehand: I'm sure the spirit of J.R.R. will forgive you for skipping it.

Reader beware - the Silmarillion is not a novel, it's a history textbook. However, if you really love Middle-Earth and MUST HAVE MORE, this is the next book for you.

To put it another way:

The Silmarillion is prerequisite introductory reading for the aspiring Tolkienologist. If you can't handle it, you had better resign yourself to the more comfortable position of LotR enthusiast. The Silmarillion will make you late for dinner.

For comparative perspective:

I tried and failed to read the Silmarillion through three times before my palate developed. It has all the weight of an extended history-myth, as told by a professional scholar. Not recommended for casual reading.

Artwork by Ted Nasmith

The Ultimate Lord of the Rings Companion Guide

This is not the book to start out with when you want to dip your toes into Tolkien's LotR universe for the first time. The dense mythology and extraordinarily detailed collection of background stories is a spellbinding, fascinating piece of world building. You get centuries worth of stories, each of which could easily have filled a novel of their own, condensed into four hundred pages of intriguing, captivating compilations of what Tolkien envisioned his universe to be like.

Tolkien captures the rich history of his own fantasy world in a full display of his incomparable creativity. Keeping a notebook of the names and connections and relationships during the reading process is almost indispensable to the reading experience, for the story is so comprehensive and all-encompassing that it becomes easy to get lost in the countless arrays of characters. Reading this demands the reader's full concentration, and I feel like it inevitably works so much better when the reader is already familiar with the universe (i.e., the stories of LotR and The Hobbit). But if you are, it's a great companion piece that is not to be missed out on!