The Silmarillion

Rating: Rings

July 09, 2003

By JRR Tolkien (edited by Christopher Tolkien)

List price (mass-market paperback edition): $6.99

Ballantine Books

--Description (from back of the book): The Silmarillion is Tolkien's first book and his last. Long preceding in its origins The Lord of the Rings, it is the story of the First Age of Tolkien's world, the ancient drama to which characters in The Lord of the Rings look back, and in which some of them, such as Elrond and Galadriel, took part. The Silmarillion was begun in 1917, and Tolkien worked on it, changed it, and enlarged it throughout his life. Edited by his son, Christopher Tolkien, the book finally appeared four years after the author's death.

Review by Naomi:

In the beginning, there was the One, Eru, and he made all.

As the equivalent to the Bible, the Silmarillion is the recording of Time, from the Creation (Genesis), to the Awakening of the Firstborn, and finally to the Great Wars of the powers to be and all of Ilúvatar’s children, shaping the Ages of the world passed and gone.
Behind the written words, the driving force is the desire to uncovering the root of all cultures, of all peoples; unraveling the secrets of the Earth, of the giveth and taketh of life, of all probabilities of existence and evolution.

Tolkien’s mythology focuses on the belief that in the beginning, when the lands were still young and unmarred, a better world there was, an utopia, paradise-on-earth, more poetic and beautiful and strong than Man can hope to comprehend, but true; where mightier beings than Man-kind in thought and form lived, ruled, loved, lost, wronged, and grieved.

In this documentation of the Past, folklore and myths of Finnish, Celtic, Welsh, German, Nordic, and English origin intertwine to form a great ballad of the Houses of the Firstborn dynasty. Of their courage, heroism, vanity, betrayals, beauty, grace, love, might, honor, strengths and weaknesses, blessings and oaths, tragedies, and hierarchy, throughout the lineage of the noble houses – the Kings of Elves.

There isn’t a literary work more powerfully sad, daunting, and wondrous, which rebukes Man, fascinates him, makes him wonder and brings thought into his choices and actions.
It is a delight wholly dedicated to thought.

Review by Rohani Eowyn:

“The Silmarillion” is just like an epic and just like encyclopedia. That book gives readers the best knowledge about Middle-Earth and ageless story. Because J.R.R. Tolkien’s son Christopher Tolkien finished “The Silmarillion” and the book has completed by his father writings and notes, the result is differed by its nature and structure than “The Lord of the Rings” or “The Hobbit.” After all, “The Silmarillion” isn’t one complete story but the book has divided into five parts – "Ainulindalë", "Valaquenta", "Quenta Silmarillion", "Akallabêth" and "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age.” All part of this book is just like history manual, full of myths and legends.

"Ainulindalë" starts the tour through Three Ages of Middle-Earth by creating the world, lands and races. "Valaquenta" talks further details about Valar, Maiar and The Enemy – Melkor. "Quenta Silmarillion" is longer epic about Silmarils, made by Fëanor. The third part talks about the tragedy and feats, about hate and anger what related by those three Silmarils. "Quenta Silmarillion" is historical resource what covers whole Fist Age. Thanks to that part of “The Silmarillion” we better understand about “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit.” "Akkalabêth" talks about Fall of the Numenor, about rise and fall of Sauron. The last Part of the book – “Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age” – gives us a good ending for our tour through Three Ages. That part of book talks about fate of the Great Rings, Isildur’s Bane, arriving of Saruman and Gandalf, the last Rise of Sauron and the War of the Ring.

“The Silmarillion” is one of the greatest pearls of Tolkein’s imagination. The first notes of The Silmarillion” were written in days of First World War and author continued developing his mythology through his lifetime. Because Tolkien’s life was eventfully and with great chances, many of the appears in “The Silmarillion.” “The Silmarillion” is full of mythical characters, places and heroically events. Tolkien’s characters are variegated with great destiny and complicated life. “The Silmarillion” is not only fruit of great imagination – we can find many parallels between book and reality. Problems, what Tolkien covered in his ageless epic, don’t come out of somewhere but in the same world what surround us.

“The Silmarillion” is one of the greatest and perfect mythologies, which swallows the readers into its magical world and don’t let us go before we have finished Tolkien’s ageless story. “The Silmarillion” is the lifetime work of the great man, but it also reflects us too – our madness, greed of power, our foolish.

Comments:

The Silmarillion is the best book that I have ever read. It is intriging but it is not for everyone to read. Only dedicated Tolkien fans.

Posted by: Luthien Tinuviel at July 26, 2003 05:46 AM

The Silmarillion is something that you must read in order to fully understand Professor Tolkien. It is the most dramatic and breath-holding book af all times where you can see the true face of Middle Earth. If you don't know Silmarillion you don't know this whole world.
Life-long Tolkien fan, Nad Gamgee

Posted by: Nad Gamgee at September 15, 2003 09:17 AM

The Silmarillion is a must read for any Tolkien fan. The sheer scale and beauty of the world is breathtaking. I dare anyone to read the love stories that take place during this book, and not be moved. I have read this book 4 times and still get tears when I relive the story of Turin and Niniel, or Luthien and Beren. To sum up this book in 4 words: beautiful, sorrowful, rich and brilliant.
5 stars!!!

Posted by: Aredhel the White at October 20, 2003 09:12 PM

The Silmarillion is, like Peter Jackson said, the iceberg, and LOFTR is only the top of it. It's the graetest work of Tolkien no doubt. The lovestories really are deep and true, no Hollywoodbullshit it's just great. Me aswell i read it three times and i will read it again 'cause it's so nice, and so sad aswell. There's no happyend in this book and a lot of really sad storys. And that's what it makes so nice. The history of the great Noldor, and Feanor, i could dream nonstop in this world.
READ IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Philip Mormegil at November 21, 2003 10:16 AM

The Silmarillion an amazing book for all those who truly appreciate Tolkien's works. Written in a style different from The Hobbit, it somehow seems more meaningful because of the language used. The tales of Luthien and Beren, the evil god, Melkor, aka Morgoth, Feanor and the fall Numenor will touch you and haunt you for weeks afterwards. Now go out and read it!

Posted by: Annawen of Rivendell at December 9, 2003 10:47 PM

The Silmarillion is a truly astonishing book, it gives you a better understanding of how things came to be. I get tears in my eyes every time I read about Fingolfin, Beren, epecial Huan and the love stories touch my heart every time. I love this book; It’s a truly inspiring book, therfore i give The Silmarillion 5 stars out of 5. :)

Posted by: melissa at December 16, 2003 12:41 AM

The most amazing book of J.R.R. Tolkien.I think the power of Melkor is like a two bladed sword.His evil power and darkness shows Tolkien's bad side,but anyway my favorite is Huan the wolf of Oreme.It is like an history book but ıt isnt boring.The Silmarillon is good.

Posted by: ObliU at December 23, 2003 06:17 PM

I consider The Silmarillion the best book of J.R.R. Tolkien. I especially like the part when gollum bites off Frodo's finger when he tried to retrieve the ring from him. Very good book.

Posted by: joseph at January 9, 2004 06:42 AM

I love this book. Its been very useful to me for writing character applications for rpg's. The information is just so indepth and its amazing.

Tolkien has created a whole new world in various ages and its just fantastic.

Posted by: Galadriel at February 2, 2004 02:19 PM

I think The Silmarillion is possibly the greatest book ever! It is so moving and sad in parts, but in others it really makes you feel proud of the elves, even though you aren't one yourself. Turin Turambar is the best story by far.

Posted by: Frodo of Somerset at February 22, 2004 06:36 PM

The Silmarillion is a most amazing collection of tales of Arda from the first few ages the Tolkien envisioned. It was good at the beginning, alothough hard to get a mental picture of the Ainur and all the listless and endless Valar and Maiar to remember. It really makes you develop an imagination. I love the middle stories, especially Of Beren and Luthien. That is GREAT part of the book. IM not finished yet, so I'll go finish now! bye! good reading.

Posted by: AragornWitchKing at March 28, 2004 03:12 AM

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