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Do not expect a pure story, but rather a long recollection of sometimes related, and sometimes not related, events. If you casually enjoy the world the Tolkiens have wrought, or just watched the movies, I caution that you vary well may get bogged down in the first 30 pages or fewer. Tolkien through this work, as faithfully published by his son, Christopher, because of the incredible depth it contains. It fills in many of the blanks and answers many questions an interested reader may have after completing The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Nevertheless, the fact that Tolkien was so precise is a testament to his desire to create a believable world, and for this reason, it is tough to condemn him for giving many people and things two or even three names.
It recounts most of the history of Middle Earth from before its creation, up to a brief recounting of the events of The Lord of the Rings. Indeed, in many of the stories recounted, at least a shadow of biblical inspiration is hard to deny. I gained a renewed respect for the imagination of J.R.R. If you love Tolkien and are an avid reader, I recommend The Silmarillion. A very interesting book to say the least.
However, it is a very slow read at times, rather like the Old Testament books of 1 and 2 Kings and 1 and 2 Chronicles in the Bible. Perhaps my only criticism, beyond what I have already mentioned, is the confusion that can be incurred on the reader by the many and complex names of peoples, lands, locations, cities, and individuals of the various races.
Not one review talks about the quality of the unabridged cd's production or the narrator's performance reading the entire book. I need info about these unabridged CDs. Why are all these reviews about the hard copy book and not the unabridged narration on CD. If I wanted info about the book itself, I'd go to that product page.
It reads like mythology and not a novel. Tolkien has many names in his Elvish language. The book is so dense with information. It can be a hard read.
It sheds some background and history to it. It covers the First Age and Second Age heavily while just summarizing the Third Age. The Silmarillion has five parts. It shouldn't be your first read. I would start with "Lord of the Rings". There is tons of action, and many characters with interesting names. If you're not use to it, try getting the audio CD.
If you read LOTR then this is a MUST read. If you're a Tolkien fan, you'll love it. The book gives the history of Middle-Earth. If you want to remember all the names and places, it may make sense to read it twice.
At times I got bogged down and found it dry, but that was a signal to put it down and pick up the book the next night and approach fresh and even reread a few pages before continuing on. Although it was unfinished it doesn't affect it's powerful messages. This is a book that you must read word for word, slowly getting used to the character's names. I think the Silmarillion adds depth to all the other books he's written. I've read most. If you've read the Lord of the Rings, I think this will give you even more enjoyment.
One also discovers that thread of history that leads to Shelob.I don't believe in spoilers appearing in reviews; but I will say that the description of the High King Fingolfin's challenge of single combat to Morgoth is probably the most thrilling 2-300 words of fiction in the English language. You often hear about "must-reads", and I agree with many of such assertions, but The Silmarillion must stand at the top of that list. It covers the creation of the world, and the advent of the gods and of the various races, including men, but is mostly about that most ascendent of the ancient races; the Eldar, the Elves. I'm not judging, I'm just saying.The book is written as a condensed history of the ancient world, that wonderfully eroded bedrock upon which stands Middle Earth. There are those who say that it is not for everyone. The Silmarillion, written by Tolkien, covers the history of the world in the ages before the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I suggest that, if this book is not in your library, in hardcover, and perused once a year or so, you are not truly a lover of pure fantasy, but are instead hanging on at the edges, and are probably an afficianado of one of fantasy's less prevalent sub-genres. It is, in fact, their story, and helps the reader to understand their standing in the world at the time of LOTR.In the Silmarillion, one is introduced to the origins of the main protagonists in LOTR, including Gandolf's people, Aragorn's ancestors, Beren and Luthien, and even Sauron, in his role as the lietenant of Morgoth, the great Ancient Enemy.
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