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The Silmarillion is actually Tolkien’s first book and also his last. In origin it precedes even The Hobbit, and is the story of the First Age of Tolkien’s Middle Earth. It shows us the ancient history to which characters in The Lord of the Rings look back, talk, rhyme and sing about. Tolkien worked on it, changed it, and enlarged it throughout his entire life. It was edited and published posthumously by his son Christopher Tolkien, with the assistance of fantasy fiction writer Guy Gavriel Kay to reconstruct some major parts.
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Not the easiest of reads; but then again, who would sit down and listen to, say, the complete works of J.S. Bach in one go? It also contains the finest sentence I’ve ever noticed anywhere – the opening of the Beren and Lúthien chapter, which reads like the opening of a Romantic (not romantic) piece of music. And he did it all on his own… where did he find the time?
My personal hope is that no-one ever thinks they can make a motion picture of it.
It’s too good for a motion picture, seriously.
Hey, I would like to listen to the complete works of J. S. Bach in a go ;) That might take the whole day but I’d totally love it.
I really enjoy all the "historeis" in the book. Tolkien's brain is amazing!
I got mad at the Noldors, though...they remind me of World War I and World War II, by the way.
It is sort of a history book for the Middle Earth.
I've just finished reading it for the fifth time….....And it does not cease to amaze me.
Because Tolkien was a genius. It's a matter of regret that he never finished it... but anyone who knows his work understands that he was forever tinkering with details and that that was his chief delight - and actually finishing it would have meant that he would have to find something else to say.
Me, I'm just glad that he spent a lifetime getting it as right as he could - even though we're left with such apparent contradictions as the death of Glorfindel in the First Age and his subsequent 'resurrection' to meet Frodo and thwart the ambitions of the Nine Riders in Frodo's approach to Imladris in The Lord of the Rings.
I also stand by my remark about the 'finest sentence I've ever noticed anywhere' below.
Or above, depending on your Bestuff settings.
it is a hard read. not something to stay with for long, you have to pace yourself or you will have an overload. but it is a beautiful piece of work i have enjoyed it very much.
ive read it about 3 times and i can honestly say that every time there are just loads of stuff that i understand better and appreciate more as i go. it is almost like the book grows new pages and beauty each time you put it down so you can read them the next while