The Silmarillion

This book is more geared toward the avid fans of the Lord of The Rings trilogy. If you really didn't enjoy The Hobbit or The Lord of The Rings, then you definitely won't enjoy reading this book. The references it makes toward Tolkien's other books are very specific. Likewise, the tales it collects or of the so-called Elder Days of Middle-Earth. You can give it a read anyway, but unless you loved...more

This book is more geared toward the avid fans of the Lord of The Rings trilogy. If you really didn't enjoy The Hobbit or The Lord of The Rings, then you definitely won't enjoy reading this book. The references it makes toward Tolkien's other books are very specific. Likewise, the tales it collects or of the so-called Elder Days of Middle-Earth. You can give it a read anyway, but unless you loved LoTR, you most likely will not enjoy this book.   hide

Amazing... I can't even explain... just read it :)

Don't expect an epic narrative a la Lord of the Rings; the Silmarillion is more a series of related short stories that recount the origins and early history of middle earth, and especially of the elves whose descendants populate the world of the Lord of the Rings. The language is beautiful, and many of the stories are moving and compelling in their own right. Tolkien's use of the English...more

Don't expect an epic narrative a la Lord of the Rings; the Silmarillion is more a series of related short stories that recount the origins and early history of middle earth, and especially of the elves whose descendants populate the world of the Lord of the Rings. The language is beautiful, and many of the stories are moving and compelling in their own right. Tolkien's use of the English language is masterful, in an entirely different league from the vast majority of fantasy on the market today. And the world he created holds together better than virtually all of the many writers who have followed in his footsteps. If you enjoyed LOR, and want to understand the history that got middle earth to where it is in the trilogy, this is truly essential reading.   hide

...Then Fingolfin beheld (as it seemed to him) the utter ruin of the Noldor, and the defeat beyond redress of all their houses; and filled with wrath and despair he mounted upon Rochallor his great horse and rode forth alone, and none might restrain him. He passed over Dor-nu-Fauglith like a wind amid the dust, and all that beheld his onset fled in amaze , thinking Orome himself...more

...Then Fingolfin beheld (as it seemed to him) the utter ruin of the Noldor, and the defeat beyond redress of all their houses; and filled with wrath and despair he mounted upon Rochallor his great horse and rode forth alone, and none might restrain him. He passed over Dor-nu-Fauglith like a wind amid the dust, and all that beheld his onset fled in amaze , thinking Orome himself was come; for a great madness of rage was upon him, so that his eyes shone like the eyes of the Valar. Thus he came alone to Angband's gates, and he sounded his horn, and smote once upon the brazen doors, and challenged Morgoth to come forth to single combat . And Morgoth came. i kako ovo covek da ne obozava :) ????   hide

The main focus of the book is Quenta Silmarillion, which mainly covers the First Age stories of the Elves. While each chapter follows one another in succession to tell the complete story, the individual chapters are almost like short stories within themselves, giving further insight to Tolkien's world and setting up the background for The Hobbit and The LOTR series. I am completely amazed...more

The main focus of the book is Quenta Silmarillion, which mainly covers the First Age stories of the Elves. While each chapter follows one another in succession to tell the complete story, the individual chapters are almost like short stories within themselves, giving further insight to Tolkien's world and setting up the background for The Hobbit and The LOTR series. I am completely amazed and blown away by Tolkien's ability to successfully weave a Creation Story that not only makes sense, but is wonderful to read. The Silmarillion is felt more like a history book rather than a fiction novel. Throughout my reading the book, I had to keep a finger as a bookmark for the index. There were so many time when I couldn't remember a certain name, location, or the correct pronounciation of a word. The index and map were a huge help in navigating through the entire story. A must-read for any fan of fantasy and Tolkien lore.   hide

Excellent, but very sad. It takes a long time to get into; it actually kind of reads like the Bible. Once you get about 100 pages in though, it gets terrific.

In many respects this is Tolkien's best work. It was the first middle earth book he started and was published until after his death; literally his life's work are in these pages. At times it may be a little tougher to read than the Hobbit or LOTR but overall it is a much deeper and richer work. the Silmarillion is the history of Middle Earth. introduction tons of new characters as...more

In many respects this is Tolkien's best work. It was the first middle earth book he started and was published until after his death; literally his life's work are in these pages. At times it may be a little tougher to read than the Hobbit or LOTR but overall it is a much deeper and richer work. the Silmarillion is the history of Middle Earth. introduction tons of new characters as well as exploring some we've seen before this epic is amazing for any LOTR fan but probably very overwhelming for those who aren't.   hide

Of all of Tolkien's books I've read, this was the most disappointing. I didn't even bother to finish it. It was that bad.

Hate this book. One of the top 10 worst things I've read.