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rowanjrose's review against another edition
I will come back for you some other time
venla_reads's review against another edition
4.0
It took a year, but I finally finished Silmarillion! I've probably already forgotten most of it, but it was interesting (most of the time) and I admire Tolkien's work so much. It's just soooo difficult for me to keep up with the countless names, family trees and happenings, especially because (for a lot of it) there is no visual presentation.
I probably won't do a full reread anytime soon but I do plan on going back to reread certain chapters.
I probably won't do a full reread anytime soon but I do plan on going back to reread certain chapters.
sarahetc's review against another edition
I tried twice in paper. I tried once on audio. I just cannot. I'll try again later.
yars_reading_corner's review against another edition
5.0
The silmarilion has a reputation of being too difficult to handle or remember all the names from and regarded as a tedious work of Tolkein, however the mindset and preparation really made all the difference when I tried reading it the second time around, this time these things helped me get the hang of most parts of the Silmarilion:
- Viewing the book as a history of Middle Earth instead of a story like a novel, there are many bits and pieces of short stories here and there in the book and it’s meant to be read first in Tolkein’s Middle Earth collection to gain more knowledge of what’s happened before and what to expect, but they are mostly centered on a time before the events of the Hobbit and the LOTR trilogy.
- Watching a lot of youtube videos from really good channels run by geeks that have read the books multiple times before making the videos (so basically spoil yourself).
- This book was written by a man who was a professor of Old and Middle English langauge (and literature) with myriads of enlightenment of different philosophies and old beliefs (myths too) and languages, neither of these were small feats and they have reflected not only on the depth of his world-building but also the advanced level of language he used to write his books, we see a lot of words that are no longer in use throughout the texts helping his books appear more ancient and as if they speak of a time long ago when this langauge was the norm.
In conclusion, DON’T LET ANYONE ROB YOU OF THE JOY AND FULFILLMENT OF READING THIS MASTERPIECE AFTER THE LOTR IF YOU LIKE THE LATTER!! <3
- Viewing the book as a history of Middle Earth instead of a story like a novel, there are many bits and pieces of short stories here and there in the book and it’s meant to be read first in Tolkein’s Middle Earth collection to gain more knowledge of what’s happened before and what to expect, but they are mostly centered on a time before the events of the Hobbit and the LOTR trilogy.
- Watching a lot of youtube videos from really good channels run by geeks that have read the books multiple times before making the videos (so basically spoil yourself).
- This book was written by a man who was a professor of Old and Middle English langauge (and literature) with myriads of enlightenment of different philosophies and old beliefs (myths too) and languages, neither of these were small feats and they have reflected not only on the depth of his world-building but also the advanced level of language he used to write his books, we see a lot of words that are no longer in use throughout the texts helping his books appear more ancient and as if they speak of a time long ago when this langauge was the norm.
In conclusion, DON’T LET ANYONE ROB YOU OF THE JOY AND FULFILLMENT OF READING THIS MASTERPIECE AFTER THE LOTR IF YOU LIKE THE LATTER!! <3
breeperscreepers's review against another edition
5.0
"-- behind it even to the mountains, he piled the thunderous towers of Thangorodrim, that were made of the ash and slag of his subterranean furnaces, and the vast refuse of his tunnelings. They were black and desolate and exceedingly lofty; and smoke issued from their tops, dark and foul upon the northern sky. Before the gates of Angband filth and desolation spread southward for many miles over the wide plain of Ardgalen..."
I loved this even more than the trilogy. Fucking fantastic imagery - seas of grinding ice and ships sailing amongst stars and voids. Stark, snowy mountains and dark fir forests empty of all but feral horrors. This was so incredibly evocative and grand. The fight between Fingolfin and Morgoth is probably the single most epic page I've ever read in my life.
I loved this even more than the trilogy. Fucking fantastic imagery - seas of grinding ice and ships sailing amongst stars and voids. Stark, snowy mountains and dark fir forests empty of all but feral horrors. This was so incredibly evocative and grand. The fight between Fingolfin and Morgoth is probably the single most epic page I've ever read in my life.
owe777's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
a_chickletz's review against another edition
4.0
I always said I'd read the 'bible' of Lord of the Rings. I am proud to announce that I read it!
Armed with a 'map' and a wiki, I was able to comb through the Silmarillion. It's amazing reading these events and finding the choices made by others and and their predecessors shaped the characters and the world of Middle Earth that we know now!
My favorite chapters were of Turin, Luthien and Beren, and countless stories of Morgoth/Melkor going against the Varda and their offspring.
I'm really hoping that one day this book is adapted to the screen - may it be animation, a mini-series, a documentary, I don't know. It's a wonderful read and I'm glad it exists.
Armed with a 'map' and a wiki, I was able to comb through the Silmarillion. It's amazing reading these events and finding the choices made by others and and their predecessors shaped the characters and the world of Middle Earth that we know now!
My favorite chapters were of Turin, Luthien and Beren, and countless stories of Morgoth/Melkor going against the Varda and their offspring.
I'm really hoping that one day this book is adapted to the screen - may it be animation, a mini-series, a documentary, I don't know. It's a wonderful read and I'm glad it exists.