Starting on "The Silmarillion" by JRR Tolkien
By abhi_destar
@abhi_destar (764)
India
July 17, 2011 10:50pm CST
Just bought this book over the weekend and started reading it. The very beginning contains a letter by JRR Tolkien to his publisher explaining to him in a gist what the contents of his novels are. That itself proved to be quite an interesting read, with the entire Lord of the Rings universe laid out to you in the coirse of a few pages. The book essentially contains the myth of the creation of the world and the coming of the Eldar into Middle Earth, and ultimately the forging of the Nine Rings. So I'm looking forward for quite an interesting read. Before this, I had also bought "The Children of Hurin", which contained the heart-wrenching story of the two children of Hurin, his son Turin and daughter Niniel.So have you also read these stories which provide the background to the epic story? Come, share with me your views regarding them, and if you haven't yet read them but liked "the Lord of the Rings", then I suggest you go grab your copy soon!!!
1 person likes this
5 responses
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
18 Jul 11
I've read the Silmarillion, and it was a pretty hard read for me, but I did enjoy it a little. It read more like a book of history than a straight-through novel. It's basically world-building and backstory. I would only recommend it to the biggest Lord of the Rings fans.
Haven't read Children of Hurin yet but it's on my to-read list.
@abhi_destar (764)
• India
19 Jul 11
Hi ally, I have been expecting your response from yesterday. 
Yes, the Tolkien novels are of course hard-read for anybody, seeing as all of them are written in old Shakespearean english. These books are meant for the hardcore fans indeed, those who want to more of the world as created by Tolkien and how it came into being. You may read the Children of Hurin, but it's a really sad story, not at all like The Lord of the Rings, where the hero rises above all evil and finally regains his peace.
Yes, the Tolkien novels are of course hard-read for anybody, seeing as all of them are written in old Shakespearean english. These books are meant for the hardcore fans indeed, those who want to more of the world as created by Tolkien and how it came into being. You may read the Children of Hurin, but it's a really sad story, not at all like The Lord of the Rings, where the hero rises above all evil and finally regains his peace.1 person likes this
@abhi_destar (764)
• India
26 Jul 11
Well, that is seeing from Frodo's viewpoint only. But if you see from Aragorn's side, he finally regained his kingdom after such a long exile, and was united with the love of his life, Arwen. Frodo also chose the path himself, and was happy with what he chose, but the children of Hurin have no choice in their lives. They are pre-destined. I won't give away more, but do tell me when you complete reading it if your opinion still stands that it can't be sadder than the Silmarillion.
1 person likes this
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
23 Jul 11
lol, I think Lord of the Rings had kind of a bittersweet ending. On the one hand, yes he rose above all evil. But then he could never be happy again in the Shire with all his friends... he was too broken for that. He did find peace again, but only after he left the world and everyone who loved him. Kinda sad, but a happy sad ending. If that makes any sense... lol
But Silmarillion had some really sad parts too, so I imagine that Children of Hurin could be along the same lines. I will read it eventually.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
19 Jul 11
The band Marillion was named after the Silmarillion book but they dropped the "Sil" for some reason. I've never read the book but I would like to one day and rediscover The Hobbit, etc.
If someone buys me an Amazon Kindle I'll read all of them lol.
@abhi_destar (764)
• India
19 Jul 11
Thanks for the trivia, Janey, I didn't know this fact.
Well, you can actually read the stories on your mobile device also, if you are a fan of ebooks, like me. I actually have the Amazon Kindle Android app on my handset, and download lots of stories to peruse at my leisure. So you don't have to wait for a Kindle reader to get to read these stories.
Well, you can actually read the stories on your mobile device also, if you are a fan of ebooks, like me. I actually have the Amazon Kindle Android app on my handset, and download lots of stories to peruse at my leisure. So you don't have to wait for a Kindle reader to get to read these stories.@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
19 Jul 11
I do because I don't have a mobile phone either lol. Thanks for the information though, it's much appreciated.
@penrockerchic (1903)
• Philippines
18 Jul 11
I've read the Lord of the Rings books and even that of The Hobbit. JRR Tolkien is a really great author. I still don't have a copy of The Silmarillion and I am betting that sooner or later, this is going to be a big hit as a book with great potential of a film adaptation. I'm going to check it out in our local bookstores if they're available. Hope you enjoy reading!! Thanks for sharing.
@abhi_destar (764)
• India
19 Jul 11
I have also read The Hobbit, but it seemed to be more like a lightly written story, more like children's fairy tales than the epic Lord of the Rings, which contained some really serious thought. As I have heard, the filming of The Hobbit is already underway, with many of the Lord of the Rings cast, even Elijah Wood himself being recalled. Let's see what they intend to do with The Silmarillion.
@BalthasarTheRat (656)
• United States
18 Jul 11
I had a copy of The Book of Lost Tales, which was a collection of stories that helped shape what eventually became The Silmarillion. It was hard to read and very dry but it did show some of the evolution of concepts in Tolkien's elvish history.
I lost my copy to flood damage and have not yet replaced it :(
I vaguely remember The Silmarillion feeling stilted as well. Not as bad the short stories in Lost Tales, but still not as smooth or consistent as the trilogy. I guess I am overdue for re-reading it. Thanks for the suggestion!
Have fun reading!
@abhi_destar (764)
• India
19 Jul 11
As I have heard, The Book of Lost Tales is actually a compilation of some sketches of the whole Lord of the Rings which JRR Tolkien was creating in the earlier stages of his writing, compiled by his son, Christopher, which as a result, were unfinished, and incomplete. So of course, they are bound to be dry and not much interesting to read. The Silmarillion is also something like that only, but I think the concepts here are more complete, more in sync with what he goes on to write in The Lord of the Rings.
But as far as I can judge from your tone, you didn't quite like reading this book also. So why do you want to re-read it?
