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Summary: A modern mythology and its foundation
Review: The publication of the Silmarillion was a labor of love by Christopher Tolkein, who was responding to JRR Tolkein's fans call for more tales from Middle Earth. His presentation of an edited prose version of his father's papers and notes gives us a coherent summary of the mythological foundation of Middle Earth and the basic conflict between the Children of Illuvitar and Evil. The style, a detached third person narrative, incorporates traditions from both the Christian Bible, the Norse epic poems, and more modern prose forms. It is useful to note that one of Tolkein's best serious works was his rendering of the Beowulf saga into English. His retelling of Sir Gawaine and the Green Knight also received critical praise when first published. For the modern fantasy reader, embracing "The Silmarillion's" style requires the same suspension of modern reality/disbelief required to enjoy fantasy novels. One should put oneself in the great hall of a King or chieftan, and imagine a skald, bard or travelling minstrel recounting the old stories and legends that tell the audience what shaped the world they live in. The MTV generation must remember that stories were once told where words painted pictures. Nowadays, the "a picture is worth a thousand words" model seems to be have taken the lead. A similar embracing of an author's style is required when reading Uncle Remus or Just So Stories, which use a particular voice to capture a time and condition with which we are not familiar in contemporary society. For non-Tolkein fans, The Silmarillion is best read after the Hobbit and the LORD of the Rings (both execllent stories), for they bring the world of Middle Earth to life. This book answers the question "What gave Middle Earth its shape, character and fundamental conflicts?" The explanation in an appendix of what elvish names mean is a nice bonus. A final note: a superb analysis of Tolkein's mythological derivations is presented in David Day's "Tolkein's Ring." This book explores in depth the mythological models JRR Tolkein drew from in creating his own complex mythology for Western European peoples, and does so in a lucid, easily read prose style.
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Summary: TRULY MAGNIFICENT...
Review: ... and this says it all. This book has touched me as very few have, and I have come to consider the First Age of Middle Earth as part of my own past. I have read the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, but the Silmarillion surpasses both in sheer beauty. This is more that fiction, it is poetry at its best. Coming from Hellas, a country with an ancient tradition of literature and especially epics & dramas, I don't hesitate to place Tolkien on the same pedestal with Homer of the Iliad & the Odyssey, or even (I know some will hate me for this) Euripides or Aeschylos. A unique literary experience. I suggest the Silmarillion to anyone who dares to dream of magic & love in today's drab world of advertising, "humanitary" wars & the stock exchange.
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Summary: This book is a disapointment
Review: I loved the Hobit, but the Silmarillion was very dificult to read. It was boring with too many names to remember.
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Summary: Wonderful book! A must read for LTR fans
Review: This is a great book to read, either before or after The Lord of The Rings. If you loved this, read the Illiad. And of course the Bible; Where you will read of the battle of good and evil and the role of man. You clearly can see the connection between elves/angels.. morgoth/satan and Gods frustration and purpose for his creation. It is really exciting to see these eternal themes redrawn and given a fresh face by a genius such as Tolkien.
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Summary: Like listening to a lecture, but on paper...
Review: I loved the hobbit and lotr, so when i saw the silmarillion i just had to get it. however, after reading it through about halfway, i almost put it down. i know that christopher tolkien is just trying to clear up his fathers works, but it is almost like reading a lecture. he just drones on and on and on about trivial facts that no one but a historian would really care about. He also adds in 2-3 variations of some stories, making it twice as confusing. i was also disappointed in the style that tolkien wrote this book in. you dont really get to know any of the characters the way you did in his previous works. they always seem distant, and you dont really care if they live or die. only get this one if you feel like digesting a huge amount of similar material at the same time.
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Summary: For Those Who Want a Literary Masterpiece.
Review: LOTR and the Hobbit were fascinating and mind grabbing but the Silmarillion is unique in itself. It is a book for those who crave knowledge of Middle Earth and who want to emerse themselves into it's legends and histories. It is not a book for the feint of heart because it does start out slow, but for a true Tolkien Connoisseur this book is exciting from cover to cover and more majical with each reading. I highly recomend this book.
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Summary: Style overshadows true greatness of tales
Review: There are a few people who have said that they found Tolkien's writing style too hard to get through in 'The Silmarillion', but I reckon they've kind of missed the point. Certainly it is difficult, because Tolkien uses a lot of archaisms in his writing style. This was done to give an effect of history and antiquity to the stories, because, after all, Tolkien was writing it as a history, and the style he used had to echo this (and if you don't believe me, check out Geoffrey of Monmouth's 'History of the Kings of Britain' to see the blueprint style). I think it's a shame that this book suffers criticism for its writing style, as, once the difficulties of style are overcome, the book really does reward the errant reader with some cracking stories, such as 'Turin Turambar' and 'The Fall of Numenor', to name a few. All in all, once I got into it, I loved it. So, my advice is to persevere with it; it does get much better. Ohh yes. Much, MUCH, better.
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Summary: WARNING
Review: Warning: This book is not for the slow minded. It should only be read by persons seeking to enlighten and enhearted their lives, entertain themselves, those who wish to know more about Middle Earth, and persons who are ready to read the greatest fiction work of all time. Consider yourself warned.
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Summary: If you ever wanted to know...
Review: ...the origin of the songs and legends spoken of in The Lord of the Rings (who Elbereth is, why does everyone compare Aragorn and Arwen to Beren and Luthien, where Sauron and Gandalf came from...) then you should read this book. It'll take two readings before it all sinks in, but it will magnify the richness of LotR by a hundredfold.
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Summary: Boring?
Review: I loved LotR, and I loved Hobbit, and I bought this book, expecting another great story (or collection of stories, whatever). Instead, I find myself with 366 pages of condensed boredom. I dunno, perhaps I'm missing something here, but while I find it fascinating, I just can't see how anyone can *enjoy* it... Nevertheless, if you liked the other two books, don't let my comment put you off buying it, you might be one of the people who does find it enjoyable.
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