Customer Reviews

The Silmarillion

5 star:		(227)
4 star:		(42)
3 star:		(15)
2 star:		(12)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

It is quite difficult to write something about "The Silmarillion" when there are already so many people that have read it. But to write something about this new illustrated edition is completely different.

The whole book is a work mayor fantasy, created by J.R.R. Tolkien and it has been for all of us possible to read it, thanks to his son Christopher. The book should be read after having been read "The Hobbit" and The Lord of the Rings in that order, because if not its reading it could a bit difficult. Doing it this way you can feel as if you live each one of the histories like something that was made for us to know, but somehow didn't fitted in the previous books.

Now let's take this classic book and let's add it illustrations... Can someone request for more? This edition overcomes the previous by arriving to 45 marvelously painted illustrations, made by Ted Nasmith. Some of the paintings are awesomely real. They caught my eyes from the very beginning. It's a pity that some paintings made by Nasmtih, like the ones entitled "Eärendil Searches Tirion" and "Luthien Escapes the Treehouse" haven't been included in the final edition. On the other hand it was a big surprise to see the high-scaled map of this one. Not even the illustrated edition of LOTR has such a big and wonderful map.

To tell the truth it's a privilege to have this book in my bookcase beside the illustrated editions of "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings".

Once again thanks Tolkien for give us such a wonderful world to live in, and thanks Mr Nasmith for put it into images.

Most fantasy works can be read by the general populace, especially the genre specific populace and easily enjoyed. This is not true of "The Silmarillion"

"The Silmarillion" is one of those books that gains GREATLY from rereading - this cannot be said enough. At first read it is a confusing selection and notes and names with little real story. Later sections (especially Beren and Luthien but also Turin) have a more connected story, are closer to the Tolkien we have all grown to love.

This disjointedness is the Silmarillion's greatest weakness and one of the reasons I cannot give it five stars (although I would rate it that way for myself). The other is that only true Tolkien afficando's are going to enjoy it. Anyone who loves Tolkien will probably love this - they will enjoy an opportunity to see the back history of Middle Earth, to some of the legends and Elder Days mentioned in the Lord of the Rings. Thus for those that have read Tolkien, this will be a great book.

My other complaint with this book is that I doubt Tolkien would have ever published it. He spent such effort polishing his work, I do not think he would have published something as disjointed as this. And although I am glad to see it, that also detracts from the pleasure.

Anyhow, the Silmarillion is an interesting collection of myths and legends of the Elder Days of Middle Earth - of the War of the Jewels. It is tragic and reminiscent of Norse mythology and great for those interested in the Lord of the Rings. For everyone else though I would say don't bother.

This book was exciting and perfectly written. I re-read LOTR after reading this and it added SO MUCH to the depth of the novels. I recommend it to anyone interested in Middle-Earth, or any story about Light vs. Dark, Good vs. Evil. Additionally, it really helped shape my feelings regarding death.

I was so lost for words the first time i ended reading this book. Close to tears, even. I actually highlighted all terms i found significant. Almost the entire book is actually highlighted! Read it, love it, read it again and so it will NEVER come to pass when you'll grow tired of such wonderful material...

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.

What is everyone so excited about? I can't figure out what Tolkien was thinking when he wrote this. I loved his other works, but this was difficult to get through. It's reminiscent of the bible, like alot of other people have mentioned, lots of things getting created, and hundreds of names, lists of elves begetting other elves. If you like plot, look elsewhere.

These stories were written as the history of Middle Earth, and are fascinating in LotR precisely because they are never told completely, like the books described by Borges that never existed. Be content with LotR-- a 20th century masterpiece! Let these tales remain mysterious creatures of the woods, rather than jarred specimens in a biology room... by not reading them.

It's what it is. Nice cover, the pages are all cut square and all clue correctly :P For the story inside :D That never change.

I loved the introduction, and the depth of the imagination of JR Token to create such a wonderful beginning to his world. Once the book goes into families of families and other stories, I started losing interest. I am sure those stories are interesting in themself. I would still recommend it to any LOTR or Hobbit fan. Especially the beginning where all the different life forms and gods are described.

its a little bit hard to understand the history but once you start you wont bee able too stop reading this book.