The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Silmarillion
Book Review: Amazing
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this book with the illustrated edition of Lord of the Rings (box set). The covers are a bit the same so they go together really well.
I just love this edition of "The Silmarillion". There are many bright illustrations (by Ted Nasmith) and they are very beautiful. It's difficult to illustrate a book like "The Silmarillion", but Ted Nasmith has done a great job.
Under the dust cover there is a blue fabric cover, it makes the book very sturdy.
I recommend anyone this book. It's a great addition to any bookcase, and it comes for a great price!
Book Review: Amazing book, slow reading
Summary: 4 Stars
Great book for learning about the early ages before the events of LOTR occured. While a tale is told (sort of), I agree with other reviewers that it is more a historical telling of events than an actual story. Glossary of names is indispensable! Great artwork in this edition. If going to take on a reading such as this, or if looking for a showpiece for your coffee table or library - this is the edition to get! It is understandable if you can find a place and time to read where you have NO distractions.Book Review: An absolute MUST for Tolkein fans
Summary: 5 Stars
This review originally was written for the paperback version of "The Silmarillion" and pertains only to content, not to quality of the hardbook version......
I have never been a devotee of the Science Fiction or Fantasy genre, so I missed J.R.R. Tolkien when he was a cult favorite in the 60's. I was only introduced to his works through the "Fellowship of the Ring" film of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Since then, I have read, re-read and read again all three books of the LOTR trilogy and "The Hobbit". Through these readings, I have become thoroughly engrossed and deeply impressed with Tolkien's genius in creating an entire world complete with geography, animals, peoples, cultures, and fantasy languages based on solid linguistic principles. The "Lord of the Rings" film trilogy represents not just an adventure epic; it is an introduction to Tolkien's works -- a whetting of an appetite, which can only be sated by reading the works upon which this film trilogy is based.
Fundamental to understanding the LOTR trilogy is knowledge of what preceeded it. "The Hobbit", which directly precedes the LOTR trilogy, is as fundamental to the "Lord of the Rings" as the Old Testament is to the New. However, the true breadth and depth of Tolkien's life's work cannot be fully comprehended without also reading "The Silmarillion". Our Old Testament's Book of Genesis starts with creation, but does little to explain the process of the creation of our real world. The Silmarillion, on the other hand, details the story of the creation of Middle Earth and the creatures that inhabited and departed from it.
We owe a great debt of gratitude to Christopher Tolkien, J.R.R. Tolkien's son, for the diligent work he has done in gathering and editing his father's published and unpublished works and notes. "The Silmarillion" is billed as "...Tolkien's first book and his last." -- a life's work that was published four years after his death. Only through reading (and probably re-reading) this compendium of Tolkien's background work can one truly comprehend not only the history of the deities, elves, dwarves, men and other creatures of Middle Earth but also J.R.R. Tolkien's absolute brilliance in crafting this fantasy world.
"The Silmarillion" is a must-read for those who would wish to fully appreciate Tolkien's work. It is not a light read and requires constant referral to the book's appendices and indices. Although the material mostly predates all of J.R.R. Tolkien's subsequent works, it is not a good introduction to Tolkien. It is best appreciated (and most useful) if read after "The Hobbit" and the "Lord of the Rings".
Thank you.
Book Review: BEST BOOK EVER!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the Best Book I've EVER Read. And I've read some Doozies.. Oh, i mean, this is Second only to the Bible, of course. There are some initial similarities, But that is not why i Love this book. This book is Amazing. Because of the Writing and greatly creative stories. This book is So insanely poetic and has very peotic king james-like language. The Adventure stories that Mr. Tolkien comes up with are purely the work of a Genius Creative Mind. His Stories took my breath away, like the chapter on Beren and Luthien! Talk about Adventure! I will read this book over and over again.Book Review: Background
Summary: 3 Stars
If you read Lord of the Rings and then read it again, including the appendices, buy this book. If you're looking for a stirring fantasy epic, forget it. I read this 30 years ago; at the time it was billed as JRR's attempt to create the mythology/historical background for his more popular books. It accomplished its assigned task but as far as being great writing in its own right - no. The tale of the two lovers is poignant, but is only a sketch. Not for kids - too boring. Recommended for the Tolkien hard-core fanatic: for them its a must have, obviously. There are two editions floating around with the same illustrator. One has 50+ illustrations, the other 20. I think this one has 50 but Amazon is known to mix things up. Artwork is ok (as stated elsewhere, the landscapes are better).