The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Silmarillion
Book Review: Beautiful illustrations!
Summary: 5 Stars
This book has wonderful illustrations, and was well put together, I waited a long time for a this book in this edition. Check out The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings Illustrated by Alan Lee, also beautifully done.Book Review: Beautiful, Stunning Book
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a stunningly beautiful classic edition of the pre-quel to the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings. It was written over a period of about fifty years by J. R. R. Tolkien and really never finished. This book lays out the foundation of the world as Tolkien visualized it. It's the story of how the jewels were created, how the world worked. In this edition, it is a beautiful book, complete with 48 beautiful paints made by Ted Nasmith, many of which are included for the first time.
Along with the Quenta Silmarillion itself are several short pieces that extend and expand the world. One of these is a lengthy letter written by Tolkein in which he explains his vision in his own words. Here an overview of the world as he saw it, as he wanted it published. The four short pieces Ainulindale, Valaquenta, Akallabeth and Of the Rings of Power complete the work. Here are all the rich Tolkein words that describe his dream, his world.
Book Review: Beyond Review
Summary: 5 Stars
It would be absurd for me to feel I could "review" this monumental achievement. For people not familiar with The Silmarillion, and only familiar with "The Lord of the Rings," it is worth mentioning a few things though. This book will not take you on a journey, from cover to cover, like Lord of the Rings does. There ARE chapters that are JUST as exciting and story-like though...If not more so. There are also appropriate chapters of long lineage lists and explanations that are textbook-like. What this book does do is brings you into Tolkien's world in a way that is profoundly detailed. It's a dream for a person who LOVED Lord of the Rings, and feels unsatisfied with the details in that story. Who were the Elves? Where are they going? Where did they come from? What is all this 2nd and 3rd age stuff? What are Men and Dwarves? Why was Galadriel so honored, and what makes her different from an elf like Legolas? What WAS that ring on Aragorn's finger? In the extended version of the movie The Fellowship of the Ring, Legolas mentions "Morgoth" in front of Galadriel. Who was that? What WAS Gandalf? Who was Saruman, and what was all that tension about? Where does Elrond fit into the big picture? How did the earlier relatives of the Elves influence the 3rd age, and where are they? What is a Balrog? What do Balrogs and Gandalf actually have in common?
These are questions that are DEEPLY answered in The Silmarillion. There are heroes in The Silmarillion that, dare I say, make our heroes in The Fellowship pale in comparison. There are most definitely wars and war scenes in The Silmarillion that even MORE accurately reflect Tolkien's horrific experiences in the trenches of World War I.
Obviously, I highly recommend this book. It is more of a "study," than a "read." But in this day and age, where we are hit with easily digestible entertainment, if you are a Lord of the Rings fan, look at this book as a mental exercise in enjoyment and mind focus. My dear friend, Eileen in Ireland, once asked me, "Why do you put so much time into learning a history that did not exist?" I had contemplated this myself. I even asked myself, "She's right, why am I not learning French instead of studying The Silmarillion?" The simple answer is that this book is empowering, and I like it. If you love myth and believe in the "power of myth," this book is at the top of the mountain.
Book Review: Brilliant
Summary: 5 Stars
I cannot even begin to explain. Many others who have reviewed before have done the explaining justly. I just have to say that this is an amazing book and if you are a fan of Tolkien and want to know more about his amazing sub-creation, then you should seriously look into 'The Silmarillion'Book Review: Certainly his best
Summary: 5 Stars
What makes Tolkien great is that he understands that modernity is a lie; that there was a better world inside of man long ago, and if there wasn't, well then there should have been.
It is this that gives his books their haunting, mystic quality.
But where Lord of the Rings has a little too much of children's literature in it, this one - despite the presence of "elves" and such - is for grownups alone. Its intellectual level, and the quality and density of the prose, are too high for children. And for dummies, or the spiritually bankrupt. This is Tolkien's best and most elite statement, a true classic of 20th century literature.
I'll pay this book the best compliment I know and say that it is the single best Lord Dunsany imitation I have ever seen, but it is also much more than that. Tolkien's prose soars to the majestic heights that his inventions warrant. Nothing against his other books, but many elements of them are a matter of taste whereas the greatness of the Silmarillion cannot be seriously denied by anyone with a brain or a soul. Not to be missed.