Introduction: Reading the Sil for the First Time

[Bombadillo]

As you probably noticed, I don’t make any posts in the Silmarillion forum. Right, because I never read the book. Just like countless other people, even other Tolkien fanatics, I’ve picked it up time and time again, but never got far past Valaquenta. It’s been lying patiently at my desk for over a year, but when I touch it, it’s always so confusing, so historical, and so in-depth that it blows my mind to nervous little pieces. :o

I’m finally changing that. I’ve decided to keep a reading journal this time, to express all of my thoughts and feelings on the story. I’m starting this week with a really old copy of the book. After each reading session, I’ll post my reaction in a new thread on Entmoot. You guys can take it from there, comparing my thoughts to yours (if you remember what you had been thinking), guessing how I’ll be surprised, making fun of my naivety :p , sympathizing with me, reliving the scenes, rereading it with me, whatever, SPOILERS ALLOWED. I will avoid your posts until I’m finally done, so don’t hold back any discussion.

I want to point out the reasons I made this decision.

for Entmoot. I was inspired by this old thread (http://www.entmoot.com/showthread.php?t=8304&highlight=journal). Everybody seemed to like that idea a bit, and I thought it was the coolest idea ever. Why didn’t I think of that? Then I could look back and… but I didn’t expect LotR to be so good. I hope you all enjoy this to the fullest extent.
This guarantees fun for everyone. Like the other projects, it will stay up and available for comments once I've moved on in my reading. Then I can retrace my own thought processes. I'm going to love it!
Everybody says it rocks. I expect it to rock. :D
to help me actually understand it. English Teachers always blab about what a benefit this could be. I know they're right. In writing about a passage, I am more likely to comprehend it.
for motivation. Now I'll read it, okay? I promised you guys, so here goes.


The one thing I can’t do by myself is a schedule. Since these entries are for you to read, what is most convenient? The LotR Discussion Project has two weeks between each few chapters, so would a weekly piece be too often?
Your input needed. DISCUSS! Who else is looking forward to it?

[Elemmírë]

Good luck! I'll join you, when I get back... :evil: :D

[BeardofPants]

The earliest chapters are the most difficult to get into, IMO. So those are the ones you should set aside the most time for. Once you get to the "epics" (Children of Hurin, Beren and Luthien, etc), you'll be powering through them a lot faster.

[Elemmírë]

Unless you're my brother. :mad:

Don't worry, though, we'll get you through them... :D

[Telcontar_Dunedain]

The earliest chapters are the most difficult to get into, IMO. So those are the ones you should set aside the most time for. Once you get to the "epics" (Children of Hurin, Beren and Luthien, etc), you'll be powering through them a lot faster.
I agree. These were the ones that initially put me off the SIl until last year.

[Lizra]

You'll need a sharp stick to keep poking yourself with as you fall asleep.... :p

[Nurvingiel]

I think you should read each chapter at your convenience, but if you take too long, we'll poke you so you don't give up. I read several entries in the original insipiration and it was very cool. Maybe some day when I read HoME I'll do the same thing. :)

[Sister Golden Hair]

You'll need a sharp stick to keep poking yourself with as you fall asleep.... :pHey, I can help with that. :D

Bombadillo, BoP is correct. The first few chapters are the toughest. I suggest that if you find yourself getting bored or frustrated, put it down for a bit and then go back to it. Also, at this point, try to avoid distractions so that you get the most out of what you are reading. These beginning chapters may need a couple readings to get a full understanding of them. Once you make it past that, it is pretty smooth sailing, and most enjoyable. :)

[Earniel]

*didn't have much problems with the first few chapters*

*feels left out*

:D

Nice idea, Bombadillo! The schedule will depend much on your free time and when you sit down to read. Personally I'd try to aim at a chapter in maximum 2 weeks. But it's really up to you.

You do realise we won't let you simply put the book down this time after the Valaquenta, don't you? :p ;)

[BeardofPants]

You could also initially skip the first few. Some have tried this, and said that it was much easier to read AFTER they'd been hooked with the romances (Beren, children of hurin, etc). Something to consider, and MUCH less painful than a sharp pointy stick! ;)

[Artanis]

You know Bombadillo, I for one will be re-reading the Sil again meself, following your pace. :) It's been quite some time now since I read it from beginning to end - too long time.

[Bombadillo]

Excellent!

I like that idea, BoP, but I don't want to skip the boring stuff entirely. I think I could skim through the beginning until I reach Chapter 1. Once I get to some part that reads easier, I'll go back in depth and maybe edit my first entry then.*didn't have much problems with the first few chapters*

*feels left out*

:D

Nice idea, Bombadillo! The schedule will depend much on your free time and when you sit down to read. Personally I'd try to aim at a chapter in maximum 2 weeks. But it's really up to you.

You do realise we won't let you simply put the book down this time after the Valaquenta, don't you? :p ;)How about every ten days? I'll be reading more often than that, so each entry will cover a substantial piece.

I'll be counting on your sharp sticks. :p

[Durin1]

I think once you get past the Ainulindale and Valaquenta things start to get easier, although IMO those chapters are interesting in their own ways too.

[Beren3000]

*feels left out*
You don't have, to. I feel the same way as you do: in fact I LOVE the Ainulindale

Anyway, not to get OT here, I think this is a great idea, Bombadillo! Looking forward to your intros. :)

[Earniel]

How about every ten days? I'll be reading more often than that, so each entry will cover a substantial piece.

I'll be counting on your sharp sticks. :p
Ten days sound good. :)

*presents sharp stick*

No worries on that front, pal. :D
You don't have, to. I feel the same way as you do: in fact I LOVE the Ainulindale
Yeay! :D

[Telcontar_Dunedain]

I did after a acouple of readings but at first it was a bit slow to start.

[BeardofPants]

I'll be counting on your sharp sticks. :p

Heh heh, they'll be much pointier without pants on. :evil:

G'luck man, if you stick with it, you'll be reading some of the best pieces of literature in existence. :)

[Attalus]

I, myself, got stuck on the Ailundale and the Valaquenta. What I did was (1) keep notes, which you are going to do. I found that it made me read more deeply and understand what I read. (2) When I got bored, I would reward myself by reading some of the faster things, like "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age." Great stuff! :thumbsup:

[Last Child of Ungoliant]

*didn't have much problems with the first few chapters*

*feels left out*


didn't have problems with any chapters

hey, bombadillo, i will offer my [not-so]helpful interruptions whenever i can - i only read it for the first time a few months back, and i read it once a fortnight at least now, and i also read hobbit and lotr once a fortnight :o

[Pytt]

I can't remember, but I think I struggled some with the first chapters. but as I see it, it could been in a different book, for my case. I'm don't sayin the first Valaquenta is boring, but it is not necessary to read all of it understand and like the book.
maybe I'll join reading it. long since... :(

[Nurvingiel]

So... ya done yet Bombadillo? :D

*gets out knife*

Relax! It's to whittle this stick to a pointy point! ;)

[Elemmírë]

So... ya done yet Bombadillo? :D

*gets out knife*

Relax! It's to whittle this stick to a pointy point! ;)

Or so you claim. :evil: ;)

Did anyone have any trouble keeping all the names straight (the princes especially...), or is everyone here as crazy as me and can recite the entire House of Finwe on command... :o :D

If nothing else, it's that which scares people...

If only I put half as much effort on my school work. :(

How's it coming, Bombadillo? Anyone got a spare stick... I think SGH would notice hers is missing... :D ;)

[Telcontar_Dunedain]

Did anyone have any trouble keeping all the names straight (the princes especially...), or is everyone here as crazy as me and can recite the entire House of Finwe on command... :o :D
I can do that to apart from Finrod's, Orodreth's and Galadriel's brothers. *Runs off to learn!*

[Elemmírë]

TD, is that something you should have confessed to me? :evil: :mad: :D

Angrod and Aegnor, if you want the Sindarin versions. :D Angrod's the older.

So... you can do all of the Feanorion crew?

*mildly impressed*

;) :p :D

[BeardofPants]

Should we throw the proverbial spanner into the works? :evil: You know, the problematic parentage of Gil-Galad? :D

[Telcontar_Dunedain]

TD, is that something you should have confessed to me? :evil: :mad: :D
Hey. I remembered Finrod!

[Artanis]

Angrod and Aegnor, if you want the Sindarin versions. :DAngaráto and Aikanáro, if you want the Quenya versions. :D

[Elemmírë]

I knew that. :p ;) :D

Just didn't want to confuse (yeah right), or butcher the names by my inability to use accents... :mad: :D

Should we throw the proverbial spanner into the works? You know, the problematic parentage of Gil-Galad?

Why stop there? Bring Orodreth into it also and really confuse... :evil:

Hey. I remembered Finrod!

SGH's Stick of Wrath would be the least of your worries if you had not. ;) :p :D

[Bombadillo]

Don't stab me yet guys, :D although I was procrastinating. I read the title of Ainulindalë and then spent about an hour and a half reading the Note on Pronunciation, gathering LotR and a dictionary to keep nearby, looking through LotR Appendix E for a "more extensive" guide to Quenya, and reading the critics' reviews and the foreword. I read Ainulindalë today and took penciled notes on things. I'll make the actual entry after Valaquenta (the greuling part).

Pacing myself is already starting to be a battle; I have so much to think about I want to keep reading through it, but then I might lose those thoughts and I want to record them immediately.

And thanks for your offers to help! I'll be glad to accept any I can get. :) The best way to contact me about an entry would be with a PM once the entry is up. I won't be reading your posts for advice or anything until much later; there's too high a risk of spoilers.

So... ya done yet Bombadillo? :D

*gets out knife*

Relax! It's to whittle this stick to a pointy point! ;)Lol! It won't be so slow once I get past the beginning. I've already read this stuff anyway...

1st entry Wednesday or I'm good for nothing.

[Elemmírë]

Don't stab me yet guys, :D although I was procrastinating. I read the title of Ainulindalë and then spent about an hour and a half reading the Note on Pronunciation, gathering LotR and a dictionary to keep nearby, looking through LotR Appendix E for a "more extensive" guide to Quenya, and reading the critics' reviews and the foreword. I read Ainulindalë today and took penciled notes on things. I'll make the actual entry after Valaquenta (the greuling part).

Pacing myself is already starting to be a battle; I have so much to think about I want to keep reading through it, but then I might lose those thoughts and I want to record them immediately.

And thanks for your offers to help! I'll be glad to accept any I can get. :) The best way to contact me about an entry would be with a PM once the entry is up. I won't be reading your posts for advice or anything until much later; there's too high a risk of spoilers.

*impressed*

Penciled notes. Very nice... I think I just read the thing enough times to memorise most of it, but that's just my style... :o

Recording thoughts is a good idea... I should try that every so often...

And you're right, spoilers would be a certainty. :evil:

[~Nolwë~]

Okey Dokey then,

started to read The Silmarillion and looking for some advice. I'm thinking I would benefit from some good maps.

Can anyone recommend a good book of Tolkien Maps? I'd like to ask someone to get it for me as a xmas pressie so I wait with baited breath for a response. Time is of the essence peeps.

Thanking ye kindly.......

[BeardofPants]

http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio?inkey=1-0618126996-0

It's a pretty good book - not completely without flaws - but overall, well worth the dosh forked out.

[~Nolwë~]

My God, that was quick.....

took a look, will ask for book

cheerie ma dearie xx

[Elemmírë]

As soon as I finish my book for class, and maybe studying for finals :mad: , I'll be picking up the Silm again for some serious rereading.

Though I can't exactly say why... :confused:

http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio?inkey=1-0618126996-0

It's a pretty good book - not completely without flaws - but overall, well worth the dosh forked out.

Looks nice. Of course... by now I could probably draw a map of ME and Beleriand... :p

*runs off to test out her theory*

*comes back*

erm... does anyone have a pen...? :o



And you're rhyming, Nolwë! :D

[Attalus]

http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio?inkey=1-0618126996-0

It's a pretty good book - not completely without flaws - but overall, well worth the dosh forked out.I agree wholeheartedly. Fonstead has helped me out of many a cartographic dilemma.

[Earniel]

*takes stick and gives Bombadillo a mighty good poking until he begs for mercy*

Oy matey, you're late with your next chapter. Very late. :p

[Lenya]

The whole of Silm is brilliant, but Valaquenta and the Numenor piece isn't as good as the rest. But it is worth reading the first part to get to the rest. I have been wanting to reread it also because I can't remember everyone and everything that happend. I read it way to long ago.

[Earniel]

*pokes thread back into life*

Oy, Bombadillo, you're still doing this journal update or have you given up?

[LickTheEnvelope]

I just finished the Silmarillion and am on to Akallabeth (or Atalante in Quenya) "Downfall of Numeanor."

I must say it has been an incredible read so far... though sometimes I find myself completely forgetting who an individual is the majority stay easy to recall.

Feanor's sons were one group that I really had trouble remembering the names of for quite some time:

Maedhros
Maglor
Celegrom
Caranthir
Curufin
Amrod
Amras

I guess it was simply when i would read "Celegrom, Caranthir, abd Curufin" I would have difficulty distinguishing between them.

But I even liked the first chapters that many say are slow. I thought they blended very nicely into how the world of Tolkien was forged. :o :cool:

[Last Child of Ungoliant]

i always remember curufin the crafty, makes me see him as some sort of wicked fool

[Telcontar_Dunedain]

Bombadillo, so when is the next entry coming or have you given up?

[Lenya]

Yip. Still waiting here.