Should I read this???

[adder152]

Ok....I like TLOTR....is the Sil worth reading? How much of the text is JRRT's? Is it as good as the other JRRT books?

[Lightice]

Almost everything is by J.R.R. Tolkien. His son, Christoper just put all those stories together and made them more readable.
It's definately worth of reading and shame on you, if you don't even try! It may seem boring in beginning, but as you get used to it's style, it's a great book!
It tells stories, that make LotR and Middle Earth so much deeper, so more real place.
It tells about creation of the world, birth of evil in form of Melkor/Morgoth, whose servant Sauron was. It tells about might of Firstborn in acient times. It tells, how even elves are capable to evil. It tells of coming of men.
In short: Read it!

[emplynx]

I have yet to finish it but I would still recomend reading it. Even the first few chapters about the creation of Eä are amazing!

[Renille]

I just finished it yesterday, and I'm on fire...READ IT! The text is brilliant, though a bit more difficult than LOTR. But the stories...wow. They drag you in, until you feel like you're really there. A tip: if you have the new movie soundtrack, listen to it while reading. It enhances everything (especially mental images of the stories) a hundredfold. Bottom line- you haven't lived until you have read the Silmarillion.

[Sister Golden Hair]

YES! You should read it.

[bropous]

Absolutely agree, adder, read it, read it, read it! It fully fleshes out the history of Arda and is an enchanting and engrossing read. I'm about to read it again.

[emplynx]

Originally posted by Renille
Bottom line- you haven't lived until you have read the Silmarillion.
Darn. Will I ever get a life?

[Sister Golden Hair]

Originally posted by emplynx

Darn. Will I ever get a life? That is life man!:)

[bropous]

Of COURSE you'll have a life, Emplynx...after you read Silmarillion! Hee hee hee! [Running away fast, dodging]

[markedel]

I believe one has not experienced Tolkien until reading it, because its writing is far better then LOTR, if a little overwhelming at times.

[Strange-Looking Lurker]

Yes, read it! Not only does it make LOTR seem so much deeper (or, actually, you start to understand the depth of LOTR better) but it's a bunch of great stories just by themselfs.

[Nameless]

YES! This is a great book. I read the Silmarillion only recently and it is fantastic! It has everything: creation, morals, romance and tragedy...

[markedel]

Most fantasy isn't nearly as sad...

[Legolas_BowKing]

Dont read it. Soooo boring!

[Sister Golden Hair]

Ummm, There is nothing boring abou it. It can be a little difficult at times, but never boring.:mad:

[Evenstar]

Originally posted by Legolas_BowKing
Dont read it. Soooo boring!
Wow...that was a brave comment!!!:o

[markedel]

That's what I thought the first time I read it too.

You have to go through it several times to get a feel for it

[MasterMothra]

this was the best book by tolkien i've read so far. makes me wish he were still alive to write more.

[Elbereth Gilthoniel]

I read it befor a year and it is worth reading.

I don't think its boring but it isn't written as one story like the LOTR, it is a lot of shourt storys.

[Laurelyn]

Read It!!!!!! Definitely, readitreaditreaditreadit!!!!! :D

Originally posted by Legolas_BowKing
Dont read it. Soooo boring!
Yep, that post was brave.
But I gotta say, I can see where Legolas_BowKing is coming from this time. I loved the Silmarillion, but I had problems getting into the book. However, now I'm thanking all the Valar that I was persistent, because the stories do draw you in once you get used to the writing style, and they're wonderful!

[Sindarion]

it is amazing!you have to read it !dont rush it because you should take your time to take in all the information!but even the first page is great
sindarion:D

________________________
read it
read it we know you want to!!!!!!

[Glîm Iceholder]

Even though I am alittle late, YES!. You simply cannot fully appreciate LOTR until you read the The Silmarillion. I reccomended LOTR to a friend to read and he went on and on about how its soo overrated, afterwards I told him to read The Silmarillion and he went on and on about how brilliant Tolkien is. It really gives Middle-Earth its depth.

[Serena]

I am trying to read the Silmarillion. I keep losing my focus, and I find it really confusing. I like what I've managed to read, but I can't actually finish the book.

Any ideas, please?

[Nibs]

Read it several times. I'm on my third, and I'm only now making connections that I forgot or skipped over the first two.

And I hope you were being facetious, Legolas_Bowking, else banter may come to blows... actually, probably not.

Kilimanjaro is a funny name for a place. Wonder who it's named after.

[markedel]

I prefer to read chunks of it, and go through all of it only seldom. Kind of how I treat unfinished tales.

[Elvet]

I am reading it for a second time. This time I am using another book 'The atlas of Middle-earth' by K.W. Fonstad to help me visualize the lands of Valinor and Numenor etc. I am getting so much more from the text now - it is wonderful!

[Luineeldaiel]

Greetings, All!
I have just started--took awhile to get thru the Prologue and remembering all the names is a challenge. So much more is explained and I really appreciated it regarding LotR. It's definitely worth the extra time and concentration.:) Perseverance is the key :p

[markedel]

I always liked Tolkien's introductory letter. Very enlightening.

[Ërendil]

I need help...I have read LOTR nuimerous times and i want to read the Silmarillion. At first i didn't like LOTR becuase the beggining was boring and it was only my dad who told me that it got much better that kept me reading it(Thanks dad!) Anyhow can any1 give me some "Motivation" onto reading the Silmarillion without spoining it?

I don't know if this post makes any sense- sorry if it doesn't

[Luineeldaiel]

Don't despair, Earendil!
Your name even comes from The Samarillion!!! It's a little slower going because there is so much detail and names galore!! No one, it seems, has just one name. Don't skip his letter--it is very enlightening as mark said above. Tokien's style is a little different here as well, I think because he presents a history. I think, too, it will get better as we go along. I'm only about a fourth of the way through, but determined. It explains so much in LotR that I just didn't get. Keep reading!! And, just think, there are 12 Unfinished Tales to go!!! :)Even the smallest person can change the course of the world.

[bropous]

Welcome to the Moot, Sindarion, Glîm Iceholder, Serena, and Luineeldaiel.

Erendil (the name in Silmarillion is Earendil), the motivation to read The Silmarillion is to more deeply understand the intricate tapestry of Middle-Earth and its history. Things like the song of Beren and Luthien in LotR become more poignant and relevant, you find out who Sauron really is and how he came to be like he is, and furthermore, you find out the deep history of the Elves and their long and sorrow-filled struggle with the original Dark Lord of Middle-Earth, Morgoth the Great Enemy, whose lieutenant Sauron was, and find out the lineage of the Gondorian kings and the Numenoreans who came before them.

It starts with the creation of the Earth; continues with the fall of Melkor/Morgoth from grace with "god" and becoming the evil being he was; chronicles the creation of the Silmarils ("magical"gemstones created by the Elf Lord Feanor) and how the greed and pride of the immortal Elves led to their exile from the Undying Lands and into the sorrows of life in Middle Earth; tells of the massive wars fought between the Elves who sided with Feanor in his grudge agaisnt Morgoth and the Balrogs, werewolves, dragons and orcs who served in the Armies of Utumno, the fortress of Morgoth; tells of the "gods" of Middle-Earth intervening in the wars on behest of the half-elf Earendil the Mariner; tells of the founding of the doomed man-kingdom of Numenor and the high race of men called Numenoreans, of whom Gondor is a pale shadow; and begins the tale of Sauron the Deceiver and his crafting of the Rings of Power, which culminated in creation of the One Ring.

Maybe that is sufficient motivation.

Silmarillion may be a bit difficult to absorb the first or second time, as has been pointed out by others. Keep referring to the Index and the genealogical charts in the back of the book, and you will find it an interesting, baroquely crafted masterwork of enduring fascination and immense craftsmanship. It is "the Tolkiens at their best".

[markedel]

Ad I find you can digest portions of the Silmarillion piecemeal, something I can't do with LOTR.

[Ërendil]

bropous; my name is Erendil because Earendil is already taken so i changed it a bit. At least it is completly individual! (Actually i couldn't spell Earendil then) Thanks for the motivation!

[silmälasi]

this book is THE backbone of all J.R.R. Tolkiens creations .i treasure it above all his other writings.

[noldo]

It truly is a priceless piece, equal to the Lord of the Rings in grandeur and myth, it's difficulty pays off in fascinating and immensely beautiful tales, worlds, characters, etc...

[azalea]

Okay, for those who are reading it right now, did you notice the similarity between the story of Fingon finding Maedhros and the part in LotR when Sam finds Frodo? The one held captive, the other one a friend who seeks him, stops and sings, which leads to the other one being found and rescued? (Also thought it was interesting how Maedhros loses his hand, just like Frodo loses a finger).

On a lighter note, the line"...their cavalry rode upon that plain...for from few their horses had increased swiftly, and the grass of Ard-galen was rich and green." Which caused which?;)