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The Silmarillion
The Silmarillion
Author: J. R. R. Tolkien
A number-one New York Times bestseller when it was originally published, THE SILMARILLION is the core of J.R.R. Tolkien's imaginative writing, a work whose origins stretch back to a time long before THE HOBBIT. — Tolkien considered THE SILMARILLION his most important work, and, though it was published last and posthumously, this great collect...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780345272553
ISBN-10: 0345272552
Publication Date: 2/12/1979
Pages: 458
Rating:
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 59
3.9 stars, based on 59 ratings
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

 reviewed The Silmarillion on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
Rather dry reading. Interesting material, but definitely more encyclopedic than narrative. Devotees of Tolkein's world will enjoy this book.
cmtdrt avatar reviewed The Silmarillion on + 46 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
I suggest approaching this book as if you were tackling a research project and not a novel.

Challenging but rewarding if you persevere.
reviewed The Silmarillion on + 6 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
I call this book The Bible of the Middle Earth, and rightfully so. It provides a lot information and background prior to the events of The Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit. Of how things were created, of the coming of the Elves, of the wars, Sauron's beginning, etc. it just fills up the things that were not explained before and the things that left you wondering or wanting to know more about. You definetly need to read this book if you're a Tolkien fan.
reviewed The Silmarillion on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Biblical in it's language and style. If you want the history of Middle Earth, the first through third ages, this is for you.
buzzby avatar reviewed The Silmarillion on + 6062 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Prequel to the "Lord of the Rings" and the "Hobbit", much more Old Testament-ish than the hobbit books.
Read All 53 Book Reviews of "The Silmarillion"

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 reviewed The Silmarillion on + 8 more book reviews
One of J.R.R.Tolkien's best, an introduction to Middle Eatrh.
buzzby avatar reviewed The Silmarillion on + 6062 more book reviews
Rather dark set of stories, if you couldn't get enough of LORD OF THE RINGS this is for you.
goddesslovingbookworm avatar reviewed The Silmarillion on + 170 more book reviews
just couldn't get into this like I could the rest of Tolkein's works...
reviewed The Silmarillion on + 59 more book reviews
Fascinating and interesting. A must-read for those who want to delve into the background of "The Hobbit" and "Lord of the Rings". This is not an entertaining book, by any means. It is lots of information to absorb but is totally worth it for those who yearn to know more after reading the more popular novels by Tolkien.
reviewed The Silmarillion on
One of the most wonderful backdrops to any story. On earth. Beautifully written and orgamized... gripping tale of the beginnings of a whole world.
BillyJack avatar reviewed The Silmarillion on + 4 more book reviews
This is an awesome book for those who want to know where everything and everyone comes from in the Lord of the Rings. From how the world was created to how Aragorn and Arwen are related it covers it all.
It is whole bunch of stories. They are all connected because they are in the same world, but they aren't like a series or anything.

I have read it more than once and enjoyed every time! I also went back and read some of my favorite stories over again.

A few warnings!
-If you are looking for action, the first few chapters about the creation of the world will be hard to get through. (I still say the are worth it though. It is such an awesome picture of creation)
-Also, if you are looking for The Lord of the Rings characters you will not find most of them till towards the end of the book. (so be prepared for new names and favorite characters!)
reviewed The Silmarillion on
This is the very best of all Tolkien's Books. The story is more intricate, more sad, more everything. It also explains all the history behind Lord of the Rings and especially the song of Tinuviel.
reviewed The Silmarillion on + 6 more book reviews
What a pretty version of this book!
reviewed The Silmarillion on
I will confess at the start that I could not finish this book. Another reviewer's suggestion that one approach the book as if doing research is spot on. Do not be deceived by your love of other Tolkien books into thinking that it will be a similarly enjoyable read.

I applaud The Silmarillion as a tour-de-force in making up a mythology. From that point of view, it is probably an amazing work. Fun to read, it isn't.

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