The Silmarillion

[TMA_1]

I just finished it.

You know it probably effected me more than any other fiction? Not in any corny way, but in the sense that it wraps you into that universe so that a lot of the day you find yourself traveling with Hurin, or talking with Manwe in Valinor. It is just amazing.

Some people absolutely love it (me being one of em) and some people dont like it at all, because it doesnt read like the typical fiction. It is written like a semi-mythological history. It is archaic at times but that makes it all the better. The stories are out of this world, and are very emotional. At the beginning it is very happy, as you are close to the Valar, and though there is destruction the light of the Valar is almost protective. The mood gets worse though as the degredation of Arda grows. It seems though that it is Iluvatar's plan before he breaks apart and reforms the circles. Some of the stories make you happy, and some make you cry. It is really a book of smaller books like the bible in a way. My favorite stories are probably of Beren and Luithian, as well as the story of Turin. I also loved the rise and fall of the Numenorians.

I highly suggest this book to those that have read The Lord of the Rings and wish to understand the history of middle earth. In many ways the silmarillion was more satisfying to me than anything else that Tolkien wrote. When I read the Lord of the Rings, I constantly was asking, "well how did that happen?", or "what was the cause of this?". I mean over and over there were things I wanted to know in the history of the circles, and this delivered.

highly suggest it, and any of you who have read it make comments! :)

[Dunenewt]

I really want to read this book but haven't seen it anywhere.

[The_Sadukar]

Well, mate, you know I've read it, and as for my favorite chapters, they are 18 and 20, they are just so beautiful

[Caid Ivik]

He chanted a song of wizardry,

Of piercing, opening, of treachery,

Revealing, uncovering, betraying.

Then sudden Felagund there swaying,

Sang in a song of staying,

Resisting, battling against power,

Of secrets kept, strength like a tower,

And trust unbroken, freedom, escape;

Of changing and shifting shape,

Of snares eluded, broken traps,

The prison opening, the chain that snaps.

Backwards and forwards swayed their song.

Reeling foundering, as ever more strong

The chanting swelled, Felagund fought,

And all the magic and might he brought

Of Elvenesse into his words.

Softly in the gloom they heard the birds

Singing afar in Nargothrond,

The sighting of the Sea beyond,

Beyond the western world, on sand,

On sand of pearls on Elvenland.

Then in the doom gathered; darkness growing

In Valinor, the red blood flowing

Beside the Sea, where the Noldor slew

The Foamriders, and stealing drew

Their white ships with their white sails

From lamplit havens. The wind wails,

The wolf howls. The ravens flee.

The ice mutters in the mouths of the Sea.

The captives sad in Angband mourn.

Thunder rumbles, the fires burn-

And Finrod fell before the throne.

[lost_child]

I liked the Hobbit better.

[Lord J]

I read the Silmarillion a long while ago, shortly after finishing LOTR etc.  It's very good for explaining some of the history of LOTR, but it's very deep.

  I liked it about the same way I liked God Emperor, I figure I'll like it better when I read it again.