From the Bookshelf of J.R.R. Tolkien…

The Silmarillion

J.R.R. Tolkien,

Christopher Tolkien (Editor)

Start date: January 1, 2015

Finish date: March 31, 2015

Discussion: Group Reads

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* Group Read September 2021-January 2022 (No Spoilers)
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last updated Jan 31, 2022 11:38AM

Group Read January-March 2015: The Silmarillion
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What Members Thought

Mar 03, 2012 Carol rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This book is definitely not for everyone. If you like myth (studying and reading it), you'll love it; what Tolkien does with the structure of myth is extremely fascinating, and I was amazed by his level of study, detail, and understanding of myth. If you like a story that contains in-depth characterization, a plot that makes sense, a satisfying ending, and is easy to read. . . you will probably be disappointed.

This book is extremely difficult to read. On a scale of one to ten with ten being alm This book is definitely not for everyone. If you like myth (studying and reading it), you'll love it; what Tolkien does with the structure of myth is extremely fascinating, and I was amazed by his level of study, detail, and understanding of myth. If you like a story that contains in-depth characterization, a plot that makes sense, a satisfying ending, and is easy to read. . . you will probably be disappointed.

This book is extremely difficult to read. On a scale of one to ten with ten being almost impossible to understand, I would rate this book at a nine. I consider myself to be a very good and careful reader, and at times not only was I confused, but I literally had almost no clue what was going on. My comprehension was dangling by a thread, especially in the beginning.

It does get easier as you read on. The first half of the book was by far the most difficult. But by the tale of Beren and Luthien I actually found I was really enjoying it. After that, I couldn't even put the thing down it was so fantastic. So my advice is: be very patient and use the index!

The index is incredibly helpful, containing information for each person mentioned in the story. I don't think you can get through it without referencing the index at least several times per chapter. There are literally hundreds of names, places, etc. that Tolkien references, and often there are several different names for one thing. Most of the characters are somehow related to earlier characters, so you have to use the index to remember who is related to who.

This book was like a puzzle; I didn't feel like I was "reading" it so much as I was studying it, struggling with the text, wrestling with it at times, with my mind fully engaged. Very rarely will a book make you work this hard to read it, and it is worth it.

So many questions from LOTR are answered here, from the simple (why elves refer to the sun as a "she") to the complex (what, exactly, is Sauron and where did he come from?). You will find yourself saying, "Oh! Now I get it!" so many times.

The stories are truly fantastic, and many are heart-wrenching (especially the tale of Turin). The characters lack depth, and you will not feel "close" to any of them, but that's the way myths are, and I appreciate that Tolkien stays true to his chosen genre here. The whole thing is very "Beowulf-ish", so if you're a big fan of Beowulf type myths or Norse myth, you will love this.

That's all I can really say here. Now I'm going to tackle the Unfinished Tales! Dun dun dun! ...more

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