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The Silmarillion
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Tolkien, J.R.R. - The Silmarillion - Informal Buddy Read; Start: November 1, 2014
Thanks Amanda I'll check them out. :)
I've read the first 4 chapters of the Quenta Silmarillion.
'Of the beginning of days' - I agree there is some excellent myth building but there is so much info and so many names I kept getting lost. Definitely information overload.
'Of Aule and Yavanna' - I liked this one. Good to know how the dwarves and the tree shepherds came into being. Interesting that the dwarves were not made by Eru/Iluvatar.
'Of the coming of the elves and the captivity of Melkor' - Again interesting info about the creation of the elves and that they were not given any knowledge about the Valar so they thought they might be enemies. I liked the Melkor bit but agree the elves and their travels again got bogged down with all the different names and types.
'Of Thingol and Melian' - I liked this one. Short and doesn't have a huge amount of info crammed into a couple of pages. Interesting to read about Elrond's ancestors.
'Of the beginning of days' - I agree there is some excellent myth building but there is so much info and so many names I kept getting lost. Definitely information overload.
'Of Aule and Yavanna' - I liked this one. Good to know how the dwarves and the tree shepherds came into being. Interesting that the dwarves were not made by Eru/Iluvatar.
'Of the coming of the elves and the captivity of Melkor' - Again interesting info about the creation of the elves and that they were not given any knowledge about the Valar so they thought they might be enemies. I liked the Melkor bit but agree the elves and their travels again got bogged down with all the different names and types.
'Of Thingol and Melian' - I liked this one. Short and doesn't have a huge amount of info crammed into a couple of pages. Interesting to read about Elrond's ancestors.
Cynthia wrote: "NancyHelen, I'm stalled as well. I've made a vow to finish all my in progresses this weekend (that means sometime between 8am Sat and midnight Sun). I'm not sure I can include this book with that g..."
That's my plan a little every day. I don't think I'd get through it otherwise. I'm enjoying it but I don't have to read much of it before I start getting confused over what's going on.
That's my plan a little every day. I don't think I'd get through it otherwise. I'm enjoying it but I don't have to read much of it before I start getting confused over what's going on.
Ch 5 'Of Eldamar and the princes of the Eldalie' - Again info overload with the names. The only good thing as said is the mention of Galadriel.
Ch 6 'Of Feanor and the Unchaining of Melkor' - Less names involved and glad to be back on the Melkor story. I felt the story of the silmarillion was being lost in the what type of elf went where confusion.
Ch 6 'Of Feanor and the Unchaining of Melkor' - Less names involved and glad to be back on the Melkor story. I felt the story of the silmarillion was being lost in the what type of elf went where confusion.
I'll confess that I haven't read any of it in several days. I'm beginning to suspect that this book is best appreciated by people that have read the other books, sort of like the Bible isn't a great read if you're not Christian. Maybe I'll come back to it after I read the other books, when I'm a believer ;-)
Sorry everyone but I haven't been able to read much of this book till now because of a lot of things happening in real life. Will get to it today or hopefully tomorrow and come back for the discussions.
Cynthia wrote: "I'll confess that I haven't read any of it in several days. I'm beginning to suspect that this book is best appreciated by people that have read the other books, sort of like the Bible isn't a grea..."
I wouldn't recommend reading it without either reading the books or watching the movies and with the movies I'd say the extended versions and more than one viewing. Although these events take place before the other stories I do think you need to know them as a frame of reference. What's keeping me going is the mention of characters I know from the Hobbit or Lord of the Rings.
I would always recommend starting with The Hobbit as it is a shorter, easier read than Lord of the Rings and the events lead up to the events in the Lord of the Rings.
I wouldn't recommend reading it without either reading the books or watching the movies and with the movies I'd say the extended versions and more than one viewing. Although these events take place before the other stories I do think you need to know them as a frame of reference. What's keeping me going is the mention of characters I know from the Hobbit or Lord of the Rings.
I would always recommend starting with The Hobbit as it is a shorter, easier read than Lord of the Rings and the events lead up to the events in the Lord of the Rings.
I do have the other books, I just haven't worked them into my schedule yet. I'll start with The Hobbit.
Cynthia wrote: "I do have the other books, I just haven't worked them into my schedule yet. I'll start with The Hobbit."
I hope you enjoy The Hobbit. It's a fun read.
I hope you enjoy The Hobbit. It's a fun read.
I've been horrifically ill for the past few days, so I just finished the first chapter in the Quenta. There are so many names! I continue to love the imagery and world building. I liked the line "he willed that the hearts of men should seek beyond the world and should find no rest therein".
@Pigletto I just finished 'Of Aule and Yavanna', and I really liked this one as well! I loved the dwarves sleeping under the mountains, and it is really interesting that they weren't created by Iluvatar. Also, Ents! I am so excited about the creation of the Ents!!!! :D
Ari wrote: "@Pigletto I just finished 'Of Aule and Yavanna', and I really liked this one as well! I loved the dwarves sleeping under the mountains, and it is really interesting that they weren't created by Il..."I have picked this back up and determined to keep going. I read this chapter last night as well, Ari, and was also excited about the creation of Ents. I do find I am hunting around for things that get mentioned in either the Hobbit or LOTR as that gives me a reference point.
The thing that I am still finding difficult is the sheer number of names for the same things, especially Elves. There are so many different names for Elves I have needed to write them all down!
NancyHelen wrote: "Ari wrote: "@Pigletto I just finished 'Of Aule and Yavanna', and I really liked this one as well! I loved the dwarves sleeping under the mountains, and it is really interesting that they weren't c..."I just finished the 'of the coming of elves and the captivity of melkor', and there were yet more names for elves and names of elves. I was honestly pretty bored. I don't think I'm as interested in elves as I am the rest of Tolkien's world.
Ari wrote: "I just finished the 'of the coming of elves and the captivity of melkor', and there were yet more names for elves and names of elves. I was honestly pretty bored. I don't think I'm as interested in elves as I am the rest of Tolkien's world. "I actually wouldn't mind if those names are not for the same Elves. Or at least I got that feeling. They were called something but then they crossed river and now are called something else. Why?! (of course that's my interpretation)
I haven't read it for few days. need to get back to it.
Good thing there is still month left before LotR starts. :P
❀Tea❀ wrote: "Ari wrote: "I just finished the 'of the coming of elves and the captivity of melkor', and there were yet more names for elves and names of elves. I was honestly pretty bored. I don't think I'm as i..."I think the elves all start out the same (but with several names), but then as they travel and settle down in different places, they get divided up into types of elves, each with a different name??? Maybe? I just finished 'Of Eldamar and the Princes of Eldalie' and I feel like I'm drowning in names.
Ari wrote: "❀Tea❀ wrote: "Ari wrote: "I just finished the 'of the coming of elves and the captivity of melkor', and there were yet more names for elves and names of elves. I was honestly pretty bored. I don't ..."That's how I understood it as well, Ari, but I think I'm just as lost as everyone else. I have my finger in the reference section at the back as I read because I am constantly having to flick back and forth to work out what all the names refer to!
Ari wrote: "❀Tea❀ wrote: "Ari wrote: "I just finished the 'of the coming of elves and the captivity of melkor', and there were yet more names for elves and names of elves. I was honestly pretty bored. I don't ..."
Yes, I think it's to mimic Earth as we are all homo sapiens but are divided up and given different names based around where we are from and the colour of our skin. Plus I've now read about a battle between 2 different sets of elves and if they didn't have different names it would have been pretty confusing.
In my edition there is a chart that shows how the elves were divided up. It's just before the note on pronouncation. It's not marked in the list of chapters so I only came upon it by accident. It makes things a bit clearer.
Yes, I think it's to mimic Earth as we are all homo sapiens but are divided up and given different names based around where we are from and the colour of our skin. Plus I've now read about a battle between 2 different sets of elves and if they didn't have different names it would have been pretty confusing.
In my edition there is a chart that shows how the elves were divided up. It's just before the note on pronouncation. It's not marked in the list of chapters so I only came upon it by accident. It makes things a bit clearer.
7. 'Of the Silmarils and the Unrest of the Noldor' - So, the Silmarils are made but we're not told how or what they're made of. Interesting that at this point Melkor's main weapon is lies. A nod to Satan being known as the father of lies maybe.
8. 'Of the darkening of Valinor' - Ungoliant is the ancestor of the spider creature that is in Lord of the Rings. Feanor is really starting to annoy me.
9. 'Of the Flight of the Noldor' - Feanor is still annoying. It's been weird reading about him and the Noldor's actions because in the other books they always go on about the Elves being wise and about men's lust for power, etc. But here we have the Elves acting rashly and Feanor is so intent in keeping/trying to get back the Silmarils he won't listen to reason.
8. 'Of the darkening of Valinor' - Ungoliant is the ancestor of the spider creature that is in Lord of the Rings. Feanor is really starting to annoy me.
9. 'Of the Flight of the Noldor' - Feanor is still annoying. It's been weird reading about him and the Noldor's actions because in the other books they always go on about the Elves being wise and about men's lust for power, etc. But here we have the Elves acting rashly and Feanor is so intent in keeping/trying to get back the Silmarils he won't listen to reason.
Pigletto wrote: "In my edition there is a chart that shows how the elves were divided up. It's just before the note on pronouncation. It's not marked in the list of chapters so I only came upon it by accident. It makes things a bit clearer..."I wish I had that - it might make things a little easier
Pigletto wrote: "Ari wrote: "❀Tea❀ wrote: "Ari wrote: "I just finished the 'of the coming of elves and the captivity of melkor', and there were yet more names for elves and names of elves. I was honestly pretty bor..."I'll have to check for that in my edition, that might really help. I've finish 6 and 7, but don't really have anything intelligent to say about them. It seems like it's getting more like a novel and less like a creation myth.
I just finished 'Of the Darkening of Valinor'. I'm enjoying Ungoliant as a villain, the way she thirsts for light and turns it into darkness is so much more visceral for me than Melkor's subtle lies. I was really sad (view spoiler)@Pigletto Oh my god, Feanor is being so incredibly paranoid and stupid! And it looks like from your comment about chapter 9 that he's not going to get any better :(
Feanor is a @!&*(& %*******@$##%!!!! I just finished 'Of the Flight of the Noldor'.
I'm still reading the book, but taking it slowly. My goal is to finish it by the end of the month. :P
@Rachel - I will join you in that goal as I am also taking this book super slow! :P
Sri, it's good to know I'm not allow. Between reading Crime and Punishment and this one I'm just like oh goodness what did I get myself into. I have to take it slow on this one because his world is so full of information. I'm not too far. I'm only on chapter 2. Where he is talking about Dwarves made by Aule. :O I need to get a move.We will work toward the end together!
@Rachel - same here. I am reading too many books currently and this one needs massive concentration. I am also around the same page.. so yeah we can do this together and finish it by motivating each other.
Srividya wrote: "@Rachel - same here. I am reading too many books currently and this one needs massive concentration. I am also around the same page.. so yeah we can do this together and finish it by motivating each other."LOL. I'm in the same boat. This does take a lot of concentration. A lot. It's for sure not light reading.
I honestly don't have a lot of faith in my ability to finish by the end of the month. I'm only 24% in. I think my goal is to finish at some point this year.@RachelvlehcaR That is my favorite chapter so far! Dwarves and Ents :) :) :)
Ari wrote: "I honestly don't have a lot of faith in my ability to finish by the end of the month. I'm only 24% in. I think my goal is to finish at some point this year.@RachelvlehcaR That is my favorite c..."
lol. I feel you. I really do. I might be in the same boat as you.
I started today and while I agree that is easy to get lost in names, so far I'm really enjoying the story.
@Rachel and Ari - I totally understand. Am just glad that I am not alone in feeling this way. It almost felt like I was back in college and slacking! Lol
I know it's been since the 1st too. Welcome Lara! We have another person too that is joining us late or procrastinating buddy readers. :) I'm enjoying it too Lara.
Okay, getting back to reading.
I'm with all of you. I am only about a quarter of the way through and I know there is no way I am going to finish by the end of the month. Perhaps by the end of the year?
I'm completely hooked now! Such a great book.
I got to chapter 13 and haven't picked it since then. Need to get back to it. I'd really like to finish it before LotR starts :P
I finished chapter 10 'Of the Sindar'. I loved reading about the dwarves/elves different names for things, like dwarves calling something Gabilgathol and the elves calling it Belegost. It was really interesting.@Lara Yes! It is so incredibly good!
Chapter 12: "elf and mortal, Earendil, and Elwing, and their child Elrond." Elrond is half mortal?! Like, half human?
Just finished chapter 14, and I feel like I'm drowning in an ocean of names. Sirion and Gelion are rivers, I'm pretty sure.
Ari wrote: "Sirion and Gelion are rivers, I'm pretty sure."Are you? :P
Still need to get back to this one. *sigh* I'll forget what I've read so far.
Ari wrote: "Chapter 12: "elf and mortal, Earendil, and Elwing, and their child Elrond." Elrond is half mortal?! Like, half human?"
Yep. :D I think that was mentioned in LotR. (view spoiler)
❀Tea❀ wrote: "Ari wrote: "Sirion and Gelion are rivers, I'm pretty sure."Are you? :P
Still need to get back to this one. *sigh* I'll forget what I've read so far."
Ha! :) I am 70% sure,
Ari wrote: "Ha! :) I am 70% sure, "Yep, those are rivers. I'd probably missed it if it weren't for your comment. :P
Got few chapters done (woohoo!) today.
chapter 16: of Maeglin
(view spoiler)
chapter 17: the coming of men...oh good! now beside trying to figure which Elf belongs where, we have men too. And good thing they also have similar names so it so much easier to figure out who's who.
(view spoiler)
I'm only 20% of the way through. I'm in chapter 8. I have found that some of this book is very interesting and while parts of it isn't so much. It is still taking a lot of my concentration for the book, which is kind of turning me away from it. I don't mind books that require a lot of thought but this is so different. I feel like it's reading like a mixture of mythology and Christianity.
I just finished chapter 16. I really enjoyed it! (view spoiler)@RachelvlehcaR It feels the same way for me. Like Chapter 14 was really hard to get through, but then I loved 15 and 16.
I'm done. ☺Yeah, I agree, book took lot of concentration to go through it. Good thing is last few chapters/stories are familiar from LotR so are easier to read :D
Ari wrote: "I just finished chapter 16."I never thought about it like that, but now that you mention it I agree. I was just glad I finally read a chapter that wasn't confusing :P
After a break I'm back with this. I was busy reading other books I kept meaning to read some more of this but never got around to it. It's been hard getting back into it.
Ch 10 "Of the Sindar" - so many names. I can't remember who's who most of the time.
Ch 11 "Of the Sun and Moon and the Hiding of Valinor" - a nice bit of mythology for the sun and moon. It's hard to believe they are only just being created. Morgoth really doesn't like the sun.
Ch 12 "Of Men" - not a lot of info here apart from them not being as good as the Elves. As previously mentioned we do get another mention of Elrond.
Ch 13 "Of the Return of Noldor" - Feanor dies and blames everything on Morgoth. Like his bad choices had nothing to do with it. Feanor was so annoying. I enjoyed the Maedhros/Fingon story. Another mention of Galadriel - aw, she's in love. Yay! (I mean boo!) the first dragon.
Ch 14 "Of Beleriand and its Realms" - geography, geopraphy and more geography. Yuk.
Ch 10 "Of the Sindar" - so many names. I can't remember who's who most of the time.
Ch 11 "Of the Sun and Moon and the Hiding of Valinor" - a nice bit of mythology for the sun and moon. It's hard to believe they are only just being created. Morgoth really doesn't like the sun.
Ch 12 "Of Men" - not a lot of info here apart from them not being as good as the Elves. As previously mentioned we do get another mention of Elrond.
Ch 13 "Of the Return of Noldor" - Feanor dies and blames everything on Morgoth. Like his bad choices had nothing to do with it. Feanor was so annoying. I enjoyed the Maedhros/Fingon story. Another mention of Galadriel - aw, she's in love. Yay! (I mean boo!) the first dragon.
Ch 14 "Of Beleriand and its Realms" - geography, geopraphy and more geography. Yuk.
Ch 15 "Of the Noldor in Beleriand" - more upset within the Elves. So, now Thingol doesn't like the Noldor. No wonder Galadriel didn't want to say anything. At least this chapter was more focused on one thing and the Silmarils were mentioned again.
Ch 16 "Of Maeglin" - Again, this was good just focussing on one story. So, Turgeon is a bit paranoid, Aredhel doesn't like being held to another's will but can't seem to get away from it, Eol is rather possessive and Maeglin is obssessed with Idril and is turning bad. I wonder what will happen next.
Ch 17 "Of the Coming of Men into the West" - a detour from all those elves. A lot of men and a lot of coming and going to get us all confused again.
Ch 16 "Of Maeglin" - Again, this was good just focussing on one story. So, Turgeon is a bit paranoid, Aredhel doesn't like being held to another's will but can't seem to get away from it, Eol is rather possessive and Maeglin is obssessed with Idril and is turning bad. I wonder what will happen next.
Ch 17 "Of the Coming of Men into the West" - a detour from all those elves. A lot of men and a lot of coming and going to get us all confused again.
Nothing But Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
The Lost Hero (other topics)Wizard's First Rule (other topics)
Eragon (other topics)
The Silmarillion (other topics)
The Hobbit, or There and Back Again (other topics)
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I'm still reading a few pages a day (very few), but not working as hard at it as I would if there weren't so many dang great books to read that are so much easier to get through.