The Silmarillion

I've loved Middle Earth ever since I read The Hobbit and LOTR as a kid, but had never gotten through the Silmarillion before. But it was so fun to do so and finally be able to understand the worldbuilding in his universe and the history that the characters references; also the mythic, epic feeling of the book was really fun! By itself it might be unsatisfying but knowing it references so many other stories Tolkien wrote makes it really tantalizing—it's super fun, for instance, to compare the story of Beren and Lúthien as told in the Silmarillion to the version… show more.

This book, again by JRR Tolkien, was published in 1977, actually four years after its author’s death. It deals with Middle Earth long before The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, both set in the Third Age.

It concerns a foe, Melkor, who is infinitely more powerful than Sauron, the adversary in the later books. Tolkien himself summarises it better than anyone: "The Silmarillion is the history of the War of the Exiled Elves against the Enemy. Several tales of victory and tragedy are caught up in it; but it ends with catastrophe, and the passing of the… show more.

This book weaves a rich tale of backstory that explains much of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings lore the future books and movies simply cannot even begin to introduce. I found this text thick but compelling with legends and tales, the Silmarils, heroes, and wars that gave life to the LOTR trilogy.

There are names and events covered here that explain mysteries and give the LOTR events meaning, and the storytelling presents everything in a very real light, truly making this more history than fiction. I find The Silmarillion stands on its own as a well-woven, intricate tale… show more.

Although not the easiest novel to read, The Silmarillion tells us the creation of J.R.R. Tolkein’s beloved world. It’s dense and complex, full of characters and places that are linked in this intricate web. I recommend this book because it takes us out of our comfort zone of how we’re accustomed to reading. I felt it gave my mind a bit of a mental exercise trying to connect and understand what was written. I understand that such a thing may not be enjoyed by all readers, but for those who yearn for a challenge, pick this one up.

I have always been enraptured by The Silmarillion’s opening salvo: “The Ainulindale.” It’s a creation myth that foretells the founding of a whole new world and the triumphs and tragedies of its gods and people. Clearly inspired by the biblical fall of the archangel Lucifer, Tolkien uses a prose song to tell this earliest tale of Middle Earth. Eru, the god figure, gathers his angels, the Ainur, to sing together the origin story of what would soon take place in a world that did not yet exist. Melkor, this story’s dark angel, introduces malice into the harmony and the… show more.

If you thought Smaug was cool, the dragons in The Silmarillion are even cooler! Glaurung, the Father of Dragons; Ancalagon the Black, the first winged dragon; and Scatha, among others. This book is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful I have ever read, though it does take some effort on the part of the reader. I took the time to look up every name and placename that I didn’t understand, and that led me to fully understand everything and love it that much more. It’s totally worth the effort.