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Post by Dillson on Aug 9, 2004 17:19:55 GMT -5
What follows is a breif blurb about Tolkien's prequel to The Lord of The Rings and The Hobbit, The Silmarillion; which tells of the tale of the creation of the earth and the events of the First Age of Arda. This could be considered spoiler material.
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After J.R.R.Tolkien's death in 1973, his son and literary executor, Christopher Tolkien, followed his father's wishes and gathered up his notes and literary papers of almost 60 years of storytelling to form the history of the First Age of Middle-earth. This became Tolkien's The Silmarillion. A series of compact and elegaic episodes tells the story of the creation of Arda, the coming of Elves and Men to Middle-earth, and their war with the Great Enemy to save the early world from destruction. The Silmarillion contains the historic background to the world of The Lord of the Rings, including the tale of Beren and Lúthien, and the history and downfall of Numenor, the original home of the Dunedain.
Personally, this is the book that transformed me from 'casual-reader-enjoying-Lord of The Rings-very-much' to 'obsessive-Tolkien-maniac'.
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xkamelx
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Post by xkamelx on Aug 9, 2004 17:37:55 GMT -5
I never even knew it existed, but it sounds really good. So basically this was treat for all Tolken fans as it came out after his death? I'm just starting on The Hobbit myself, but over the years it will take me to get caught up, I'll be giving this one a look too!
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Post by Dillson on Aug 9, 2004 17:47:45 GMT -5
Well, I think you are on the right track starting with The Hobbit. I mean, The Silmarillion describes the beginning of everything, but it's not an easy read if you haven't read any of Tolkien's material before. The Hobbit gives out enough information to warrant curiosity and will to carry on reading. The Hobbit will give you some questions to ponder about, and the answers can be found in The Lord of The Rings, which is usually the next step to take, because it's set 60 years after The Hobbit. Tolkien's writing style doesn't really differ from The Hobbit to the first chapters of The Fellowship of The Ring. It is told in quite a light hearted manner, almost written as a fairytale for parents to read to thier children at bedtime. However, when the mood of The Lord of The Rings changes (as we all know it would, because I'm sure we've seen the three films) so does Tolkien's writing style. From then on, he goes into his 'mythological legendary mode' and tells things from a more historical perspective. He tells it like a great myth, rather than a fairy story. This style is evident throughout The Silmarillion. It's best to read The Lord of The Rings to witness the transformation in his writing, otherwise it could be hard to get to grips with after reading The Hobbit.
At least you are starting at the right place. With my attempt to get into Star Trek, I started with Star Trek V: The Final Frontier.
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xkamelx
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Post by xkamelx on Aug 9, 2004 17:57:16 GMT -5
I was thinking that, was thinking it's best to read the Hobit first, then the LOTR, then The Silmarillion, after I read your initial post, as that is the natural order of the books. To do it differently would almost be like trying to watch the new Star Wars trillogy w/out seeing the originals first.
And it's interesting that you mention a fairly tale being rad to to children. I have two friends, brothers, who father used to read them Lord of the Rings every night before bed. He'd spend an hour or so reading to them from Tolkien books, and others classic books as well, 20,000 leagues under the sea, ect. It was his intention to get his children interested in quality.
As a matter of fact, it may not be a bad idea for me to read 'The Hobbit' aloud to my own kid. She is already aware of, and likes the movies. .. .
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ConqueringWolf
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Post by ConqueringWolf on Aug 9, 2004 18:24:28 GMT -5
I tried reading the Silmarillion once....never finished it....but only because it was too slow and methodical for me when i was younger....as you say the writing style is much different...its almost like reading a history book in high school...lol I would probably read it now but i never have time to read books anymore it seems....
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Post by Dillson on Aug 9, 2004 18:34:59 GMT -5
Whether you enjoy the book depends largely on whether you've taken the world of Middle-Earth to heart. You're right, it is almost like reading a history book. For people such as me that just wanted to learn more about Middle-Earth, it's absolutely perfect. Personally, learning about the history of Arda is more fun than learning of the history of our planet (and I enjoy history).
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FantasyLover
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Post by FantasyLover on Aug 9, 2004 22:58:33 GMT -5
Yeah, if you haven't read anything else, do not read Silmarillion. None of it will make any sense really not because it isn't explained well enough, but you will be totally clueless and wouldn't be able to get into the mood.
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Ember
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Post by Ember on Aug 9, 2004 23:38:56 GMT -5
The book is almost poetic to me. I find it very fascinating and beautiful... but hard to get through all the same. lol I still haven't been able to finish it. I love the first three chapters so far though.
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Post by Solidsnake on Aug 10, 2004 4:52:23 GMT -5
This book is a very hard book to get your head around, you have too read it at the right time. I haven't read it yet but I am thinking abut getting it, I have a Tolkien encyclopedia so I pretty much know the story already:p
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Post by valderra on Aug 11, 2004 15:50:05 GMT -5
I have the book and started reading it but like Nemesis says, it´s not as easy to read as The Hobbit or LOTR (and that one needs to be read twice at least to understand once). LOL So, I haven´t yet read all the way through and what I have read so far, most I have forgotten again.
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Post by Calenfalathiel on Aug 16, 2004 16:37:02 GMT -5
I'm in the middle of reading it now, but as everyone is saying it's not as easy to read as LotR and the Hobbit...It's basically like a text book because it tells you all the origins of all the races and how everything came to be in Tolkien's world. It's really interesting, but it's a lot of information that is being given to you, so you kinda hafta read it a bit slower than you would usually read a book...well, at least I have to.
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Bender the Offender
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Post by Bender the Offender on Aug 26, 2004 19:30:52 GMT -5
And he descended upon Arda in power and majesty greater than any other of the Valar, as a mountain that wades in the sea and has its head above the clouds and is clad in ice and crowned with smoke and fire; and the light of the eyes of Melkor was like a flame that withers with heat and pierces with a deadly cold.
Sorry, I couldn't resist. ;D
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Post by Dillson on Oct 1, 2004 15:27:41 GMT -5
Because there are so many different stories involved in The Silmarillion, which stories did you find the more interesting to read? There are so many that could be mentioned, such as the creation of Arda, the story of Beren and Luthien, the War of Wrath, the Flight of the Noldor, the Silmarils themselves etc.
Your thoughts please.
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Post by boba on May 7, 2006 10:09:42 GMT -5
I loved the simarilion,it fitted all the peices together that tlotr only hinted at.And its there that u first meet gandalf as olorin. Loved the tale of beren and luthien, but my fav charictor was hurin,he gave everything for the elves,who he loved
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0 of 0
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Post by 0 of 0 on Sept 24, 2006 20:57:47 GMT -5
My sister is a book lover and she read the Simarilion. It was long and difficult she said, and from what I heard it was very boring...
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