by J. R. R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien, Andy Serkis, HarperCollins
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English
Publisher
HarperCollins
Kindle
$11.99
Hardcover
$17.99
Paperback
$11.49
Audiobook
$30.49
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The forerunner to The Lord of the Rings , The Silmarillion tells the earlier history of Middle-earth, recounting the events of the First and Second Ages, and introducing some of the key characters, such as Galadriel, Elrond, Elendil and the Dark Lord, Sauron. The tales of The Silmarillion are set in an age when Morgoth, the first Dark Lord, dwelt in Middle-earth, and the High Elves made war upon him for the recovery of the Silmarils, the jewels containing the pure light of Valinor. Included on the recording are several shorter works.
The Ainulindalë is a myth of the Creation and in the Valaquenta the nature and powers of each of the gods is described. The Akallabêth recounts the downfall of the great island kingdom of Númenor at the end of the Second Age, and Of the Rings of Power tells of the great events at the end of the Third Age, as narrated in The Lord of the Rings. This brand-new unabridged recording is read by the acclaimed actor, director and author, Andy Serkis.
Journey into the heart of Middle-earth with J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Silmarillion', a foundational epic that delves into the origins and myths that shaped the world of hobbits, elves, and men. Written with a language richness and depth that capture the imagination, Tolkien crafts a saga of gods, heroes, and the battle between good and evil.
This work paves the way for the beloved tales found in 'The Hobbit' and 'The Lord of the Rings', offering readers a deeper understanding of the universe that has captivated fans for generations.
Tolkien’s narrative reveals the deep history of Middle-earth enriched with stunning mythology and timeless tales. The struggles between dark and light forces depict the inevitable clash and hope in humanity’s heart. Central themes explore creation power and resurrection inspiring readers to reflect on the nature of heroism.
'The Silmarillion' is a rich tapestry woven by J.R.R. Tolkien, setting the stage for the epic tales of Middle-earth. It traces the creation of the world, introducing the pantheon of gods and legendary beings who shape its destiny.
\ At its heart are the Silmarils, precious jewels crafted by the elf Fëanor, whose allure sparks titanic conflicts that resonate through the ages. Elves, men, and dark powers clash in sweeping battles, their stories echoing the timeless struggle between good and evil. \ Tolkien’s powerful prose takes readers on an intricate journey, exploring deep themes of power, betrayal, and redemption.
The profound connections among these legends offer a glimpse into the origins of familiar characters and conflicts, enriching the magical world. \ Richly detailed landscapes, majestic deities, and the complexity of Tolkien's world-building immerse the reader in an unforgettable universe filled with hope and despair. \ As an essential companion to Tolkien's later works, 'The Silmarillion' transforms the mythology of Middle-earth into a compelling epic, keeping alive the wonder and mystery that define Tolkien's storytelling.
'The Silmarillion' stands out with its mythical scope offering readers a deeply immersive experience of the legendary past that informs Tolkien's renowned fiction \\ \nIts powerful storytelling and unique blend of myth and history give readers an unrivaled perspective into the world-building genius behind Middle-earth \\ \nThe profound themes and lyrical language mirror the timeless epics of our own world underlining Tolkien's place as a masterful mythmaker and storyteller of extraordinary depth.
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Based on 21819 ratings
The opening chapter recounting the creation story is one of the most beautiful works of prose I have ever read. The rest of the book provides a detailed history of Tolkien's fantasy world that provides context for the events in the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings. The creativity, magic, and beauty of Tolkien's work remains unrivaled to this day. Nothing else in the fantasy genre comes close.
What an absolute master. I read the first 80 pages or so of this book from June of last year to April of this one. I then read the next 300 pages in the last seven days. I absolutely could not put it down. While it is true that portions of this book are dull, dense, or wordy, I do not think these were reasons why it took me so long to get through the beginning. Rather, because of my perception of the book I attempted to read this book little by little as a side endeavor to my main reading. This was a mistake. I am not someone who can offer half-baked concentration to a book, and The Silmarillion is a book which demands one's full attention. But I want to make one thing clear about this book, because it has a pretty heavy reputation (as was made immediately clear whenever I brought up the fact that I was reading it). The Silmarillion is a must read. Yes there are a thousand names and sometimes it's slow and on occasion it feels like you're reading an encyclopedia of mythology. Those things aren't untrue, but they do not encompass this story. Understand that these things are (in my opinion) overblown, and beyond them is a vast reward. If you are a fan of Tolkien's world you simply must read it. I can say nothing--offer no praise--in this review that has not already been heaped upon Tolkien a million times over; but he deserves it. I have never (not after reading The Hobbit, not after reading Lord of the Rings, both of which I love), ever been as enthusiastic about Tolkien's world as I am right now having just finished this book. It is an absolute masterwork. It is the most fully realized world I have ever had the pleasure to read, and was built by an absolute master of the craft. I know that people sometimes bounce off the language, as it comes off archaic, but what a disservice you are doing yourself! Tolkien is a linguist, and thus he comes at his creations from the very heart of things; the very origin of the workings of our thoughts and mind. He builds languages and worlds pour forth. He even commented in a letter to his editor that he felt that these stories were not merely inventions, but something that was being channeled through him. "...yet always I had the sense of recording what was already ‘there’, somewhere: not of ‘inventing’." The skill of his writing simply can't be understated. I mean, I could read the man's grocery list and be happy. There is a reason a book of his letters was published (and I'll definitely be reading it). Reading it after Lord of the Rings is the way do it I think, because it adds so much to it when you eventually circle back around. LotR throws around names and places and events that intrigue and astound, and ignite the fires of mystery within the reader. The Silmarillion fans those flames, and shows you how the fire was built. So I say again: if you are a fan of deep, realized worlds and expert writing, what are you waiting for? But beyond his technical skill The Silmarillion is a veritable gold-mine for fans of Fantasy (and obviously fans of the Lord of the Rings). Tolkien takes those tantalizingly mysterious legends of the Third Age and weaves them into a complex and nuanced tapestry of mythic, tragic tales. This is the story of the First Age (and less so the Second and Third). The story of Arda. Stories of Iluvatar and the Valar and Maia. Of Melkor, later Morgoth. Of the Eldar and the Silmarils. Of the first Men. Of the Numenorean kings. Of oaths broken and oaths fulfilled. Tolkien crafts an entire mythos full of beauty and wonder. Full of grand deeds and creations. Full of love. But also full of corruption and hate; avarice and war. He is truly a weaver of myth and legend, and it is no wonder his work is still being read all these years later. In the Lord of the Rings one has the tangible sense that there is an entire world stalking the shadows behind this story. In The Silmarillion, that sense is proved true. Bravo.
This is a review of the design and production quality of this book, not of the literary work itself. Overall I'm thrilled with this edition of The Silmarillion, and it pairs well (as intended) with the Illustrated Deluxe Edition of The Lord of the Rings (red slipcase version). 1) Shipping and Packaging: I was pleased to receive this book in pristine condition, with no damage from packing or shipping. I made sure both the seller and shipper was Amazon. Inside the shipping box, the book was well-protected from corner and surface damage by a snug-fitting, unmarked cardboard box. I did miss the beautiful printing that was on the protective box of the correspondingly styled LOTR book, but it still did its job. The book was shink-wrapped inside of the box and everything looks great. 2) Slipcase and Book Exterior: I really enjoy the design, although there's a lot going on. The foil stamping is crisp and looks great, on both the slipcase and the cover. The clothbound slipcase is a deep blue that is significantly less saturated than the vibrant blue of the quarter-bound, leather spine (and also much less saturated than shown in the product photo). Both are of similar tonality, and both showcase the foil stamping beautifully. The blue foil stamping visible through the hole in the slipcase introduces a third, slightly cooler blue. That's a lot of variance, but the overall effect is a rich combination of three blues that still works quite well due to the differing reflectivity of each material. The silver gilding on the paper edges is a very nice touch and complements the silver foil well. I did find myself brushing tiny specs of silver off the book cover from the gilt edges. Did one of my nieces leave a glitter bomb in the box? My only disappointment was seeing a faint bit of discoloration on the front of the slipcase, probably from some glue residue. Not enough to really bother me, but it's certainly not perfect. 3) Binding: The binding feels reasonably flexible for a brand new book, and pages open evenly and easily as I turn through the book. It will certainly free up more once I start a reading. It should last, but only time will tell. There are no obvious defects, though. A dark blue ribbon marker is an appreciated inclusion. 4) Paper: The end sheets are a light, warm grey that serves as a lovely transition between the dark tones of the exterior and the warm whites of the paper throughout the book. The weight of the uncoated paper throughout the book feels almost perfect for the dimensions, and printing on the reverse side can only be seen if you intentionally back-light a page. Illustration plates are printed on a paper of equivalent weight but with a slightly higher brightness, to good, subtle effect. The overall impression I have is that the exterior hues are very cool (silvers, blues, even the green foil is cool) while the interior hues are warm (warm grey endpaper, warm white pages, predominantly warm illustrations). An interesting contrast. Not necessarily a complaint, especially since I personally find it easier on my eyes when reading from warmer papers — as long as there's enough contrast. 5) Interior Design and Printing: Printing is crisp and detailed, with reasonably dark blacks that produce solid, if not excellent, contrast. The printing of text is subtly heavier in some signatures than in others, but it's only barely noticeable if you're looking for it. Text always clean and easy to read, though, and I'll definitely enjoy reading this edition! Precious little illustrations adorn the top of chapter pages, while full-page illustrations appear throughout the book on brighter paper. All are beautifully presented in full color. Colors are rich, and while some are vibrant, most have a slightly muted palette — I suspect some of that is likely due to the age of the artwork being reproduced here. I love having them here, and I think they did a great job. Also, a minor observation: Unlike the matching LOTR deluxe edition, however, page titles are not printed in color. 6) Inserts: A folded poster of J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Silmarillion' map is nicely printed in color on uncoated paper, as is a second poster of Christopher Tolkien's colored version of the 'Belariand and the Lands to the North' map. Both are loose, unattached to the endpapers. The color card of the 'Halls of Manwë' is printed on a coated (either dull or satin) card stock, and the artwork is more vibrant here than on uncoated page 66 of the book. No complaints. I generally don't care about inserts like these, but in this case I like having both maps to compare. Final Thoughts: I love this edition of The Silmarillion. It's gorgeous, printed well, and feels like it will hold up. I'm going to be careful handling it so as to not put too much stress on the foils, but overall I'm very glad to have it in my collection. Given that printing and quality control for Tolkien books under the William Morrow imprint seems to sometimes be hit or miss, I recommend taking a very close look when you get it to make sure you have a good copy. But I highly recommend giving it a go!