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Is the Silmarillion like a bible for Tolkeinites?
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While the Silmarillion is quite clearly not comparable to the Bible in terms of historical and spiritual significance, I nevertheless think that there is an element of truth in this statement.
I remember that, when I tried (and hopelessly failed) to read the Silmarillion first time round (age 12), I would describe it to people as being akin to the Bible. This is probably because I got no further than the Valaquenta, and the Ainulindale and Valaquenta are, stylistically, very similar to the Bible.
I'm happy to say that I have now (quite recently) managed to finish the Silmarillion, and I am extremely glad that I did. While I still found the first two chapters fairly hardgoing, much of the Quenta Silmarillion (of Turin Turambar in particular) makes compelling reading.
Sad to say, I have still not made it all the way through the Bible. [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img]