Why is it so difficult? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

The Sixth Wizard · 01-28-2007, 04:16 AM

I first read the Sil a while ago, but only after reading about the various gods and stories elsewhere, like in the Encyclopaedia of Arda. This probably gave me some background to decipher the more complex texts and I had it read in a fortnight or maybe less. I was 13 at the time.

Much of it is beautiful, the Last Stand of Dor-Lomin stirs my heart. Hurin is my favourite character, over Turin and Fingolfin. I imagine vividly Earendil returning with a star upon his brow, can see the fire in Feanor's eye as he pursues Gothmog and Morgoth's forces. I like how Men are not considered pure, but easily tempted, and free to choose their own path. I also like how it isn't the goodies who get away with it, it's not predictable like most stories. One of my favourite things about it is that Aragorn's son (can't remember his name) is so far down the line he has a strain of Maiar, Teleri, Noldor, Vanyar and Dunedain (check it you'll see). I positively like the Silmarillion. It probably is a difficult book for most teenagers but I found it very intriguing.

Bye!

Kath · 01-28-2007, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Pick up a copy of the Mabinogion and you will experience the same style, slightly distant and 'high', a sense that the text was not written in the same century which produced The Hobbit.

That's exactly right, and reading that book was the only way I got through the Silmarillion. I went from The Hobbit to LotR and from there I tried to go straight onto the Sil but got bogged down by the 347 names beginning with F somewhere in the middle. I moved on to Arthur and those stories and finally returned to the Sil many years later. It was still a struggle to get through it and it certainly warrants a re-read as I remember little of it, but many of the stories were excellent and I personally greatly enjoyed the beginning.

Lalwendë · 01-28-2007, 10:58 AM

I was looking at Waterstone's in-shop magazine yesterday (didn't buy it because it's £1.99 and I'm tight) and there was a tiny paragraph about The Children of Hurin - it said something about "anyone who's ever struggled with The Silmarillion...."

Way to go Waterstone's! Not. I think that might put a few prospective buyers off Children... and judging by the amount of Harry Potter advertising all over the shop it looks like there will be no Children Of Hurin release date midnight opening....

Durelin · 01-28-2007, 11:03 AM

I do think we're rather convinced of what should be "entertaining" and what shouldn't be, as well as what should be difficult...and if it isn't difficult, then you're a loser nerd with no friends.

And I see people have been assuming that I'm the one complaining - I'm not; I was just asking why others find it difficult, because I hear a lot about it being "work" for people. Personally, I have only not read the Silmarillion yet (though I've read pieces) because I have not found the time, sadly. Too many books to read, too little time...perhaps that's the real difficulty.

The Sixth Wizard · 01-28-2007, 02:06 PM

It comes down to what I heard on a different thread, there's those who like the LOTR story and those who like the LOTR world. If you like the story but not the millions of place-names and dates, don't read the Silmarillion. If you're over the story (like me) but still want to learn about the world, by all means read it.

Azaelia of Willowbottom · 01-28-2007, 02:42 PM

Interesting question.

It did take me a couple tries to get through the Sil. I think it is the style, mainly, that makes it a little harder than LOTR. It's written in a more archaic style, which can make it a little less accessable.

My initial response was like Fea's: This reads like the Bible. I didn't make it through that time.

The second time I picked it up, I skimmed over the first part about the creation, which I think was a good move to make. It gets less Bible-ish later on, or perhaps I just became accustomed to the style quicker. I discovered that I really enjoyed the story of Turin...but the rest had taken too long to read, and there was still quite a ways to go. And I gave it up again.

The third time I started Sil, I read the thing from start to finish (almost). Something just clicked with me, and I felt myself falling into Middle-earth again. The last chapter or two remain unread, not because I gave up, but because I was struck with the realization that this would be the last new Tolkien I would ever read. So I stopped. I wanted to save it. For what or until when, I don't know...but I didn't want to read it. Because after that, it would be all over, and I didn't want it to end.

I still haven't read those last pages. Now, there is a "new" book coming, so I think that over spring break, I'll pick Sil up again, start from the beginning, and read all the way to the end.

I think that a lot of what's so difficult about Silmarillion is that it is different from Lord of the Rings. LOTR reads cohesively. It is highly descriptive, and doesn't get bogged down in long lists of who is related to whom. Silmarillion is a more episodic story, spread out over a much wider range of time. Everything connects, but you could pick it up, open it to a chapter of your choice, and start there, and probably be no more lost than you would be if you started at the beginning.

I think another problem could be that it's something like the issues people have with Shakespeare: It sounds different! It's too hard! I can't read this!...when really, it's pretty much the same language as our own, and it's only really difficult because everyone says it is--just the power of suggestion. The style may take a little longer to figure out at first, but once you get into the rhythm of it, it flies right by.

I think it's hard, also, to find the chunk of time required to read the Silmarillion. It took me longer to read than LOTR, partly because increased demands of school meant that I couldn't just curl up with a blanket and the book and spend my days lying on the couch and reading...and partly because it took me some time to get accustomed to the style differences. If you can find the appropriate window of time to dedicate to the effort, it's worth the read.

mhagain · 01-29-2007, 10:42 AM

Didn't find it particularly "difficult" at all. I'd actually read it before reading LoTR, over 20 years ago, and have since re-read it many more times than LoTR. It's just a matter of letting go of your preconceptions of novelistic convention, and being prepared to go with the flow rather get too hung up on who's doing what at any particular moment.

Of course, once the Silmarillion bug bites, it bites for good.

01-28-2007, 10:58 AM	#3
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	I was looking at Waterstone's in-shop magazine yesterday (didn't buy it because it's £1.99 and I'm tight) and there was a tiny paragraph about The Children of Hurin - it said something about "anyone who's ever struggled with The Silmarillion...." Way to go Waterstone's! Not. I think that might put a few prospective buyers off Children... and judging by the amount of Harry Potter advertising all over the shop it looks like there will be no Children Of Hurin release date midnight opening.... __________________ Gordon's alive!

01-28-2007, 02:42 PM	#6
Azaelia of Willowbottom Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: By the Sea Posts: 446	Interesting question. It did take me a couple tries to get through the Sil. I think it is the style, mainly, that makes it a little harder than LOTR. It's written in a more archaic style, which can make it a little less accessable. My initial response was like Fea's: This reads like the Bible. I didn't make it through that time. The second time I picked it up, I skimmed over the first part about the creation, which I think was a good move to make. It gets less Bible-ish later on, or perhaps I just became accustomed to the style quicker. I discovered that I really enjoyed the story of Turin...but the rest had taken too long to read, and there was still quite a ways to go. And I gave it up again. The third time I started Sil, I read the thing from start to finish (almost). Something just clicked with me, and I felt myself falling into Middle-earth again. The last chapter or two remain unread, not because I gave up, but because I was struck with the realization that this would be the last new Tolkien I would ever read. So I stopped. I wanted to save it. For what or until when, I don't know...but I didn't want to read it. Because after that, it would be all over, and I didn't want it to end. I still haven't read those last pages. Now, there is a "new" book coming, so I think that over spring break, I'll pick Sil up again, start from the beginning, and read all the way to the end. I think that a lot of what's so difficult about Silmarillion is that it is different from Lord of the Rings. LOTR reads cohesively. It is highly descriptive, and doesn't get bogged down in long lists of who is related to whom. Silmarillion is a more episodic story, spread out over a much wider range of time. Everything connects, but you could pick it up, open it to a chapter of your choice, and start there, and probably be no more lost than you would be if you started at the beginning. I think another problem could be that it's something like the issues people have with Shakespeare: It sounds different! It's too hard! I can't read this!...when really, it's pretty much the same language as our own, and it's only really difficult because everyone says it is--just the power of suggestion. The style may take a little longer to figure out at first, but once you get into the rhythm of it, it flies right by. I think it's hard, also, to find the chunk of time required to read the Silmarillion. It took me longer to read than LOTR, partly because increased demands of school meant that I couldn't just curl up with a blanket and the book and spend my days lying on the couch and reading...and partly because it took me some time to get accustomed to the style differences. If you can find the appropriate window of time to dedicate to the effort, it's worth the read. __________________ "Wherever I have been, I am back."

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

01-28-2007, 04:16 AM	#1
The Sixth Wizard Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stuck under a rock in Valinor with Ar-Pharazon. Posts: 480	I first read the Sil a while ago, but only after reading about the various gods and stories elsewhere, like in the Encyclopaedia of Arda. This probably gave me some background to decipher the more complex texts and I had it read in a fortnight or maybe less. I was 13 at the time. Much of it is beautiful, the Last Stand of Dor-Lomin stirs my heart. Hurin is my favourite character, over Turin and Fingolfin. I imagine vividly Earendil returning with a star upon his brow, can see the fire in Feanor's eye as he pursues Gothmog and Morgoth's forces. I like how Men are not considered pure, but easily tempted, and free to choose their own path. I also like how it isn't the goodies who get away with it, it's not predictable like most stories. One of my favourite things about it is that Aragorn's son (can't remember his name) is so far down the line he has a strain of Maiar, Teleri, Noldor, Vanyar and Dunedain (check it you'll see). I positively like the Silmarillion. It probably is a difficult book for most teenagers but I found it very intriguing. Bye!

01-28-2007, 11:03 AM	#4
Durelin Estelo dagnir, Melo ring Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 3,063	I do think we're rather convinced of what should be "entertaining" and what shouldn't be, as well as what should be difficult...and if it isn't difficult, then you're a loser nerd with no friends. And I see people have been assuming that I'm the one complaining - I'm not; I was just asking why others find it difficult, because I hear a lot about it being "work" for people. Personally, I have only not read the Silmarillion yet (though I've read pieces) because I have not found the time, sadly. Too many books to read, too little time...perhaps that's the real difficulty.

01-28-2007, 02:06 PM	#5
The Sixth Wizard Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stuck under a rock in Valinor with Ar-Pharazon. Posts: 480	It comes down to what I heard on a different thread, there's those who like the LOTR story and those who like the LOTR world. If you like the story but not the millions of place-names and dates, don't read the Silmarillion. If you're over the story (like me) but still want to learn about the world, by all means read it.

01-29-2007, 10:42 AM	#7
mhagain Wight Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: The best seat in the Golden Perch Posts: 219	Didn't find it particularly "difficult" at all. I'd actually read it before reading LoTR, over 20 years ago, and have since re-read it many more times than LoTR. It's just a matter of letting go of your preconceptions of novelistic convention, and being prepared to go with the flow rather get too hung up on who's doing what at any particular moment. Of course, once the Silmarillion bug bites, it bites for good.