The Silmarillion - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Princess of Mirkwood · 08-01-2002, 01:43 PM

I've read the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings books, and i was wondering if I should read the Silmarillion
I heard that it is quite complicated!

Ithaeliel · 08-01-2002, 01:54 PM

If you can understand the older style of writing, I find it is a great book. I just finished it about a week ago, and I enjoyed it thoroughly and found that I was much more learned in the lore of Middle-earth. In my opinion, it is a necessary read for people who want to understand the meanings behind some of the things that are mentioned in LotR (for example the line at the end of Galadriel's lament and the constant references to "the Ancient West") and some of the references made around the Downs about certain characters and concepts. I really recommend you read it. It is sort of complicated, but not to the point where you;re all mixed up and can't comprehend anything. It is a great book.

Princess of Mirkwood · 08-01-2002, 01:56 PM

thanx, I think I'll read it then
[img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Galorme · 08-01-2002, 02:19 PM

I think that too many people read the Silmirilion to explain the small refernces in the LoTR. If you do it for this then you will most probabily be disapointed. If you plan to enjoy the book for itself then you will have a wonderful read, but if you are on the constant look out for references to Entwives and such you will be better off not reading the book, partly because many questions wont be answered and partly because it spoils the depth of the LoTR somewhat.

I am not saying this to stop you reading the books, because it is an amazing book in all respects provided you have a good imagination. A love for the old style of writing is also good. But it will help you a lot if you read it for itself and not as a resource for LoTR.

Starbreeze · 08-01-2002, 02:20 PM

I would most definitly recommend it, but only if you feel you can manage it. Don't do what I did and read it when I wasn't ready and be totally put off.

Morgoth Bauglir · 08-01-2002, 03:12 PM

how were u not ready?

its more like a history than a story.

Ruthwen · 08-01-2002, 04:21 PM

Personally, I love The Silmarillion, despite the complexity and the Old-Testament style of writing. It seems... vivid, somehow. *Sigh* I know what I mean.

Yeah, I'd definitely recommend it. I read it because I wanted to know absolutely everything I could find out about Middle-earth, and The Silmarillion was the first book I found. It explains several things in Lord of the Rings, but it's wonderful in itself as well.

burrahobbit · 08-01-2002, 08:05 PM

Yes. Everyone who says that it is hard is lying to you.

Lothiriel Silmarien · 08-01-2002, 08:07 PM

Yeah, listen to burrahobbit, I feel the same way. It's not hard at all. It's such an awesome book! I like it as much as I like LotR.

Dimaldaeon · 08-02-2002, 12:10 PM

The first few chapters are very religious in feel but persevere and you will find not only a great story but a mine of information on Middle Earth. After the Noldor rebel things get very interesting indeed.

Starbreeze · 08-02-2002, 02:16 PM

Its not hard, there is just a lot to take in if you want to understand it properly.

Quote:

how were u not ready?

Well, I was really too young and not interested enough. A lot of the language and even the story line just went over my head. At that time it was not the type of book I wanted to read - I wanted books about animal and (sorry if i offend anyone) all the twee stuff.

Tigerlily Gamgee · 08-03-2002, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Its not hard, there is just a lot to take in if you want to understand it properly.

<font color=gold>I agree, Starbreeze. I had to re-read a lot so that it would sink in before I moved on to the next story. It is definitley worth reading, though. I never realized how many references are made in The Lord of the Rings to things from The Silmarillion. When I read the books the first time I must have overlooked them, but when I went back and read them again I understood a lot more because I had read The Silmarillion.

Galorme · 08-03-2002, 03:14 PM

If you want to truely understand the Silmirilion, read it (dont worry if it doesn't all go in). Then read all the histories (or 1-5 10-12). Then re-read the Silmirilion. You will have a very deep and 'from the ground up' understanding of the mythology, as you will know how it came to be and the ideas arose, as well as the facts.

You will also better understand the beauty of the works, as you will see the stories from all angles and understand all of the charactors in more depth than the the other books, and you will still have echos of the lays and poems and naratives in the books echoing in your mind.

The Silver-shod Muse · 08-05-2002, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Everyone who says that it is hard is lying to you.

Keeping a good handle on the endless relationship dynamics between the Elvish families (i.e. tangled family trees and enemies to the death) isn't the easiest thing, but it's worth it if you persevere.

08-01-2002, 01:43 PM	#1
Princess of Mirkwood Pile O'Bones Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: UK Posts: 14	The Silmarillion I've read the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings books, and i was wondering if I should read the Silmarillion I heard that it is quite complicated! __________________ ~Roses are red, violets are blue, I'm schizophrenic and I am too~

08-01-2002, 01:54 PM	#2
Ithaeliel Cornus Caliga Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Five-hundred-twenty-five thousand, six hundred minutes from here Posts: 710	If you can understand the older style of writing, I find it is a great book. I just finished it about a week ago, and I enjoyed it thoroughly and found that I was much more learned in the lore of Middle-earth. In my opinion, it is a necessary read for people who want to understand the meanings behind some of the things that are mentioned in LotR (for example the line at the end of Galadriel's lament and the constant references to "the Ancient West") and some of the references made around the Downs about certain characters and concepts. I really recommend you read it. It is sort of complicated, but not to the point where you;re all mixed up and can't comprehend anything. It is a great book. __________________ That best portion of a good man's life, His little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love. .................William Wordsworth

08-01-2002, 01:56 PM	#3
Princess of Mirkwood Pile O'Bones Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: UK Posts: 14	thanx, I think I'll read it then [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] __________________ ~Roses are red, violets are blue, I'm schizophrenic and I am too~

08-01-2002, 02:19 PM	#4
Galorme Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: London Posts: 337	I think that too many people read the Silmirilion to explain the small refernces in the LoTR. If you do it for this then you will most probabily be disapointed. If you plan to enjoy the book for itself then you will have a wonderful read, but if you are on the constant look out for references to Entwives and such you will be better off not reading the book, partly because many questions wont be answered and partly because it spoils the depth of the LoTR somewhat. I am not saying this to stop you reading the books, because it is an amazing book in all respects provided you have a good imagination. A love for the old style of writing is also good. But it will help you a lot if you read it for itself and not as a resource for LoTR. __________________ Utúlie'n aurë! Aiya Eldalië ar Atanatári, utúlie'n aurë! The day has come! Behold people of the Eldar and Fathers of Men, the day has come!

08-01-2002, 02:20 PM	#5
Starbreeze Ghost of a Smile Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Mirkwood - Middle Earth Posts: 389	I would most definitly recommend it, but only if you feel you can manage it. Don't do what I did and read it when I wasn't ready and be totally put off. __________________ Do not tamper with the affairs of wizards, they are not all that subtle - Terry Pratchett To write is to make dreams, to make dreams is to awaken the fantasy of the mind, to awaken the mind is to be a master.

08-01-2002, 03:12 PM	#6
Morgoth Bauglir Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 252	how were u not ready? its more like a history than a story.

08-01-2002, 04:21 PM	#7
Ruthwen Animated Skeleton Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: England Posts: 40	Personally, I love The Silmarillion, despite the complexity and the Old-Testament style of writing. It seems... vivid, somehow. Sigh I know what I mean. Yeah, I'd definitely recommend it. I read it because I wanted to know absolutely everything I could find out about Middle-earth, and The Silmarillion was the first book I found. It explains several things in Lord of the Rings, but it's wonderful in itself as well. __________________ "Her name was Nenlauriel, but they called her Rûthwen, because her anger seemed ever constant and ever flowing from her grey eyes."

08-01-2002, 08:05 PM	#8
burrahobbit Hidden Spirit Join Date: May 2000 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,424	Yes. Everyone who says that it is hard is lying to you. __________________ What's a burrahobbit got to do with my pocket, anyways?

08-01-2002, 08:07 PM	#9
Lothiriel Silmarien Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: New York Posts: 829	Yeah, listen to burrahobbit, I feel the same way. It's not hard at all. It's such an awesome book! I like it as much as I like LotR. __________________ Si vanwa na Romello vanwa Valimar!~~ ~~Now lost, lost to those from the East is Valimar! My LotR page

08-02-2002, 12:10 PM	#10
Dimaldaeon Wight Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ireland & damn proud of it. Posts: 125	The first few chapters are very religious in feel but persevere and you will find not only a great story but a mine of information on Middle Earth. After the Noldor rebel things get very interesting indeed. __________________ Dear Saddam, Do not disunderestimate me.Yours G.W.Bush You're not drunk if you can still hold onto a blade of grass to stop yourself from falling off the face of the Earth

08-03-2002, 03:14 PM	#13
Galorme Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: London Posts: 337	If you want to truely understand the Silmirilion, read it (dont worry if it doesn't all go in). Then read all the histories (or 1-5 10-12). Then re-read the Silmirilion. You will have a very deep and 'from the ground up' understanding of the mythology, as you will know how it came to be and the ideas arose, as well as the facts. You will also better understand the beauty of the works, as you will see the stories from all angles and understand all of the charactors in more depth than the the other books, and you will still have echos of the lays and poems and naratives in the books echoing in your mind. __________________ Utúlie'n aurë! Aiya Eldalië ar Atanatári, utúlie'n aurë! The day has come! Behold people of the Eldar and Fathers of Men, the day has come!