Ashamed and A Live - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Encaitare · 12-09-2004, 04:38 PM

The Sil reads like a cross between a religious text and a history book -- because that's what it is. It's killer the first time around, but if you can get through it a second time, you'll love it.

I agree with Rimbaud's advice. Return the Silmarillion and reread LotR, appendices included (you'll get used to the rather dry tone, and keep that libary fee from going up!). Then, if you still want to read the Sil, take it out and try it again. If you still can't get into it, maybe you could try reading the chapter about Beren and Luthien -- it's more interesting than, say, the geography of Numenor.

For a little lighter reading, I definitely advise Leaf by Niggle and Farmer Giles of Ham.

Good luck!

Feanor of the Peredhil · 12-09-2004, 04:52 PM

Encai is right. The Sil is nearly impossible to read the first time. I practically breathe reading, and it took me an entire summer to finish, and even then, I was obscenely confused. I do aim to reread it (by that I mean actually sit and read it again, rather than browsing occasionally), but that won't happen until RL slows down.

If you do insist on reading the Silm, take notes. Sketch out family trees to help you keep your characters straight, and summarize what's going on in your own words. Start with something like "Eru is God. He created the Ainur, which are like our angels... sort of. They played pretty music but Melkor was tone-deaf." See what I mean? It helps if you word it yourself.

Fea

Ainaserkewen · 12-09-2004, 06:56 PM

When you love reading someone like Tolkien, you'll love roaming around looking for all the fun stuff that he's written.

Oh course, there are other ways of going about it to. Just this morning I picked up a book at the library called "Before Tolkien" and it is about all the greatest fantasy stories that apparently he got some of his inspiration from. A lot of the short stories were written in the middle-ages and for whatever reason are very much LOTR style.

If you're going to tackle the Silmarillion, get a pen and paper ready. Write down names because there are alot and you'll forget/get frustrated/abandon reading.

the phantom · 12-10-2004, 01:12 AM

You guys are crazy. My dad bought me the Sil three days before summer vacation right before I turned 16 (he thought I'd read it on the trip) and I had the thing read before we left town. It drew me in so much that I read it twice more during the trip. It's the closest I'll ever get to love at first sight.

It's on such a big scale and there are so many characters, places, and things to imagine. It's awesome.

Encaitare · 12-10-2004, 11:30 AM

I'm certainly not saying that the Sil is anything less than awesome, on the contrary -- I love it. Yet I consider myself to be quite a strong reader, and I found my first read through the Sil to be a challenge. Now I'm fine with it, but it's quite a change from LotR.

mark12_30 · 12-10-2004, 11:52 AM

Some teenagers read half of Shakespeare's tragedies in one summer on the beach. Other teenagers don't. That doesn't make one crazy and the other sane.

I'd prefer a more genteel, respectful expression of differing opinion rather than

Quote:

You guys are crazy.

Consider it an invitation to expand one's diplomatic writing skills. People differ. If it were not so, even the Downs would be a dull place.

Feanor of the Peredhil · 12-10-2004, 12:49 PM

Quote:

I'd prefer a more genteel, respectful expression of differing opinion rather than Quote:
You guys are crazy.

Especially since he was talking to girls!

12-09-2004, 04:52 PM	#2
Feanor of the Peredhil La Belle Dame sans Merci Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: perpetual uncertainty Posts: 5,517	Encai is right. The Sil is nearly impossible to read the first time. I practically breathe reading, and it took me an entire summer to finish, and even then, I was obscenely confused. I do aim to reread it (by that I mean actually sit and read it again, rather than browsing occasionally), but that won't happen until RL slows down. If you do insist on reading the Silm, take notes. Sketch out family trees to help you keep your characters straight, and summarize what's going on in your own words. Start with something like "Eru is God. He created the Ainur, which are like our angels... sort of. They played pretty music but Melkor was tone-deaf." See what I mean? It helps if you word it yourself. Fea __________________ peace

12-09-2004, 06:56 PM	#3
Ainaserkewen Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A cosmic waiting room Posts: 651	When you love reading someone like Tolkien, you'll love roaming around looking for all the fun stuff that he's written. Oh course, there are other ways of going about it to. Just this morning I picked up a book at the library called "Before Tolkien" and it is about all the greatest fantasy stories that apparently he got some of his inspiration from. A lot of the short stories were written in the middle-ages and for whatever reason are very much LOTR style. If you're going to tackle the Silmarillion, get a pen and paper ready. Write down names because there are alot and you'll forget/get frustrated/abandon reading. __________________ Solus... I'm eating chicken again. I ate chicken yesterday and the day before... will I be eating chicken again tomorrow? Why am I always eating chicken?

12-10-2004, 01:12 AM	#4
the phantom Beloved Shadow Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: The Stadium Posts: 5,971	You guys are crazy. My dad bought me the Sil three days before summer vacation right before I turned 16 (he thought I'd read it on the trip) and I had the thing read before we left town. It drew me in so much that I read it twice more during the trip. It's the closest I'll ever get to love at first sight. It's on such a big scale and there are so many characters, places, and things to imagine. It's awesome. __________________ the phantom has posted. This thread is now important.

12-09-2004, 04:38 PM	#1
Encaitare Bittersweet Symphony Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: On the jolly starship Enterprise Posts: 1,814	The Sil reads like a cross between a religious text and a history book -- because that's what it is. It's killer the first time around, but if you can get through it a second time, you'll love it. I agree with Rimbaud's advice. Return the Silmarillion and reread LotR, appendices included (you'll get used to the rather dry tone, and keep that libary fee from going up!). Then, if you still want to read the Sil, take it out and try it again. If you still can't get into it, maybe you could try reading the chapter about Beren and Luthien -- it's more interesting than, say, the geography of Numenor. For a little lighter reading, I definitely advise Leaf by Niggle and Farmer Giles of Ham. Good luck!

12-10-2004, 11:30 AM	#5
Encaitare Bittersweet Symphony Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: On the jolly starship Enterprise Posts: 1,814	I'm certainly not saying that the Sil is anything less than awesome, on the contrary -- I love it. Yet I consider myself to be quite a strong reader, and I found my first read through the Sil to be a challenge. Now I'm fine with it, but it's quite a change from LotR.