Silmarillion. Help! - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Elven-Maiden · 02-17-2002, 10:00 AM

I've started reading the Silm and am already confised! [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img]

First, how do you pronounce the title?

My next question is this: Are the Valar and the Maiar a form of Elves, or are they completely different?

the_master_of_puppets · 02-17-2002, 10:36 AM

its pronounced sill(as in windowsill)-mar(as in MARk)-ill-ion(as in paviLLION).

sillmarillion. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

and i havnt started reading it yet so i cant answer your other question. but can I as U, is it worth my time?! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

Bruce MacCulloch · 02-17-2002, 10:42 AM

This question is answered in this thread.

Mayla Took · 02-17-2002, 10:49 AM

I would just take time to read it slowly and "soak it all in" so you don't get confused. The Sill starts out just introducing the Valar(Gods) but after that I believe it gets easier (either that or I just got the hang of it). Don't read it expecting it to be another LOTR or TH it is more of a Middle Earth 'Bible.' The first part may be compared to Genises and so on. I hope that helps!

Elven-Maiden · 02-17-2002, 11:36 AM

Thanks for your help. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] And yes, I definetly suggest reading it. It takes a bit to understand at first, but I'm getting the hang of it now. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Ilúvatar · 02-26-2002, 05:31 PM

Yeah, the Silmarillion can seem kinda hard and slow at the start, but when the war gets on, but when you start reading of the war the remaining pages grew thinner in an alarming rate ;-). At least that's my experience.

Elven-Maiden · 02-26-2002, 07:11 PM

I'm halfway through the Silm. Omigosh, it goes so fast! I can't believe how good it is, and how well it explains science, like solar eclipses. I love it! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Ilúvatar · 02-27-2002, 06:17 AM

Hmm, if you are halfway through you will probably read the story of Túrin soon, let me tell you that is a good story [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]. Not to mention the story of Tuor and the fall of Gondolin (I'm not actually revealing a secret here, the chapter is named "Tuor and the fall of Gondolin", translated directly from my Swedish Silmarillion). In my opinion, that is almost the best chapter.

Elven-Maiden · 02-27-2002, 03:54 PM

Oh! I can't wait! I LOVE this book! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Melian · 03-07-2002, 07:00 AM

Yeap, the stories of Turin and Tuor are the best ones in the Silm. Enjoy! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

Dior · 03-08-2002, 09:43 AM

I like the story of Tuor, but Turin sucks. I know he's cursed and everything, but he marry's his sister, kills Beleg, and refuses to return to Thingol and Melian after he's been pardoned, so I can't stand reading that story more than once.

amyrlis · 03-08-2002, 01:13 PM

Yes, Turin is a tragic figure and his tale is hard to read. But remember that Morgoth had a hand in the woes of the Children of Hurin, and do not blame Turin entirely for his shortcomings. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

03-10-2002, 06:51 AM

I really liked Ainulindalë - it´s nice to hear the origin of.....well, everything.

I liked the rest of the book too (only downside is having to keep up with all those names!!!)

03-10-2002, 03:45 PM

Once you finish the sim, read it again when you have some time to analyze what it tells... you'll find the answers to many questions the LOTR leaves unanswered ...
f.i. who is Glorfindel and how old is he? [img]smilies/evil.gif[/img]

Airetalathwen · 03-11-2002, 07:55 PM

Ah, my thought on Glorfindel is that he did 'die' when fighting the Balrog, but his fea(spirit) was given a new hroa(body) and he was allowed to return to Middle-earth when Mithrandir and the rest of the Istari came to ME. He got to come back sort of like Beren and Luthien.
So, he's probably about 5-6000 years old maybe? (Pretty old anyway)

A suggestion for reading the Silmarillion-
bookmark all the maps and geneology charts!! It makes things alot easier and less confusing if you have easy access to these!

~Airetalathwen

littlemanpoet · 03-11-2002, 09:10 PM

I'm on my third reading of The Silmarillion and it's as fresh as ever. Maybe that's because I'm reading Book of Lost Tales, THEN going back to the Silmarillion to compare. Wow! So I'm a Tolkien junkie. There're worse things to be. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

I really love the story of Turin. It's a tragedy in the classic sense. Actually, it's even better in Unfinished Tales than in the Sil.

Joy · 03-11-2002, 11:06 PM

I loved the Ainulindalë. To me, that was one of the coolest parts of the book. I am currently reading the tale of Beren and Lùthien. Their story is so beautiful.

twinkle · 03-23-2002, 02:04 AM

i'm only on the fifth chapter of the silmarillion proper, but i've thoroughly enjoyed it so far.....
wonderfully descriptive writing and all the information you can glean is beyond interesting.....
excellent book so far, can't wait to get on with it [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

twinkle

03-24-2002, 05:00 AM

I love the chapter on the 5th Battle:Nirnaeth Arnoediad.

Imagine the grandeur of Fingon's troops as they stood tall and proud on the last of the green lands and how the spirit of the host must have soared when Turgon arrived with his contingent. What a scene that might had been. Wow...

I felt that the battle scenes were the most graphic of all in the book and i could imagine every single one of them.

Anyone out there that shares similar sentiments with me?

Eowyn of Ithilien · 03-24-2002, 05:17 AM

well...my favourite's the tale of Beren and Luthien, but the Nirnaeth's beautiful

02-17-2002, 10:00 AM	#1
Elven-Maiden Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 307	Silmarillion. Help! I've started reading the Silm and am already confised! [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img] First, how do you pronounce the title? My next question is this: Are the Valar and the Maiar a form of Elves, or are they completely different? __________________ Tout ce qui est or ne brille pas, Tous ceux qui errent ne sont pas perdus. Mobilis in Mobile

02-17-2002, 10:42 AM	#3
Bruce MacCulloch Dead Man of Dunharrow Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 652	This question is answered in this thread. __________________ `A blunderbuss, was it?' said he, scratching his head. `I thought it was horseflies!'

02-17-2002, 10:49 AM	#4
Mayla Took Wight Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Shire Posts: 152	I would just take time to read it slowly and "soak it all in" so you don't get confused. The Sill starts out just introducing the Valar(Gods) but after that I believe it gets easier (either that or I just got the hang of it). Don't read it expecting it to be another LOTR or TH it is more of a Middle Earth 'Bible.' The first part may be compared to Genises and so on. I hope that helps! __________________ Good Things Come in Small Packages. (And don't you forget it!) Pippin:"What is that?!?" Merry:"This, my friend, is a pint!" Pippin:"It comes in PINTS?!?....I'm getting one!" "Don't let your heads get too big for your hats! But if you don't finish growing up soon, you are going to find hats and clothes expensive." Bilbo to Merry and Pippin "Fool of a Took! This is a serious journey, not a hobbit walking-party. Throw yourself in next time, and then you will be no further nuisance. Now be quiet!" Gandalf to Pippin in Moria E-mail me at mailto:ThirdAgeHobbit@hotmail.comThirdAgeHobbit@hotmail.com</A> Oh, and please rate me. THANKS!

02-17-2002, 11:36 AM	#5
Elven-Maiden Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 307	Thanks for your help. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] And yes, I definetly suggest reading it. It takes a bit to understand at first, but I'm getting the hang of it now. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] __________________ Tout ce qui est or ne brille pas, Tous ceux qui errent ne sont pas perdus. Mobilis in Mobile

02-26-2002, 05:31 PM	#6
Ilúvatar Pile O'Bones Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Sweden Posts: 12	Yeah, the Silmarillion can seem kinda hard and slow at the start, but when the war gets on, but when you start reading of the war the remaining pages grew thinner in an alarming rate ;-). At least that's my experience. __________________ Just a thought: Why do people in movies etc. often run straight ahead when they're chased by a car for example. I know this has nothing to do with Tolkien, but it's an interesting thought.

02-17-2002, 10:36 AM	#2
the_master_of_puppets Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: scotland Posts: 77	its pronounced sill(as in windowsill)-mar(as in MARk)-ill-ion(as in paviLLION). sillmarillion. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] and i havnt started reading it yet so i cant answer your other question. but can I as U, is it worth my time?! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

02-26-2002, 07:11 PM	#7
Elven-Maiden Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 307	I'm halfway through the Silm. Omigosh, it goes so fast! I can't believe how good it is, and how well it explains science, like solar eclipses. I love it! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] __________________ Tout ce qui est or ne brille pas, Tous ceux qui errent ne sont pas perdus. Mobilis in Mobile

02-27-2002, 06:17 AM	#8
Ilúvatar Pile O'Bones Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Sweden Posts: 12	Hmm, if you are halfway through you will probably read the story of Túrin soon, let me tell you that is a good story [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]. Not to mention the story of Tuor and the fall of Gondolin (I'm not actually revealing a secret here, the chapter is named "Tuor and the fall of Gondolin", translated directly from my Swedish Silmarillion). In my opinion, that is almost the best chapter. __________________ Just a thought: Why do people in movies etc. often run straight ahead when they're chased by a car for example. I know this has nothing to do with Tolkien, but it's an interesting thought.

02-27-2002, 03:54 PM	#9
Elven-Maiden Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 307	Oh! I can't wait! I LOVE this book! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] __________________ Tout ce qui est or ne brille pas, Tous ceux qui errent ne sont pas perdus. Mobilis in Mobile

03-07-2002, 07:00 AM	#10
Melian Animated Skeleton Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 27	Yeap, the stories of Turin and Tuor are the best ones in the Silm. Enjoy! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] __________________ "Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens."

03-08-2002, 09:43 AM	#11
Dior Wight Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Doriath Posts: 242	I like the story of Tuor, but Turin sucks. I know he's cursed and everything, but he marry's his sister, kills Beleg, and refuses to return to Thingol and Melian after he's been pardoned, so I can't stand reading that story more than once. __________________ Goodbye everybody, I've got to go... Gotta leave you all behind and face the truth....

03-08-2002, 01:13 PM	#12
amyrlis Wight Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Helcaraxe Posts: 210	Yes, Turin is a tragic figure and his tale is hard to read. But remember that Morgoth had a hand in the woes of the Children of Hurin, and do not blame Turin entirely for his shortcomings. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] __________________ "Pull the blinders from my eyes, let me see these endless skies And drown here where I stand in the beauty of the land."

03-10-2002, 06:51 AM	#13
Celebêl Guest Posts: n/a	I really liked Ainulindalë - it´s nice to hear the origin of.....well, everything. I liked the rest of the book too (only downside is having to keep up with all those names!!!)

03-10-2002, 03:45 PM	#14
Eowyn The Farothin Guest Posts: n/a	Once you finish the sim, read it again when you have some time to analyze what it tells... you'll find the answers to many questions the LOTR leaves unanswered ... f.i. who is Glorfindel and how old is he? [img]smilies/evil.gif[/img]

03-11-2002, 07:55 PM	#15
Airetalathwen Animated Skeleton Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Greenwood the Great Posts: 28	Ah, my thought on Glorfindel is that he did 'die' when fighting the Balrog, but his fea(spirit) was given a new hroa(body) and he was allowed to return to Middle-earth when Mithrandir and the rest of the Istari came to ME. He got to come back sort of like Beren and Luthien. So, he's probably about 5-6000 years old maybe? (Pretty old anyway) A suggestion for reading the Silmarillion- bookmark all the maps and geneology charts!! It makes things alot easier and less confusing if you have easy access to these! ~Airetalathwen __________________ I heard an old voice say~ "Don't go far from the land The seasons have their way~ No mortal can understand"

03-11-2002, 09:10 PM	#16
littlemanpoet Itinerant Songster Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Edge of Faerie Posts: 7,072	I'm on my third reading of The Silmarillion and it's as fresh as ever. Maybe that's because I'm reading Book of Lost Tales, THEN going back to the Silmarillion to compare. Wow! So I'm a Tolkien junkie. There're worse things to be. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] I really love the story of Turin. It's a tragedy in the classic sense. Actually, it's even better in Unfinished Tales than in the Sil.

03-11-2002, 11:06 PM	#17
Joy Spirit of a Warrior Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wandering Posts: 1,020	I loved the Ainulindalë. To me, that was one of the coolest parts of the book. I am currently reading the tale of Beren and Lùthien. Their story is so beautiful. __________________ God bless, Joy KingdomWarrior@hotmail.com http://kingdomWarrior.jlym.com As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

03-23-2002, 02:04 AM	#18
twinkle Animated Skeleton Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: my little blooming garden Posts: 45	i'm only on the fifth chapter of the silmarillion proper, but i've thoroughly enjoyed it so far..... wonderfully descriptive writing and all the information you can glean is beyond interesting..... excellent book so far, can't wait to get on with it [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] twinkle __________________ “For if joyful is the fountain that rises in the sun, its springs are in the wells of sorrow unfathomable at the foundations of the Earth.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Silmarillion

03-24-2002, 05:00 AM	#19
ongivan Guest Posts: n/a	I love the chapter on the 5th Battle:Nirnaeth Arnoediad. Imagine the grandeur of Fingon's troops as they stood tall and proud on the last of the green lands and how the spirit of the host must have soared when Turgon arrived with his contingent. What a scene that might had been. Wow... I felt that the battle scenes were the most graphic of all in the book and i could imagine every single one of them. Anyone out there that shares similar sentiments with me?

03-24-2002, 05:17 AM	#20
Eowyn of Ithilien Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Australia Posts: 277	well...my favourite's the tale of Beren and Luthien, but the Nirnaeth's beautiful __________________ But of bliss and glad life there is little to be said, before it ends; as works fair and wonderful, while still they endure for eyes to see, are their own record, and only when they are in peril or broken for ever do they pass into song.