“I think its safe to say that the people who read The Silmarillion are not looking for a 'good book' with a fast moving plot, interesting characters etc. The Sil is for people who have read Tolkien's other works and are interested in getting deeper into the world that he created through the history and religion of it. Someone who is already devoted to Tolkien likely would not find it dry or disappointing, because having read it is fulfilling.”
“Others approach Tolkien as a novelist. Tolkien's novels have been nothing but disappointment to me. Tolkien writes for purely aesthetic pleasure, as it obvious when reading the Silmarillion. The obsession with aesthetic perfection results in unapproachable dry novels, but a beautiful and enchanting setting. The Silmarillion is not one of my favourite books, but it is undoubtedly one of the most purely beautiful books, it is a work of art. I wish more people would approach Tolkien where his strength is, as a mythologist, linguist and literary artist. Not a novelist.”
“a brilliant work, creating a world of his own... there'e wisdom behind the story, reveals of a spirtuality that is commendable.”
“This book is so good! It's discriptions are making me think that Tolkien was not making it up. That or he was a complete lunitic who had the time to sit locked up and make it up(no offence Mr.Tolkien I love your books) I have to say that I did read the hobbit, then the Lord of the Rings, last being the Silmarillion. It helps you understand everything better that way.”
“to mariem a:The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit are definitely easier to read than the Silmarillion; but I'd say it's as a good place to start Tolkien as any. Once you get used to its style, the Silmarillion can be very rewarding!”
“It has been a very long time since I read. I read well after reading the Hobbit and the trilogy. I found the work to be captivating and helped me put into context the rest of the stories. ”
“this book has been lying on my shelf for years, and i haven't had the power to finish it. Too much names in the first few pages. but the cover illustration keeps making me pick it up and attempt to conquer it once more - as it has enchanted me the first time i saw it at a local bookstore. I'm not into this type of book, but tis one is an exception, somehow I feel like I have an innate affinity to it. ;-]”
“Is this more of a man's book/? i found The Hobbit somewhat boy-ish in parts in the reading thereof. Even reading LOTR had its moments. but in a trilogy i read, the book contained lots of information that widened its scope. would it be worth my time reading this book? Evelyn S”
“They say that in one's youth there is a turning point, something that changes your life. To me, reading "The Silmarillion" has definitely changed my way of thinking. Just fascinating to read and re-read...”
“it change my point of view, its like diggin into the past... the events that happened before the trilogy!! how exciting and wonderful it was in the world of middlearth... i really love fingolfin and feanor... and the love story between beren and luthien... even tolkien named his wife as "his luthien"...”
