ok am i the only one who........

entss89 · 09-29-2002, 08:48 PM

am i the only one who did not understand the simarillion? everything seemed so complicated to me!

Lefty Scaevola · 09-29-2002, 11:35 PM

No problem here, but then I also understand Texas politics.

***Rían*** · 09-30-2002, 12:57 AM

Hang in there and give it another try. I found keeping a paper and pencil at hand and jotting some things down as I went was helpful. It REALLY enhanced LoTR for me, so again I would say, stick with it!

There's lots of Sil fans here, so you might also want to read through some of the threads, or just ask some more questions here.

Millane · 09-30-2002, 04:07 AM

it wasnt so complicated to read but there was just so much info to register that it is hard as. i bought it about 3 weeks ago and i am only finishing Beren and Luthien to put that in to perspective it took me three weeks to read LOTR and the Hobbit. i think one reason for that is the way that it is written. keep with it... i am a bit hipocritical considering i picked up the hobbit last night instead of the sil

anyway of what i read it is a great book.

BeardofPants · 09-30-2002, 04:57 AM

Aha! So I wasn't the only one who took notes!

Khadrane · 09-30-2002, 06:40 PM

Just stick with it. You'll get there! It is hard to get into at first.

cee2lee2 · 09-30-2002, 06:59 PM

The first time I tried (years ago) I gave up and it just sat on the shelf. I'm trying again. Just started this weekend and I've decided to do it in small doses so the info can settle in.

The Lady of Ithilien · 09-30-2002, 08:50 PM

I didn't get too much of it the first time I read it, either. Parts of it were very clear, and the whole story of Beren and Luthien, but well, looking back on it, I guess it was overwhelming. After a few attempts to get into it, I set it aside for literally years and then wanted to read that beautiful "Ainulindale" again, and this time, for some reason, perhaps because of discussions here at Entmoot, it was easy to just keep going. Keep working at it -- it's wonderful.

Ma Uai: Ua Nemti · 09-30-2002, 09:03 PM

Taking note on it makes it sound like a history class, but is still a good idea. I think I'll try that.

Artanis · 10-01-2002, 01:07 PM

Entss89, did you start reading from the beginning? If you did, I suggest you skip Ainulindale and Valaquenta on your first reading and start with Quenta Silmarillion, which I think is somewaht easier to grasp. Don't worry if you don't understand everything, I'm sure you'll get the main points and enjoy reading. You can always go back to the first part of the book later, and then when you've finished Ainulindale and Valaquenta you might want to re-read QS to understand it better.

Taking notes might be a good idea as well, it just wouldn't work for me, I'm not patient enough to write things when I'm reading.

tharkun27 · 10-02-2002, 05:30 PM

I have 2 friends who recently picked up the Sil, only to get frustrated and quit. I didn't make it through my first time either. My only advice is - don't put to much effort into all the info- all the names and places, lineages, histories, and so on. Just try to absorb some and move through the book. This will be a book you will go back and read again and again, and each time you'll get all the info straightened out a little more. Once you get into some of the actual "stories" or narritives in the book, it should flow a little more. I begged so many of my friends to read the Sil, so I would have someone to talk to about it. It really blows me away on so many levels. Anyway, I very recently got online, and found this site, and it's a little overwhelming. I can't belive some of the intracacies that are discussed here- how in depth some people get with all the info. I thought I was bad-or good-but there are some true lore-masters floating around out there. Sorry to stray of topic- there are tons of books out there that you just have to plow through and hope it all comes together-it will-just stick with it and if you have any questions they can be answered here. I wish I was reading it for the first time-you have alot to look foward to.

***Earniel*** · 10-02-2002, 06:24 PM

Mmm, am I the only one who didn't experience any problem with reading the silmarillion for the first time? :s

Artanis, don't tell people to skip the Ainulindale and Valaquenta! I loved those parts! But that may just be my myth-crazed brain speaking.

BeardofPants · 10-02-2002, 06:32 PM

I think so, Earniel!

I had a lot of trouble reading it the first time. There was a lot of stuff that I had to adjust to: writing style, the amount of information that there is to take in, some of the more complicated themes that aren't necessarily obvious to the first time reader, editorial mistakes - only *just* got my head around Gil-galad's parentage, thanks to having someone on hand to spell it out for me! I haven't read it for the second time yet, as I wish to further read up on HoME before I try to re-read it.

All I can say is that it makes it tonnes easier having someone that you can bounce ideas off (even if the person I went to kept teasing me!

). Also helps if you read it slowly the first time through - I read it in three days, and I think I might have missed a lot of important detail.

olsonm · 10-02-2002, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eärniel
Mmm, am I the only one who didn't experience any problem with reading the silmarillion for the first time? :s

I had a pretty easy time reading it, but I did memorize the family trees at the back and made extensive use of the glossary/index.

Artanis · 10-03-2002, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eärniel
Artanis, don't tell people to skip the Ainulindale and Valaquenta! I loved those parts!

I love them too, but I had to read them a second time, after I had finished the rest of the Sil and UT, to come there.

The point is, it's possible to enjoy, say, the part with Beren and Luthien as a dramatic love story, or the sad tale of Hurin's children, without the deeper insight provided by Ainulindale and Valaquenta. That may come later.

Radagast The Brown · 10-03-2002, 03:13 PM

Quote:

originally posted by Artanis
The point is, it's possible to enjoy, say, the part with Beren and Luthien as a dramatic love story, or the sad tale of Hurin's children, without the deeper insight provided by Ainulindale and Valaquenta. That may come later.

I agree. I think that's people who didn't read the Sil yet should start from "the silmarils" and after they'll finish the book they could read the Valaquenta and Ainulindale. I didn't do it, but I did understand it.

Lefty Scaevola · 10-03-2002, 04:50 PM

It is significant to know that the Elves are bound within a framework of fate, but than the Atani are partialy free of it.

Eldanuumea · 10-04-2002, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by olsonm
I had a pretty easy time reading it, but I did memorize the family trees at the back and made extensive use of the glossary/index.

Writing out a family tree for the Noldorian elves definitely helped me keep track of all the F's! For me, that was the difficult part.....Finwe, Finarfin, Finrod, Fingolfin, Feanor, etc. And then of course there are Tuor, Turambar, Huor, Turin, Hurin, Huan, etc.!!

Really, the similar-sounding names drove me wild the first few times around.
What I need now is to construct a timeline, so I can keep track of
what happened in each Age.

entss89 · 10-06-2002, 09:03 AM

allright i decided to try and read it again!(gets the book out of the trashcan) ok im taking your advice!it better work!

Eldanuumea · 10-06-2002, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by entss89
allright i decided to try and read it again!(gets the book out of the trashcan) ok im taking your advice!it better work!

Stick with it, Entss89.....I'm sure you'll find the extra effort worth it!

09-29-2002, 08:48 PM	#1
entss89 lord of the ents Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: nc Posts: 539	ok am i the only one who........ am i the only one who did not understand the simarillion? everything seemed so complicated to me!

09-30-2002, 12:57 AM	#3
*Rían* Half-Elven Princess of Rabbit Trails and Harp-Wielding Administrator (beware the Rubber Chicken of Doom!) Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Not where I want to be ... Posts: 15,254	Hang in there and give it another try. I found keeping a paper and pencil at hand and jotting some things down as I went was helpful. It REALLY enhanced LoTR for me, so again I would say, stick with it! There's lots of Sil fans here, so you might also want to read through some of the threads, or just ask some more questions here. __________________ . I should be doing the laundry, but this is MUCH more fun! Ñá ë?* óú éä ïöü Öñ É Þ ð ß ® ç å ™ æ ♪ ?* "How lovely are Thy dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! ... For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside." (from Psalm 84) * * * God rocks! Entmoot : Veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I got hooked! Ego numquam pronunciare mendacium, sed ego sum homo indomitus! Run the earth and watch the sky ... Auta i lómë! Aurë entuluva!

09-30-2002, 04:57 AM	#5
BeardofPants the Shrike Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Francisco, CA <3 Posts: 10,647	Aha! So I wasn't the only one who took notes! __________________ "Binary solo! 0000001! 00000011! 0000001! 00000011!" ~ The Humans are Dead, Flight of the Conchords

09-30-2002, 06:40 PM	#6
Khadrane Elf Lord Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Middle Earth (I wish) Posts: 670	Just stick with it. You'll get there! It is hard to get into at first. __________________ Few know whither their road will take them till they come to its end. -Legolas FRODO LIVES! ABORTION IS HOMICIDE

09-30-2002, 09:03 PM	#9
Ma Uai: Ua Nemti Elven Warrior Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: We'd tell you but you're all out to get us. Posts: 215	Taking note on it makes it sound like a history class, but is still a good idea. I think I'll try that. __________________ Pharoah "Vires decusque."

09-29-2002, 11:35 PM	#2
Lefty Scaevola AngAdan Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Boerne, Texas Posts: 856	No problem here, but then I also understand Texas politics.

09-30-2002, 04:07 AM	#4
Millane The Dude Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: at the altar of my ego Posts: 1,685	it wasnt so complicated to read but there was just so much info to register that it is hard as. i bought it about 3 weeks ago and i am only finishing Beren and Luthien to put that in to perspective it took me three weeks to read LOTR and the Hobbit. i think one reason for that is the way that it is written. keep with it... i am a bit hipocritical considering i picked up the hobbit last night instead of the sil anyway of what i read it is a great book.

09-30-2002, 06:59 PM	#7
cee2lee2 Elf Lord Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: 2nd star to the left..... Posts: 566	The first time I tried (years ago) I gave up and it just sat on the shelf. I'm trying again. Just started this weekend and I've decided to do it in small doses so the info can settle in.

09-30-2002, 08:50 PM	#8
The Lady of Ithilien Elven Warrior Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Right here in between yesterday and tomorrow. Posts: 357	I didn't get too much of it the first time I read it, either. Parts of it were very clear, and the whole story of Beren and Luthien, but well, looking back on it, I guess it was overwhelming. After a few attempts to get into it, I set it aside for literally years and then wanted to read that beautiful "Ainulindale" again, and this time, for some reason, perhaps because of discussions here at Entmoot, it was easy to just keep going. Keep working at it -- it's wonderful.

10-01-2002, 01:07 PM	#10
Artanis Greatest Elven woman of Aman Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Having way too much fun with Fëanor's 7 Posts: 4,285	Entss89, did you start reading from the beginning? If you did, I suggest you skip Ainulindale and Valaquenta on your first reading and start with Quenta Silmarillion, which I think is somewaht easier to grasp. Don't worry if you don't understand everything, I'm sure you'll get the main points and enjoy reading. You can always go back to the first part of the book later, and then when you've finished Ainulindale and Valaquenta you might want to re-read QS to understand it better. Taking notes might be a good idea as well, it just wouldn't work for me, I'm not patient enough to write things when I'm reading. __________________ --Life is hard, and then we die.

10-02-2002, 05:30 PM	#11
tharkun27 Sapling Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: ny Posts: 14	I have 2 friends who recently picked up the Sil, only to get frustrated and quit. I didn't make it through my first time either. My only advice is - don't put to much effort into all the info- all the names and places, lineages, histories, and so on. Just try to absorb some and move through the book. This will be a book you will go back and read again and again, and each time you'll get all the info straightened out a little more. Once you get into some of the actual "stories" or narritives in the book, it should flow a little more. I begged so many of my friends to read the Sil, so I would have someone to talk to about it. It really blows me away on so many levels. Anyway, I very recently got online, and found this site, and it's a little overwhelming. I can't belive some of the intracacies that are discussed here- how in depth some people get with all the info. I thought I was bad-or good-but there are some true lore-masters floating around out there. Sorry to stray of topic- there are tons of books out there that you just have to plow through and hope it all comes together-it will-just stick with it and if you have any questions they can be answered here. I wish I was reading it for the first time-you have alot to look foward to.

10-02-2002, 06:24 PM	#12
*Earniel* The Chocoholic Sea Elf Administrator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: N?n in Eilph (Belgium) Posts: 14,363	Mmm, am I the only one who didn't experience any problem with reading the silmarillion for the first time? :s Artanis, don't tell people to skip the Ainulindale and Valaquenta! I loved those parts! But that may just be my myth-crazed brain speaking. __________________ We are not things.

10-02-2002, 06:32 PM	#13
BeardofPants the Shrike Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Francisco, CA <3 Posts: 10,647	I think so, Earniel! I had a lot of trouble reading it the first time. There was a lot of stuff that I had to adjust to: writing style, the amount of information that there is to take in, some of the more complicated themes that aren't necessarily obvious to the first time reader, editorial mistakes - only just got my head around Gil-galad's parentage, thanks to having someone on hand to spell it out for me! I haven't read it for the second time yet, as I wish to further read up on HoME before I try to re-read it. All I can say is that it makes it tonnes easier having someone that you can bounce ideas off (even if the person I went to kept teasing me! ). Also helps if you read it slowly the first time through - I read it in three days, and I think I might have missed a lot of important detail. __________________ "Binary solo! 0000001! 00000011! 0000001! 00000011!" ~ The Humans are Dead, Flight of the Conchords

10-03-2002, 04:50 PM	#17
Lefty Scaevola AngAdan Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Boerne, Texas Posts: 856	It is significant to know that the Elves are bound within a framework of fate, but than the Atani are partialy free of it.

10-06-2002, 09:03 AM	#19
entss89 lord of the ents Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: nc Posts: 539	allright i decided to try and read it again!(gets the book out of the trashcan) ok im taking your advice!it better work!