Introduction: Reading the Sil for the First Time

Bombadillo · 11-23-2004, 12:30 AM

As you probably noticed, I don’t make any posts in the Silmarillion forum. Right, because I never read the book. Just like countless other people, even other Tolkien fanatics, I’ve picked it up time and time again, but never got far past Valaquenta. It’s been lying patiently at my desk for over a year, but when I touch it, it’s always so confusing, so historical, and so in-depth that it blows my mind to nervous little pieces.

I’m finally changing that. I’ve decided to keep a reading journal this time, to express all of my thoughts and feelings on the story. I’m starting this week with a really old copy of the book. After each reading session, I’ll post my reaction in a new thread on Entmoot. You guys can take it from there, comparing my thoughts to yours (if you remember what you had been thinking), guessing how I’ll be surprised, making fun of my naivety

, sympathizing with me, reliving the scenes, rereading it with me, whatever, SPOILERS ALLOWED. I will avoid your posts until I’m finally done, so don’t hold back any discussion.

I want to point out the reasons I made this decision.

for Entmoot. I was inspired by this old thread. Everybody seemed to like that idea a bit, and I thought it was the coolest idea ever. Why didn’t I think of that? Then I could look back and… but I didn’t expect LotR to be so good. I hope you all enjoy this to the fullest extent.
This guarantees fun for everyone. Like the other projects, it will stay up and available for comments once I've moved on in my reading. Then I can retrace my own thought processes. I'm going to love it!
Everybody says it rocks. I expect it to rock.
to help me actually understand it. English Teachers always blab about what a benefit this could be. I know they're right. In writing about a passage, I am more likely to comprehend it.
for motivation. Now I'll read it, okay? I promised you guys, so here goes.

The one thing I can’t do by myself is a schedule. Since these entries are for you to read, what is most convenient? The LotR Discussion Project has two weeks between each few chapters, so would a weekly piece be too often?
Your input needed. DISCUSS! Who else is looking forward to it?

Elemmírë · 11-23-2004, 01:05 AM

Good luck! I'll join you, when I get back...

BeardofPants · 11-23-2004, 01:40 AM

The earliest chapters are the most difficult to get into, IMO. So those are the ones you should set aside the most time for. Once you get to the "epics" (Children of Hurin, Beren and Luthien, etc), you'll be powering through them a lot faster.

Elemmírë · 11-23-2004, 01:43 AM

Unless you're my brother.

Don't worry, though, we'll get you through them...

Telcontar_Dunedain · 11-23-2004, 03:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeardofPants

The earliest chapters are the most difficult to get into, IMO. So those are the ones you should set aside the most time for. Once you get to the "epics" (Children of Hurin, Beren and Luthien, etc), you'll be powering through them a lot faster.

I agree. These were the ones that initially put me off the SIl until last year.

Lizra · 11-23-2004, 08:04 AM

You'll need a sharp stick to keep poking yourself with as you fall asleep....

**Nurvingiel** · 11-23-2004, 09:11 AM

I think you should read each chapter at your convenience, but if you take too long, we'll poke you so you don't give up. I read several entries in the original insipiration and it was very cool. Maybe some day when I read HoME I'll do the same thing.

***Sister Golden Hair*** · 11-23-2004, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lizra

You'll need a sharp stick to keep poking yourself with as you fall asleep....

Hey, I can help with that.

Bombadillo, BoP is correct. The first few chapters are the toughest. I suggest that if you find yourself getting bored or frustrated, put it down for a bit and then go back to it. Also, at this point, try to avoid distractions so that you get the most out of what you are reading. These beginning chapters may need a couple readings to get a full understanding of them. Once you make it past that, it is pretty smooth sailing, and most enjoyable.

Telcontar_Dunedain · 11-24-2004, 03:23 PM

I did after a acouple of readings but at first it was a bit slow to start.

11-23-2004, 12:30 AM	#1
Bombadillo "The Bomb" Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: all over the place Posts: 1,601	Introduction: Reading the Sil for the First Time As you probably noticed, I don’t make any posts in the Silmarillion forum. Right, because I never read the book. Just like countless other people, even other Tolkien fanatics, I’ve picked it up time and time again, but never got far past Valaquenta. It’s been lying patiently at my desk for over a year, but when I touch it, it’s always so confusing, so historical, and so in-depth that it blows my mind to nervous little pieces. I’m finally changing that. I’ve decided to keep a reading journal this time, to express all of my thoughts and feelings on the story. I’m starting this week with a really old copy of the book. After each reading session, I’ll post my reaction in a new thread on Entmoot. You guys can take it from there, comparing my thoughts to yours (if you remember what you had been thinking), guessing how I’ll be surprised, making fun of my naivety , sympathizing with me, reliving the scenes, rereading it with me, whatever, SPOILERS ALLOWED. I will avoid your posts until I’m finally done, so don’t hold back any discussion. I want to point out the reasons I made this decision. for Entmoot. I was inspired by this old thread. Everybody seemed to like that idea a bit, and I thought it was the coolest idea ever. Why didn’t I think of that? Then I could look back and… but I didn’t expect LotR to be so good. I hope you all enjoy this to the fullest extent. This guarantees fun for everyone. Like the other projects, it will stay up and available for comments once I've moved on in my reading. Then I can retrace my own thought processes. I'm going to love it! Everybody says it rocks. I expect it to rock. to help me actually understand it. English Teachers always blab about what a benefit this could be. I know they're right. In writing about a passage, I am more likely to comprehend it. for motivation. Now I'll read it, okay? I promised you guys, so here goes. The one thing I can’t do by myself is a schedule. Since these entries are for you to read, what is most convenient? The LotR Discussion Project has two weeks between each few chapters, so would a weekly piece be too often? Your input needed. DISCUSS! Who else is looking forward to it? __________________ Could it be that one path to enlightenment leads through insanity? Last edited by Bombadillo : 11-23-2004 at 12:33 AM.

11-23-2004, 01:05 AM	#2
Elemmírë avocatus diaboli Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Himring Posts: 1,582	Good luck! I'll join you, when I get back... __________________ ~ I have heard the languages of apocalypse and now I shall embrace the silence ~ Neil Gaiman

11-23-2004, 01:40 AM	#3
BeardofPants the Shrike Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Francisco, CA <3 Posts: 10,647	The earliest chapters are the most difficult to get into, IMO. So those are the ones you should set aside the most time for. Once you get to the "epics" (Children of Hurin, Beren and Luthien, etc), you'll be powering through them a lot faster. __________________ "Binary solo! 0000001! 00000011! 0000001! 00000011!" ~ The Humans are Dead, Flight of the Conchords

11-23-2004, 01:43 AM	#4
Elemmírë avocatus diaboli Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Himring Posts: 1,582	Unless you're my brother. Don't worry, though, we'll get you through them... __________________ ~ I have heard the languages of apocalypse and now I shall embrace the silence ~ Neil Gaiman

11-23-2004, 08:04 AM	#6
Lizra Domesticated Swing Babe Join Date: May 2002 Location: Reality Posts: 5,340	You'll need a sharp stick to keep poking yourself with as you fall asleep.... __________________ Happy Atheist Go Democrats!

11-24-2004, 03:23 PM	#9
Telcontar_Dunedain Warrior of the House of Hador Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 4,651	I did after a acouple of readings but at first it was a bit slow to start. __________________ Then Huor spoke and said: "Yet if it stands but a little while, then out of your house shall come the hope of Elves and Men. This I say to you, lord, with the eyes of death: though we part here for ever, and I shall not look on your white walls again, from you and me a new star shall arise. Farewell!" The Silmarillion, Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Page 230

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