WOW!!

Just got The Silmarillion and am reading it for the first time.

Awesome book.

It is truly an awe-inspiring book. All the action in it. I won't spoil any of it for you, though. But its all amazing.

[Twista]

IM reading it just now and finding it quite hard to read acually, not because of the story or anything, but the way its written. Its hard to get used to. But im getting there!

[Falagar]

Good luck with your journey!

[Beor]

The Silmarillion is, in my opinion, one of the greatest books of all time, both because of the way it is written, and because of the incredible content. If I was born and abandoned to and raised by wolves (and taught by them to read), thus having not been influenced by christian culture, or anything else (except the pack), I would actually have believed that stuff, it would have been my Bible (until I got found by people and they told me that JRR Tolkien was just an author, and they destroyed my entire religion). EXTREMELY good book.

[Lord Boromir]

it can be difficult to read, but it is really great, one of the best books ever!! Hope you like it!

[Artanis]

Originally posted by Twista
IM reading it just now and finding it quite hard to read acually, not because of the story or anything, but the way its written. Its hard to get used to. But im getting there!

Stick with it! The first chapters are the worst ones, or so most people say.

[Jonathan]

Originally posted by Artanis
Stick with it! The first chapters are the worst ones, or so most people say.

They are, I almost gave up completely. I'm glad I didn't, because then I would never have read LotR later, thinking LotR would be equally bad
But the Silmarillion is getting better, and after a few chapters you don't want to put the book away.

[Dúnedain]

Originally posted by Jonathan
They are, I almost gave up completely. I'm glad I didn't, because then I would never have read LotR later, thinking LotR would be equally bad
But the Silmarillion is getting better, and after a few chapters you don't want to put the book away.

Yup, after the first 50-100 pages it reads much more smooth...

[Twista]

Im getting there now lol... I wouldnt say it flows easier, i htink you just come accustomed to it better.

[Radagast The Brown]

Originally posted by Twista
Im getting there now lol... I wouldnt say it flows easier, i htink you just come accustomed to it better.

It does - in the first pages I didn't undderstand anytihng when I first read. The other parts are much easier - I'd say from the third chapter.

I just love the Sil. It's a great book. If you didn't understand some parts re-read them after you finish the book.

[luinilwen]

it is hard to read because of the absolute lack of dialogue. but it's like dickens or austen - at first it's a struggle, but then you just get used to it and focus on the story rather than the format.

just wait until you get to chapter 21 - i think i saw that turin guy on jerry springer this morning... j/k please don't hurt me (*aside* i don't actually watch jerry springer... no really!)

but seriously it's an awesome book. i was so moved, which has only occured from a few books (including lotr, of course).

[Nerdanel]

I'm actually also tying to read it now. It's such a well-written book, I just don't want to stop reading! I'm taking notes at the same time (don't know if I'm strange or something.. But there are so many names!! )

But it's absolutely one of the greatest pieces in literature. It's worth the struggle!

[luinilwen]

Originally posted by Nerdanel
I'm taking notes at the same time (don't know if I'm strange or something.. But there are so many names!! )

That's actually a very good idea - I don't think I would have made it through without the notes in the index. I also found the family trees extremely useful.

It can be a bit too much like the bible in that sense: "Hador begat Galdor and Gundor, Galdor begat Hurin and Huor, Hurin began Turin, Huor begat Tuor, Tuor begat Earendil, Earendil begat Elrond and Elros. Boromir on the other hand begat..."

[Nerdanel]

I know! Lots and lots of names!
I've written in the familytrees too, names that aren't there. And yes, the index is very helpful.

Thank you Christopher Tolkien!

[Sister Golden Hair]

A suggestion that may help you as you struggle through it: you may get some clarification and understanding by following with some of the posted chapters here in the Sil project, that are now all in the sub forum up to chapter 19. You should go to only the chapters you have completed. Do not jump ahead in the posted chapters, because it will ruin the story for you, but reading the actual chapters in the book and then reading the intros and discussions in the project of the chapters you have read already in the book might be helpful.

[Nerdanel]

Thank you, SGH! That's a great idea; the taking notes process is very slow..

[Ellesime Ganascient]

i just love the silmarillion but i must also say i love even the first pages...
well i'm strange i know... for an example even if i love tolkien and his books i don't stand reading the hobbit... :look:

*run away*

[Lalaith_Elf]

Unfortuantly I've only ever got half way through.
I had to put it down because my work load was building up, and I haven't had time to start it again.
Then my sister took it with her to uni ...... I knew she was up to something!
But I'm going to start it again soon. And I don't care this time, if my work gets neglected. I loved the first half, and I'm determined to finish it!

[Rían]

To everyone that has started the Sil -

Finish it! Finish it! Go! Go!

It's WELL worth it. And even more worth it the second and third and fourth and .... etc etc times Then after that, you can start on Unfinished Tales (highly recommended, after the Sil) and the HOME (History of Middle Earth) series!

There's another coupla threads in this forum about helping people to get thru the Sil. I'll try to find one and bump it up. Many people find it v. helpful to take notes on the names.

And if you really want to be cool then correct the geneology at the back - JRRT's final word was that Gil-Galad was NOT the son of Fingon, but of Orodreth, who in turn was NOT the son of Finarfin, but of Angrod. But you prob. don't want to worry about that until after you get thru the Sil.