The Silmarillion is without a doubt impressive. That is the highest praise that can be given: that it is a stunning window into the overwhelmingly rich and detailed world that was contained within the mind of JRR Tolkien. It has received criticism for being dry and dense, with no central narrative thrust or protagonist; in defence of the book, this criticism is also regularly labelled null, being that The Silmarillion is more of a history, and should be approached as such.

Both of the above are true. Much of it is not a naturally compelling read, but it should not be approached as a novel. However, even as a history or collection of mythology, it is dry, with much repetition. I've never thought Tolkien to be much of an artist when it comes to prose, and I don't think he was a great story teller (ducks tomato). His appeal and his (well-earned) reputation come from his insane commitment to the development of a world and its history. I am certain (certain) that there is an alternative universe in which the same information, rich with detail, is written and released as The Silmarillion, but in a way that invites more gusto. It says a lot that even fans of Tolkien's books struggle with some of this (looking at you, 'Of Beleriand and Its Realms'). Still, it is only fair to acknowledge that it is a posthumous work, edited by Tolkien's son, Christopher. And the work put in on his part is nothing short of admirable.

While The Silmarillion remains an imperfect and unfinished work, it is still nonetheless a marvelous achievement, and a must read for any serious fan of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. As for me, while it's been 15 years since I made my (only) trek through those works, reading The Silmarillion has been surprisingly enriching; and the cavernous gap in time has not kept the book from adding new depth to my appreciation of LOTR. Aspects that I previously considered arbitrary or weak now have context, and I have a desire to reread the trilogy in a new light.

Tolkien's style does not naturally appeal to me, but there truly was no one like him. For all that's frustrating, his work remains fascinating and I keep wanting to force myself to read more of it... Does that make me a Tolkien fan stubbornly in denial, or merely a glutton for punishment?

The jury's still out. ( )

Puoi trovare questa recensione anche sul mio blog, La siepe di more

Erano anni che non rileggevo Il Silmarillion e, sebbene lo conosca a menadito, è ancora capace di suscitare in me un’immensa meraviglia e un grande amore per la lettura: è anche per incontrare libri come questo che leggo.

Dovrei mettervi in guardia dal suo stile aulico, dal suo essere un libro non destinato alla pubblicazione nelle intenzioni di Tolkien, che ci ha lavorato fino al momento della sua morte, dal suo essere quindi a tratti incoerente, ripetitivo e abbozzato, dalla quantità ingente di nomi che dovrete ricordare e che potrebbe confondervi lo stesso nonostante la presenza dell’indice dei nomi: la verità, però, è che niente di tutto questo, a mio modesto avviso, è abbastanza per privarsi della lettura de Il Silmarillion.

Non fatevi spaventare troppo da chi vi dice che è molto difficile: non è l’Ulisse di Joyce, è solo un libro che richiede molta attenzione, perché l’universo di Tolkien è vasto e potrebbe essere controproducente affrontarlo mentre avete già un piede nel regno di Morfeo. Ricordarsi che Fingon (padre di Gil-galad, vi dice niente?) e Finrod Felagund (fratello maggiore di Galadriel… tutto è collegato) sono personaggi molto diversi (ancorché cugini) senza andare ogni volta a controllare nell’indice dei nomi rende la lettura senz’altro più scorrevole.

Prendete coraggio e date una chance a questa meraviglia: fatevi pervadere dalla sua epicità e dalla sua magnificenza, fatevi abbagliare dallo splendore degli Eldar, fatevi inorridire dalla tracotanza di Ar-Pharazôn il Dorato, fatevi commuovere dalla storia d’amore tra Lúthien Tinúviel e Beren Erchamion, fatevi terrorizzare dall’oscurità di Morgoth e fatevi ridare speranza dalla luminosità delle stelle di Varda, che gli Elfi chiamano Elbereth. ( )

This book provides much of the backstory to The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Many things reference in those two books in passing or in minor detail are expanded upon here. You can really appreciate the depth of Tolkien’s creation and get a better glimpse of the world he created. My rating is colored by the fact that I greatly enjoy Middle-Earth and this book expands and explores Tolkien's myth.

This is the first time that I have read this book. I really cannot say when I started it, but I did finish it today! It took me awhile as I would take a break from it, read other things and then come back. Also, as I read this book I would listen to the corresponding podcast that discussed the chapter on The Prancing Pony Podcast. This podcast by the way is *highly* recommended both for the depth of content and just the fun that is had in listening to it.
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07/02/22

The creation of the world, and the rebellion of its creatures. The history of the first age of middle-earth and the downfall of Numenor. The wars of vengeance of Feanor and his sons to win back the precious jewels containing the light of the trees of paradise. ( )