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Product Description: A number-one New York Times bestseller when it was originally published, THE SILMARILLION is the core of J.R.R. Tolkien's imaginative writing, a work whose origins stretch back to a time long before THE HOBBIT.
Tolkien considered THE SILMARILLION his most important work, and, though it was published last and posthumously, this great collection of tales and legends clearly sets the stage for all his other writing. The story of the creation of the world and of the the First Age, this is the ancient drama to which the characters in THE LORD OF THE RINGS look back and in whose events some of them, such as Elrond and Galadriel, took part. The three Silmarils were jewels created by Feanor, most gifted of the Elves. Within them was imprisoned the Light of the Two Trees of Valinor before the Trees themselves were destroyed by Morgoth, the first Dark Lord. Thereafter, the unsullied Light of Valinor lived on only in the Silmarils, but they were seized by Morgoth and set in his crown, which was guarded in the impenetrable fortress of Angband in the north of Middle-earth. THE SILMARILLION is the history of the rebellion of Feanor and his kindred against the gods, their exile from Valinor and return to Middle-earth, and their war, hopeless despite all their heroism, against the great Enemy.
This second edition features a letter written by J.R.R. Tolkien describing his intentions for the book, which serves as a brilliant exposition of his conception of the earlier Ages of Middle-earth. Amazon.com: The Silmarillion is J.R.R. Tolkien's tragic, operatic history of the First Age of Middle-Earth, essential background material for serious readers of the classic Lord of the Rings saga. Tolkien's work sets the standard for fantasy, and this audio version of the "Bible of Middle-Earth" does The Silmarillion justice. Martin Shaw's reading is grave and resonant, conveying all the powerful events and emotions that shaped elven and human history long before Bilbo, Frodo, Gandalf and all the rest embarked on their quests. Beginning with the Music of the Ainur, The Silmarillion tells a tale of the Elder Days, when Elves and Men became estranged by the Dark Lord Morgoth's lust for the Silmarils, pure and powerful magic jewels. Even the love between a human warrior and the daughter of the Elven king cannot defeat Morgoth, but the War of Wrath finally brings down the Dark Lord. Peace reigns until the evil Sauron recovers the Rings of Power and sets the stage for the events told in the Lord of the Rings. This is epic fantasy at its finest, thrillingly read and gloriously unabridged. (Running time: 14 hours, 6 CDs) Customer Reviews: Rating: 
Date: 2008-06-26
the silmarillion ON CD!
i absolutely love the book, so i figured why not try the audiobook for my holidays. Martin Shaw reads the book brilliantly. And it really helps you focus on the imagination of the book because he does the hardwork for you.
I would strongly recommend knowing the book before listening to this collection though, as if you don't know the names and maps etc, you just wont keep up with martin (not that he's too fast, but rather Tolkien constantly creates new characters and locations chapter after chapter).
The only downside to the CD collection is that it is in a great box, but has 13 normal-sized CD cases in there, each with no sleeve.
It would be better if either the cases had sleeves or they came in slimmer cases or sleeves, thus reducing the size of the box.
all in all. a great buy Rating: 
Date: 2008-06-04
the title says it
a bit hard to read, but the background of its creation was told; they are unfinished tales. however, it's a wider view to the history of LoR and others. Rating: 
Date: 2008-06-02
Tolkien's notes
It's always been a wonder that Tolkien's banner works have succeeded to the extent that they have. The odd, inconsistent mixes of dialogue and sometimes-endless descriptive passages go against the grain of what is acceptable in entertaining literature. But the Hobbit and the trilogy do work, and work well.
The Silmarillion, on the other hand, goes over the edge, and the resulting work is swallowed up completely by dry lessons on culture and history that completely obliterate any effort at establishing character. The efforts to completely cover vast periods of time and geography is admirable, but not very enjoyable.
After reading the first four books, I was disappointed. I understand that there are two more movies in the works, the first one based on the Hobbit and the second one bridging the Hobbit with the first Ring movie. That bridge movie is likely to draw heavily from the Silmarillion, and I think that will be the most entertaining approach possible to this material, what with the epic battles, etc.
It's rare that I recommend someone watch the movie over reading the book, but this is one of those cases. Rating: 
Date: 2008-05-04
Reading v. Listening
I've always loved the Silmarillion ever since that first read a long age ago. I've since reread the book over a dozen times and have gone through five paperback copies. With time in an ever decreasing spiral when it comes to career and life, I thought an audio version would help me in my desire to keep the story fresh and alive in my head. It was wonderful to have on my drives to work and other places. Rating:
Date: 2008-05-02
The Silmarillian: An introduction to other Tales of Middle Earth
The Silmarillian is a work completed and published posthumously by Tolkien's son, Christopher. It is the bible of Middle Earth and contains a much abbreviated taste of several other tales and books of Middle Earth, including: The Children of Hurin and The Lord of The Rings. This is where you'll find the legend of Beren Erchamion and Lúthien Tinúviel, family trees, and the relationships of the free peoples of Middle Earth. It begins at the beginning of the birth of Middle Earth, Elves, Dwarves, and Men, of good and of evil. Must reading for the Tolkien scholar, informative reading for the Tolkien fan, and entertaining reading for the passive listener. |
