Wednesday, February 23, 2011

The Silmarillion



Author: J. R. R. Tolkien
Genre: Fantasy
My rating on a 1-10 scale: 7
Type: Fiction
Number of pages: 365
Time period: Fantasy
Main characters: ?????
Exciting events: The forming of Middle Earth, I think
My overall opinion: Well. It's the book that Tolkien considered his best. I found it boring in many parts, and rather confusing. The edition I have includes the Silmarillion (the primary story) and a number of shorter narratives. The one called Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age was quite interesting. It's all the history stuff about Sauron and the making of the rings and Mithrandir aka Gandalf's travels before the hobbits became primary to the story. Personally, I prefer Tolkien's other books, but this one was okay. Just be warned that it takes perseverance to read! Oh, I almost forgot to mention that there is a huge index at the end with all kinds of names and places and several family trees. That was interesting. :) One other interesting thing: Sauron and his overlord (as in, over Sauron) had an army that included multiple Balrogs. Scary.

7 comments:

Josh Martin said...

Hello.
We have never met, but I saw your blog and had to comement on this one! 7!!!!! How can you not give this book a 10? This is one of Tolkiens best works ever!! If possible give it an 11!!! Anywho nice to read your blog. If you want to check out mine it is
http://onekingonegod.blogspot.com/

Josh Martin

P.S. Make sure to rate the CD you're going to do high! I love that CD.
:)

Josh Martin said...

One more thing... Don't say overlord. His name was Morgoth! I would also exept Melkor.

Josh Martin

P.S. Yes I am a lotr geek.

Charity U said...

Tolkien too thought it was one of his best works. As I already stated. I don't know, maybe I was having trouble concentrating or was distracted or something on the day I read it, but I had trouble getting into it. However, it is something that I may read again, so.

Yes, the CD is getting at least a 9.5. :) I'm lovin' it! ;)

If you read this, am I right in thinking that I never read about Morgoth in the LotR books or Hobbit? Because I assumed Sauron was the supreme evil power, and had no idea there was someone over him until I read this book.

Charity U said...

Ah, here I went and forgot something in my first comment too. :) For more LotR stuff, click the Lord of the Rings tag at the bottom of the post. :) I have really enjoyed everything else by and concerning Tolkien. :)

Jujube said...

I've read The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and The Hobbit. Actually, I want to try reading this one too. I just have to find where to buy or borrow this book.

Charity U said...

Jemimah: I would recommend that you read it. :) However, I would also say don't buy it unless you've read it and are sure you like it. Unless, of course, you have lots of money and can afford to buy books you may not enjoy. :)

Alyianna said...

Main characters...that's a hard one. Maybe some of the Valar? Morgoth?