Reviews

The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien

lily_lydkins's review against another edition

5.0

The best book I’ve read and probably will ever read. I don’t care if you’re not into fantasy, stop LYING to yourself and READ THIS FUCKING BOOK! I cannot praise it enough. Literally no words.

hollewade's review

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

5.0

Andy Serkis is such a great narrator and adds so much depth to the story. The pronunciations really helped me grasp the story more. Highly recommend reading along with a physical book while listening.

hollewade's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This is a gem and I flew through it. So many stories so rich and lovely. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and War

Minor: Incest

admiralfrancis's review against another edition

medium-paced

3.5

chaselaplante's review against another edition

adventurous challenging hopeful slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

It’s slow and reads like a history book or liturgical text; basically it’s to LOTR what Fire & Blood is to Game of Thrones. For Tolkien readers and LOTR fans, it’s compelling and fleshes out the lore and history of the world very well. 

english_lady03's review against another edition

5.0

Re-read, or rather listen to the Andy Serkis version. Reminded me why I love this book *so much*. I will say I am kind of torn between which Audio version I like better as both this and the Martin Shaw version have thier merits.

Anyway, don't listen to the naysayers or Rings of Power fans, who denounce it for not being written in the style of a modern novel or as a single, coherent narrative.
The Silmarillion is one of the greatest books ever written: a modern day myth, like Tolkien wanted.

Every Lord of the Rings fan or Tolkien fan should read this the TRUE prequel to The Lord of the Rings..

victoriacrod8's review against another edition

adventurous challenging mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? It's complicated

vmascetti's review against another edition

5.0

It took me longer than I'd care to admit but I finished it, and now I am heartbroken that it ended. It is just that good. Every single character, side quest and small story in this book is so well thought, well put and plays such an important part in the bigger picture of the Silmarils story and, of course in the Lord of the Rings story. When I first started I felt lost, had to go back and forth between characters and family trees and even consult chapter summaries, I had to put it down for a while, and if you do the same don't get discouraged and don't feel like you failed because when you keep going you'll find yourself loving every single word in it and get excited when familiar things happen and known names appear, either be places, battles or characters, it is so worth it. If you're familiar with the story and with how Tolkien's writing, you'll find the same beauty in its pages, but if you're new to this world, you will know beauty beyond your wildest thoughts.

Thank you, JRR and Christopher, for such a fantastic gift that will never be equaled and forgotten.

zwinning's review

4.0

You've really got to like Tolkien to make it through this one, as it reads like a history book. It is very detailed, but it was the level of detail that I enjoyed with this book.

jamesscrambles's review against another edition

adventurous slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0