THE SILMARILLION

THE SILMARILLION by J.R.R. Tolkien

I really enjoy Tolkien. I love the richness of his stories and the beauty of his words. The world that he created is beyond astounding. I open his books, and I am whisked away to rugged landscapes - dense woods, craggy mountains, and in some places complete desolation. Man, elves, orcs, dwarves, etc. whisk past me as adventures abound. Swords clash. Arrows whizz. The sound rings out as light tries to push back the always encroaching darkness. This is Tolkien to me. However, I am not a Tolkienite or a Ringer as some of the most devoted fans are known. I cannot, for the life of me, keep all the stories and people straight! If you happen to be one, forgive me if I make a bumble of this post. In spite of this, I find immense delight in Tolkien's works.

The Silmarillion is a collection of origins stories. Where did everything come from? How was Middle Earth created along with the characters we love so much? How did the rings come into existence? How did Morgoth become evil? Where does Sauron come in? This book is full of lineages and the stories that set the stage for The Lord of the Rings.

The Silmarillion is what I refer to as a "dense" book. It is packed tight with names, places, and adventures. Thankfully, in the back, there is a handy index for reference if needed!

HEADS UP- There is one story where unbeknownst to them, a brother and sister marry. They are devastated when they find out. Suicide does occur.