The Silmarillion - Softcover

Tolkien, J R R

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0544338014 ISBN 13: 9780544338012

Publisher: William Morrow & Company, 2014

Synopsis

"Majestic! . . . Readers of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings will find in The Silmarillion a cosmology to call their own, medieval romances, fierce fairy tales, and fiercer wars that ring with heraldic fury . . . It overwhelms the reader." -- Time

The story of the creation of the world and of 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 Fëanor, 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 Fëanor 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.

"A creation of singular beauty . . . magnificent in its best moments." -- Washington Post

"Heart-lifting . . . a work of power, eloquence and noble vision . . . Superb!" -- Wall Street Journal

About this title

Review:

JRR Tolkien is best known for The Hobbit and The Lord Of The Rings but those who thought these two wonderful adventures marked the height of his imagination have many more delights to come. The Silmarillion represents the source of Tolkien's later work and follows the events of the First Age of Middle Earth. For information, The Lord Of The Rings concerns the end of the Third Age.

The Silmarillion is a gloriously realised story of rebellion, exile, war and the heroism of elves and men. But to gain an insight into the staggering complexity of Tolkien's world, however, the shorter works also included are must-reads. Dealing with the myth of creation, the nature of the Gods, the fall of Númenor and the Rings of Power, they paint a vivid picture not only of Middle Earth but also of the author's soaring imagination.

Tolkien was born of English parents in Bloemfontein, South Africa, in 1892 and died in England in 1973. He worked on The Silmarillion from as early as 1917 but the work was not published until after his death. This edition, richly illustrated by Ted Nasmith, is both collector's item and source of reference and fascination for every follower of Tolkien. --James Barclay

Review:

"Majestic!... Readers of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings will find in The Silmarillion a cosmology top call their own, medievel romances, fierce fairy tales, and fiercer wars that ring with heraldic fury... It overwhelms the reader." Time Magazine

"Heart-lifting... a work of power, eloquence and noble vision... Superb!" The Wall Street Journal

About this edition

• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0544338014
• ISBN 13: 9780544338012
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 384