The Silmarillion

Tolkien, J R R

ISBN 10: 0808521403 ISBN 13: 9780808521402

Publisher: Turtleback Books, 1999

Synopsis

The Silmarillion is Tolkien's first book and his last, the core of his imaginative work that underlies all his writings about Middle-Earth. Here are the legends of the Elder Days, the central stories that give meaning to the events of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. The Silmarillion was begun in 1917, and Tolkien worked on it, changed it, and enlarged it throughout his life. Edited it by his son, Christopher Tolkien, the book finally appeared four years after the author's death.

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

'How, given little over half a century of work, did one man become the creative equivalent of a people?' The Guardian 'Demanding to be compared with English mythologies at times rises to the greatness of true myth' Financial Times 'A creation of singular beauty magnificent in its best moments' Washington Post 'A grim, tragic, brooding and beautiful book, shot through with heroism and hope its power is almost that of mysticism' Toronto Globe & Mail

Edition details

• Publisher: Turtleback Books
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0808521403
• ISBN 13: 9780808521402
• Binding: School & Library Binding
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 442
• Editor: Tolkien Christopher