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The Silmarillion

by J. R. R. Tolkien
The Silmarillion by J. R. R. Tolkien
  ★ 8.36 / 99
1★22★3★14★15★106★67★358★99★3610★

Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel 1978.

The tales of The Silmarillion were the underlying inspiration and source of J. R. R. Tolkien's imaginative writing; he worked on the book throughout his life but never brought it to a final form. Long preceding in its origins The Lord of the Rings, it is the story of the First Age of Tolkien's world, the ancient drama to which characters in The Lord of the Rings look back and in which some of them, such as Elrond and Galadriel, took part.

The title Silmarillion is shortened from Quenta Silmarillion, "The History of the Silmarils," the three great jewels created by Fëanor, most gifted of the Elves, in which he imprisoned the light of the Two Trees that illumined Valinor, the land of the gods. When Morgoth, the first Dark Lord, destroyed the Trees, that light lived on only in the Silmarils; Morgoth seized them and set them in his crown, 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 people against the gods, their exile in Middle-earth, and their war, hopeless despite all the heroisim of Elves and Men, against the great Enemy.

The book includes several other, shorter works beside The Silmarillion proper. Preceding it are "Ainulindalë," the myth of Creation, and "Valaquenta," in which the nature and powers of each of the gods is set forth. After The Silmarillion is "Akallabêth," the story of the downfall of the great island kingdom of Númenor at the end of the Second Age; completing the volume is "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age," in which the events of The Lord of the Rings are treated in the manner of The Silmarillion.

”Demanding to be compared with English mythologies... at times rises to the greatness of true myth.” – Financial Times

”A creation myth of singular beauty... magnifient.” – Washington Post

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Updated 04/07/2025
Category: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Locus Award, Middle-earth
Release date: 1977

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J. R. R. Tolkien

J. R. R. Tolkien

J. R. R. Tolkien, the creator of Middle-earth, was not just a writer; he was a weaver of worlds, a philologist whose deep understanding of language and mythology breathed life into epic landscapes, timeless characters, and legends that still captivate readers around the world. Born in 1892 in Bloemfontein, South Africa, Tolkien’s early years were marked by tragedy—his father’s untimely death and the loss of his mother, both of which shaped the tone of his writing. His roots in the English countryside, where he moved as a child, became the fertile ground for the stories that would define an entire genre.

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A professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford, Tolkien’s passion for ancient languages and myths guided his creative journey. It was through his academic work that he cultivated an understanding of storytelling traditions that would later inform The Hobbit (1937) and The Lord of the Rings trilogy (1954-1955). These novels, which began as a simple bedtime story for his children, transformed into a vast, intricate epic that combined linguistics, folklore, and his personal experiences—especially his time as a soldier in World War I. The desolate landscapes of war inspired much of the darkness found in Middle-earth, from the vast, haunted wilderness of Mordor to the sorrowful journeys of characters like Frodo Baggins.

Tolkien's approach to writing was as meticulous as his scholarship. His world-building is legendary, with languages and cultures as fully realized as any character in his books. His characters, from the humble hobbits to the noble elves, embody themes of bravery, friendship, and sacrifice. Yet, beneath the surface of his high fantasy is a deep reflection on the nature of evil and the fragility of power—lessons drawn from his own experiences and the history he so passionately studied.

Beyond his literary genius, Tolkien was a devoted family man. His deep affection for his wife, Edith, inspired much of the romance in his works, particularly the relationship between Beren and Lúthien in The Silmarillion. Tolkien’s children, too, played a part in his creative process, often offering playful suggestions that found their way into his stories.

Though he passed away in 1973, Tolkien's legacy continues to resonate. His works have been translated into dozens of languages, adapted into blockbuster films, and studied for their rich mythological and linguistic elements. Middle-earth has become more than just a fictional world; it is a cultural touchstone, one that generations continue to return to for solace, adventure, and the reminder that even in the darkest times, hope can be found.

As Tolkien once said, “Not all those who wander are lost.” It is this sense of adventure, of exploring worlds beyond our own, that remains at the heart of his enduring appeal. His influence stretches far beyond the pages of his books, making J. R. R. Tolkien not just a cornerstone of fantasy literature, but a creator whose imagination has shaped the way we see the world itself.

More books by J. R. R. Tolkien

The Battle of Maldon
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The Fall of Númenor (Tales of Middle-Earth)
  ★ 9.00 / 3
The Nature of Middle-earth
  ★ 9.20 / 5
The Fall of Gondolin (Tales of Middle-Earth)
  ★ 8.60 / 5
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The Art of The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien
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The Story of Kullervo
  ★ 6.00 / 7
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The Fall of Arthur
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  ★ 7.76 / 4
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The History of Middle-earth: Part One (The History of Middle-earth (omnibus editions) #1)
  ★ 7.00 / 2
The History of Middle-earth: Part Two (The History of Middle-earth (omnibus editions) #2)
  ★ 8.00 / 1
The History of Middle-earth: Part Three (The History of Middle-earth (omnibus editions) #3)
  ★ 8.00 / 1
Roverandom
  ★ 6.82 / 29
The Peoples of Middle-earth (The History of Middle-earth #12)
  ★ 7.50 / 4
The War of the Jewels (The History of Middle-earth #11)
  ★ 8.00 / 1
Morgoth's Ring (The History of Middle-earth #10)
  ★ 8.00 / 2
Sauron Defeated (The History of Middle-earth #9)
  ★ 7.00 / 2
The War of the Ring (The History of Middle-earth #8)
  ★ 7.34 / 3
The Treason of Isengard (The History of Middle-earth #7)
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The Return of the Shadow (The History of Middle-earth #6)
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The Lost Road and Other Writings (The History of Middle-earth #5)
  ★ 7.50 / 4
The Shaping of Middle-earth (The History of Middle-earth #4)
  ★ 7.50 / 4
The Lays of Beleriand (The History of Middle-earth #3)
  ★ 7.50 / 4
The Book of Lost Tales, Part Two (The History of Middle-earth #2)
  ★ 7.34 / 6
The Book of Lost Tales, Part One (The History of Middle-earth #1)
  ★ 7.00 / 9
Mr. Bliss
  ★ 5.82 / 11
The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien
  ★ 7.12 / 9
Unfinished Tales
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The Father Christmas Letters
  ★ 7.20 / 5
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl, and Sir Orfeo
  ★ 9.00 / 2
The Lord of the Rings (The Lord of the Rings)
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Smith of Wootton Major
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Tree and Leaf
  ★ 7.74 / 23
The Adventures of Tom Bombadil
  ★ 6.80 / 20
The Return of the King (The Lord of the Rings #3)
  ★ 9.22 / 109
The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings #1)
  ★ 8.80 / 142
The Two Towers (The Lord of the Rings #2)
  ★ 9.12 / 113
Farmer Giles of Ham
  ★ 6.84 / 32
The Hobbit
  ★ 8.32 / 175

Book Reviews

10/02/2007
Seregil of Rhiminee avatar
Seregil of Rhiminee
3707 books, 260 reviews, 15 posts
★★★★★★★★★★ 10 / 10

The Silmarillion is a classic fantasy book. It's the "Bible of Middle-earth". This book tells how Middle-earth was created and what happened during the ancient times. One of the most beautiful and tragic stories in The Silmarillion is the love story of Beren and Luthien, a man and an elf maiden. It's an unforgettable story about love and sacrifice. I love this book and I've read it many times. If I could give 10 stars, I would do so, because this book is simply great. :) It's much better than The Lord of the Rings.

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