The Silmarillion Hardcover - 2001
by J. R. Tolkien
Tolkien considered "The Silmarillion" his most important work, as it told the story of the creation and of the First Age of Middle-earth--the ancient drama to which characters in "The Lord of the Rings" look back. This new edition includes textual corrections, maps, and, by way of introduction, a letter written by Tolkien that details his conceptions of the earliest Age.
About this book
The Silmarillion narrates the complexity of Middle-earth through a collection of J.R.R Tolkein’s 5 mythopoeic works, illustrating an extensive history and lore in relation to his work, The Hobbit. The collection was originally published as individual works, but was later rejected due to incompleteness. In 1977 The Silmarillion was edited and published posthumously by Tolkien's son Christopher, with assistance from Guy Gavriel Kay, who later became a noted fantasy writer.
Summary
Tolkien considered THE SILMARILLION his most important work, and, though it was published last and posthumously, this great collection of tales and legends clearly sets the stage for all his other works. This is the story of the creation of the world and the happenings of the First Age, 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 Feanor, the 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 Feanor 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.
The book includes several other, shorter works in addition to THE SILMARILLION. Preceding it are "The Ainulindale," a myth of the Creation, and "The Valaquenta," in which the nature and power of the gods is set forth. After THE SILMARILLION comes "The Akallabeth," a tale of the downfall of the kingdom of Numeno, and finally "Of the Rings of Power," the connecting link to THE LORD OF THE RINGS.
This second edition features a number of minor textual corrections along with a letter written by J.R.R. Tolkien describing his intentions for the work, written more than twenty-five years before its eventual publication. As described by Christopher Tolkien in the preface, it serves as a brilliant exposition of his conception of the earlier Ages of Middle-earth.
First Edition Identification
Houghton Mifflin Company published the 1st US edition of The Silmarillion in 1977, as a hardcover. The First Printing of the First Edition has a full number line, and 'First Printing' on the copyright page. Subsequent printings have 'First Edition,' and not a full number line. The first edition contains Wall Street Journal publication information and Tolkien's Middle-earth fold-out map.
Details
- Title The Silmarillion
- Author J. R. Tolkien
- Binding Hardcover
- Edition Second Edition
- Pages 384
- Volumes 1
- Language ENG
- Publisher William Morrow & Company, Boston
- Date 2001-04-28
- Illustrated Yes
- Features Illustrated, Index, Maps
- ISBN 9780618135042 / 0618135049
- Weight 1.1 lbs (0.50 kg)
- Dimensions 8.3 x 5.8 x 1.5 in (21.08 x 14.73 x 3.81 cm)
- Reading level 1150
-
Themes
- Chronological Period: 20th Century
- Cultural Region: British
- Library of Congress subjects Fantasy fiction, Middle Earth (Imaginary place)
- Library of Congress Catalog Number 2001016971
- Dewey Decimal Code FIC
Media reviews
"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 Magazine
"Heart-lifting... a work of power, eloquence and noble vision... Superb!" The Wall Street Journal
"Essential reading for Tolkien lovers and an important book." The Baltimore Sun
"A creation of singular beauty... magnificent in its best moments." The Washington Post
Citations
- Library Journal, 10/01/2001, Page 102
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