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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2018 23:32:04 GMT -5
Years ago I made it through The Hobbit, but never tackled LOTR. I saved the paperbacks all those years, the ones you put together to farm a mural of Middle Earth. I also picked up (never read) The Silmarillion. If I can improve my ability to attain a "Larger than Gnat" attention span should I go for The Hobbit and LOTR or should I attempt Silmarillion first? That look like a total mess at a glance. I have all the audio books, as well. Would that be easier?
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Post by Dramatwist on Apr 2, 2018 0:04:16 GMT -5
Years ago I made it through The Hobbit, but never tackled LOTR. I saved the paperbacks all those years, the ones you put together to farm a mural of Middle Earth. I also picked up (never read) The Silmarillion. If I can improve my ability to attain a "Larger than Gnat" attention span should I go for The Hobbit and LOTR or should I attempt Silmarillion first? That look like a total mess at a glance. I have all the audio books, as well. Would that be easier? Audio. If you can stay awake. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2018 0:07:58 GMT -5
Will I understand the Silmarillion without reading LOTR first?
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Post by Dramatwist on Apr 2, 2018 0:25:23 GMT -5
Will I understand the Silmarillion without reading LOTR first? ...you might, but I didn't. It's pre-history of Middle Earth... |
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Post by Dramatwist on Apr 2, 2018 0:29:14 GMT -5
I've only made it through LOTR twice and usually bog down somewhere in the last third of "The Two Towers." I really enjoyed "The Hobbit" and re-read it on occasion. "The Silmarillion" just bored me to tears... the Carpenter Tolkien biography is more interesting, but that's not saying a lot...
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2018 0:46:06 GMT -5
I haven't read it because of the mixed things I've heard (mostly that it's boring, and the prose stilted). I do love the LOTR series, though I also think they could have benefitted from a good editor. Sacrilege, I know!
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Post by simnettpratt on Apr 2, 2018 0:48:33 GMT -5
The Hobbit is technically written for kids and is the easiest read. LOTR is the same place, but written for adults and reads like a grand novel. The Silmarillion is made from a collection of Tolkien's notes his kid put together after his death, and is by far the hardest read.
If you've done The Hobbit, I'd either re-read that to see if you still like it, or do LOTR, which will be a much easier read than the high English Silmarillion.
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Post by Stanhill on Apr 2, 2018 3:32:35 GMT -5
I found 'The Silmarillion' was tough get through. (Read: Utterly boring), but do read his 'Farmer Giles of Ham', 'The Smith of Wootton Major' and 'The Adventures of Tom Bombadil'. Charming books, all.
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Post by Dramatwist on Apr 2, 2018 3:36:54 GMT -5
I found 'The Silmarillion' was tough get through. (Read: Utterly boring), but do read his 'Farmer Giles of Ham', 'The Smith of Wootton Major' and 'The Adventures of Tom Bombadil'. Charming books, all. ...the "Father Christmas" letters are delightful as well... |
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Post by Stanhill on Apr 2, 2018 3:50:43 GMT -5
I found 'The Silmarillion' was tough get through. (Read: Utterly boring), but do read his 'Farmer Giles of Ham', 'The Smith of Wootton Major' and 'The Adventures of Tom Bombadil'. Charming books, all. ...the "Father Christmas" letters are delightful as well... I forgot that one, as it's so many years since I read it.  |
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Post by simnettpratt on Apr 2, 2018 10:25:57 GMT -5
Ha! And Leaf by Niggle! Fifteen pages in Word.
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Post by PhantomWolf on Apr 2, 2018 10:46:45 GMT -5
I never read anything beyond the original four books. Audio books are great, but still require your attention. haha
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cappadoc
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Post by cappadoc on Apr 2, 2018 11:56:44 GMT -5
Silmarillion was still easier than the book of lost tales.
I liked Silmarillion, but I am an übergeek when it comes to Tolkien.
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exchef
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Post by exchef on Apr 2, 2018 12:03:10 GMT -5
Years ago I made it through The Hobbit, but never tackled LOTR. I saved the paperbacks all those years, the ones you put together to farm a mural of Middle Earth. I also picked up (never read) The Silmarillion. If I can improve my ability to attain a "Larger than Gnat" attention span should I go for The Hobbit and LOTR or should I attempt Silmarillion first? That look like a total mess at a glance. I have all the audio books, as well. Would that be easier? I would suggest reading "the Hobbit" first then LotR. If you have the time and patience for it, I would first read the books and then do the Audio. I have not done the audio, but i can't imagine it would be as good as the written word of Tolkien. ExChef |
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Post by herbinedave on Apr 2, 2018 12:31:18 GMT -5
I read the books 35 years ago and saw the movies. I don't consider myself a Tolkien connoisseur! As alway, my opinion is the only one that matters in anything I do or consume.
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Post by Legend Lover on Apr 2, 2018 12:37:31 GMT -5
I tried reading them when I was a teenager. Being dyslexic, I find reading difficult so I barely managed to get past the first couple of chapters.
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Post by simnettpratt on Apr 2, 2018 13:31:11 GMT -5
Here's a couple of my favorite passages from Silmarillion, and why I think it's extraordinary, though harder to read than Tolkien's novels he actually wrote.
Beren sees Lúthien (Galadriel's grandmother by the way) for the first time:
Blue was her raiment as the unclouded heaven, but her eyes were grey as the starlit evening; her mantle was sewn with golden flowers, but her hair was dark as the shadows of twilight. As the light upon the leaves of trees, as the voice of clear waters, as the stars above the mists of the world, such was her glory and her loveliness; and in her face was a shining light.
After Túrin finds out his wife is actually his sister, and slays the messenger in a rage:
There he drew forth his sword, that now alone remained to him of all his possessions, and he said, 'Hail Gurthang! No lord or loyalty dost thou know, save the hand that wieldeth thee. From no blood wilt thou shrink. Wilt thou therefore take Túrin Turambar, wilt thou slay me swiftly?'
And from the blade rang a cold voice in answer: 'Yea, I will drink thy blood gladly, that so I may forget the blood of Beleg my master, and of Brandir slain unjustly. I will slay thee swiftly.'
Then Túrin set the hilts upon the ground, and cast himself upon the point of Gurthang, and the black blade took his life.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2018 13:34:42 GMT -5
Here's a couple of my favorite passages from Silmarillion, and why I think it's extraordinary, though harder to read than Tolkien's novels he actually wrote. Beren sees Lúthien (Galadriel's grandmother by the way) for the first time: Blue was her raiment as the unclouded heaven, but her eyes were grey as the starlit evening; her mantle was sewn with golden flowers, but her hair was dark as the shadows of twilight. As the light upon the leaves of trees, as the voice of clear waters, as the stars above the mists of the world, such was her glory and her loveliness; and in her face was a shining light.After Túrin finds out his wife is actually his sister, and slays the messenger in a rage: There he drew forth his sword, that now alone remained to him of all his possessions, and he said, 'Hail Gurthang! No lord or loyalty dost thou know, save the hand that wieldeth thee. From no blood wilt thou shrink. Wilt thou therefore take Túrin Turambar, wilt thou slay me swiftly?'
And from the blade rang a cold voice in answer: 'Yea, I will drink thy blood gladly, that so I may forget the blood of Beleg my master, and of Brandir slain unjustly. I will slay thee swiftly.'
Then Túrin set the hilts upon the ground, and cast himself upon the point of Gurthang, and the black blade took his life.Okay, I'm convinced. I'll read it one of these days. |
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Post by Sorringowl on Apr 2, 2018 13:52:41 GMT -5
I just re-read the Hobbit and loved it even more than the first time I read it. If you like audiobooks, the version of this that was made in the 70's? 80's? is great, complete with sound effects and great voices.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2018 14:45:56 GMT -5
I tried reading them when I was a teenager. Being dyslexic, I find reading difficult so I barely managed to get past the first couple of chapters. You too? I was able to figure all the workarounds from a young age, but now that I am older it's seems to be an issue again. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2018 14:46:52 GMT -5
I just re-read the Hobbit and loved it even more than the first time I read it. If you like audiobooks, the version of this that was made in the 70's? 80's? is great, complete with sound effects and great voices. I have a couple audios of Hobbit. One is dramatized. Will have to see if it's abridged. Wouldn't care for that. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2018 14:48:04 GMT -5
Here's a couple of my favorite passages from Silmarillion, and why I think it's extraordinary, though harder to read than Tolkien's novels he actually wrote. Beren sees Lúthien (Galadriel's grandmother by the way) for the first time: Blue was her raiment as the unclouded heaven, but her eyes were grey as the starlit evening; her mantle was sewn with golden flowers, but her hair was dark as the shadows of twilight. As the light upon the leaves of trees, as the voice of clear waters, as the stars above the mists of the world, such was her glory and her loveliness; and in her face was a shining light.After Túrin finds out his wife is actually his sister, and slays the messenger in a rage: There he drew forth his sword, that now alone remained to him of all his possessions, and he said, 'Hail Gurthang! No lord or loyalty dost thou know, save the hand that wieldeth thee. From no blood wilt thou shrink. Wilt thou therefore take Túrin Turambar, wilt thou slay me swiftly?'
And from the blade rang a cold voice in answer: 'Yea, I will drink thy blood gladly, that so I may forget the blood of Beleg my master, and of Brandir slain unjustly. I will slay thee swiftly.'
Then Túrin set the hilts upon the ground, and cast himself upon the point of Gurthang, and the black blade took his life.Sounds quite poetic, David. Thanks |
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Post by Legend Lover on Apr 2, 2018 15:28:20 GMT -5
I tried reading them when I was a teenager. Being dyslexic, I find reading difficult so I barely managed to get past the first couple of chapters. You too? I was able to figure all the workarounds from a young age, but now that I am older it's seems to be an issue again. Funny, I've worked out many things that get me by, but to tackle LOTR is beyond me. Would take a decade. I read every word like I am reading out loud. |
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Post by trailboss on Apr 2, 2018 15:39:46 GMT -5
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Post by jeffd on Jun 30, 2018 13:53:29 GMT -5
The Silmarillion should, IMO, be read last. The Hobbit first.
The Hobbit, and Lord of The Rings trilogy really create, in your imagination, a strong curiosity for the material in The Silmarillion. In my attempt to read it first I quickly asked myself, why do I care. After reading the others, I understood why I care.
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Post by jeffd on Oct 4, 2019 13:31:33 GMT -5
I have just heard that the Simarillion was taken from Tolein's notes about the prehistory.
He knew he was constantly referring to events and things that happened before his tales, to give them the feeling of a window in a very long time line. So he took out time to sketch out notes as to the complete pre-history, so that his references would consistent.
Then years later, he found folks interested specifically in that history, dusted off his notes and made a book out of it. It was never meant to be dramatic, or even interesting. It was a tool to keep his original tale interesting. It reads very differently as a result.
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Post by Ronv69 on Oct 4, 2019 13:38:09 GMT -5
Is there an edited version of Sillmarllion? that is edited to only have the good parts. I tried and it's like reading Numbers and Deutoronomy.
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driftingfate
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Post by driftingfate on Oct 4, 2019 15:39:46 GMT -5
I have just heard that the Simarillion was taken from Tolein's notes about the prehistory. He knew he was constantly referring to events and things that happened before his tales, to give them the feeling of a window in a very long time line. So he took out time to sketch out notes as to the complete pre-history, so that his references would consistent. Then years later, he found folks interested specifically in that history, dusted off his notes and made a book out of it. It was never meant to be dramatic, or even interesting. It was a tool to keep his original tale interesting. It reads very differently as a result. That makes me feel better. Like many others here, love the Hobbit and LOTR but just about had to be institutionalized part way through the Simarillion. Being a big Tolkien fan I always felt bad about how boring I found S, but never bad enough to make me go back and slog through it. |
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Post by toshtego on Oct 4, 2019 17:30:34 GMT -5
I read The Hobbit in 1966 at age 15 and not again. LOTR I have read at least twice over the eons and, to be honest, bores me to sleep these past several years. For me, the movies kind of killed the whole thing. Replacing my imagination with the filmmakers images did no one a service.
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Post by peteguy on Oct 4, 2019 17:35:32 GMT -5
Which one does Hagrid have a pet dragon in?
Hobbit and LOTR i have read multiple times. Sillwhatever was like reading a cookbook. Didn't attempt any others.
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