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The Silmarillion

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The Silmarillion

By: J. R. R. Tolkien
Narrated by: Martin Shaw
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About this listen

The forerunner to The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion tells the earlier history of Middle-earth, recounting the events of the First and Second Ages, and introducing some of the key characters, such as Galadriel, Elrond, Elendil and the Dark Lord, Sauron.

The tales of The Silmarillion are set in an age when Morgoth, the first Dark Lord, dwelt in Middle-Earth, and the High Elves made war upon him for the recovery of the Silmarils, the jewels containing the pure light of Valinor.

Included in the book are several shorter works. The Ainulindale is a myth of the Creation and in the Valaquenta the nature and powers of each of the gods is described. The Akallabeth recounts the downfall of the great island kingdom of Númenor at the end of the Second Age and Of the Rings of Power tells of the great events at the end of the Third Age, as narrated in The Lord of the Rings.

©1977 The Tolkien Estate Limited and C.R. Tolkien (P)1977 HarperCollins Publishers Limited Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Feel-Good Mythology

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Critic reviews

"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)

Featured article: Gimli - a Lord Of The Tings character guide


Here's everything you could possibly want to know about Gimli, the Dwarf who was embraced by a band of Hobbits, and the important role he plays in one of the world's best-known and most-loved fantasy sagas.

Featured article Gimli: a Lord Of The Rings character guide
All stars
Most relevant
fantastic. Tolkien at his best The world of middle earth and full history
I believe

AWESOME

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Some previous reviews mentioned issues with audio but they seem to be fixed as I had no such issues.

Well narrated. I won't dwell on the fact it is long, complicated and arguably a little dull as that is well known so 'priced in' to people's expectations.

audio issues seem to be fixed

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Martin Shaw does complete justice to this collection of ancient, heroic tales of Middle Earth. Well worth a listen for anyone reading for the first time or returning.

Fantastic

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The Silmarillion provides a colourful and carefully choreographed backdrop to the epic history of middle earth, the formation of its legends and its ultimate fate.

Find yourself a quiet space with no distractions (essential or you will miss the nuanced and interlaced layers) and immerse yourself in Tolkien's world.

Beautifully read by Martin Shaw. Who's tone and delivery were made for such works!

Don't listen unless you have the space and quiet to digest

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Absolutely brilliant story telling. as a book that is difficult to read page by page, this format is bliss.

not sure where people are getting problems with sound, I had not a one. perfect audio throughout.

Perfect

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For me this is the best of Tolkien's work. this is also a brilliant performance

my favourite Tolkien work

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I have always loved Lord of the rings, and admired Tolkiens penmanship. one of the best books I have read/listened too! Alot to take in but perfectly written!

INCREDIBLE

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SO glad I got the Audible version of this and not the book. It's quite an epic, superb.

Massive Listen

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Brilliant narration! Thirteen, Twelve, Eleven, Ten, Nine, Eight, Seven, Six, Five, Four, Three, Two, One.

superb narration

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Incomparably mighty among the greatest legends of antiquity. As such my memory can not, nor desires not that it should be ever effaced from it.

SH

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