@RulerlOrd sorry to tell you, but where ever you read that was lying. PJ has NO plans of even attempting to try and touch this one. Hell he didnt even want to do The Hobbit, atleast not at first. Plus in all realitty it would be impossable to put The Silmarilion on film, not without hacking it to pieces.
@GazpachoMacho If there is a god, and it loves the world, why did it allow Tolkien to die before virtual reality could make middle earth a tangible fiction?
I'm surprised LOTR doesn't have a lot more racism than it should. I mean, if Elves and Men are the First Children of Lluvatar, and the Dwarves are second or whatever, then damn.
And aren't Elves "perfect" while Men are prone to greed and corruption?
@DeadFishFactory well the reason dwarves arent considered the "first children" even though they were in fact the first living sentient race upon the earth is because they werent make by Illuvatar, but Aule the god of craftwork and what not, i just felt that was a good thing to let you know
@ShoveDaddy That's all fine and dandy, but if you look at real life, we have people thinking they are superior because of their skin color, and it's still a widely-held belief today.
I'm not sure why, but the line,"...and the music, and the echo of the music went out into the void; and it was not void." is one of the most beautifully poetic lines I've ever read.
@chamill6251 I definitely agree with you. That very line / phrase is one of my favorites from The Silmarillion. One of the first...of many of my favorite verses from the book. The Silmarillion. The Ainulindalë in particular takes me to a very special place every time I read it. Well met.
The First movie about the Silmarillion is coming at 2018! The title of the first movie will be: "Ainulindalë" Read here. Official news by Peter Jackson and New Line that the Silmarillion will be made into a series of movies. (Damn YouTube won't let me post a link so everyone message me so i can send you the link) THIS IS NOT A SPAM COMMENT!
The trick with any animated adaptation (or even illustrated graphic adaptation) would be finding folks who could do a mix of realistic naturalism and a sense of wonder. Problem is Miyazaki's the only animator that comes to mind & that wouldn't work (auteur filmmaker, doesn't do adaptations, into whimsical personal dramas, too much time investment). wrt Europeans, Tartakovsky is too abstract but perhaps Cartoon Saloon could co-produce something with Japanese realist animators, ala the Hobbit.
Not to mention that epic creation myth just would have more impact if you can ease viewers into it by doing a character tale first, set during the war (Beren and Luthien would be the obvious choice), and feeding viewers hints and callbacks.
"Show don't tell" doesn't apply to stuff like biblical-scale magic where you can't reproduce it on screen -- you have to create an image in the viewer's mind first.
ie. hold off big elf battles for 2 and 3 respectively (if you did Turin alone, it'd spoil).
BTW if it were a miniseries or animated series or even a comic book, it would still have to be broken down into those 4 story arcs (4 series / seasons -- 5 if you optionally separate Tuor/Gondolin and Earendil/Doriath into a duology) and you'd probably have to do Beren and Luthien first to ease viewers into the material, Feanor arc second to have a darker sequel, and put the Fingolfin battle at the start of COH to have an "even darker third" where the material'd have more impact.
OTOH, you could do it this way and do a polished screenwriting treatment in standard Hollywood format (anime / animated would probably still be better, & not be accused of "ruining the book for readers"...) if you moved Fingolfin v. Morgoth to the start of CoH:
1. Beren and Luthien (self-contained tale w/ callbacks to Exile of Noldor)
2. War of the Jewels (Feanor arc -- begin w/ War of Ainur, end w/ Feanor death)
3. Children of Hurin (Turin arc) -- begin w/ Sudden Flame and Fingolfin v. Morgoth
The reason I say that is it's easier to introduce concepts slowly (B&L is a tightly scripted tale) and do callbacks to theTrees rather than start w/creation myth. The trick is where you can put the climax battles in sequence, & focus on characters:
1. Ainur War>>Feanor arc>>Feanor death
2. Sudden Flame>>Fingolfin v. Morgoth? > Beren arc
3. Nirnaeth > Turin arc
4. Nirnaeth > Tuor arc
On 2nd thought, looks like have to Feanor's movie first, otherwise you'd have to START w/ Fingolfin v. Morgoth.
The issue with making a film or a limited miniseries is there's only one way to break it down that is workable. If you look at the plot it requires 4 huge films (4th can be optionally split) that each have a beginning, character arcs, and a climax. And you might have to do them out of sequence:
1. Silm I: Beren and Luthien
2. War of the Jewels (from the Great March to imprisoning Maedhros and the rise of the Sun)
3. The Children of Hurin
4. The War of Wrath (chiefly Gondolin, Tuor and Earendil)
@ijwi I think the way to do an animated representation (and that is the only financially possible way) would be to create a metaseries (like gundum) that covers the history with OVAs to cover the denser parts. There are so many stories to be told in this universe. Beren and Luthien would be good if you can find a writer who can weave in the necessary exposition. That why I like some the team who did Wolfs Rain becouse they manged to have a rich history without too much exposition.
You do have a good list of things that need covered but it is certainly not extensive. Anyone doing this progect would have to comb through Unfinished Tales and The History of Middle-earth which would be difficult. These books deal as much with the history of Tolken writing as with Middle-earth. This would hopefully provide enough information. However these often contain contradictory ideas that Tolken had so it will be hard to make a coherent naritive.
@ldgoodpobad Just heard about Satoshi Kon dying :( Right after his Paprika was declared Citizen Kane of anime! But yeah that was all very internal.
The reason I suggest breaking it into those 4 components is to focus on character arcs that can be shown in dramatic form -- to frame the battles - the idea be to hold back on what's shown and leave rest to imagination, like LOTR call-backs to glimpses of tales from Silm
Hideaki Anno or the guy who did Millennium Actress are two anime artists who do plots with serious subject matter (not just blood & gore) and good enough artwork to animate the Silmarillion. And Secret of Kells is just an eye-popping animated film with a medieval setting and elves and evil creatures figure into the plot.
@ijwi Satoshi Kon (the man who did Millennium Actress) died this year (you should check out his other works). I also don't think Anno is right either, he is too psychological. Evangelion was too psychological and from what I heard about the guy he would probably incoperate that in anything he did. I think some people who did fantacy would be better like Yasuhiro Irie (Full metal alchemist) Tensai Okamura (Wolfs Rain) or Kazuki Akane (Escaflowne). All of these are solid fantasy titles.
I agree with the folks who'd kill to see Miyazaki do it, it'd be a masterpiece even if it was a bad adaptation lol. But that's the problem, he doesn't do adaptations. Like Kubrick he'd insist on his own script focused on one or two characters. Mononoke is basically Beren & Luthien anyway. It doesn't have to be pure anime but Japan's the ones with good prod values. They could get Ghibli to produce & do backdrops and Cartoon Saloon (Irish studio that did Secret of Kells) to do the set decoration.
i lost my place on this book when i dropped my bookmark it's a long book but i love reading ancient lore and stories like these now i can't rlly find the book as we boxed it and idk which one it's in and i feel like reading it
@capnhowdy66 Well, he did fight in the first world war and saw alot of shit. I wouldn't doubt that he smoke pot after seeing all that while right his book.
I've been in lvoe with all the tolkein books. I go in phases betwween orgasmingg of it, and drooling voer other thigns. I have ONCE AGAIN RETURNED to the land of midde-eart. Welcome me abck with an Elven greetin :) YEAH. I'm nerdy XD. Mae Guvannin friends, Mae Guvannin.
Thank you sooo much for uploading these!! I've been meaning to read the Silmarillion for awhile and it's so much easier when there's audio to go along with it. I love the idea of music creating a whole world...
I love the Silmarillion, the elves could be a lot more aggressive and warlike than those of the third age. They fought well against an evil much greater than Sauron, but were doomed to fail.
This is a very elegant read, but on tape it also helps me get to sleep lol. The narrator has a soothing voice. If anyone has trouble understanding you probably want to just read the book at your own pace so you dont get lost. The book on tape might leave you behind if your not a bit familiar with the names and ideas of the story. Not a book for everyone, especally if you liked the non-textbook story telling of the hobit and lord of the rings. But it's worth giving a chance. Peace!
Lewis was not so gud I feel ...the lord of the rings is like my encyclopedia ...my red book .....i think i will never cease to love the charactors in the book a life time , even thou its a story and a fairytail one ....the real essence of so many things are so real ....totally amazing ......classic star for ever ...i do wish my parents had read these sort of things to me as a child I might have enjoyed it ....
am reading this....i found it difficult at first since I was reading the letter of tolkien to milton waldman first .....but its interesting (: .....even the elves made mistakes seeked power and such stuff .....
but this I knew is a master piece before reading because JRR never abanded silmallion he kept working on it till he died ...its very dear even to his son....a real genius he is ....my first fairytail i read was narnia i totally loved it and brought all d series but compared to JRR's work
Hi, I've made an account only to send a "thank you so much!!"
English is not my original tounge and I read The Silmarillion before but it was quite hard for me to understand the whole concept. By reading and hearing at the same time makes it alot more easier and fun.
If I'd spent as much time studying my course books as I spent reading the Silmarillion, I'd have better grades - but no regrets, for so complex a fantasy-fiction novel seldom come into print
More they are the Personification of Talent, or Tendency, into a "Being".
Manwe and Ulmo (As Examples) had little in Common, and (While Manwe was "King", as it were) they did not (Could not?) affect the Abilities of the Other.
Melkor has a "Universal Talent", and this confounds him.
...An Alternative Study in "Good and Evil", which begins before Middle Earth, and continues in Middle Earth
@StuntStadium well the language dose take some getting used to. Think of it as a creation story. Ilúvatar is god and the ainor or like angels. They sung to to Iluvatar and that music made the world, and Melkor disrupts the music and creates conflict that harms the world. If you have any questions and I or someone else will be glad to help. The book gets easier after a few chapters.
@tolkenfan hey, I am also 16 (coincidance?) and I've already read the lotr trilogy and have nearly finished the children of hurin (which is much more "mature" and confusing in some ways than lotr and the hobbit). And i was wondering what I can learn from the silmarillion, what should I already know of the history (I know melkor turned evil and became known as morgoth, his "kingdom" was angband and is situated in the north of middle earth, how the first age ended,...) but what are things like...
@tolkenfan like the eldar (i know they're elves), what and who lives in the undying lands across the sea, what is elessar (has something to do with aragorn), where did wizards come from, where did the dunadain come from, there is a star-shaped island of which i forgot the name but what's that :P,... will I find the answers in this book? or where can I find it (I checked lotrwiki and it gives me information but in order to understand that info i have to learn everything else, it's a huge chain...
@TBgamer4life A few answers to ur questions. The Valar live in the Undying lands (Valinor) Elessar means Elfstone. The Dunadain came from Westernesse can't remember the Elvish. the Silmarillion won't tell you everything but it does help with a few it more speaks of the first days. If you want to know more about Sauron and the Dunadain and also the wizards I suggest you read Unfinished tales Part 1 &2 aslo Book of lost tales Part 1 & 2 I found them to be full of information
@StuntStadium, it's not your fault. You've been hypnotized by the TV, brainwashed by the public school system and poisoned by the FDA and the local water district.
@StuntStadium im 15, but due to my reading of the Lord of the Rings twice the language has grown more common to read and the books become easier to read, and indeed more enjoyable than if the language had been that of a contemporary book. The book is more, in Tolkein's words, a task of recording the history of middle earth etc. and so is written in that style, further, songs and paragraphs that seem to have been spoken by some great orator are added for realism and give greater contentment.
@StuntStadium Further, i apologise for the pretentious nature of the last paragraph, which i doubt few of any internet browser and indeed you will read. In short, the Lord of the RIngs and other tales of middle earth are brilliant, so i would advise pushing through them, for your enjoyment as much literature benefit. Sorry if any of these words have been interpreted as condescending, that was not the intention.
@StuntStadium ... i'm fourteen and i do have you read the book? because that is probably why the book it's self is very confusing though you begin to understand it after a while
@StuntStadium added to the excellent reply you received, this is a book which really merits a few visits, don't worry about not getting it to start with, just let it flow, but stick with it, it'll come, and after a few chapters, what you heard or read in the first few will fall into place.
@StuntStadium takes a while to get used to hmm? iv listened to ths and read it several times, im only 13 mind you. even after all that i still get confused haha!
@StuntStadium When I read the Silmarillion, I made a very large list of names and who they were, also including wives of the gods etc, it will get quite confusing if you try to memorize it all.
had the book, made the mistake of loaning it out before I got to read it... you got it- never got it back, person has no idea where it is. So- thanks for uploading!
why the silmarillion? started in ww-1 trenches while jrr tolkien was an army officer...(later it was only shared with his writers group the inklings including jack c.s. lewis of narnia) in followship of the ring the hobbits are on weathertop ruins...find out the archaeology and ancient history of weather top in the silmarillion!
I was born in 1965...i first read the silmarillion in 1977 (first of 3 times I have read it) then the hobbit and lord of the rings..(.it should have been published with maps like in the tolkien atlas.)..my very favorite is silmarillion it is a priceless timeless beautiful masterpiece! / @ milwaukee
If LOTR is the New Testament, The Silmarillion is the Old. That was my 1st thought upon reading this book, over 20 years ago.
I have neglected Tolkien for a vast array of other writers from most periods in English history in the last 10 years or so. I think it's time to read LOTR again.
The format of the movie would not work well for a movie. There is not a singular story, but instead a history without a constant staff. Also there is so little dialogue that writing a screen play would be impossible. Also the book is so obscure that no investor would risk the capitol that went into the LoR movies. What one could do is read the rest of Tolkens books (which I have not done) and get full details and maybe make an anime. This would be cheep enough to target mainly at fans.
@Udiel As much as I love Miyazaki I don't think that the Silmarillion would be his thing. His work seems to be more personal than epic. Even Princess Mononoke which did have an epic battle was still much more concerned with developing characters than relay bringing a complex fantasy world to life. His movies never hit the tone I would want from Tolken. Also the producer would have to be western for no other reason than the US and UK would be the big markets not Japan.
@tolkenfan I think if they made a movie for television it would work just as well, or a short series. Anime would not be good, it would completely take all the beauty out of Tolkien. Anime is fine for what it is, but it would totally kill Tolkien, especially the Silmarillion.
@CrazySingingNote I don't think you are giving anime enough credit. If done well it can tell an epic fantasy story (see Berserk, Escaflowne ect). Live action without a good budget would just not work. I would look at the Dune miniseries on Sci-fi Channel that got more $ than the Silmarillion could hope to get, but was clearly underfunded. The Silmarillion would be even more expensive to do right. Also anime adaptions tend to be more faithful than live action adaptations.
For all my life it was my dream to write a book, but I could never find a beginning, a good story. But after I read Silmarillion. I wrote an amazing-fantasy story of 1200 pages. Thanks to Tolkien the genius, my mentor!
I read this book when I was 16, shortly after it was published (still have that first edition). It really put me off at first, as I expected it to be a narrative similar to his Rings trilogy; but I endured and eventually it absolutely captivated me in a way his previous works never had. I remember reading the account of Fingolfin's ride across Anfauglith and his challenge to Morgoth, and that incredible line "And Morgoth came." It made the hair stand up on the back of my neck.
I think ppl normally begin the JRRT adventure with LOTR which is the final work from a chronological POV. The editors should mention the correct order in the prologue which would be, in large scales, The Silmarillion, The Children of Hurin, The Hobbit and then TLOTR
But incedentally even though work upon the silmarrilion and other books began earlier, LOTR was finished the first and children of hurin was released posthomuously by christopher tolkien.
I personally found it better to read LOTR first and the other books afterwards, with the exception of the hobbit perhaps
I agree that the book does have a kind of biblical tone, but maybe you should have persevered with it. You still can. Audio is great, but when you read it for yourself you have more of an emotional investment. You have an intrigue for the characters -especially the 'evil' ones (atleast I did). All those feelings are missing in the audio. But, then again, if this story were told around a campfire it would be a different matter. lol
Its because tolkien deliberately used an epic style of writing. i don't think his books about middle earth would be the phenomenon they are today without it.
Hey thanks for uploading the book. I've read it before but was always curious about the pronunciation of some of the names and places. I look forward to listening to the rest of it!
i agree that some people get over excited over correct pronunciation and phonics of tolkien, but the truth is that so much of what tolkien wrote is in the grammar and sound. thanks for the !
wow. I didn't get the part about the 3rd theme the first time I read it. The first part's Elves and the second part's Men. I totally only just got that
Put your earphones on close your eyes block the world out and enjoy!
Thanks Tolkien for the wonderful world you created for us to love.
pookiexl3oi 1 month ago in playlist The Silmarillion Audio Book
@RulerlOrd sorry to tell you, but where ever you read that was lying. PJ has NO plans of even attempting to try and touch this one. Hell he didnt even want to do The Hobbit, atleast not at first. Plus in all realitty it would be impossable to put The Silmarilion on film, not without hacking it to pieces.
DaManJoeWho 1 month ago
@GazpachoMacho If there is a god, and it loves the world, why did it allow Tolkien to die before virtual reality could make middle earth a tangible fiction?
RevNTheogen 1 month ago
I hope this becomes a movie.
CHCHuser 4 months ago 4
@CHCHuser the entirety of the lord of the rings is summed up in the same style of this entire book in 2 pages, this book is 400 pages
tomroxelf 2 weeks ago
My favourite chapter of the SIlmarillion!
rozniy 4 months ago
lol sounds like a tirade against rock n' roll.
MobiusCoin 4 months ago
@MobiusCoin sounds like awesome and i'm a metalhead!
2ndnickthegreek992 2 months ago
Oh my god, this has music?! Yesssssss!!!
MobiusCoin 4 months ago
I love audio books, they're so wonderfully convenient - all you need to do is close your eyes and listen. ^_^
Laurelindo 4 months ago 2
I'm surprised LOTR doesn't have a lot more racism than it should. I mean, if Elves and Men are the First Children of Lluvatar, and the Dwarves are second or whatever, then damn.
And aren't Elves "perfect" while Men are prone to greed and corruption?
DeadFishFactory 4 months ago in playlist The silmarillion Audiobook
@DeadFishFactory well the reason dwarves arent considered the "first children" even though they were in fact the first living sentient race upon the earth is because they werent make by Illuvatar, but Aule the god of craftwork and what not, i just felt that was a good thing to let you know
ShoveDaddy 4 months ago
@ShoveDaddy That's all fine and dandy, but if you look at real life, we have people thinking they are superior because of their skin color, and it's still a widely-held belief today.
I guess LOTR races are past that?
DeadFishFactory 4 months ago
This book is hard but I like it. :)
lge546r 4 months ago in playlist The silmarillion Audiobook
His son finished this book, it's not all J.R.R's work here :)
lmos26 5 months ago
This book is very underrated, this is writing at his finest I just love how it's worded, RIP J.R.R Tolkien.
Sephrinoth1 5 months ago
I'm not sure why, but the line,"...and the music, and the echo of the music went out into the void; and it was not void." is one of the most beautifully poetic lines I've ever read.
chamill6251 5 months ago
@chamill6251 I definitely agree with you. That very line / phrase is one of my favorites from The Silmarillion. One of the first...of many of my favorite verses from the book. The Silmarillion. The Ainulindalë in particular takes me to a very special place every time I read it. Well met.
George19712 2 weeks ago
Great post
CHRIS1974100 6 months ago
What a great reader -- my interest in this work is much heightened!
McGrottomaster 7 months ago
In the beginning was the Music, and the Music and the echo of the Music went out into the void...and it was not void.
florinu123 7 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
The First movie about the Silmarillion is coming at 2018! The title of the first movie will be: "Ainulindalë" Read here. Official news by Peter Jackson and New Line that the Silmarillion will be made into a series of movies. (Damn YouTube won't let me post a link so everyone message me so i can send you the link) THIS IS NOT A SPAM COMMENT!
RulerL0rd 7 months ago
lovely audio, for an amazing book.
florinu123 7 months ago
Thank u
starsoverthere 7 months ago
i think reading the book is the best then listen to the Audio book
Sakeroz 7 months ago
this will be the 3rd time i will have listend to it. It is BY FAR the best creation myth put down on paper
crinoid1919 7 months ago
This is the easiest place to find nice comments.
drattswhereitsat 8 months ago
@Grunge1991Cory It is the most beautiful book indeed, but that doesn´t mean it´s easy to read, at least at first.
Delgift 8 months ago
Still think Harry Potter owns!
MultiBization 8 months ago
My favourite Valar is Ulmo and Yavanna :D
lalbenatan 9 months ago
perfect thing to help pass the time while making a full scale model of Minas Morgul in Minecraft
Brjostabarn 9 months ago
Thank you Tolkien...you changed my life
hamsikElavezzi 9 months ago
Thank you........
damodepimp 10 months ago
Tolkins work is the definition of EPIC!
crinoid1919 11 months ago 12
The trick with any animated adaptation (or even illustrated graphic adaptation) would be finding folks who could do a mix of realistic naturalism and a sense of wonder. Problem is Miyazaki's the only animator that comes to mind & that wouldn't work (auteur filmmaker, doesn't do adaptations, into whimsical personal dramas, too much time investment). wrt Europeans, Tartakovsky is too abstract but perhaps Cartoon Saloon could co-produce something with Japanese realist animators, ala the Hobbit.
ijwi 11 months ago
Not to mention that epic creation myth just would have more impact if you can ease viewers into it by doing a character tale first, set during the war (Beren and Luthien would be the obvious choice), and feeding viewers hints and callbacks.
"Show don't tell" doesn't apply to stuff like biblical-scale magic where you can't reproduce it on screen -- you have to create an image in the viewer's mind first.
ie. hold off big elf battles for 2 and 3 respectively (if you did Turin alone, it'd spoil).
ijwi 11 months ago
BTW if it were a miniseries or animated series or even a comic book, it would still have to be broken down into those 4 story arcs (4 series / seasons -- 5 if you optionally separate Tuor/Gondolin and Earendil/Doriath into a duology) and you'd probably have to do Beren and Luthien first to ease viewers into the material, Feanor arc second to have a darker sequel, and put the Fingolfin battle at the start of COH to have an "even darker third" where the material'd have more impact.
ijwi 11 months ago
Spoilers (below) in my preceding comments regarding possible film treatment, BTW... sorry!
ijwi 11 months ago
OTOH, you could do it this way and do a polished screenwriting treatment in standard Hollywood format (anime / animated would probably still be better, & not be accused of "ruining the book for readers"...) if you moved Fingolfin v. Morgoth to the start of CoH:
1. Beren and Luthien (self-contained tale w/ callbacks to Exile of Noldor)
2. War of the Jewels (Feanor arc -- begin w/ War of Ainur, end w/ Feanor death)
3. Children of Hurin (Turin arc) -- begin w/ Sudden Flame and Fingolfin v. Morgoth
ijwi 11 months ago
The reason I say that is it's easier to introduce concepts slowly (B&L is a tightly scripted tale) and do callbacks to theTrees rather than start w/creation myth. The trick is where you can put the climax battles in sequence, & focus on characters:
1. Ainur War>>Feanor arc>>Feanor death
2. Sudden Flame>>Fingolfin v. Morgoth? > Beren arc
3. Nirnaeth > Turin arc
4. Nirnaeth > Tuor arc
On 2nd thought, looks like have to Feanor's movie first, otherwise you'd have to START w/ Fingolfin v. Morgoth.
ijwi 11 months ago
The issue with making a film or a limited miniseries is there's only one way to break it down that is workable. If you look at the plot it requires 4 huge films (4th can be optionally split) that each have a beginning, character arcs, and a climax. And you might have to do them out of sequence:
1. Silm I: Beren and Luthien
2. War of the Jewels (from the Great March to imprisoning Maedhros and the rise of the Sun)
3. The Children of Hurin
4. The War of Wrath (chiefly Gondolin, Tuor and Earendil)
ijwi 11 months ago
@ijwi I think the way to do an animated representation (and that is the only financially possible way) would be to create a metaseries (like gundum) that covers the history with OVAs to cover the denser parts. There are so many stories to be told in this universe. Beren and Luthien would be good if you can find a writer who can weave in the necessary exposition. That why I like some the team who did Wolfs Rain becouse they manged to have a rich history without too much exposition.
ldgoodpobad 11 months ago
You do have a good list of things that need covered but it is certainly not extensive. Anyone doing this progect would have to comb through Unfinished Tales and The History of Middle-earth which would be difficult. These books deal as much with the history of Tolken writing as with Middle-earth. This would hopefully provide enough information. However these often contain contradictory ideas that Tolken had so it will be hard to make a coherent naritive.
ldgoodpobad 11 months ago
Comment removed
ijwi 11 months ago
@ldgoodpobad Just heard about Satoshi Kon dying :( Right after his Paprika was declared Citizen Kane of anime! But yeah that was all very internal.
The reason I suggest breaking it into those 4 components is to focus on character arcs that can be shown in dramatic form -- to frame the battles - the idea be to hold back on what's shown and leave rest to imagination, like LOTR call-backs to glimpses of tales from Silm
1. Beren Luthien
2. War of the Jewels
3. Children of Hurin
4. Gondolin etc
ijwi 11 months ago
Hideaki Anno or the guy who did Millennium Actress are two anime artists who do plots with serious subject matter (not just blood & gore) and good enough artwork to animate the Silmarillion. And Secret of Kells is just an eye-popping animated film with a medieval setting and elves and evil creatures figure into the plot.
ijwi 11 months ago
@ijwi Satoshi Kon (the man who did Millennium Actress) died this year (you should check out his other works). I also don't think Anno is right either, he is too psychological. Evangelion was too psychological and from what I heard about the guy he would probably incoperate that in anything he did. I think some people who did fantacy would be better like Yasuhiro Irie (Full metal alchemist) Tensai Okamura (Wolfs Rain) or Kazuki Akane (Escaflowne). All of these are solid fantasy titles.
ldgoodpobad 11 months ago
I agree with the folks who'd kill to see Miyazaki do it, it'd be a masterpiece even if it was a bad adaptation lol. But that's the problem, he doesn't do adaptations. Like Kubrick he'd insist on his own script focused on one or two characters. Mononoke is basically Beren & Luthien anyway. It doesn't have to be pure anime but Japan's the ones with good prod values. They could get Ghibli to produce & do backdrops and Cartoon Saloon (Irish studio that did Secret of Kells) to do the set decoration.
ijwi 11 months ago
i lost my place on this book when i dropped my bookmark it's a long book but i love reading ancient lore and stories like these now i can't rlly find the book as we boxed it and idk which one it's in and i feel like reading it
great job in uploading these rlly appreciate it
knightace2002 11 months ago
u think this dude smoked some pot?
capnhowdy66 11 months ago
@capnhowdy66 It's sad how people today think the only way to be creative like this is to smoke pot.
Notoria666 11 months ago 22
@Notoria666 You mean pipe-weed?lol
dlotable 3 months ago
@Notoria666 What do you think they were smoking in those pipes?
ssjrobert 1 month ago in playlist The Silmarillion 2
@capnhowdy66 Well, he did fight in the first world war and saw alot of shit. I wouldn't doubt that he smoke pot after seeing all that while right his book.
cuongnhu246 11 months ago
Note to self: this doesn't really start until minute 1:55, so - in future - begin listening at 1:50.
ljsaffel 11 months ago
The map that you used at 7:05... can you tell me where to find it, or which book it was from? Thanks and you did a great job here!!
TheSomervilleKid 1 year ago
Probably the single greatest mythology created by any one man.
Metalhead4569 1 year ago
I've been in lvoe with all the tolkein books. I go in phases betwween orgasmingg of it, and drooling voer other thigns. I have ONCE AGAIN RETURNED to the land of midde-eart. Welcome me abck with an Elven greetin :) YEAH. I'm nerdy XD. Mae Guvannin friends, Mae Guvannin.
TheSuperHeros2 1 year ago
Thank you sooo much for uploading these!! I've been meaning to read the Silmarillion for awhile and it's so much easier when there's audio to go along with it. I love the idea of music creating a whole world...
ssparrow331 1 year ago
im 16 and its understandable, Its like God creating the Angels in the beginning and the Creation, quite parallel to the Bible.
Gaaminator 1 year ago
Wow, thanks for doing this, I'll watch with great interest.
maksphoto78 1 year ago
I love the Silmarillion, the elves could be a lot more aggressive and warlike than those of the third age. They fought well against an evil much greater than Sauron, but were doomed to fail.
BVargas78 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@khmer-visitors.blogspot.com
yahya8821 1 year ago
This is a very elegant read, but on tape it also helps me get to sleep lol. The narrator has a soothing voice. If anyone has trouble understanding you probably want to just read the book at your own pace so you dont get lost. The book on tape might leave you behind if your not a bit familiar with the names and ideas of the story. Not a book for everyone, especally if you liked the non-textbook story telling of the hobit and lord of the rings. But it's worth giving a chance. Peace!
1macaibeau 1 year ago
the greatest ever act of secondary creation.
SoulMusic121 1 year ago
Lewis was not so gud I feel ...the lord of the rings is like my encyclopedia ...my red book .....i think i will never cease to love the charactors in the book a life time , even thou its a story and a fairytail one ....the real essence of so many things are so real ....totally amazing ......classic star for ever ...i do wish my parents had read these sort of things to me as a child I might have enjoyed it ....
lillkutty007 1 year ago
am reading this....i found it difficult at first since I was reading the letter of tolkien to milton waldman first .....but its interesting (: .....even the elves made mistakes seeked power and such stuff .....
but this I knew is a master piece before reading because JRR never abanded silmallion he kept working on it till he died ...its very dear even to his son....a real genius he is ....my first fairytail i read was narnia i totally loved it and brought all d series but compared to JRR's work
lillkutty007 1 year ago
thanks so much for uploading!!! ur the best :D
darkwizard77 1 year ago
Who would you prefer C.S Lewis Or hIM
jermie901 1 year ago
@jermie901 Tolkien is the best!
jmley 1 year ago
Hi, I've made an account only to send a "thank you so much!!"
English is not my original tounge and I read The Silmarillion before but it was quite hard for me to understand the whole concept. By reading and hearing at the same time makes it alot more easier and fun.
Thanks agian for uploading this video!! =)(=
ElizabethWanninger 1 year ago
For those That are confused about Names may I suggest Going here ---> glyphweb.com/ARDA/
TheMorgothBauglir 1 year ago
If I'd spent as much time studying my course books as I spent reading the Silmarillion, I'd have better grades - but no regrets, for so complex a fantasy-fiction novel seldom come into print
RushTheSilver 1 year ago
Feanor.
Khultan 1 year ago
The Ainur are not-so-much parallel to "Angels".
More they are the Personification of Talent, or Tendency, into a "Being".
Manwe and Ulmo (As Examples) had little in Common, and (While Manwe was "King", as it were) they did not (Could not?) affect the Abilities of the Other.
Melkor has a "Universal Talent", and this confounds him.
...An Alternative Study in "Good and Evil", which begins before Middle Earth, and continues in Middle Earth
ninodelobos 1 year ago
@ninodelobos Nice way to look at it, especially Melkor´s universal talent and how it confuses him. ;)
Delgift 8 months ago
im 16 and this is really confusing! i dont get it!
StuntStadium 1 year ago
@StuntStadium well the language dose take some getting used to. Think of it as a creation story. Ilúvatar is god and the ainor or like angels. They sung to to Iluvatar and that music made the world, and Melkor disrupts the music and creates conflict that harms the world. If you have any questions and I or someone else will be glad to help. The book gets easier after a few chapters.
tolkenfan 1 year ago 19
@tolkenfan hey, I am also 16 (coincidance?) and I've already read the lotr trilogy and have nearly finished the children of hurin (which is much more "mature" and confusing in some ways than lotr and the hobbit). And i was wondering what I can learn from the silmarillion, what should I already know of the history (I know melkor turned evil and became known as morgoth, his "kingdom" was angband and is situated in the north of middle earth, how the first age ended,...) but what are things like...
TBgamer4life 6 months ago
@tolkenfan like the eldar (i know they're elves), what and who lives in the undying lands across the sea, what is elessar (has something to do with aragorn), where did wizards come from, where did the dunadain come from, there is a star-shaped island of which i forgot the name but what's that :P,... will I find the answers in this book? or where can I find it (I checked lotrwiki and it gives me information but in order to understand that info i have to learn everything else, it's a huge chain...
TBgamer4life 6 months ago
@TBgamer4life A few answers to ur questions. The Valar live in the Undying lands (Valinor) Elessar means Elfstone. The Dunadain came from Westernesse can't remember the Elvish. the Silmarillion won't tell you everything but it does help with a few it more speaks of the first days. If you want to know more about Sauron and the Dunadain and also the wizards I suggest you read Unfinished tales Part 1 &2 aslo Book of lost tales Part 1 & 2 I found them to be full of information
blkluster1986 6 months ago
@StuntStadium You will get it if you read a book one a week. Expand your mind.
RedSun875 1 year ago
@StuntStadium Read and you'll become better at English. It's worth it so you can enjoy beautiful things that elude the uneducated.
Blomquist23 1 year ago
@Blomquist23 ur a dick
bigbadbaz16 1 year ago
@StuntStadium, it's not your fault. You've been hypnotized by the TV, brainwashed by the public school system and poisoned by the FDA and the local water district.
SgtCrom 1 year ago
@StuntStadium well maybe that because you're a f***ing idiot
TheSammypickle 1 year ago
@TheSammypickle lmao maybe its technology taking over teens
StuntStadium 1 year ago
@StuntStadium im 15, but due to my reading of the Lord of the Rings twice the language has grown more common to read and the books become easier to read, and indeed more enjoyable than if the language had been that of a contemporary book. The book is more, in Tolkein's words, a task of recording the history of middle earth etc. and so is written in that style, further, songs and paragraphs that seem to have been spoken by some great orator are added for realism and give greater contentment.
pshycberrycherry 1 year ago
@StuntStadium Further, i apologise for the pretentious nature of the last paragraph, which i doubt few of any internet browser and indeed you will read. In short, the Lord of the RIngs and other tales of middle earth are brilliant, so i would advise pushing through them, for your enjoyment as much literature benefit. Sorry if any of these words have been interpreted as condescending, that was not the intention.
pshycberrycherry 1 year ago
@StuntStadium, start with "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy and it'll make more sense.
SgtCrom 11 months ago
@StuntStadium ... i'm fourteen and i do have you read the book? because that is probably why the book it's self is very confusing though you begin to understand it after a while
madhammy09 11 months ago
@StuntStadium i've read this book many times, and each time i've learnt something new, i fell in love with it the first time and i'm still do!
angelinagq 10 months ago
@StuntStadium added to the excellent reply you received, this is a book which really merits a few visits, don't worry about not getting it to start with, just let it flow, but stick with it, it'll come, and after a few chapters, what you heard or read in the first few will fall into place.
fauxsham 10 months ago
@StuntStadium takes a while to get used to hmm? iv listened to ths and read it several times, im only 13 mind you. even after all that i still get confused haha!
FirePhonixWolf 7 months ago
@FirePhonixWolf I'm 13, and I don't
ciacho00000000000000 7 months ago
@ciacho00000000000000 then you'r really smart lol ^_^.
FirePhonixWolf 7 months ago
@StuntStadium I get it it's hinting on to spiritualiy. Can't you tell? THERE IS A GOD JRR tolken knew it and everyone will know it!
GazpachoMacho 6 months ago
@StuntStadium When I read the Silmarillion, I made a very large list of names and who they were, also including wives of the gods etc, it will get quite confusing if you try to memorize it all.
lmos26 5 months ago
had the book, made the mistake of loaning it out before I got to read it... you got it- never got it back, person has no idea where it is. So- thanks for uploading!
girllovesmusic 1 year ago
thank you so much
SaffronSugar 1 year ago
THIS IS INDEED ANTHROPOCENTRIC IN TERMS OF BELIEF
MONEYVAL9 1 year ago
OHMIGOD! This is awesome - I simply can't thank you enough!!
d3nv1 1 year ago
I LOVE you!!! I'm praying that you ended up uploading the rest. Thank you :)
xhulahx 1 year ago
@xhulahx already done
tolkenfan 1 year ago
@tolkenfan Awesome :) Thank you!!!
xhulahx 1 year ago
why the silmarillion? started in ww-1 trenches while jrr tolkien was an army officer...(later it was only shared with his writers group the inklings including jack c.s. lewis of narnia) in followship of the ring the hobbits are on weathertop ruins...find out the archaeology and ancient history of weather top in the silmarillion!
ufogelfling1 1 year ago
I was born in 1965...i first read the silmarillion in 1977 (first of 3 times I have read it) then the hobbit and lord of the rings..(.it should have been published with maps like in the tolkien atlas.)..my very favorite is silmarillion it is a priceless timeless beautiful masterpiece! / @ milwaukee
ufogelfling1 1 year ago
Comment removed
zpconn2 1 year ago
If I had to pick a director that I wanted to do an adaptation of the Silmarillion, I would pick Kinji Fukasaku.
EighteenBuddha 1 year ago
thanks for putting this up :)
xPeaceAndLoveGirl 1 year ago
If LOTR is the New Testament, The Silmarillion is the Old. That was my 1st thought upon reading this book, over 20 years ago.
I have neglected Tolkien for a vast array of other writers from most periods in English history in the last 10 years or so. I think it's time to read LOTR again.
neil73 1 year ago
this book is at my public library i have to at least try to read it cuz it seems hard to read
kevinburnsrules 1 year ago
Well read, but I don't understand why he (nor other readers that I have heard) doesn't pronounce elvish names as Tolkien explained.
Signifer82 1 year ago
This is easily Tolkien's best book! Why no-one has suggested making this into a film I'll never know.
TheJboy88 1 year ago
The format of the movie would not work well for a movie. There is not a singular story, but instead a history without a constant staff. Also there is so little dialogue that writing a screen play would be impossible. Also the book is so obscure that no investor would risk the capitol that went into the LoR movies. What one could do is read the rest of Tolkens books (which I have not done) and get full details and maybe make an anime. This would be cheep enough to target mainly at fans.
tolkenfan 1 year ago 5
The most they could do was concentrate on one story and divide it into parts I guess
DragonEmperorMycen 1 year ago
@tolkenfan if Hayao Miyazaki directed it it would be awesome
Udiel 1 year ago
@Udiel As much as I love Miyazaki I don't think that the Silmarillion would be his thing. His work seems to be more personal than epic. Even Princess Mononoke which did have an epic battle was still much more concerned with developing characters than relay bringing a complex fantasy world to life. His movies never hit the tone I would want from Tolken. Also the producer would have to be western for no other reason than the US and UK would be the big markets not Japan.
tolkenfan 1 year ago 2
@tolkenfan I think if they made a movie for television it would work just as well, or a short series. Anime would not be good, it would completely take all the beauty out of Tolkien. Anime is fine for what it is, but it would totally kill Tolkien, especially the Silmarillion.
CrazySingingNote 1 year ago
@CrazySingingNote I don't think you are giving anime enough credit. If done well it can tell an epic fantasy story (see Berserk, Escaflowne ect). Live action without a good budget would just not work. I would look at the Dune miniseries on Sci-fi Channel that got more $ than the Silmarillion could hope to get, but was clearly underfunded. The Silmarillion would be even more expensive to do right. Also anime adaptions tend to be more faithful than live action adaptations.
tolkenfan 1 year ago
@tolkenfan A LOTR anime? That would be awesome!
fleamichael0 7 months ago
Thank you soooooooo much for this!!! :)
countmorgoth 1 year ago
This tale is the best...
edualym 1 year ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Gandalf is probably the weakest ainur there is...
SilenceCallsTheMovie 2 years ago
He's no Ainur. He is a Maia, of a lesser order
macmm7 2 years ago 3
yes but maiar are of the race of the ainur, it is like a division...maiar are a kin of the race of ainur...
SilenceCallsTheMovie 2 years ago
the way cats are kin of tigers
1acount 1 year ago
This gives me an idea... I'm going to write up my Alterac Valley exploits and post them here...
robbyperez 2 years ago
@crasemc He didn`t just give us Middle earh its just one part of Arda. He gave us Numenor and Valinor too
Pullaattori007 2 years ago 2
and the timeless halls and the halls of mandos and the hitherlands... etc
dude48124 2 years ago 2
Tom = Ainur
Hermoor 2 years ago 3
Bombadil?
pinkilehniously 2 years ago
For all my life it was my dream to write a book, but I could never find a beginning, a good story. But after I read Silmarillion. I wrote an amazing-fantasy story of 1200 pages. Thanks to Tolkien the genius, my mentor!
Kiathira 2 years ago 7
This comment has received too many negative votes show
lol no u didnt faggot it probably sucked
antiemofool 2 years ago
im talking to poser author kiathira
antiemofool 2 years ago
it was only on the third read i really liked thid as your just pummeled wth names and places. once i got into it though.
spomajom 2 years ago 3
The best.
shiaghisan 2 years ago 3
Just Grand
TheWasatch 2 years ago 4
This book changed my life...
alesilmaril 2 years ago 46
I read this book when I was 16, shortly after it was published (still have that first edition). It really put me off at first, as I expected it to be a narrative similar to his Rings trilogy; but I endured and eventually it absolutely captivated me in a way his previous works never had. I remember reading the account of Fingolfin's ride across Anfauglith and his challenge to Morgoth, and that incredible line "And Morgoth came." It made the hair stand up on the back of my neck.
kngfsh256 2 years ago 8
Absinthe?
AHFashionenemy 2 years ago
I think ppl normally begin the JRRT adventure with LOTR which is the final work from a chronological POV. The editors should mention the correct order in the prologue which would be, in large scales, The Silmarillion, The Children of Hurin, The Hobbit and then TLOTR
McQuackor 3 years ago 3
But incedentally even though work upon the silmarrilion and other books began earlier, LOTR was finished the first and children of hurin was released posthomuously by christopher tolkien.
I personally found it better to read LOTR first and the other books afterwards, with the exception of the hobbit perhaps
adityaput 2 years ago 5
LULz I can do the same accent.
MaBu888 3 years ago
Excellent! It puts a shiver down my spine every time. A true masterpiece of literature.
Shablabar 3 years ago 3
This is really excellent. The proper pronunciation adds a great deal to the reading... Tolkien, being a linguist, cared deeply about such things.
This is at once Genesis and a Victorianesque opening. Truly a masterpiece.
Thank you for sharing it :)
Polymeron 3 years ago
No it is Martin Shaw reading this.
Tjk116 3 years ago
is this Tolkien himself reading this?
tkdyo 3 years ago
Couldn't be J.R.R. Tolkien, he was dead by the time Silmarillion was published.
SeaSerpent50 2 years ago
I have been wanting to read this for so long, but I am a slow reader. I love Tolkien's works. Much thanks.
Thornbrier 3 years ago
This book is like a freaking bible. I gave up on reading the book, maybe hearing it will be easier.
FuriousGrant 3 years ago
I agree that the book does have a kind of biblical tone, but maybe you should have persevered with it. You still can. Audio is great, but when you read it for yourself you have more of an emotional investment. You have an intrigue for the characters -especially the 'evil' ones (atleast I did). All those feelings are missing in the audio. But, then again, if this story were told around a campfire it would be a different matter. lol
BlakeVII 3 years ago 2
Yeah, its like the bible, but not in the way you say.
ekeb1 3 years ago
Its because tolkien deliberately used an epic style of writing. i don't think his books about middle earth would be the phenomenon they are today without it.
ozzyyermom 3 years ago 3
i must agree..this book is so beautiful and touching..must say better than the lord of the rings...is simply beautiful....
jaramirezc08 3 years ago 2
best book ever
ChristBurner 3 years ago 6
I love this book. Better than the lord of the rings trilogy and the hobbit combined (If you can compare them).
I had a great time reading it.
BlakeVII 3 years ago
great book great recording
anon2999 3 years ago
it's almost like a Bible
clauwie1 3 years ago 3
...he was right (about the universe being a piece of music)
homerbear46 3 years ago 2
my brother thinks its cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
gucciboz 3 years ago
it is:D
AndyTheKonge80 3 years ago
it is.
BlakeVII 3 years ago
thankyou i love these stories will help me get through a boring nightshift!!!
whiskybarnes 3 years ago
Lol! I checked this out once at my school library! (Yes they had it!)
Markeyssc 3 years ago
I mean the audio casset. I bought the book
Markeyssc 3 years ago
Hey thanks for uploading the book. I've read it before but was always curious about the pronunciation of some of the names and places. I look forward to listening to the rest of it!
lerch01 3 years ago
Well I'm afraid you'll have to curious then. this guy pronounces half the names wrong anyway.
actually, just look in the back of the book, there's a thing about how to pronounce Elvish words there
the only time he pronounces Iluvatar right is at 3:11, all the other times he stresses the wrong syllable
emergencyCALL911 3 years ago
Well that stinks. Thanks though.
lerch01 3 years ago
This guy uses English pronunciation for everything - for example, Yavanna is pronounced [ja'van:a], not [ja'vana].
And Melkor is pronounced ['melkor], not ['melko:]
Laurelindo 3 years ago
I'm not so much of a purist. I think that you can enjoy the book without the fine art of pronouncing everything 'correctly'.
BlakeVII 3 years ago 6
i agree that some people get over excited over correct pronunciation and phonics of tolkien, but the truth is that so much of what tolkien wrote is in the grammar and sound. thanks for the !
wertyuzat 3 years ago 2
wow. I didn't get the part about the 3rd theme the first time I read it. The first part's Elves and the second part's Men. I totally only just got that
emergencyCALL911 3 years ago
Didn't Martin Shaw narrate 'The Hobbit' also? Anyone know if it's available on CD?
Coutionor 3 years ago
What a beautiful voice. :D
Laurelindo 3 years ago
Fantastic!! Incredible book, incredible reading ;)
I have bought this audiobook on my iPod, listen to it every night.
Einherjarnet 3 years ago