Book – The Silmarillion (2)

Book – The Silmarillion

Author: J.R.R Tolkien, edited by Christopher Tolkien 

Score: 10/10
Year : 1979 (original) ; 1999 (this paperback)

Publisher: HarperCollins

ISBN 978-0-261-10273-6

Pages 448 (this entry pertains to pages 309-366) 

Language: English (and invented too) 

As stated in my previous entry about this book, it has to be read in 3 distinct parts. First, the Silmarillion, with its first, 3  portions (Ainulindalë ; Valaquenta ; and Quenta Silmarillion).

Now, are appended two more tales, which aren't directly linked to the Silmarillion - though, let's be frank, do enter in the lore and JRR Tolkien's legendarium and thus, depicts events and names that are familiar, because they are indeed all interwoven.

• However, I followed Christopher Tolkien's Forward and have read the Silmmarilion portions, a few other books, and now back to this one for Akallabeth (the downfall of Númenor ; it stretches over pages 309-338. 

Here, I discover several familiar names, as I read the tale of the people of Númenor ; these Men, descendants of Elros (brother of Elrond), who have been granted long life spans, and forbidden from travelling to the west by the Valar. 

In time, the Númenoreans yearn for immorality and over a long period, exchange messages with the Valar, only to be turned down from their wishes. The people respect for a time the ban, but again, with the passage of time and their difficulties facing the darkness around them, are lured into rebellion by treacherous words that bring forth their downfall. 

From this portion, Tolkien's preoccupation with war, death; division and strife, I have enjoyed the dialogues and philosophical debate this tale invites to ponder about these existential topics, offering also many symbols of death and renewal throughout these 30 pages, and cautionary messages as to accepting one's destiny and role in the world - not overstepping in pride what we shouldn't seek... 

I like that it helps closing gaps in my mind regarding the overall History of Middle-Earth, although parts of this story occur in its margins. 

Tolkien left an interestingly obvious allusion to the legend of Atlantis, that continent that may or may have not existed before greed of power have brought it, too, to its downfall. 

I appreciate that in spite of this, the content remains uniquely Tolkien, creating and weaving his mythology - even though it borrows and extended from other cultures. 

• Of the Rings of Power and the third age finishes the narrative of this book, tying and summarizing events from The Silmarillion's second and third parts, as well as Lord of the Rings and a bit after its ending. 

This narrative does give a few additional details to each of each novels, in a fluent writing style - albeit a bit less poetic.  

Some of these new details are told in the Lord of the Rings trilogy introduction to the Fellowship of the ring (which also uses the extensive LOTR appendices).