Blurbos Rating (4.3)
If you love the world of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien’s ‘The Silmarillion’ is a must-read. The book takes you on a fascinating journey through the history of Middle-earth, filled with mythical stories and amazing world-building.
It’s not just about the big story though. ‘The Silmarillion’ is packed with amazing characters and their heroic adventures. The love story of Beren and Lúthien and the struggles of Fëanor and his sons are standouts. Themes of love, sacrifice, and the spirit of the free peoples of Middle-earth run through the book, making it a captivating read.
The only reason I did not score this one higher personally, is it can occasionally be very dense. This is a history of Middle Earth, and it covers a ton of ground and a lot of characters, so it can occasionally be slightly difficult to read. In any event, I would still recommend it.
Highlights
And the shape of Arda and the symmetry of its waters and its lands was marred in that time, so that the first designs of the Valar were never after restored.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 29 | Location 709-710 2022-09-18 00:40:03
The Noldor also it was who first achieved the making of gems; and the fairest of all gems were the Silmarils, and they are lost.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 33 | Location 762-763 2022-09-19 00:16:42
With Manwë dwelt Varda the most beautiful, she who in the Sindarin tongue is named Elbereth, Queen of the Valar, maker of the stars; and with them were a great host of spirits in blessedness.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 33 | Location 772-773 2022-09-19 00:17:44
For Elves and Men are the Children of Ilúvatar
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 35 | Location 793-793 2022-09-19 00:19:48
For the Elves die not till the world dies, unless they are slain or waste in grief (and to both these seeming deaths they are subject);
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 36 | Location 810-811 2022-09-19 00:22:07
Would that the trees might speak on behalf of all things that have roots, and punish those that wrong them!’
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 40 | Location 870-871 2022-09-20 00:39:00
‘Eru is bountiful,’ she said. ‘Now let thy children beware! For there shall walk a power in the forests whose wrath they will arouse at their peril.’
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 42 | Location 891-892 2022-09-20 00:40:57
And in Utumno he gathered his demons about him, those spirits who first adhered to him in the days of his splendour, and became most like him in his corruption: their hearts were of fire, but they were cloaked in darkness, and terror went before them; they had whips of flame. Balrogs they were named in Middle-earth in later days.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 43 | Location 902-904 2022-09-20 23:24:47
The sons of Finarfin were Finrod the faithful (who was afterwards named Felagund, Lord of Caves), Orodreth, Angrod, and Aegnor; these four were as close in friendship with the sons of Fingolfin as though they were all brothers. A sister they had, Galadriel, most beautiful of all the house of Finwë; her hair was lit with gold as though it had caught in a mesh the radiance of Laurelin.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 61 | Location 1145-1148 2022-09-22 23:13:37
Rúmil of Tirion was the name of the loremaster who first achieved fitting signs for the recording of speech and song, some for graving upon metal or in stone, others for drawing with brush or with pen.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 63 | Location 1178-1180 2022-09-22 23:17:10
for those who will defend authority against rebellion must not themselves rebel.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 66 | Location 1230-1231 2022-09-22 23:22:48
for none of the Eldalië ever hated Melkor more than Fëanor son of Finwë, who first named him Morgoth; and snared though he was in the webs of Melkor’s malice against the Valar he held no converse with him and took no counsel from him.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 67 | Location 1237-1238 2022-09-22 23:24:13
For Fëanor, being come to his full might, was filled with a new thought, or it may be that some shadow of foreknowledge came to him of the doom that drew near; and he pondered how the light of the Trees, the glory of the Blessed Realm, might be preserved imperishable. Then he began a long and secret labour, and he summoned all his lore, and his power, and his subtle skill; and at the end of all he made the Silmarils.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 68 | Location 1243-1246 2022-09-22 23:26:44
But Melkor also was there, and he came to the house of Fëanor, and there he slew Finwë King of the Noldor before his doors, and spilled the first blood in the Blessed Realm; for Finwë alone had not fled from the horror of the Dark. And they told that Melkor had broken the stronghold of Formenos, and taken all the jewels of the Noldor that were hoarded in that place; and the Silmarils were gone.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 83 | Location 1449-1452 2022-09-23 23:43:26
‘Say this to Manwë Súlimo, High King of Arda: if Fëanor cannot overthrow Morgoth, at least he delays not to assail him, and sits not idle in grief. And it may be that Eru has set in me a fire greater than thou knowest. Such hurt at the least will I do to the Foe of the Valar that even the mighty in the Ring of Doom shall wonder to hear it. Yea, in the end they shall follow me. Farewell!’
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 91 | Location 1566-1569 2022-09-24 23:16:18
Greatest of all the mansions of the Dwarves was Khazad-dûm, the Dwarrowdelf, Hadhodrond in the Elvish tongue, that was afterwards in the days of its darkness called Moria; but it was far off in the Mountains of Mist beyond the wide leagues of Eriador, and to the Eldar came but as a name and a rumour from the words of the Dwarves of the Blue Mountains.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 100 | Location 1681-1683 2022-09-25 23:35:04
None have ever come back from the mansions of the dead, save only Beren son of Barahir, whose hand had touched a Silmaril; but he never spoke afterward to mortal Men.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 117 | Location 1914-1915 2022-09-27 23:19:47
And in the glory and beauty of the Elves, and in their fate, full share had the offspring of elf and mortal, Eärendil, and Elwing, and Elrond their child.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 118 | Location 1921-1922 2022-09-27 23:20:36
There upon the confines of Dor Daedeloth, the land of Morgoth, Fëanor was surrounded, with few friends about him. Long he fought on, and undismayed, though he was wrapped in fire and wounded with many wounds; but at the last he was smitten to the ground by Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs, whom Ecthelion after slew in Gondolin
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 120 | Location 1949-1951 2022-09-27 23:24:13
In that time Celebrimbor the son of Curufin repudiated the deeds of his father, and remained in Nargothrond; yet Huan followed still the horse of Celegorm his master.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 207 | Location 3193-3194 2022-10-05 22:58:40
for according to the customs of the Eldalië the keeping and giving of lembas belonged to the Queen alone. In nothing did Melian show greater favour to Túrin than in this gift; for the Eldar had never before allowed Men to use this waybread, and seldom did so again.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 240 | Location 3670-3672 2022-10-07 23:24:34
Thus ended Beleg Strongbow, truest of friends, greatest in skill of all that harboured in the woods of Beleriand in the Elder Days, at the hand of him whom he most loved; and that grief was
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 248 | Location 3794-3796 2022-10-08 23:36:55
In all ways Morgoth sought most to cast an evil light on those things that Thingol and Melian had done, for he hated them, and feared them.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 272 | Location 4133-4134 2022-10-14 23:45:55
Maeglin was no weakling or craven, but the torment wherewith he was threatened cowed his spirit, and he purchased his life and freedom by revealing to Morgoth the very place of Gondolin and the ways whereby it might be found and assailed.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 290 | Location 4397-4399 2022-10-18 23:07:38
Bright Eärendil was then lord of the people that dwelt nigh to Sirion’s mouths; and he took to wife Elwing the fair, and she bore to him Elrond and Elros, who are called the Half-elven.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 295 | Location 4455-4457 2022-10-18 23:15:29
And thus it came to pass that the Silmarils found their long homes: one in the airs of heaven, and one in the fires of the heart of the world, and one in the deep waters.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 305 | Location 4610-4611 2022-10-19 23:50:19
Only to Lindon he did not come, for Gil-galad and Elrond doubted him and his fair-seeming, and though they knew not who in truth he was they would not admit him to that land.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 307 | Location 5112-5114 2022-10-23 23:35:09
In those days the smiths of Ost-in-Edhil surpassed all that they had contrived before; and they took thought, and they made Rings of Power. But Sauron guided their labours, and he was aware of all that they did; for his desire was to set a bond upon the Elves and to bring them under his vigilance.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 307 | Location 5124-5126 2022-10-23 23:36:50
And while he wore the One Ring he could perceive all the things that were done by means of the lesser rings, and he could see and govern the very thoughts of those that wore them.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 307 | Location 5129-5131 2022-10-23 23:37:22
But Sauron gathered into his hands all the remaining Rings of Power; and he dealt them out to the other peoples of Middle-earth, hoping thus to bring under his sway all those that desired secret power beyond the measure of their kind. Seven rings he gave to the Dwarves; but to Men he gave nine, for Men proved in this matter as in others the readiest to his will.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 307 | Location 5142-5145 2022-10-24 23:42:22
Those who used the Nine Rings became mighty in their day, kings, sorcerers, and warriors of old. They obtained glory and great wealth, yet it turned to their undoing. They had, as it seemed, unending life, yet life became unendurable to them.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 307 | Location 5151-5152 2022-10-24 23:43:54
The Nazgûl were they, the Ringwraiths, the Enemy’s most terrible servants; darkness went with them, and they cried with the voices of death.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 307 | Location 5156-5157 2022-10-24 23:44:15
In that time those of the Númenóreans who were saved from destruction fled eastward, as is told in the Akallabêth. The chief of these were Elendil the Tall and his sons, Isildur and Anárion.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 307 | Location 5178-5179 2022-10-24 23:47:07
Isildur and Anárion were borne away southwards, and at the last they brought their ships up the Great River Anduin, that flows out of Rhovanion into the western sea in the Bay of Belfalas; and they established a realm in those lands that were after called Gondor, whereas the Northern Kingdom was named Arnor.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 307 | Location 5187-5189 2022-10-24 23:48:31
These stones were gifts of the Eldar to Amandil, father of Elendil, for the comfort of the Faithful of Númenor in their dark days, when the Elves might come no longer to that land under the shadow of Sauron. They were called the Palantíri, those that watch from afar; but all those that were brought to Middle-earth long ago were lost.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 307 | Location 5214-5216 2022-10-24 23:51:39
Now Elendil and Gil-galad took counsel together, for they perceived that Sauron would grow too strong and would overcome all his enemies one by one, if they did not unite against him. Therefore they made that League which is called the Last Alliance, and they marched east into Middle-earth gathering a great host of Elves and Men;
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 307 | Location 5236-5238 2022-10-25 23:10:27
All living things were divided in that day, and some of every kind, even of beasts and birds, were found in either host, save the Elves only. They alone were undivided and followed Gil-galad. Of the Dwarves few fought upon either side; but the kindred of Durin of Moria fought against Sauron.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 307 | Location 5241-5244 2022-10-25 23:11:29
Against Aeglos the spear of Gil-galad none could stand; and the sword of Elendil filled Orcs and Men with fear, for it shone with the light of the sun and of the moon, and it was named Narsil.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 307 | Location 5245-5246 2022-10-25 23:11:38
But at the last the siege was so strait that Sauron himself came forth; and he wrestled with Gil-galad and Elendil, and they both were slain, and the sword of Elendil broke under him as he fell. But Sauron also was thrown down, and with the hilt-shard of Narsil Isildur cut the Ruling Ring from the hand of Sauron and took it for his own.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 307 | Location 5249-5251 2022-10-25 23:12:22
‘This I will have as weregild for my father’s death, and my brother’s. Was it not I that dealt the Enemy his death-blow?’
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 307 | Location 5264-5265 2022-10-25 23:14:00
There the Ring betrayed him and avenged its maker, for it slipped from his finger as he swam, and it was lost in the water. Then the Orcs saw him as he laboured in the stream, and they shot him with many arrows, and that was his end.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 307 | Location 5274-5276 2022-10-25 23:15:49
Thus Narsil came in due time to the hand of Valandil, Isildur’s heir, in Imladris; but the blade was broken and its light was extinguished, and it was not forged anew. And Master Elrond foretold that this would not be done until the Ruling Ring should be found again and Sauron should return; but the hope of Elves and Men was that these things might never come to pass.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 307 | Location 5277-5280 2022-10-25 23:15:35
Therefore ere the Third Age was ended the Elves perceived that the Ring of Sapphire was with Elrond,
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 307 | Location 5326-5326 2022-10-25 23:22:55
whereas the Ring of Adamant was in the Land of Lórien where dwelt the Lady Galadriel.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 307 | Location 5327-5328 2022-10-25 23:23:01
But the Red Ring remained hidden until the end, and none save Elrond and Galadriel and Círdan knew to whom it had been committed.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 307 | Location 5329-5330 2022-10-25 23:23:08
Chief among them were those whom the Elves called Mithrandir and Curunír, but Men in the North named Gandalf and Saruman.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 307 | Location 5356-5357 2022-10-25 23:25:51
Radagast was the friend of all beasts and birds; but Curunír went most among Men, and he was subtle in speech and skilled in all the devices of smithcraft. Mithrandir was closest in counsel with Elrond and the Elves. He wandered far in the North and West and made never in any land any lasting abode; but Curunír journeyed into the East, and when he returned he dwelt at Orthanc in the Ring of Isengard, which the Númenóreans made in the days of their power.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 307 | Location 5358-5362 2022-10-25 23:26:22
‘Many are the strange chances of the world,’ said Mithrandir, ‘and help oft shall come from the hands of the weak when the Wise falter.’
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 307 | Location 5383-5384 2022-10-25 23:28:27
Then in the midst of gathering fear and the rumour of war the foreboding of Elrond was proved true, and the One Ring was indeed found again, by a chance more strange than even Mithrandir had foreseen; and it was hidden from Curunír and from Sauron.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 307 | Location 5407-5408 2022-10-26 23:40:25
He was Aragorn son of Arathorn, the nine and thirtieth heir in the right line from Isildur, and yet more like to Elendil than any before him.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 307 | Location 5422-5423 2022-10-26 23:42:15
For Frodo the Halfling, it is said, at the bidding of Mithrandir took on himself the burden, and alone with his servant he passed through peril and darkness and came at last in Sauron’s despite even to Mount Doom; and there into the Fire where it was wrought he cast the Great Ring of Power, and so at last it was unmade and its evil consumed.
<The Silmarillion>(Tolkien, J.R.R.) Highlight on page 307 | Location 5429-5432 2022-10-26 23:43:21