The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien — book cover

Book details

The Silmarillion

by J.R.R. Tolkien

1977 · Houghton Mifflin Company

About the book

The Silmarillion chronicles the history of Middle-earth from its creation through a divine song to the end of the Third Age. The narrative details the rebellion of the fallen Vala Melkor and the theft of the Silmarils—three holy gems containing the light of the Two Trees of Valinor. This theft drives the Noldorin Elves into exile, where they wage a centuries-long war against Melkor, now called Morgoth. Specific accounts include the tragic romance of Beren and Lúthien, the downfall of the island kingdom of Númenor, and the eventual rise of the Ring-maker Sauron.

This book serves readers who want a historical and mythological foundation for the legends mentioned in The Lord of the Rings. It appeals to those interested in complex genealogies, invented languages, and the internal logic of a secondary world. A reader finishes this work with a technical understanding of the origins of the Wizards, the Elven rings, and the ancient lineages of Men. They gain a comprehensive map of the celestial and terrestrial hierarchy that governs Tolkien’s universe.

Details

Published
1977
Publisher
Houghton Mifflin Company
ISBN
9780618391110
Language
EN