The Silmarillion, Vol. 1

Tolkien, J.R.R.

ISBN 10: 055352500X ISBN 13: 9780553525007

Publisher: Random House Audio, 1998

Synopsis

The Silmarillion tells of the Elder Days, of the First Age of Tolkien's World, when Morgoth, the first Dark Lord, dwelt in Middle Earth, and the High Elves made war upon them for the recovery of the Silmarils, the jewels containing the pure light of Valinor.  It is to this ancient drama that the characters in The Lord of the Rings so often look back to.

Before the world began, the startling beauty of the Holy Ones awakened into song.  The sound, like countless choirs, became an ever-changing melody.  It was the music of the Ainur that set the world spinning within the endless habitation of space.  Music filled the earth with air and fire and water; stone and silver and gold; vast halls and spaces.  And Music it was that caused the Children of Invatar, Men and Elves, to be born.

Of the Elven races, it was the Noldor, the most skilled of Elves in Earthlore, who first achieved the power of making gems.  And it was the great Elf FŁanor who made the Silmarils, the fairest of all gems, long since lost.  Kept within the Silmarils was the glory of the light of the Two Trees of Valinor, long after the Trees themselves were poisoned by the greed of the first Dark Lord Morgoth.  These three great living jewels were hallowed so no mortal flesh nor anything evil might touch them.  But deep within His fortress underground, the Dark Lord lusted after them.  The peaceful days of Valinor were numbered, and despite the revolt of the Elves, the Dark Lord triumphed.  As was His wish, Elves and Men became estranged.  Those of the Elven race waned and faded and men usurped the sunlight....

The Silmarillion, considered to be Tolkien's most important work, is the story of the creation of the world and the happenings of the First Age, clearly setting the stage for all his other works. With a superb performance by Martin Shaw, this first installment of three volumes will thrill and delight Tolkien fans of all ages, and listeners will treasure this extraordinary presentation for years to come.

About this title

About the Author

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was born on the 3rd January, 1892 at Bloemfontein in the Orange Free State, but at the age of four he and his brother were taken back to England by their mother. After his father's death the family moved to Sarehole, on the south-eastern edge of Birmingham. Tolkien spent a happy childhood in the countryside and his sensibility to the rural landscape can clearly be seen in his writing and his pictures.

From Library Journal

Tolkien's 1977 tale could be called the Paradise Lost of Middle Earth. It tells of the Godlike Iluvatar's creation of all things, both physical and spiritual, in the Elder Days of Middle Earth in the First Age before the coming of elves and men. All was well until Melkor, Iluvatar's mightiest and brightest offspring, grew jealous of his master, desired his own creations, and made things in private while corrupting the designs of Iluvatar. Upon the discovery of his ill deeds, Melkor was cast down and became the first Dark Lord and scourge of Middle Earth (sound familiar?). Although it takes quite a while to get moving, the story eventually serves up epic battles of good and evil as Melkor, aided by his lieutenant, Sauron, who later figures prominently in The Lord of the Rings, is defeated by the human and elvin hosts of Middle Earth in a long and bitter war. Part 1 moves slowly while introducing numerous characters and plot points. Parts 2 and 3 have considerably more action. Actor Martin Shaw's reading is solid; it's the cardboard packaging that's flimsy. Recommended.?Michael Rogers, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Random House Audio
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 055352500X
• ISBN 13: 9780553525007
• Binding: Audio Cassette
• Language: English