The Silmarillion by JRR Tolkien is read by Martin Shaw. I read this as a young man and saw this audio collection at the Greenbelt Labor Day Festival--I felt it was worth the listen to and from work.
Started: 10/25/2016
Completed: 11/30/2016
Recommendation: Only to die-hard Tolkien fans
Recommended By: Nobody
Review:
The book itself is as remarkably boring as I remember. It is the scale of the work and the attempt to tell such a "history" that is impressive. The sonorous voice of Martin Shaw lends a gravitas to the work that goes well with some of the archaic phrases (e.g. in that hour, on that day). I remember fighting my way through this book around the same time I was trying to read the Bible cover to cover and, so, I drew many parallels that probably were actually there.
I had forgotten that the Dark Elves were not evil, simply that they had not journeyed to the light with their other kin. I had also forgotten that the Orcs were likely bread from tortured elves (and, thus, immortal as well), which is even more horrifying then believing that they are simply evil. There are lots of stories that were referenced in the War of the Ring, that I had long forgotten and even forgotten the references.
There were some enlightening things about Sauron that I had forgotten.
Hearing, as opposed to reading, this work was worth it.
I had forgotten that the Dark Elves were not evil, simply that they had not journeyed to the light with their other kin. I had also forgotten that the Orcs were likely bread from tortured elves (and, thus, immortal as well), which is even more horrifying then believing that they are simply evil. There are lots of stories that were referenced in the War of the Ring, that I had long forgotten and even forgotten the references.
There were some enlightening things about Sauron that I had forgotten.
Hearing, as opposed to reading, this work was worth it.
