Tolkien, JRR: The Silmarillion

(edited by Christopher Tolkien, I believe)

Since my rediscovered interest in fiction, I had finished every book I had started - an ethic trickled down from my parents to finish a job started. A work colleauge had recommended the Silmarillion (and every other Tolkien-inked word), so I got a copy and commenced with a now familiar enthusiasm.

I was not immersed. It was interesting, and stretched the boundaries of Tolkien's Middle Earth as depicted in LOTR. Missing gaps were plugged, and things hinted to in LOTR and the Hobbit were fleshed out in a history as detailed as our own Earth's. But it lacked character. All it's depth in description could not compensate for what it lacked in plausability. The warmth was gone. In a sense, this was a history book, written a long time after the event, lacking the kineticism of Tolkien's stories.

Perhaps this was Christopher Tolkien's hand at work, I am not sure. I by no means wish to apply any negativity to the work Tolkien Jr has done to the scattered remnants of Tolkien Jrr's notes; indeed a great public service has been performed to those with a sense of longing following completion of the great trilogy. I have also tried to remain objective, and not to draw parallels with LOTR, but it is difficult. At the end of the day, the Silmarillion is not a story book, and should not be approached as such. It is an encyclopaedia, glossary and history, and reads as such. It is for the hardcore fans, and to me offers neither enjoyment or reflection. A shame as I am sure many a story could be crafted from the structure defined by this book, unfortunately the master-crafter no longer plies his trade.