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The Silmarillion

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The Silmarillion

By: J. R. R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien
Narrated by: Andy Serkis
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About this listen

The forerunner to The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion tells the earlier history of Middle-earth, recounting the events of the First and Second Ages, and introducing some of the key characters, such as Galadriel, Elrond, Elendil and the Dark Lord, Sauron.

The tales of The Silmarillion are set in an age when Morgoth, the first Dark Lord, dwelt in Middle-earth, and the High Elves made war upon him for the recovery of the Silmarils, the jewels containing the pure light of Valinor.

Included on the recording are several shorter works. The Ainulindalë is a myth of the Creation and in the Valaquenta the nature and powers of each of the gods is described. The Akallabêth recounts the downfall of the great island kingdom of Númenor at the end of the Second Age, and Of the Rings of Power tells of the great events at the end of the Third Age, as narrated in The Lord of the Rings.

This brand-new unabridged recording is read by the acclaimed actor, director and author, Andy Serkis.

©1977 The Tolkien Estate Limited and C.R. Tolkien (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers Classics Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Military Fiction Magic Celebrity Mythology

Critic Reviews

‘How, given little over half a century of work, did one man become the creative equivalent of a people?’
The Guardian

‘Demanding to be compared with English mythologies… at times rises to the greatness of true myth’
Financial Times

‘A creation of singular beauty… magnificent in its best moments’
Washington Post

‘A grim, tragic, brooding and beautiful book, shot through with heroism and hope… its power is almost that of mysticism’
Toronto Globe & Mail
All stars
Most relevant  
Andy Serkis delivers the content with passion, clarity, vocal projection and dexterity. He slows it down just enough that the listener can easily understand without being distracted

Clear and understandable pronunciation and volume

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Amazing story full to the brim with difficult names to follow. Serkis makes the listening a lot easier! Definitely recommend and LOTR fan listen to this.

Andy Serkis is the GOAT

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The epic single combat duel between the High King Fingolfin and the Dark Lord was insane… Could only imagine what it would have looked/ felt like.
And the tale of Baren and Lúthien moved me unlike any other love story I’ve experienced.
Masterful.

The stories within this book are unmatched…

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Omg, this was wonderful, I love it in book form but really came to life as an audible book

The Silmarillion

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Let me just say that Andy Serkis is, to me, the greatest revelation of the latter years!
I am most amazed by his performances in The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and now in the Silmarillion!

About Andy Serkis’ performance reading audiobooks

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The Silmarillion is nothing short of a masterpiece—a deep dive into the mythic origins of Middle-earth that left me spellbound. Tolkien’s world-building is unparalleled, and this collection of tales adds profound depth to The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. What I loved most was seeing the cunning of Morgoth unfold; his manipulation and corruption of Elves and Men over centuries is both chilling and brilliant. His shadow looms large over all the ages that follow, making Sauron's later rise even more impactful.

The stories vary in tone and pace, with the romance of Beren and Lúthien standing out as a beautifully tender tale amidst the darker themes of betrayal and tragedy. Each story enriches the world, transforming familiar elements into something far deeper and more meaningful. Reading The Silmarillion gave me a new appreciation for the depth of Tolkien’s world, making Middle-earth feel like a realm steeped in ancient history.

While the book can be dense, it's a treasure trove for fans willing to immerse themselves in its rich lore. It’s a challenging but ultimately rewarding journey into the heart of Tolkien’s mythology.

My Rating: 4.4/5

A must read for fans of Lord of the Rings

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I found this vastly easier to absorb than in written form. Something about the consistent pronunciations and cadence helped with the richness and density of the incredibly complex and vivid concepts.

Superbly engaging

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Amazing book.
Andy Serkis is the perfect narrator.
The Silmarillion is packed with lore. Recommend reading with a map and family trees open to make it easier to follow.

Amazing

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Tolkien in this compendium displays his almost half a century devotion to developing a world so grandiose it takes one’s breath away. The way he and his son have developed and arranged the Silmarillion leads the reader to almost believe Tolkien possesses a knowledge of such a place and is merely reporting on what he has seen. With creatures great and small within Middle Earth, Tolkien yet provides the most subtle and seemingly irrelevant details which further pulls what would be esoteric fantasy into existence in the mind of his readers. Lastly, I cannot help but marvel at Tolkiens literary genius and restraint when deciding at times to leave origins and details within his world a mystery, birthing a voracious hunger in readers to discover evermore, the world of Ilúvatar.

Otherworldly

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I don't know how anyone hates this, the story is immaculate. the narration is splendid.

Amazing Lore

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