The Silmarillion?

[crassus]

Has anyone read this and is it worth adding to the J.R.R. Tolkien collection?

[QuietLunatic]

I have tried about three or four times to get into this book and I find reading a dictionary easier to do. I don't know what it is about it, but I just can't get into it. You could get it just to complete your collection, but for me--bleh.

[Beren One-Hand]

There's actually a specific section for discussion pertaining to The Silmarillion.  See the section entitled: "Other Works."

[Mithrandir]

There's actually a specific section for discussion pertaining to The Silmarillion.  See the section entitled: "Other Works."

Yup! It's moved.

On topic: The Silmarillion is certainly worth reading! It starts quite slow, but when you get into it (and starting with the Quenta Silmarillion, after the Ainulindalë), it is quite enjoyable. Nonetheless, you will need the list in the back to keep track of all the names and places. Certainly the first time you read it.

Please persist in reading and the beautiful tales of the Ages before the Lord of the Rings will be a great reward

[Camlost]

It's a MUST read. It's that simple.

The Silmarillion is breathtaking. Love, betrayal, tragedy, triumph... this book has it all.

To me, it surpasses LOTR in places for the emotion it contains.

[Andúnië]

The Simarillion provides a wealth of background information. It contains very, very good stories. The book may be slightly overwhelming at first, with many characters, locations, and events to keep track of, but it picks up its pace as it goes on.

[Brilthor]

I have read Silmarillion four times and I find it very interesting.You can not fully understand The Lord of the Rings if you don't read this book.I must confess,at first I didn't understand much,but having read it second time it began to make sense. 

[The Ainur]

As Brilthor said, The Silmarillion is a amazing book and when you read it everything on the subsequent books falls in place for it describes the begining of the First Age, includes The Children of Hurin and and the Last Alliance battle against Sauron.  It's just... amazing!!

[Orome]

In another thread, I mentioned that I have read all of the major works at least a dozen times each.

With this one (The Silmarillion), I know that each time I have read it, I have found something I either overlooked, or just did not grasp in a previous reading.  Maybe the secret is to try and read it more than once to digest the material.