All in The Silmarillion
Introduction to The Waldman Letter (Letter 131)
The Waldman letter is a letter written to Milton Waldman, an editor and advisor to publishers in London, who had expressed an interest in The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion after the widespread success of The Hobbit. For context, The Hobbit was published in 1937, this letter was written in 1951, and The Fellowship of the Ring would not be published until 1954. Unfortunately, The Silmarillion itself was not published until 1977 after Tolkien’s death.
Tolkien had hoped to publish The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion together and this letter reflects his belief that the two were interdependent. This letter is important because it pieces together all of Tolkien’s stories concerning Middle-earth, showing how they are all a part of the same “great tale”.
Silmarillion Summer: Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age (Part Five)
“There at the last they looked upon death and defeat, and all their valour was in vain; for Sauron was too strong. Yet in that hour was put to the proof that which Mithrandir had spoken, and help came from the hands of the weak when the Wise faltered. For, as many songs have since sung, it was the Periannath, the Little People, dwellers in hillsides and meadows, that brought them deliverance.”
Silmarillion Summer: Akallabêth (Part Four)
Despite their long lives, the Númenóreans grew to fear death and wondered how they might escape their fate. The Númenóreans murmured against their mortality and the Ban, asking why they should die when the Valar and the Eldar would not? Why should they not go to Avallone? Why should they not even travel all the way to Valinor?
Silmarillion Summer: The Great Tales (Part Three)
“Here ends the Silmarillion; and if it has passed from the high and the beautiful to darkness and ruin, that was of old the fate of Arda Marred; and if any change shall come and the Marring be amended, Manwë and Varda may know; but they have not revealed it, and it is not declared in the dooms of Mandos.”
Silmarillion Summer: Part One Recap
Thank you so much to everyone who has been participating in our Silmarillion Summer Read-Along! As we are moving on to Part Two this week, I wanted to share a recap of what we’ve read and discussed in Part One. I’ve really enjoyed keeping up with the text chat, and our voice chats have been an absolute delight!
Silmarillion Summer: Of Fëanor and the Silmarils (Part Two)
Finwë was wed to Míriel, and their son Fëanor was born. However, after the birth of Fëanor, Míriel languished and was unable to continue living. She went to Lórien to rest, and her spirit departed from her body and went to the Halls of Mandos. Finwë was grieved at the loss of his wife. Fëanor grew swiftly and was the most subtle in mind and skilled in hand of the Noldor. Fëanor devised letters that bear his name (Fëanorian letters), and was the first who discovered how to make gems. Fëanor was married to Nerdanel.
Silmarillion Reading Resources & Favorite Editions of The Silmarillion
After it came up during our last discord chat, I wanted to share some recommended Silmarillion Reading Resources as well as favorite editions of The Silmarillion for those who were interested.
Silmarillion Summer: Introduction to The Silmarillion (Part One)
The Silmarillion is one of Tolkien’s most challenging works and yet also the most beautiful and important in my opinion. Many Tolkien fans new and old often feel intimidated by its depth and bewildered by its vocabulary, but it’s become my goal to encourage, equip, and inspire Tolkien fans to not only pick up The Silmarillion — but to finish it as well!
Introducing The Silmarillion Reader’s Guide: a Free Resource from Tea with Tolkien
The Silmarillion is one of Tolkien’s most challenging works and yet also the most beautiful and important in my opinion. Many Tolkien fans new and old often feel intimidated by its depth and bewildered by its vocabulary, but it’s become my goal to encourage, equip, and inspire Tolkien fans to not only pick up The Silmarillion — but to finish it as well!