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11-23-2004, 12:30 AM | #1 |
"The Bomb"
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: all over the place
Posts: 1,601
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Introduction: Reading the Sil for the First Time
As you probably noticed, I don’t make any posts in the Silmarillion forum. Right, because I never read the book. Just like countless other people, even other Tolkien fanatics, I’ve picked it up time and time again, but never got far past Valaquenta. It’s been lying patiently at my desk for over a year, but when I touch it, it’s always so confusing, so historical, and so in-depth that it blows my mind to nervous little pieces.
I’m finally changing that. I’ve decided to keep a reading journal this time, to express all of my thoughts and feelings on the story. I’m starting this week with a really old copy of the book. After each reading session, I’ll post my reaction in a new thread on Entmoot. You guys can take it from there, comparing my thoughts to yours (if you remember what you had been thinking), guessing how I’ll be surprised, making fun of my naivety , sympathizing with me, reliving the scenes, rereading it with me, whatever, SPOILERS ALLOWED. I will avoid your posts until I’m finally done, so don’t hold back any discussion. I want to point out the reasons I made this decision.
The one thing I can’t do by myself is a schedule. Since these entries are for you to read, what is most convenient? The LotR Discussion Project has two weeks between each few chapters, so would a weekly piece be too often? Your input needed. DISCUSS! Who else is looking forward to it?
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Could it be that one path to enlightenment leads through insanity? Last edited by Bombadillo : 11-23-2004 at 12:33 AM. |
11-23-2004, 01:05 AM | #2 |
avocatus diaboli
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Himring
Posts: 1,582
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Good luck! I'll join you, when I get back...
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~ I have heard the languages of apocalypse and now I shall embrace the silence ~
Neil Gaiman |
11-23-2004, 01:40 AM | #3 |
the Shrike
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: San Francisco, CA <3
Posts: 10,647
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The earliest chapters are the most difficult to get into, IMO. So those are the ones you should set aside the most time for. Once you get to the "epics" (Children of Hurin, Beren and Luthien, etc), you'll be powering through them a lot faster.
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"Binary solo! 0000001! 00000011! 0000001! 00000011!" ~ The Humans are Dead, Flight of the Conchords |
11-23-2004, 01:43 AM | #4 |
avocatus diaboli
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Himring
Posts: 1,582
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Unless you're my brother.
Don't worry, though, we'll get you through them...
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~ I have heard the languages of apocalypse and now I shall embrace the silence ~
Neil Gaiman |
11-23-2004, 03:45 AM | #5 | |
Warrior of the House of Hador
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,651
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Quote:
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Then Huor spoke and said: "Yet if it stands but a little while, then out of your house shall come the hope of Elves and Men. This I say to you, lord, with the eyes of death: though we part here for ever, and I shall not look on your white walls again, from you and me a new star shall arise. Farewell!" The Silmarillion, Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Page 230 |
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11-23-2004, 08:04 AM | #6 |
Domesticated Swing Babe
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Reality
Posts: 5,340
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You'll need a sharp stick to keep poking yourself with as you fall asleep....
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11-23-2004, 09:11 AM | #7 | ||
Co-President of Entmoot
Super Moderator Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Canada
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I think you should read each chapter at your convenience, but if you take too long, we'll poke you so you don't give up. I read several entries in the original insipiration and it was very cool. Maybe some day when I read HoME I'll do the same thing.
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"I can add some more, if you'd like it. Calling your Chief Names, Wishing to Punch his Pimply Face, and Thinking you Shirriffs look a lot of Tom-fools." - Sam Gamgee, p. 340, Return of the King Quote:
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11-23-2004, 11:04 AM | #8 | |
Queen of Nargothrond
Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Akron, Ohio - USA
Posts: 7,121
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Quote:
Bombadillo, BoP is correct. The first few chapters are the toughest. I suggest that if you find yourself getting bored or frustrated, put it down for a bit and then go back to it. Also, at this point, try to avoid distractions so that you get the most out of what you are reading. These beginning chapters may need a couple readings to get a full understanding of them. Once you make it past that, it is pretty smooth sailing, and most enjoyable.
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"Whither go you?" she said. "North away." he said: "to the swords, and the siege, and the walls of defence - that yet for a while in Beleriand rivers may run clean, leaves spring, and birds build their nests, ere Night comes." AboutNewJersey.com - New Jersey Travel and Tourism Guide |
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11-23-2004, 02:58 PM | #9 |
The Chocoholic Sea Elf Administrator
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: N?n in Eilph (Belgium)
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*didn't have much problems with the first few chapters*
*feels left out* Nice idea, Bombadillo! The schedule will depend much on your free time and when you sit down to read. Personally I'd try to aim at a chapter in maximum 2 weeks. But it's really up to you. You do realise we won't let you simply put the book down this time after the Valaquenta, don't you?
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11-23-2004, 04:49 PM | #10 |
the Shrike
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: San Francisco, CA <3
Posts: 10,647
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You could also initially skip the first few. Some have tried this, and said that it was much easier to read AFTER they'd been hooked with the romances (Beren, children of hurin, etc). Something to consider, and MUCH less painful than a sharp pointy stick!
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"Binary solo! 0000001! 00000011! 0000001! 00000011!" ~ The Humans are Dead, Flight of the Conchords |
11-23-2004, 05:12 PM | #11 |
Greatest Elven woman of Aman
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Having way too much fun with Fëanor's 7
Posts: 4,285
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You know Bombadillo, I for one will be re-reading the Sil again meself, following your pace. It's been quite some time now since I read it from beginning to end - too long time.
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--Life is hard, and then we die. |
11-23-2004, 10:35 PM | #12 | |
"The Bomb"
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: all over the place
Posts: 1,601
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Excellent!
I like that idea, BoP, but I don't want to skip the boring stuff entirely. I think I could skim through the beginning until I reach Chapter 1. Once I get to some part that reads easier, I'll go back in depth and maybe edit my first entry then. Quote:
I'll be counting on your sharp sticks.
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Could it be that one path to enlightenment leads through insanity? |
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11-24-2004, 05:15 AM | #13 |
Elven Warrior
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Birmingham, UK
Posts: 221
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I think once you get past the Ainulindale and Valaquenta things start to get easier, although IMO those chapters are interesting in their own ways too.
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Durin the Sleepless! |
11-24-2004, 07:45 AM | #14 | |
Fëanorophobic
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Between the pages of a book
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Quote:
Anyway, not to get OT here, I think this is a great idea, Bombadillo! Looking forward to your intros. |
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11-24-2004, 02:47 PM | #15 | ||
The Chocoholic Sea Elf Administrator
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: N?n in Eilph (Belgium)
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Quote:
*presents sharp stick* No worries on that front, pal. Quote:
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We are not things. |
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11-24-2004, 03:23 PM | #16 |
Warrior of the House of Hador
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,651
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I did after a acouple of readings but at first it was a bit slow to start.
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Then Huor spoke and said: "Yet if it stands but a little while, then out of your house shall come the hope of Elves and Men. This I say to you, lord, with the eyes of death: though we part here for ever, and I shall not look on your white walls again, from you and me a new star shall arise. Farewell!" The Silmarillion, Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Page 230 |
11-24-2004, 06:03 PM | #17 | |
the Shrike
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: San Francisco, CA <3
Posts: 10,647
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Quote:
G'luck man, if you stick with it, you'll be reading some of the best pieces of literature in existence.
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"Binary solo! 0000001! 00000011! 0000001! 00000011!" ~ The Humans are Dead, Flight of the Conchords |
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11-24-2004, 06:16 PM | #18 |
Swan-Knight of Dol Amroth
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: On the Bay of Belfalas
Posts: 1,125
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I, myself, got stuck on the Ailundale and the Valaquenta. What I did was (1) keep notes, which you are going to do. I found that it made me read more deeply and understand what I read. (2) When I got bored, I would reward myself by reading some of the faster things, like "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age." Great stuff! :thumbsup:
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"What song the Sirens sang, or what name Achilles assumed when he hid himself among women, though puzzling questions are not beyond conjecture." - Sir Thomas Browne, Urn Burial. |
11-29-2004, 09:09 AM | #19 | |
The Intermittent One
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: here and there
Posts: 4,671
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Quote:
hey, bombadillo, i will offer my [not-so]helpful interruptions whenever i can - i only read it for the first time a few months back, and i read it once a fortnight at least now, and i also read hobbit and lotr once a fortnight |
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11-29-2004, 12:19 PM | #20 |
The Supreme Lord of The Northern Eagles
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: trondheim, norway
Posts: 1,388
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I can't remember, but I think I struggled some with the first chapters. but as I see it, it could been in a different book, for my case. I'm don't sayin the first Valaquenta is boring, but it is not necessary to read all of it understand and like the book.
maybe I'll join reading it. long since...
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