anyone else love the Silmarillion?
 

I just finished it after reading LOTR. it was awesome. i really loved it. i was never bored. anyone else share my sentiments?

It can be a tough read, but yes, I enjoyed it a lot.

I enjoyed it a lot more the second time. i'm due for another reading of it. its tough keeping track of all those names. I'm reading "After the King" now, first story is kind of lame so far. I thought the stories are supposed to be about middle earth?

I love it.

If you read the silmarillion before reading the LOTR Books, it makes the LOTR trilogy appear a richer and more satisfying read.

I read it a year ago and liked it, but it was a very tough read. I found myself using the index quite a bit to keep the names straight. I do want to read it again though to pick up on things I'm sure I missed.

i enjoyed it aye, but agreed it is a tough read, tis the biggest book ive ever read *pats back*

It was well worth the effort.

While I agree that it makes LOTR richer, I don't think anyone should read Silmarillion first, simply because it's so dense that it could turn them off to Tolkien forever. I know many people who liked LOTR but couldn't get through The Silmarillion. So I recommend that people read LOTR (and its appendices) first, and then only read The Silmarillion if they're truly interested in the history, because it takes a bit of devotion.

All that said, The Silmarillion is my favorite Tolkien work. :)

Agreed.

I also read it after LOTR and enjoyed it a lot. Even if ypou read it afterwards, it adds a lot to the LOTR story.
What makes it tough is not only is far more complex structure (family trees over centuries etc.) but also its kinda depressing tone. It's more violent than LOTR and also misses the "victorious hero" storylines.

Still, definitely an incredible book (BECAUSE of its complexity - Tolkien must have had an unbeliviable vision/masterplan about this story) and highly recommended, especially for LOTR fans.