So I've been listening to this audiobook (I'm pretty sure it's the unabridged version) for the last few weeks, and man, I regret not having given the book another chance. After the first couple of chapters, with the names of the creator and the valar and so on, which was what bored me to tears the first time around, I just listened to it before going to sleep, and I have to say some of the tales are better (IMO) than the whole of the Hobbit and LotR.. especially the one of Beren and Luthien, and pretty much everything after that. I really liked the whole thread of the sons of Fealdor and the silmaril... that was classic storytelling. So here's my vote for another great Tolkien saga

I keep saying this, but people don't listen.

The Sil is the "Old Testament" for Middle-Earth. It has incredible depth, scale, scope and beauty. It reads the way it does because it is meant to be of the tradition of scripture and epics of the ancient world.

Tolkien began work on it simultaneously, or even before, the LOTR. If a person gives it the required attention they will be richly rewarded.

It is nice that there's an audiobook of it--who reads?

The one i have is called "The Silmarillion Box Set - Complete and Unabridged"

It's read by Martin Shaw, who IMO has a very good, british, what I would call "grandfatherly" voice, which just makes it that much more interesting to listen to, and he intones very well for different characters, but for some reason he hisses for any of the evil characters, where I imagined them having deep booming voices.. it's still enjoyable though.

I just hope the Special Edition has dts sound

What is it, like, 18 tapes?

I just listened to this audio book as well. I downloaded the unabridged version from audible.com. I really enjoyed it. I agree with the old testament for Middle Earth description. Tolkein wrote it in a very biblical style, but actually it reminds me a little more of Norse Mythology than anything else. Its gets better and better the futher into you get.

Are you talking about this one:



I'm interested in buying this, and I want to make sure I'm getting the right one.

Yeah, that's the one. Took me like a week and a half to listen to it, but it was worth it.

I read the Silmarillion over twenty years ago and don't remember any of it. LOTR is a series of books I've read 4 times over the years but the Silmarillion is just to deep for re reading. The books-on-tape could be a good option and help while driving on the job.
Greg

I also have the 13-cd unabridged version read by Mr. Shaw. I recommend it.

I just recently finished LOTR and I am very curious about the fourth age; does this SIM. also cover that age as well as the beginning ages?

The fourth age is the one we know as 'human history.' There is little to nothing on it in Tolkien. He focuses on the first and second ages of Middle-earth.