An excellent reading (not a dramatisation), 13 Aug 2005
Tolkien's book is a blend of narratives, plots and languages, designed not only to be written but also to be heard, and it is doubtful that anybody can better Inglis' reading of Tolkien's works.

His voice is rich and full, from the lowest note (his rendering of Treebeard is almost as scary as it is awesome), to his highest pitch. All the characters sound like individuals, and Inglis rarely falters in this fully unabridged reading of The Lord of the Rings.

Buying this audiobook is (strangely) like buying an elderly gentleman in a box... to tell you a fantastic tale whenever you want. It is far superior to the film because you literally feel like you are moving with Frodo, inch by inch, towards the land of Shadow. It is funny, depressing, and sometimes darkly moving, but Inglis never deviates from his passion for storytelling.

One last point: this audio set is a reading of the book; it is not a dramatisation, like the BBC plays (as a previous review has stated).

Buy it, you will not be disappointed.

great at bedtime, 10 Sep 2003
as a kid i used to listen to these audio tapes in bed and enjoyed them thoroughly. However, the films recreate tolkeins world far better than is described in the tapes. They are a good introduction to tolkein if you cant be bothered to read the books. Frodo is played by Ian Holm, who plays Bilbo in the films.

If you are about to see the film, get this!!, 10 Dec 2001
The fantastic story of the lord of the rings has been put into a very easy to listen to style. i was given this set last xmas, and as someone who had read the book, found it stunning. I perticuarly liked the casting, as the voices are as you would imagine them to be. If you are going to see the film and have not yet read the book, buy this, and you will not regreat it.

Although The Silmarillion takes place in the same imaginary world as J.J.R Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, and was originally published four years after the author's death and over two decades after the former book, it is set much earlier, in the First Age of the World. The tales and the book which reads as a fusion between a story collection and historical chronicle, are a matter of legend even to the characters of The Lord of the Rings:

In the beginning Eru, the One, who in the Elvish tongue is named Ilúvatar, made the Ainur of his thought; and they made a great Music before him

Tolkien wrote the heart of this material very early in his career, and continued to work on it throughout his life. It fell to his son, Christopher Tolkien, to edit it into book form, and such proved the unquenchable public appetite that he subsequently oversaw 12 volumes of The History of Middle-Earth. This edition features 20 highly evocative colour plates by Ted Nasmith, themselves worth the price of admission, while reinforcing the sense of a historical work are genealogical tables, an extensive index, appendix and colour map. Far removed from the genial style of The Hobbit, this is Tolkien at his most formal, his prose austere, poetically beautiful, his storytelling capturing the epic scale, high drama and melancholy wonder of myth. These stories of elves and heroes and old gods are quite literally the foundation of the entire modern fantasy-publishing revival, and are therefore essential reading. --Gary S. DalkinJRR Tolkien is best known for The Hobbit and The Lord Of The Rings but those who thought these two wonderful adventures marked the height of his imagination have many more delights to come. The Silmarillion represents the source of Tolkien's later work and follows the events of the First Age of Middle Earth. For information, The Lord Of The Rings concerns the end of the Third Age.

The Silmarillion is a gloriously realised story of rebellion, exile, war and the heroism of elves and men. But to gain an insight into the staggering complexity of Tolkien's world, however, the shorter works also included are must-reads. Dealing with the myth of creation, the nature of the Gods, the fall of Númenor and the Rings of Power, they paint a vivid picture not only of Middle Earth but also of the author's soaring imagination.

Tolkien was born of English parents in Bloemfontein, South Africa, in 1892 and died in England in 1973. He worked on The Silmarillion from as early as 1917 but the work was not published until after his death. This edition, richly illustrated by Ted Nasmith, is both collector's item and source of reference and fascination for every follower of Tolkien. --James Barclay

An excellent reading (not a dramatisation), 13 Aug 2005
Tolkien's book is a blend of narratives, plots and languages, designed not only to be written but also to be heard, and it is doubtful that anybody can better Inglis' reading of Tolkien's works.

His voice is rich and full, from the lowest note (his rendering of Treebeard is almost as scary as it is awesome), to his highest pitch. All the characters sound like individuals, and Inglis rarely falters in this fully unabridged reading of The Lord of the Rings.

Buying this audiobook is (strangely) like buying an elderly gentleman in a box... to tell you a fantastic tale whenever you want. It is far superior to the film because you literally feel like you are moving with Frodo, inch by inch, towards the land of Shadow. It is funny, depressing, and sometimes darkly moving, but Inglis never deviates from his passion for storytelling.

One last point: this audio set is a reading of the book; it is not a dramatisation, like the BBC plays (as a previous review has stated).

Buy it, you will not be disappointed.

great at bedtime, 10 Sep 2003
as a kid i used to listen to these audio tapes in bed and enjoyed them thoroughly. However, the films recreate tolkeins world far better than is described in the tapes. They are a good introduction to tolkein if you cant be bothered to read the books. Frodo is played by Ian Holm, who plays Bilbo in the films.

If you are about to see the film, get this!!, 10 Dec 2001
The fantastic story of the lord of the rings has been put into a very easy to listen to style. i was given this set last xmas, and as someone who had read the book, found it stunning. I perticuarly liked the casting, as the voices are as you would imagine them to be. If you are going to see the film and have not yet read the book, buy this, and you will not regreat it.

This is a truly unreadable book, 25 Nov 2008
I have had this book for about three months, when I bought it I was really looking forward to another Lord of the Rings, or at least Hobbit, style book.

What I have is a book which after all this time I have not managed to get past chapter one of (and I have read all of War and Peace). The style is unrelentingly tedious and difficult to read.

This is not a book to enjoy reading it may well give the background to all the events in the subsequent books but it could have been written so very much better than some sort of Old Testament script

Never have I been so disappointed with a book I was really looking forward to reading.

After watching Julian Cope in concert for two hours I long since decided life is too short to waste on something which has the entertainment value of hand cleaning decking with wire wool. This book is going to the local charity shop


Imagineering History, 03 Oct 2008
First things first, before you consider purchasing this book, it is of paramount importance that you are aware of the following. For the avoidance of doubt, this isn't really a literary novel in the way that LOTR is; you won't find the finely-hewn descriptions of the landscape or the close focus on characterisation. As others have indicated, its written in the archaic style of historical middle english legends or even that of a religious text i.e. lots of "...and lo, it came to pass", "...thus X begat Y, Y begat Z" etc, etc.

If that prospect doesn't appeal to you, even if you consider yourself a Tolkien fan - frankly, DO NOT buy this book! If on the other hand you can deal with the peculiarities of the narrative - perhaps you have an interest in myths and legends or want to gain a more in-depth knowledge of the concepts that underpin the LOTR universe - by all means dive in. You will be richly rewarded with a story of even greater scope and imagination than LOTR.

Essentially, The Silmarillion is to LOTR what the ancient greek myths are to the Illiad or The Odyssey, in that the events portrayed in LOTR are but the latest episode in a continuum of fictional history that stretches back eons. Where LOTR mainly concerns the Hobbits and Men, Silmarillion concentrates mainly on the Elves and goes someway to explain the lack of their presence in LOTR and the estrangement between them and the leaders of Men.

In these days of "universe building" stories ("Star Wars", "Star Trek" et al), its hard to appreciate the scale and majesty of what Tolkien achieved on his own (to the extent that even he couldn't fully complete it within his lifetime - his son Christopher had to finish it off). In addition, the fact that most of the detail in the book is only sketched out, provides ample opportunity for others to flesh out the stories as Christopher has done with "The Children of Hurin" - its a wonder that more authors haven't taken the opportunity (perhaps they are restricted by the Tolkien Estate).

As with all stories in this format, it does have a tendency to take itself rather seriously - there is very little in the way of humour or light relief. Also, due to the sheer density of myth, the number of characters involved and the similarity of names (e.g. Fingon, Fingolfin, Finwe, Finarfin, feanor etc.) its quite easy to get confused. Thankfully, like LOTR, there is a map and a number of explanatory appendices you can refer to if you get lost.

In conclusion, its unlikely that this will appeal to the casual reader. It requires real effort to get through, but the imaginative return is more than sufficient. I have recently re-read this book for the umpteenth time and still haven't tired of it - I find I get something new from it on each read. In addition, it aids your understanding of LOTR itself by filling in the gaps of knowledge (ever wondered who "Beren and Luthien" are?)

Of all the material published by the Tolkien estate (including all the "history of middle earth" series), it is the one book, other than LOTR itself, I'd label "Essential Reading".

Out of this World, 14 Sep 2008
Where does such a review start? No words alone can describe the intense and deep mythology Tolkien has created in The Silmarillion.

The magnificent Silmarillion captures the reader instantly and manages the impossible; to convince the reader that this is indeed lost tales from a mythical Europe, thousands and thousands of years ago back in a forgotten past.

A Very Unique and Memorable Experience, 30 Jul 2008
I would not consider myself a Tolkien fan- I put Lord of the Rings down half-way through The Two Towers. To be even more frank, I felt apprehensive about reading this book. It has the aura of being the nerdiest book ever written; even thinking about reading it threatened my self-image. Fortunately, my curiosity overpowered my insecurities, and I picked up the book.

The first thing potential readers should be aware of is this is not a novel. I think the book puzzled the big wig critics because they expected a novel. The closest thing to The Silmarillion that I've encountered is the Bible. The Silmarillion is an anthology of various works about Middle-Earth. It contains a creation story, a sort of theogony, and a collection of stories that give the history of Middle-Earth. Tolkien fans may be quick to praise the book for the depth it gives to Tolkien's world. I think the fans are right, but to stop at such a vague description would be to overlook the genius of the book.

In the Silmarillion, Tolkien constructs an entirely new worldview that we, as his readers, can experience. We do not simply read stories but we gain a new metaphors through which to see the world from his pantheon of god-like beings and his history. But the book is not heresy; it is purely imaginative fun.

I enjoyed Tolkien's Silmarillion because of how it immersed me in what I experienced as a new and unique worldview. Perhaps medievalists or mythologists will find it familiar, but to the layman, this book offered an entirely unique experience. It allows readers to see through the eyes of an inhabitant of Middle-Earth. The experience will stay with me for a long time. So, I recommend this book to the open and adventurous. Don't expect a novel; expect to immersed in a new world. For this reason, I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

Superb Edition, 09 May 2008
I am sure there is no point in discussing The Silmarillion itself. Whoever is considering to buy this particular edition is more than likely very familiar with the context.

The edition is wonderful. Good paper, beautiful pictures that help a lot to dive into book's atmosphere. Sure it is on a heavy side as any other book with so many illustrations and on a good paper. Anyone who is interested in an illustrated book of The Silmarillion, I would recommend this edition.

An excellent reading (not a dramatisation), 13 Aug 2005
Tolkien's book is a blend of narratives, plots and languages, designed not only to be written but also to be heard, and it is doubtful that anybody can better Inglis' reading of Tolkien's works.

His voice is rich and full, from the lowest note (his rendering of Treebeard is almost as scary as it is awesome), to his highest pitch. All the characters sound like individuals, and Inglis rarely falters in this fully unabridged reading of The Lord of the Rings.

Buying this audiobook is (strangely) like buying an elderly gentleman in a box... to tell you a fantastic tale whenever you want. It is far superior to the film because you literally feel like you are moving with Frodo, inch by inch, towards the land of Shadow. It is funny, depressing, and sometimes darkly moving, but Inglis never deviates from his passion for storytelling.

One last point: this audio set is a reading of the book; it is not a dramatisation, like the BBC plays (as a previous review has stated).

Buy it, you will not be disappointed.

great at bedtime, 10 Sep 2003
as a kid i used to listen to these audio tapes in bed and enjoyed them thoroughly. However, the films recreate tolkeins world far better than is described in the tapes. They are a good introduction to tolkein if you cant be bothered to read the books. Frodo is played by Ian Holm, who plays Bilbo in the films.

If you are about to see the film, get this!!, 10 Dec 2001
The fantastic story of the lord of the rings has been put into a very easy to listen to style. i was given this set last xmas, and as someone who had read the book, found it stunning. I perticuarly liked the casting, as the voices are as you would imagine them to be. If you are going to see the film and have not yet read the book, buy this, and you will not regreat it.

This is a truly unreadable book, 25 Nov 2008
I have had this book for about three months, when I bought it I was really looking forward to another Lord of the Rings, or at least Hobbit, style book.

What I have is a book which after all this time I have not managed to get past chapter one of (and I have read all of War and Peace). The style is unrelentingly tedious and difficult to read.

This is not a book to enjoy reading it may well give the background to all the events in the subsequent books but it could have been written so very much better than some sort of Old Testament script

Never have I been so disappointed with a book I was really looking forward to reading.

After watching Julian Cope in concert for two hours I long since decided life is too short to waste on something which has the entertainment value of hand cleaning decking with wire wool. This book is going to the local charity shop


Imagineering History, 03 Oct 2008
First things first, before you consider purchasing this book, it is of paramount importance that you are aware of the following. For the avoidance of doubt, this isn't really a literary novel in the way that LOTR is; you won't find the finely-hewn descriptions of the landscape or the close focus on characterisation. As others have indicated, its written in the archaic style of historical middle english legends or even that of a religious text i.e. lots of "...and lo, it came to pass", "...thus X begat Y, Y begat Z" etc, etc.

If that prospect doesn't appeal to you, even if you consider yourself a Tolkien fan - frankly, DO NOT buy this book! If on the other hand you can deal with the peculiarities of the narrative - perhaps you have an interest in myths and legends or want to gain a more in-depth knowledge of the concepts that underpin the LOTR universe - by all means dive in. You will be richly rewarded with a story of even greater scope and imagination than LOTR.

Essentially, The Silmarillion is to LOTR what the ancient greek myths are to the Illiad or The Odyssey, in that the events portrayed in LOTR are but the latest episode in a continuum of fictional history that stretches back eons. Where LOTR mainly concerns the Hobbits and Men, Silmarillion concentrates mainly on the Elves and goes someway to explain the lack of their presence in LOTR and the estrangement between them and the leaders of Men.

In these days of "universe building" stories ("Star Wars", "Star Trek" et al), its hard to appreciate the scale and majesty of what Tolkien achieved on his own (to the extent that even he couldn't fully complete it within his lifetime - his son Christopher had to finish it off). In addition, the fact that most of the detail in the book is only sketched out, provides ample opportunity for others to flesh out the stories as Christopher has done with "The Children of Hurin" - its a wonder that more authors haven't taken the opportunity (perhaps they are restricted by the Tolkien Estate).

As with all stories in this format, it does have a tendency to take itself rather seriously - there is very little in the way of humour or light relief. Also, due to the sheer density of myth, the number of characters involved and the similarity of names (e.g. Fingon, Fingolfin, Finwe, Finarfin, feanor etc.) its quite easy to get confused. Thankfully, like LOTR, there is a map and a number of explanatory appendices you can refer to if you get lost.

In conclusion, its unlikely that this will appeal to the casual reader. It requires real effort to get through, but the imaginative return is more than sufficient. I have recently re-read this book for the umpteenth time and still haven't tired of it - I find I get something new from it on each read. In addition, it aids your understanding of LOTR itself by filling in the gaps of knowledge (ever wondered who "Beren and Luthien" are?)

Of all the material published by the Tolkien estate (including all the "history of middle earth" series), it is the one book, other than LOTR itself, I'd label "Essential Reading".

Out of this World, 14 Sep 2008
Where does such a review start? No words alone can describe the intense and deep mythology Tolkien has created in The Silmarillion.

The magnificent Silmarillion captures the reader instantly and manages the impossible; to convince the reader that this is indeed lost tales from a mythical Europe, thousands and thousands of years ago back in a forgotten past.

A Very Unique and Memorable Experience, 30 Jul 2008
I would not consider myself a Tolkien fan- I put Lord of the Rings down half-way through The Two Towers. To be even more frank, I felt apprehensive about reading this book. It has the aura of being the nerdiest book ever written; even thinking about reading it threatened my self-image. Fortunately, my curiosity overpowered my insecurities, and I picked up the book.

The first thing potential readers should be aware of is this is not a novel. I think the book puzzled the big wig critics because they expected a novel. The closest thing to The Silmarillion that I've encountered is the Bible. The Silmarillion is an anthology of various works about Middle-Earth. It contains a creation story, a sort of theogony, and a collection of stories that give the history of Middle-Earth. Tolkien fans may be quick to praise the book for the depth it gives to Tolkien's world. I think the fans are right, but to stop at such a vague description would be to overlook the genius of the book.

In the Silmarillion, Tolkien constructs an entirely new worldview that we, as his readers, can experience. We do not simply read stories but we gain a new metaphors through which to see the world from his pantheon of god-like beings and his history. But the book is not heresy; it is purely imaginative fun.

I enjoyed Tolkien's Silmarillion because of how it immersed me in what I experienced as a new and unique worldview. Perhaps medievalists or mythologists will find it familiar, but to the layman, this book offered an entirely unique experience. It allows readers to see through the eyes of an inhabitant of Middle-Earth. The experience will stay with me for a long time. So, I recommend this book to the open and adventurous. Don't expect a novel; expect to immersed in a new world. For this reason, I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

Superb Edition, 09 May 2008
I am sure there is no point in discussing The Silmarillion itself. Whoever is considering to buy this particular edition is more than likely very familiar with the context.

The edition is wonderful. Good paper, beautiful pictures that help a lot to dive into book's atmosphere. Sure it is on a heavy side as any other book with so many illustrations and on a good paper. Anyone who is interested in an illustrated book of The Silmarillion, I would recommend this edition.

Absolutely amazing!, 13 Oct 2002
This audio book is a great treat for yourself or for someone else. I originally got it for my brother who is visually impaired, and listened to it whilst staying at his place on holiday; I wasn't too sure at first about the concept of an "audio book", since half the fun is imagining the characters voices for yourself... having already read the book, I was amazed, since the narrator's(Rob Inglis') impressions of the characters matched those that I had imagined!

If you haven't read "The Hobbit" yet, or even if you have read it, and simply want to re-read it, but can't find the time, this is a brilliant buy! I would highly recommend it!

An excellent reading (not a dramatisation), 13 Aug 2005
Tolkien's book is a blend of narratives, plots and languages, designed not only to be written but also to be heard, and it is doubtful that anybody can better Inglis' reading of Tolkien's works.

His voice is rich and full, from the lowest note (his rendering of Treebeard is almost as scary as it is awesome), to his highest pitch. All the characters sound like individuals, and Inglis rarely falters in this fully unabridged reading of The Lord of the Rings.

Buying this audiobook is (strangely) like buying an elderly gentleman in a box... to tell you a fantastic tale whenever you want. It is far superior to the film because you literally feel like you are moving with Frodo, inch by inch, towards the land of Shadow. It is funny, depressing, and sometimes darkly moving, but Inglis never deviates from his passion for storytelling.

One last point: this audio set is a reading of the book; it is not a dramatisation, like the BBC plays (as a previous review has stated).

Buy it, you will not be disappointed.

great at bedtime, 10 Sep 2003
as a kid i used to listen to these audio tapes in bed and enjoyed them thoroughly. However, the films recreate tolkeins world far better than is described in the tapes. They are a good introduction to tolkein if you cant be bothered to read the books. Frodo is played by Ian Holm, who plays Bilbo in the films.

If you are about to see the film, get this!!, 10 Dec 2001
The fantastic story of the lord of the rings has been put into a very easy to listen to style. i was given this set last xmas, and as someone who had read the book, found it stunning. I perticuarly liked the casting, as the voices are as you would imagine them to be. If you are going to see the film and have not yet read the book, buy this, and you will not regreat it.

This is a truly unreadable book, 25 Nov 2008
I have had this book for about three months, when I bought it I was really looking forward to another Lord of the Rings, or at least Hobbit, style book.

What I have is a book which after all this time I have not managed to get past chapter one of (and I have read all of War and Peace). The style is unrelentingly tedious and difficult to read.

This is not a book to enjoy reading it may well give the background to all the events in the subsequent books but it could have been written so very much better than some sort of Old Testament script

Never have I been so disappointed with a book I was really looking forward to reading.

After watching Julian Cope in concert for two hours I long since decided life is too short to waste on something which has the entertainment value of hand cleaning decking with wire wool. This book is going to the local charity shop


Imagineering History, 03 Oct 2008
First things first, before you consider purchasing this book, it is of paramount importance that you are aware of the following. For the avoidance of doubt, this isn't really a literary novel in the way that LOTR is; you won't find the finely-hewn descriptions of the landscape or the close focus on characterisation. As others have indicated, its written in the archaic style of historical middle english legends or even that of a religious text i.e. lots of "...and lo, it came to pass", "...thus X begat Y, Y begat Z" etc, etc.

If that prospect doesn't appeal to you, even if you consider yourself a Tolkien fan - frankly, DO NOT buy this book! If on the other hand you can deal with the peculiarities of the narrative - perhaps you have an interest in myths and legends or want to gain a more in-depth knowledge of the concepts that underpin the LOTR universe - by all means dive in. You will be richly rewarded with a story of even greater scope and imagination than LOTR.

Essentially, The Silmarillion is to LOTR what the ancient greek myths are to the Illiad or The Odyssey, in that the events portrayed in LOTR are but the latest episode in a continuum of fictional history that stretches back eons. Where LOTR mainly concerns the Hobbits and Men, Silmarillion concentrates mainly on the Elves and goes someway to explain the lack of their presence in LOTR and the estrangement between them and the leaders of Men.

In these days of "universe building" stories ("Star Wars", "Star Trek" et al), its hard to appreciate the scale and majesty of what Tolkien achieved on his own (to the extent that even he couldn't fully complete it within his lifetime - his son Christopher had to finish it off). In addition, the fact that most of the detail in the book is only sketched out, provides ample opportunity for others to flesh out the stories as Christopher has done with "The Children of Hurin" - its a wonder that more authors haven't taken the opportunity (perhaps they are restricted by the Tolkien Estate).

As with all stories in this format, it does have a tendency to take itself rather seriously - there is very little in the way of humour or light relief. Also, due to the sheer density of myth, the number of characters involved and the similarity of names (e.g. Fingon, Fingolfin, Finwe, Finarfin, feanor etc.) its quite easy to get confused. Thankfully, like LOTR, there is a map and a number of explanatory appendices you can refer to if you get lost.

In conclusion, its unlikely that this will appeal to the casual reader. It requires real effort to get through, but the imaginative return is more than sufficient. I have recently re-read this book for the umpteenth time and still haven't tired of it - I find I get something new from it on each read. In addition, it aids your understanding of LOTR itself by filling in the gaps of knowledge (ever wondered who "Beren and Luthien" are?)

Of all the material published by the Tolkien estate (including all the "history of middle earth" series), it is the one book, other than LOTR itself, I'd label "Essential Reading".

Out of this World, 14 Sep 2008
Where does such a review start? No words alone can describe the intense and deep mythology Tolkien has created in The Silmarillion.

The magnificent Silmarillion captures the reader instantly and manages the impossible; to convince the reader that this is indeed lost tales from a mythical Europe, thousands and thousands of years ago back in a forgotten past.

A Very Unique and Memorable Experience, 30 Jul 2008
I would not consider myself a Tolkien fan- I put Lord of the Rings down half-way through The Two Towers. To be even more frank, I felt apprehensive about reading this book. It has the aura of being the nerdiest book ever written; even thinking about reading it threatened my self-image. Fortunately, my curiosity overpowered my insecurities, and I picked up the book.

The first thing potential readers should be aware of is this is not a novel. I think the book puzzled the big wig critics because they expected a novel. The closest thing to The Silmarillion that I've encountered is the Bible. The Silmarillion is an anthology of various works about Middle-Earth. It contains a creation story, a sort of theogony, and a collection of stories that give the history of Middle-Earth. Tolkien fans may be quick to praise the book for the depth it gives to Tolkien's world. I think the fans are right, but to stop at such a vague description would be to overlook the genius of the book.

In the Silmarillion, Tolkien constructs an entirely new worldview that we, as his readers, can experience. We do not simply read stories but we gain a new metaphors through which to see the world from his pantheon of god-like beings and his history. But the book is not heresy; it is purely imaginative fun.

I enjoyed Tolkien's Silmarillion because of how it immersed me in what I experienced as a new and unique worldview. Perhaps medievalists or mythologists will find it familiar, but to the layman, this book offered an entirely unique experience. It allows readers to see through the eyes of an inhabitant of Middle-Earth. The experience will stay with me for a long time. So, I recommend this book to the open and adventurous. Don't expect a novel; expect to immersed in a new world. For this reason, I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

Superb Edition, 09 May 2008
I am sure there is no point in discussing The Silmarillion itself. Whoever is considering to buy this particular edition is more than likely very familiar with the context.

The edition is wonderful. Good paper, beautiful pictures that help a lot to dive into book's atmosphere. Sure it is on a heavy side as any other book with so many illustrations and on a good paper. Anyone who is interested in an illustrated book of The Silmarillion, I would recommend this edition.

Absolutely amazing!, 13 Oct 2002
This audio book is a great treat for yourself or for someone else. I originally got it for my brother who is visually impaired, and listened to it whilst staying at his place on holiday; I wasn't too sure at first about the concept of an "audio book", since half the fun is imagining the characters voices for yourself... having already read the book, I was amazed, since the narrator's(Rob Inglis') impressions of the characters matched those that I had imagined!

If you haven't read "The Hobbit" yet, or even if you have read it, and simply want to re-read it, but can't find the time, this is a brilliant buy! I would highly recommend it!

A beautyfull tale, exellently narrated, 01 May 2003
The tale of farmer Giles of ham is one of J.R.R.Tolkins over looked works and is a classic childrens tale (hence us adults love it). Farmer Giles is as unlikely a hero as any one, a plump chap who enjoys a slow comfortable life. Yet one night a par-deaf,supid and short-sighted giant reeked havoc on the farm and farmer Giles awoken by his dog came out to protect his land from the tresspassing giant, but shorty after this event the dragon Chrysophylax comes down from the mountains and eventually ends up in town where the farmer is expected to do battle.
This story is so wonderfully writen full of wit and humour and Derek Jacobi bring this tale to life in a rich and childish beauty that made me enjoy every second of the story!!

A nice treat for the lovers of tolkien (which is everyone), 19 May 2001
Well, it's not the lord of the rings, but then again, what is? Here are a few amusing and interesting stories, by the greatest author since I don't know when. If you enjoy reading of the british mythology, try this on for size.

An excellent reading (not a dramatisation), 13 Aug 2005
Tolkien's book is a blend of narratives, plots and languages, designed not only to be written but also to be heard, and it is doubtful that anybody can better Inglis' reading of Tolkien's works.

His voice is rich and full, from the lowest note (his rendering of Treebeard is almost as scary as it is awesome), to his highest pitch. All the characters sound like individuals, and Inglis rarely falters in this fully unabridged reading of The Lord of the Rings.

Buying this audiobook is (strangely) like buying an elderly gentleman in a box... to tell you a fantastic tale whenever you want. It is far superior to the film because you literally feel like you are moving with Frodo, inch by inch, towards the land of Shadow. It is funny, depressing, and sometimes darkly moving, but Inglis never deviates from his passion for storytelling.

One last point: this audio set is a reading of the book; it is not a dramatisation, like the BBC plays (as a previous review has stated).

Buy it, you will not be disappointed.

great at bedtime, 10 Sep 2003
as a kid i used to listen to these audio tapes in bed and enjoyed them thoroughly. However, the films recreate tolkeins world far better than is described in the tapes. They are a good introduction to tolkein if you cant be bothered to read the books. Frodo is played by Ian Holm, who plays Bilbo in the films.

If you are about to see the film, get this!!, 10 Dec 2001
The fantastic story of the lord of the rings has been put into a very easy to listen to style. i was given this set last xmas, and as someone who had read the book, found it stunning. I perticuarly liked the casting, as the voices are as you would imagine them to be. If you are going to see the film and have not yet read the book, buy this, and you will not regreat it.

This is a truly unreadable book, 25 Nov 2008
I have had this book for about three months, when I bought it I was really looking forward to another Lord of the Rings, or at least Hobbit, style book.

What I have is a book which after all this time I have not managed to get past chapter one of (and I have read all of War and Peace). The style is unrelentingly tedious and difficult to read.

This is not a book to enjoy reading it may well give the background to all the events in the subsequent books but it could have been written so very much better than some sort of Old Testament script

Never have I been so disappointed with a book I was really looking forward to reading.

After watching Julian Cope in concert for two hours I long since decided life is too short to waste on something which has the entertainment value of hand cleaning decking with wire wool. This book is going to the local charity shop


Imagineering History, 03 Oct 2008
First things first, before you consider purchasing this book, it is of paramount importance that you are aware of the following. For the avoidance of doubt, this isn't really a literary novel in the way that LOTR is; you won't find the finely-hewn descriptions of the landscape or the close focus on characterisation. As others have indicated, its written in the archaic style of historical middle english legends or even that of a religious text i.e. lots of "...and lo, it came to pass", "...thus X begat Y, Y begat Z" etc, etc.

If that prospect doesn't appeal to you, even if you consider yourself a Tolkien fan - frankly, DO NOT buy this book! If on the other hand you can deal with the peculiarities of the narrative - perhaps you have an interest in myths and legends or want to gain a more in-depth knowledge of the concepts that underpin the LOTR universe - by all means dive in. You will be richly rewarded with a story of even greater scope and imagination than LOTR.

Essentially, The Silmarillion is to LOTR what the ancient greek myths are to the Illiad or The Odyssey, in that the events portrayed in LOTR are but the latest episode in a continuum of fictional history that stretches back eons. Where LOTR mainly concerns the Hobbits and Men, Silmarillion concentrates mainly on the Elves and goes someway to explain the lack of their presence in LOTR and the estrangement between them and the leaders of Men.

In these days of "universe building" stories ("Star Wars", "Star Trek" et al), its hard to appreciate the scale and majesty of what Tolkien achieved on his own (to the extent that even he couldn't fully complete it within his lifetime - his son Christopher had to finish it off). In addition, the fact that most of the detail in the book is only sketched out, provides ample opportunity for others to flesh out the stories as Christopher has done with "The Children of Hurin" - its a wonder that more authors haven't taken the opportunity (perhaps they are restricted by the Tolkien Estate).

As with all stories in this format, it does have a tendency to take itself rather seriously - there is very little in the way of humour or light relief. Also, due to the sheer density of myth, the number of characters involved and the similarity of names (e.g. Fingon, Fingolfin, Finwe, Finarfin, feanor etc.) its quite easy to get confused. Thankfully, like LOTR, there is a map and a number of explanatory appendices you can refer to if you get lost.

In conclusion, its unlikely that this will appeal to the casual reader. It requires real effort to get through, but the imaginative return is more than sufficient. I have recently re-read this book for the umpteenth time and still haven't tired of it - I find I get something new from it on each read. In addition, it aids your understanding of LOTR itself by filling in the gaps of knowledge (ever wondered who "Beren and Luthien" are?)

Of all the material published by the Tolkien estate (including all the "history of middle earth" series), it is the one book, other than LOTR itself, I'd label "Essential Reading".

Out of this World, 14 Sep 2008
Where does such a review start? No words alone can describe the intense and deep mythology Tolkien has created in The Silmarillion.

The magnificent Silmarillion captures the reader instantly and manages the impossible; to convince the reader that this is indeed lost tales from a mythical Europe, thousands and thousands of years ago back in a forgotten past.

A Very Unique and Memorable Experience, 30 Jul 2008
I would not consider myself a Tolkien fan- I put Lord of the Rings down half-way through The Two Towers. To be even more frank, I felt apprehensive about reading this book. It has the aura of being the nerdiest book ever written; even thinking about reading it threatened my self-image. Fortunately, my curiosity overpowered my insecurities, and I picked up the book.

The first thing potential readers should be aware of is this is not a novel. I think the book puzzled the big wig critics because they expected a novel. The closest thing to The Silmarillion that I've encountered is the Bible. The Silmarillion is an anthology of various works about Middle-Earth. It contains a creation story, a sort of theogony, and a collection of stories that give the history of Middle-Earth. Tolkien fans may be quick to praise the book for the depth it gives to Tolkien's world. I think the fans are right, but to stop at such a vague description would be to overlook the genius of the book.

In the Silmarillion, Tolkien constructs an entirely new worldview that we, as his readers, can experience. We do not simply read stories but we gain a new metaphors through which to see the world from his pantheon of god-like beings and his history. But the book is not heresy; it is purely imaginative fun.

I enjoyed Tolkien's Silmarillion because of how it immersed me in what I experienced as a new and unique worldview. Perhaps medievalists or mythologists will find it familiar, but to the layman, this book offered an entirely unique experience. It allows readers to see through the eyes of an inhabitant of Middle-Earth. The experience will stay with me for a long time. So, I recommend this book to the open and adventurous. Don't expect a novel; expect to immersed in a new world. For this reason, I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

Superb Edition, 09 May 2008
I am sure there is no point in discussing The Silmarillion itself. Whoever is considering to buy this particular edition is more than likely very familiar with the context.

The edition is wonderful. Good paper, beautiful pictures that help a lot to dive into book's atmosphere. Sure it is on a heavy side as any other book with so many illustrations and on a good paper. Anyone who is interested in an illustrated book of The Silmarillion, I would recommend this edition.

Absolutely amazing!, 13 Oct 2002
This audio book is a great treat for yourself or for someone else. I originally got it for my brother who is visually impaired, and listened to it whilst staying at his place on holiday; I wasn't too sure at first about the concept of an "audio book", since half the fun is imagining the characters voices for yourself... having already read the book, I was amazed, since the narrator's(Rob Inglis') impressions of the characters matched those that I had imagined!

If you haven't read "The Hobbit" yet, or even if you have read it, and simply want to re-read it, but can't find the time, this is a brilliant buy! I would highly recommend it!

A beautyfull tale, exellently narrated, 01 May 2003
The tale of farmer Giles of ham is one of J.R.R.Tolkins over looked works and is a classic childrens tale (hence us adults love it). Farmer Giles is as unlikely a hero as any one, a plump chap who enjoys a slow comfortable life. Yet one night a par-deaf,supid and short-sighted giant reeked havoc on the farm and farmer Giles awoken by his dog came out to protect his land from the tresspassing giant, but shorty after this event the dragon Chrysophylax comes down from the mountains and eventually ends up in town where the farmer is expected to do battle.
This story is so wonderfully writen full of wit and humour and Derek Jacobi bring this tale to life in a rich and childish beauty that made me enjoy every second of the story!!

A nice treat for the lovers of tolkien (which is everyone), 19 May 2001
Well, it's not the lord of the rings, but then again, what is? Here are a few amusing and interesting stories, by the greatest author since I don't know when. If you enjoy reading of the british mythology, try this on for size.

A charming tale about a dog turned into a toy, 27 Feb 2008
A charming tale about young dog Rover and his adventures. He bites the trousers of magician Artaxerxes who turns him into a toy dog as punnishment. He shrinks in size as does his bark and he is stuck in a begging position. He is bought by a mother to give to her son Two, but he falls out of his pocket on day on the beach. The sand wizard Psamathos gets super fast seagul Mew to fly him to the moon down the silver pathway it's light leaves to meet the Man-on-the-Moon (another magician) and his moon dog Rover. As the dogs share their name, they change Rover's (the main character) to Roverandom.

On the moon they have many adventures together as Roverandom is given wings to fly about with. They have problems with the fearsome White Dragon who lives on the moon and causes eclipses of the moon as well as sometimes turning it red. Eventually Roverandom is sent back to earth to see Artaxerxes to change him back to his regular dog form. Artaxerxes has married a mer-maiden (one of the mer-kings daughters) and is living under the sea. Whale Uin takes Roverandom under the sea in his belly where he meets another dog called Rover, this time a mer-dog. They have many more adventures under the sea waiting for Artaxeres to find the time to change Roverandom back including an incident with the giant sea-serpent who sleeps not far from the mer-kings castle. Roverandom is eventually changed back into a proper dog and travels home to find Two.

This was a lovely tale based on an incident when Tolkien's second son lost his favourite toy dog at the beach one day on a family holiday. Lots of parallels to The Hobbit can be seen (the dragon, the spiders on the moon and the three magicians have Gandalf like qualities) and I definitely recommend it as a bit of light fun and happy reading.



A Truly Magical Story, 31 Jan 2008
So wonderful that this exciting book has been re-published. It is one of my most treasured books one that I read time and time again. The illustrations add to the story greatly. A real heart-warming and funny family story to share year after year after year. Highly recommended.

Brilliant!, 04 Jun 2007
This is great little book which I found a pleasant and entertaining read. There is nothing very special about it but the illustrations are nice, if sparse, and the story is good and not too complicated. It is easy to read out loud and shouldn't be too hard for a competent child to read by themselves. The only negative thing about it is that there aren't more stories of the same ilk from Tolkein.

Roverandom, 03 Jun 2007
An absolute ace book. Follows the adventures of Rover, a dog who is turned into a toy by a wizard and can only move by night. 1 of tolkiens first books.

He's a rover, 28 Feb 2006
For a little kid, losing a favorite toy is downright traumatic. So in 1925, when four-year-old Michael lost his little toy dog on the beach, fantasy author J.R.R. Tolkien made up a story to comfort his son. It explained away the loss of the toy, and wove a magical story around a little dog named Rover.

Rover is an ordinary little puppy near the seaside in England, until he runs into a grumpy old man and ends up biting off part of his pants. The old man happens to be a wizard (Artaxerxes by name), and promptly transforms Rover into a toy dog (and no, I don't mean a tiny dog -- I mean a real toy). Rover subsequently gets picked up and sold to some little boys (presumably the Tolkien kids).

Fortunately, Rover encounters another magical being, a crusty, kindly sand-wizard named Psamathos. That wizard, in turn, gets Rover (who is renamed Roverandom) flown to the moon, where he spends time with the Man in the Moon and his winged dog Rover. And then he's heading off to encounter a talking whale, a mer-dog, a sea serpent -- and a dragon.

Like the vastly underrated "Farmer Giles of Ham," "Roverandom" is a charming little bit of whimsy. No deep themes, no epic clashes, not even really a villain. The writing is charming and magical, with phrases like "There was a cold wind blowing off the North Star" sprinkled through it. It almost gives the feeling of being in another world. Best of all, in the middle of the book are Tolkien's own illustrations, cute little drawings and ethereal paintings.

Rover is well-named, since his adventures are all over the map and don't really progress from one to the other. It's merely a cute little dog roaming over the moon, the ocean, and the land, conversing with shrimps and bothering wizards. He's an outspoken little guy, but likeable. The grumpy wizards are also excellently done, reminiscent of Gandalf.

While "Roverandom" is a book aimed at children, adults may enjoy the whimsical humor and beautiful writing. A charming and timeless story.

An excellent reading (not a dramatisation), 13 Aug 2005
Tolkien's book is a blend of narratives, plots and languages, designed not only to be written but also to be heard, and it is doubtful that anybody can better Inglis' reading of Tolkien's works.

His voice is rich and full, from the lowest note (his rendering of Treebeard is almost as scary as it is awesome), to his highest pitch. All the characters sound like individuals, and Inglis rarely falters in this fully unabridged reading of The Lord of the Rings.

Buying this audiobook is (strangely) like buying an elderly gentleman in a box... to tell you a fantastic tale whenever you want. It is far superior to the film because you literally feel like you are moving with Frodo, inch by inch, towards the land of Shadow. It is funny, depressing, and sometimes darkly moving, but Inglis never deviates from his passion for storytelling.

One last point: this audio set is a reading of the book; it is not a dramatisation, like the BBC plays (as a previous review has stated).

Buy it, you will not be disappointed.

great at bedtime, 10 Sep 2003
as a kid i used to listen to these audio tapes in bed and enjoyed them thoroughly. However, the films recreate tolkeins world far better than is described in the tapes. They are a good introduction to tolkein if you cant be bothered to read the books. Frodo is played by Ian Holm, who plays Bilbo in the films.

If you are about to see the film, get this!!, 10 Dec 2001
The fantastic story of the lord of the rings has been put into a very easy to listen to style. i was given this set last xmas, and as someone who had read the book, found it stunning. I perticuarly liked the casting, as the voices are as you would imagine them to be. If you are going to see the film and have not yet read the book, buy this, and you will not regreat it.

This is a truly unreadable book, 25 Nov 2008
I have had this book for about three months, when I bought it I was really looking forward to another Lord of the Rings, or at least Hobbit, style book.

What I have is a book which after all this time I have not managed to get past chapter one of (and I have read all of War and Peace). The style is unrelentingly tedious and difficult to read.

This is not a book to enjoy reading it may well give the background to all the events in the subsequent books but it could have been written so very much better than some sort of Old Testament script

Never have I been so disappointed with a book I was really looking forward to reading.

After watching Julian Cope in concert for two hours I long since decided life is too short to waste on something which has the entertainment value of hand cleaning decking with wire wool. This book is going to the local charity shop


Imagineering History, 03 Oct 2008
First things first, before you consider purchasing this book, it is of paramount importance that you are aware of the following. For the avoidance of doubt, this isn't really a literary novel in the way that LOTR is; you won't find the finely-hewn descriptions of the landscape or the close focus on characterisation. As others have indicated, its written in the archaic style of historical middle english legends or even that of a religious text i.e. lots of "...and lo, it came to pass", "...thus X begat Y, Y begat Z" etc, etc.

If that prospect doesn't appeal to you, even if you consider yourself a Tolkien fan - frankly, DO NOT buy this book! If on the other hand you can deal with the peculiarities of the narrative - perhaps you have an interest in myths and legends or want to gain a more in-depth knowledge of the concepts that underpin the LOTR universe - by all means dive in. You will be richly rewarded with a story of even greater scope and imagination than LOTR.

Essentially, The Silmarillion is to LOTR what the ancient greek myths are to the Illiad or The Odyssey, in that the events portrayed in LOTR are but the latest episode in a continuum of fictional history that stretches back eons. Where LOTR mainly concerns the Hobbits and Men, Silmarillion concentrates mainly on the Elves and goes someway to explain the lack of their presence in LOTR and the estrangement between them and the leaders of Men.

In these days of "universe building" stories ("Star Wars", "Star Trek" et al), its hard to appreciate the scale and majesty of what Tolkien achieved on his own (to the extent that even he couldn't fully complete it within his lifetime - his son Christopher had to finish it off). In addition, the fact that most of the detail in the book is only sketched out, provides ample opportunity for others to flesh out the stories as Christopher has done with "The Children of Hurin" - its a wonder that more authors haven't taken the opportunity (perhaps they are restricted by the Tolkien Estate).

As with all stories in this format, it does have a tendency to take itself rather seriously - there is very little in the way of humour or light relief. Also, due to the sheer density of myth, the number of characters involved and the similarity of names (e.g. Fingon, Fingolfin, Finwe, Finarfin, feanor etc.) its quite easy to get confused. Thankfully, like LOTR, there is a map and a number of explanatory appendices you can refer to if you get lost.

In conclusion, its unlikely that this will appeal to the casual reader. It requires real effort to get through, but the imaginative return is more than sufficient. I have recently re-read this book for the umpteenth time and still haven't tired of it - I find I get something new from it on each read. In addition, it aids your understanding of LOTR itself by filling in the gaps of knowledge (ever wondered who "Beren and Luthien" are?)

Of all the material published by the Tolkien estate (including all the "history of middle earth" series), it is the one book, other than LOTR itself, I'd label "Essential Reading".

Out of this World, 14 Sep 2008
Where does such a review start? No words alone can describe the intense and deep mythology Tolkien has created in The Silmarillion.

The magnificent Silmarillion captures the reader instantly and manages the impossible; to convince the reader that this is indeed lost tales from a mythical Europe, thousands and thousands of years ago back in a forgotten past.

A Very Unique and Memorable Experience, 30 Jul 2008
I would not consider myself a Tolkien fan- I put Lord of the Rings down half-way through The Two Towers. To be even more frank, I felt apprehensive about reading this book. It has the aura of being the nerdiest book ever written; even thinking about reading it threatened my self-image. Fortunately, my curiosity overpowered my insecurities, and I picked up the book.

The first thing potential readers should be aware of is this is not a novel. I think the book puzzled the big wig critics because they expected a novel. The closest thing to The Silmarillion that I've encountered is the Bible. The Silmarillion is an anthology of various works about Middle-Earth. It contains a creation story, a sort of theogony, and a collection of stories that give the history of Middle-Earth. Tolkien fans may be quick to praise the book for the depth it gives to Tolkien's world. I think the fans are right, but to stop at such a vague description would be to overlook the genius of the book.

In the Silmarillion, Tolkien constructs an entirely new worldview that we, as his readers, can experience. We do not simply read stories but we gain a new metaphors through which to see the world from his pantheon of god-like beings and his history. But the book is not heresy; it is purely imaginative fun.

I enjoyed Tolkien's Silmarillion because of how it immersed me in what I experienced as a new and unique worldview. Perhaps medievalists or mythologists will find it familiar, but to the layman, this book offered an entirely unique experience. It allows readers to see through the eyes of an inhabitant of Middle-Earth. The experience will stay with me for a long time. So, I recommend this book to the open and adventurous. Don't expect a novel; expect to immersed in a new world. For this reason, I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

Superb Edition, 09 May 2008
I am sure there is no point in discussing The Silmarillion itself. Whoever is considering to buy this particular edition is more than likely very familiar with the context.

The edition is wonderful. Good paper, beautiful pictures that help a lot to dive into book's atmosphere. Sure it is on a heavy side as any other book with so many illustrations and on a good paper. Anyone who is interested in an illustrated book of The Silmarillion, I would recommend this edition.

Absolutely amazing!, 13 Oct 2002
This audio book is a great treat for yourself or for someone else. I originally got it for my brother who is visually impaired, and listened to it whilst staying at his place on holiday; I wasn't too sure at first about the concept of an "audio book", since half the fun is imagining the characters voices for yourself... having already read the book, I was amazed, since the narrator's(Rob Inglis') impressions of the characters matched those that I had imagined!

If you haven't read "The Hobbit" yet, or even if you have read it, and simply want to re-read it, but can't find the time, this is a brilliant buy! I would highly recommend it!

A beautyfull tale, exellently narrated, 01 May 2003
The tale of farmer Giles of ham is one of J.R.R.Tolkins over looked works and is a classic childrens tale (hence us adults love it). Farmer Giles is as unlikely a hero as any one, a plump chap who enjoys a slow comfortable life. Yet one night a par-deaf,supid and short-sighted giant reeked havoc on the farm and farmer Giles awoken by his dog came out to protect his land from the tresspassing giant, but shorty after this event the dragon Chrysophylax comes down from the mountains and eventually ends up in town where the farmer is expected to do battle.
This story is so wonderfully writen full of wit and humour and Derek Jacobi bring this tale to life in a rich and childish beauty that made me enjoy every second of the story!!

A nice treat for the lovers of tolkien (which is everyone), 19 May 2001
Well, it's not the lord of the rings, but then again, what is? Here are a few amusing and interesting stories, by the greatest author since I don't know when. If you enjoy reading of the british mythology, try this on for size.

A charming tale about a dog turned into a toy, 27 Feb 2008
A charming tale about young dog Rover and his adventures. He bites the trousers of magician Artaxerxes who turns him into a toy dog as punnishment. He shrinks in size as does his bark and he is stuck in a begging position. He is bought by a mother to give to her son Two, but he falls out of his pocket on day on the beach. The sand wizard Psamathos gets super fast seagul Mew to fly him to the moon down the silver pathway it's light leaves to meet the Man-on-the-Moon (another magician) and his moon dog Rover. As the dogs share their name, they change Rover's (the main character) to Roverandom.

On the moon they have many adventures together as Roverandom is given wings to fly about with. They have problems with the fearsome White Dragon who lives on the moon and causes eclipses of the moon as well as sometimes turning it red. Eventually Roverandom is sent back to earth to see Artaxerxes to change him back to his regular dog form. Artaxerxes has married a mer-maiden (one of the mer-kings daughters) and is living under the sea. Whale Uin takes Roverandom under the sea in his belly where he meets another dog called Rover, this time a mer-dog. They have many more adventures under the sea waiting for Artaxeres to find the time to change Roverandom back including an incident with the giant sea-serpent who sleeps not far from the mer-kings castle. Roverandom is eventually changed back into a proper dog and travels home to find Two.

This was a lovely tale based on an incident when Tolkien's second son lost his favourite toy dog at the beach one day on a family holiday. Lots of parallels to The Hobbit can be seen (the dragon, the spiders on the moon and the three magicians have Gandalf like qualities) and I definitely recommend it as a bit of light fun and happy reading.



A Truly Magical Story, 31 Jan 2008
So wonderful that this exciting book has been re-published. It is one of my most treasured books one that I read time and time again. The illustrations add to the story greatly. A real heart-warming and funny family story to share year after year after year. Highly recommended.

Brilliant!, 04 Jun 2007
This is great little book which I found a pleasant and entertaining read. There is nothing very special about it but the illustrations are nice, if sparse, and the story is good and not too complicated. It is easy to read out loud and shouldn't be too hard for a competent child to read by themselves. The only negative thing about it is that there aren't more stories of the same ilk from Tolkein.

Roverandom, 03 Jun 2007
An absolute ace book. Follows the adventures of Rover, a dog who is turned into a toy by a wizard and can only move by night. 1 of tolkiens first books.

He's a rover, 28 Feb 2006
For a little kid, losing a favorite toy is downright traumatic. So in 1925, when four-year-old Michael lost his little toy dog on the beach, fantasy author J.R.R. Tolkien made up a story to comfort his son. It explained away the loss of the toy, and wove a magical story around a little dog named Rover.

Rover is an ordinary little puppy near the seaside in England, until he runs into a grumpy old man and ends up biting off part of his pants. The old man happens to be a wizard (Artaxerxes by name), and promptly transforms Rover into a toy dog (and no, I don't mean a tiny dog -- I mean a real toy). Rover subsequently gets picked up and sold to some little boys (presumably the Tolkien kids).

Fortunately, Rover encounters another magical being, a crusty, kindly sand-wizard named Psamathos. That wizard, in turn, gets Rover (who is renamed Roverandom) flown to the moon, where he spends time with the Man in the Moon and his winged dog Rover. And then he's heading off to encounter a talking whale, a mer-dog, a sea serpent -- and a dragon.

Like the vastly underrated "Farmer Giles of Ham," "Roverandom" is a charming little bit of whimsy. No deep themes, no epic clashes, not even really a villain. The writing is charming and magical, with phrases like "There was a cold wind blowing off the North Star" sprinkled through it. It almost gives the feeling of being in another world. Best of all, in the middle of the book are Tolkien's own illustrations, cute little drawings and ethereal paintings.

Rover is well-named, since his adventures are all over the map and don't really progress from one to the other. It's merely a cute little dog roaming over the moon, the ocean, and the land, conversing with shrimps and bothering wizards. He's an outspoken little guy, but likeable. The grumpy wizards are also excellently done, reminiscent of Gandalf.

While "Roverandom" is a book aimed at children, adults may enjoy the whimsical humor and beautiful writing. A charming and timeless story.

Sir Orfeo Yellow Submarime, 01 Apr 2004
All you need is music. No, wait a minute. This apparently minor piece makes a major case: musicality and harmony not only calm the savage beast but are essential to civilisation. Sir Orfeo is a king and a musician. The musicality of his soul is what makes him noble. The Blue Meanie world without music is barbarous and inhuman until transformed by it. Was the film "The Yellow Submarine" true when it posited musicality versus deathliness? With apologies to the children of other decades was it the Beatles who set the cultural soundtrack which stopped the Vietnam War? Where is the musicality in rap, house, techno and George Bush?

An excellent reading (not a dramatisation), 13 Aug 2005
Tolkien's book is a blend of narratives, plots and languages, designed not only to be written but also to be heard, and it is doubtful that anybody can better Inglis' reading of Tolkien's works.

His voice is rich and full, from the lowest note (his rendering of Treebeard is almost as scary as it is awesome), to his highest pitch. All the characters sound like individuals, and Inglis rarely falters in this fully unabridged reading of The Lord of the Rings.

Buying this audiobook is (strangely) like buying an elderly gentleman in a box... to tell you a fantastic tale whenever you want. It is far superior to the film because you literally feel like you are moving with Frodo, inch by inch, towards the land of Shadow. It is funny, depressing, and sometimes darkly moving, but Inglis never deviates from his passion for storytelling.

One last point: this audio set is a reading of the book; it is not a dramatisation, like the BBC plays (as a previous review has stated).

Buy it, you will not be disappointed.

great at bedtime, 10 Sep 2003
as a kid i used to listen to these audio tapes in bed and enjoyed them thoroughly. However, the films recreate tolkeins world far better than is described in the tapes. They are a good introduction to tolkein if you cant be bothered to read the books. Frodo is played by Ian Holm, who plays Bilbo in the films.

If you are about to see the film, get this!!, 10 Dec 2001
The fantastic story of the lord of the rings has been put into a very easy to listen to style. i was given this set last xmas, and as someone who had read the book, found it stunning. I perticuarly liked the casting, as the voices are as you would imagine them to be. If you are going to see the film and have not yet read the book, buy this, and you will not regreat it.

This is a truly unreadable book, 25 Nov 2008
I have had this book for about three months, when I bought it I was really looking forward to another Lord of the Rings, or at least Hobbit, style book.

What I have is a book which after all this time I have not managed to get past chapter one of (and I have read all of War and Peace). The style is unrelentingly tedious and difficult to read.

This is not a book to enjoy reading it may well give the background to all the events in the subsequent books but it could have been written so very much better than some sort of Old Testament script

Never have I been so disappointed with a book I was really looking forward to reading.

After watching Julian Cope in concert for two hours I long since decided life is too short to waste on something which has the entertainment value of hand cleaning decking with wire wool. This book is going to the local charity shop


Imagineering History, 03 Oct 2008
First things first, before you consider purchasing this book, it is of paramount importance that you are aware of the following. For the avoidance of doubt, this isn't really a literary novel in the way that LOTR is; you won't find the finely-hewn descriptions of the landscape or the close focus on characterisation. As others have indicated, its written in the archaic style of historical middle english legends or even that of a religious text i.e. lots of "...and lo, it came to pass", "...thus X begat Y, Y begat Z" etc, etc.

If that prospect doesn't appeal to you, even if you consider yourself a Tolkien fan - frankly, DO NOT buy this book! If on the other hand you can deal with the peculiarities of the narrative - perhaps you have an interest in myths and legends or want to gain a more in-depth knowledge of the concepts that underpin the LOTR universe - by all means dive in. You will be richly rewarded with a story of even greater scope and imagination than LOTR.

Essentially, The Silmarillion is to LOTR what the ancient greek myths are to the Illiad or The Odyssey, in that the events portrayed in LOTR are but the latest episode in a continuum of fictional history that stretches back eons. Where LOTR mainly concerns the Hobbits and Men, Silmarillion concentrates mainly on the Elves and goes someway to explain the lack of their presence in LOTR and the estrangement between them and the leaders of Men.

In these days of "universe building" stories ("Star Wars", "Star Trek" et al), its hard to appreciate the scale and majesty of what Tolkien achieved on his own (to the extent that even he couldn't fully complete it within his lifetime - his son Christopher had to finish it off). In addition, the fact that most of the detail in the book is only sketched out, provides ample opportunity for others to flesh out the stories as Christopher has done with "The Children of Hurin" - its a wonder that more authors haven't taken the opportunity (perhaps they are restricted by the Tolkien Estate).

As with all stories in this format, it does have a tendency to take itself rather seriously - there is very little in the way of humour or light relief. Also, due to the sheer density of myth, the number of characters involved and the similarity of names (e.g. Fingon, Fingolfin, Finwe, Finarfin, feanor etc.) its quite easy to get confused. Thankfully, like LOTR, there is a map and a number of explanatory appendices you can refer to if you get lost.

In conclusion, its unlikely that this will appeal to the casual reader. It requires real effort to get through, but the imaginative return is more than sufficient. I have recently re-read this book for the umpteenth time and still haven't tired of it - I find I get something new from it on each read. In addition, it aids your understanding of LOTR itself by filling in the gaps of knowledge (ever wondered who "Beren and Luthien" are?)

Of all the material published by the Tolkien estate (including all the "history of middle earth" series), it is the one book, other than LOTR itself, I'd label "Essential Reading".

Out of this World, 14 Sep 2008
Where does such a review start? No words alone can describe the intense and deep mythology Tolkien has created in The Silmarillion.

The magnificent Silmarillion captures the reader instantly and manages the impossible; to convince the reader that this is indeed lost tales from a mythical Europe, thousands and thousands of years ago back in a forgotten past.

A Very Unique and Memorable Experience, 30 Jul 2008
I would not consider myself a Tolkien fan- I put Lord of the Rings down half-way through The Two Towers. To be even more frank, I felt apprehensive about reading this book. It has the aura of being the nerdiest book ever written; even thinking about reading it threatened my self-image. Fortunately, my curiosity overpowered my insecurities, and I picked up the book.

The first thing potential readers should be aware of is this is not a novel. I think the book puzzled the big wig critics because they expected a novel. The closest thing to The Silmarillion that I've encountered is the Bible. The Silmarillion is an anthology of various works about Middle-Earth. It contains a creation story, a sort of theogony, and a collection of stories that give the history of Middle-Earth. Tolkien fans may be quick to praise the book for the depth it gives to Tolkien's world. I think the fans are right, but to stop at such a vague description would be to overlook the genius of the book.

In the Silmarillion, Tolkien constructs an entirely new worldview that we, as his readers, can experience. We do not simply read stories but we gain a new metaphors through which to see the world from his pantheon of god-like beings and his history. But the book is not heresy; it is purely imaginative fun.

I enjoyed Tolkien's Silmarillion because of how it immersed me in what I experienced as a new and unique worldview. Perhaps medievalists or mythologists will find it familiar, but to the layman, this book offered an entirely unique experience. It allows readers to see through the eyes of an inhabitant of Middle-Earth. The experience will stay with me for a long time. So, I recommend this book to the open and adventurous. Don't expect a novel; expect to immersed in a new world. For this reason, I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

Superb Edition, 09 May 2008
I am sure there is no point in discussing The Silmarillion itself. Whoever is considering to buy this particular edition is more than likely very familiar with the context.

The edition is wonderful. Good paper, beautiful pictures that help a lot to dive into book's atmosphere. Sure it is on a heavy side as any other book with so many illustrations and on a good paper. Anyone who is interested in an illustrated book of The Silmarillion, I would recommend this edition.

Absolutely amazing!, 13 Oct 2002
This audio book is a great treat for yourself or for someone else. I originally got it for my brother who is visually impaired, and listened to it whilst staying at his place on holiday; I wasn't too sure at first about the concept of an "audio book", since half the fun is imagining the characters voices for yourself... having already read the book, I was amazed, since the narrator's(Rob Inglis') impressions of the characters matched those that I had imagined!

If you haven't read "The Hobbit" yet, or even if you have read it, and simply want to re-read it, but can't find the time, this is a brilliant buy! I would highly recommend it!

A beautyfull tale, exellently narrated, 01 May 2003
The tale of farmer Giles of ham is one of J.R.R.Tolkins over looked works and is a classic childrens tale (hence us adults love it). Farmer Giles is as unlikely a hero as any one, a plump chap who enjoys a slow comfortable life. Yet one night a par-deaf,supid and short-sighted giant reeked havoc on the farm and farmer Giles awoken by his dog came out to protect his land from the tresspassing giant, but shorty after this event the dragon Chrysophylax comes down from the mountains and eventually ends up in town where the farmer is expected to do battle.
This story is so wonderfully writen full of wit and humour and Derek Jacobi bring this tale to life in a rich and childish beauty that made me enjoy every second of the story!!

A nice treat for the lovers of tolkien (which is everyone), 19 May 2001
Well, it's not the lord of the rings, but then again, what is? Here are a few amusing and interesting stories, by the greatest author since I don't know when. If you enjoy reading of the british mythology, try this on for size.

A charming tale about a dog turned into a toy, 27 Feb 2008
A charming tale about young dog Rover and his adventures. He bites the trousers of magician Artaxerxes who turns him into a toy dog as punnishment. He shrinks in size as does his bark and he is stuck in a begging position. He is bought by a mother to give to her son Two, but he falls out of his pocket on day on the beach. The sand wizard Psamathos gets super fast seagul Mew to fly him to the moon down the silver pathway it's light leaves to meet the Man-on-the-Moon (another magician) and his moon dog Rover. As the dogs share their name, they change Rover's (the main character) to Roverandom.

On the moon they have many adventures together as Roverandom is given wings to fly about with. They have problems with the fearsome White Dragon who lives on the moon and causes eclipses of the moon as well as sometimes turning it red. Eventually Roverandom is sent back to earth to see Artaxerxes to change him back to his regular dog form. Artaxerxes has married a mer-maiden (one of the mer-kings daughters) and is living under the sea. Whale Uin takes Roverandom under the sea in his belly where he meets another dog called Rover, this time a mer-dog. They have many more adventures under the sea waiting for Artaxeres to find the time to change Roverandom back including an incident with the giant sea-serpent who sleeps not far from the mer-kings castle. Roverandom is eventually changed back into a proper dog and travels home to find Two.

This was a lovely tale based on an incident when Tolkien's second son lost his favourite toy dog at the beach one day on a family holiday. Lots of parallels to The Hobbit can be seen (the dragon, the spiders on the moon and the three magicians have Gandalf like qualities) and I definitely recommend it as a bit of light fun and happy reading.



A Truly Magical Story, 31 Jan 2008
So wonderful that this exciting book has been re-published. It is one of my most treasured books one that I read time and time again. The illustrations add to the story greatly. A real heart-warming and funny family story to share year after year after year. Highly recommended.

Brilliant!, 04 Jun 2007
This is great little book which I found a pleasant and entertaining read. There is nothing very special about it but the illustrations are nice, if sparse, and the story is good and not too complicated. It is easy to read out loud and shouldn't be too hard for a competent child to read by themselves. The only negative thing about it is that there aren't more stories of the same ilk from Tolkein.

Roverandom, 03 Jun 2007
An absolute ace book. Follows the adventures of Rover, a dog who is turned into a toy by a wizard and can only move by night. 1 of tolkiens first books.

He's a rover, 28 Feb 2006
For a little kid, losing a favorite toy is downright traumatic. So in 1925, when four-year-old Michael lost his little toy dog on the beach, fantasy author J.R.R. Tolkien made up a story to comfort his son. It explained away the loss of the toy, and wove a magical story around a little dog named Rover.

Rover is an ordinary little puppy near the seaside in England, until he runs into a grumpy old man and ends up biting off part of his pants. The old man happens to be a wizard (Artaxerxes by name), and promptly transforms Rover into a toy dog (and no, I don't mean a tiny dog -- I mean a real toy). Rover subsequently gets picked up and sold to some little boys (presumably the Tolkien kids).

Fortunately, Rover encounters another magical being, a crusty, kindly sand-wizard named Psamathos. That wizard, in turn, gets Rover (who is renamed Roverandom) flown to the moon, where he spends time with the Man in the Moon and his winged dog Rover. And then he's heading off to encounter a talking whale, a mer-dog, a sea serpent -- and a dragon.

Like the vastly underrated "Farmer Giles of Ham," "Roverandom" is a charming little bit of whimsy. No deep themes, no epic clashes, not even really a villain. The writing is charming and magical, with phrases like "There was a cold wind blowing off the North Star" sprinkled through it. It almost gives the feeling of being in another world. Best of all, in the middle of the book are Tolkien's own illustrations, cute little drawings and ethereal paintings.

Rover is well-named, since his adventures are all over the map and don't really progress from one to the other. It's merely a cute little dog roaming over the moon, the ocean, and the land, conversing with shrimps and bothering wizards. He's an outspoken little guy, but likeable. The grumpy wizards are also excellently done, reminiscent of Gandalf.

While "Roverandom" is a book aimed at children, adults may enjoy the whimsical humor and beautiful writing. A charming and timeless story.

Sir Orfeo Yellow Submarime, 01 Apr 2004
All you need is music. No, wait a minute. This apparently minor piece makes a major case: musicality and harmony not only calm the savage beast but are essential to civilisation. Sir Orfeo is a king and a musician. The musicality of his soul is what makes him noble. The Blue Meanie world without music is barbarous and inhuman until transformed by it. Was the film "The Yellow Submarine" true when it posited musicality versus deathliness? With apologies to the children of other decades was it the Beatles who set the cultural soundtrack which stopped the Vietnam War? Where is the musicality in rap, house, techno and George Bush?

An entertaining read..., 17 Nov 2008
I enjoyed this debut novel. 'The Stepmother' is well paced and gritty and I felt the character development was spot on.
I only give it an average rating simply because it didn't really do what it set out to do! There was no 'spine-tingling' suspense (as promised) and as thrillers go, I feel it was more of a courtroom drama than a thrilling ride! An enjoyable courtroom drama all the same but there was no twists and turns and the plot was safe.
I would like to see something more meaty next time or ST could stick to what he appears to do best - another courtroom drama...

Daily Mail, and Washington Post reviews: , 23 Feb 2008
Daily Mail: "A very British thriller . . . Definitely a page-turner."

Washington Post:
"A remarkably skilful, brilliantly conceived and beautifully executed thriller . . .keeps us guessing until the end."

Fast paced, 13 Apr 2007
This story is gripping and moves at a pace which ensures you'll keep reading. One slight criticism is that the ending didn't really surprise me and I was still expecting some sort of twist right up until the last page. You can almost see this story being transformed into a made for TV movie. However, that's not to detract from the factors which make this enjoyable, which are that it's an interesting story, well told, with believable and intriguing characters.

Review of The Stepmother, 27 Nov 2005
A good crime thriller, with pace, this made for an excellent holiday read. This was a who-dunnit with twists in the story and some well developed characters in a complex plot that held its secret well to the end. The tease centres round the death of a man´s second wife. The obvious candidate for the killing appears to be the adolescent son, whose relationship with his stepmother and father are explored in a sophisticated way. But one is never far away from the realisation that many people carry dark secrets and sometimes the past has compelling ways of imposing upon the present. Cleverly applied intrigue mean that gradual disclosures of information shift one´s perspectives. Difficult to put down once the story had begun to develop.

Dreadful, 15 Jan 2004
This is possibly one of the poorest books I have ever had the misfortune to try and read. I got as far as page 17. The language and decsriptions are such as you would expect from bodice-ripping pulp fiction. Please don't bother. Stick to the Law, Simon.