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Synopsis
The forerunner to The Lord of the Rings , The Silmarillion tells the earlier history of Middle-earth, recounting the events of the First and Second Ages, and introducing some of the key characters, such as Galadriel, Elrond, Elendil and the Dark Lord, Sauron. The tales of The Silmarillion are set in an age when Morgoth, the first Dark Lord, dwelt in Middle-earth, and the High Elves made war upon him for the recovery of the Silmarils, the jewels containing the pure light of Valinor. Included on the recording are several shorter works. The Ainulindalë is a myth of the Creation and in the Valaquenta the nature and powers of each of the gods is described. The Akallabêth recounts the downfall of the great island kingdom of Númenor at the end of the Second Age, and Of the Rings of Power tells of the great events at the end of the Third Age, as narrated in The Lord of the Rings. This brand-new unabridged recording is read by the acclaimed actor, director and author, Andy Serkis.
Is The Silmarillion appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 13 and up.
Epic mythological history with large-scale warfare, battles, and tragic deaths throughout. Violence is present but described in elevated, non-graphic prose typical of classical mythology.
What to know going in
This book has strong violence, no sexual content, and clean language. Content notes include genocide, death, mass death, and grief (see the full list above).
Publisher ages reflect reading level; our rating reflects content maturity — they can differ.
Who'll love this
Fans of deep fantasy worldbuilding and mythological storytelling will discover the legendary origins of Middle-earth and the ancient wars that shaped Tolkien's world.