The Silmarillion

5b J. R. R. Tolkien edited by Christopher Tolkien. London: George Allen & Unwin, 1977. First UK Edition 

Notes

The Silmarillion is a mythopoeic work by J.R.R. Tolkien, published posthumously in 1977 and edited by his son Christopher Tolkien, that lays the foundational lore for Tolkien’s Middle-earth. Unlike the narrative style of The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion reads more like an epic history or sacred text, chronicling the creation of the world, the rise of the immortal Elves, the forging of the Silmarils, and the long struggle against the dark lord Morgoth, predecessor to Sauron. Its stories delve into themes of pride, fate, sacrifice, and the corruption of power, forming a vast and tragic backdrop to the later tales of Middle-earth. Deeply influenced by mythology, language, and theology, The Silmarillion reveals Tolkien’s vision of a rich, ancient world shaped by divine forces and epic heroism.

Description

Navy cloth binding with gilt lettering on the spine. Original pictorial dust jacket. Dampstaining to edges. Some wear to lower edges.