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The Silmarillionis the core of J.R.R. Tolkien’s imaginative writing, a work whose origins stretch back to a time long beforeThe Hobbit. This mythopoetic masterpiece is a must-read before you watchThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Poweron Prime Video.

The story of the creation of the world and of the First Age, this is the ancient drama to which the characters inThe Lord of the Ringslook back and in whose events some of them, such as Elrond and Galadriel, took part. The three Silmarils were jewels created by Fanor, most gifted of the Elves. Within them was imprisoned the Light of the Two Trees of Valinor before the Trees themselves were destroyed by Morgoth, the first Dark Lord. Thereafter, the unsullied Light of Valinor lived on only in the Silmarils, but they were seized by Morgoth and set in his crown, which was guarded in the impenetrable fortress of Angband in the north of Middle-earth.

The Silmarillionis the history of the rebellion of Fanor and his kindred against the gods, their exile from Valinor and return to Middle-earth, and their war, hopeless despite all their heroism, against the great Enemy.

Majestic! … Readers ofThe HobbitandThe Lord of the Ringswill find inThe Silmarilliona cosmology to call their own, medieval romances, fierce fairy tales, and fiercer wars that ring with heraldic fury… It overwhelms the reader.Time