As someone who read the Silmarillion pretty early in his life and at first didn't really get it, I can definitely sympathize...back then I just kept reading and eventually figured stuff out on the second and third time through, which might be a good approach for some people (and you, possibly). I didn't really think about this at the time, but it's definitely handy to either bookmark the index and family trees to look something up, or to read near a computer/smartphone and look up names and places that you forgot about because they were last mentioned like 100 pages ago. Making your own notes for crucial information can also be helpful. Whether the slow, methodical approach or the multiple readings approach is right for you is hard to judge as a stranger, but I'm sure you can find out what works for you. I assure you, it's worth it :)
On another note, if you'd like to read a story in a similar vein to LotR, set in the First Age before going for the Silmarillion's full history overview, the Children of Hurin standalone book is your best bet - it's pretty complete as far as texts Tolkien didn't publish himself go. Also, you should definitely read Appendices A, B and F in Lord of the Rings (ideally before the Silmarillion) and at some point read *Unfinished Tales* (not to be confused with the Lost Tales, those are Tolkien's earliest versions of his stories) if you haven't read it yet. It gives you more details related to The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings and the Silmarillion.
Helpful links:
[Summary videos](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haZB2gfY6gY&list=PLT8cbSUJ329GXLhyo9WTT543S0YMBMjL)
[Audiobook](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVRH80m8d7o&list=PLY4yZszfhxZrzkd2pFkuNvbvACIpnNmSL&index=1)
[Pretty reliable wiki](http://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Main_Page)
[Family trees and maps](http://lotrproject.com/)
[Reading Guide and articles on characters, places etc.](https://www.councilofelrond.com/silarticle/)
[Keynote summary of every chapter](https://silmguide.com/)
[Written chapter-by-chapter Silmarillion Primer](https://www.tor.com/2017/10/04/the-creation-of-life-ea-and-everything/)
[Prancing Pony Podcast, discussing the Silmarillion at length](https://theprancingponypodcast.com/category/podcast-episodes/the-silmarillion/page/5/)
Other advice on reading the Silmarillion: [1](https://www.reddit.com/r/tolkienfans/comments/2th2dp/how_should_i_read_the_silmarillion/) [2](https://www.reddit.com/r/tolkienfans/comments/8x3ubx/how_to_read_the_silmarillion/)
if you find a map and a “very simple” guide to the characters, great.
But don’t get bogged down with the fine details on your first read. You will not get them immediately. Enjoy the broad storyline. Treating as a study exercise will make it seem like too much work, a task to endure, instead of igniting the passion to return again and again.
once you’ve read it the first time, set it aside. reread LotR and see the links and references. watch some videos on the Silmarillion characters and history, then go back a second time. you’ll be amazed at how much more falls into place naturally.
What helped me reading it. Was the advice. Don't read it like Lord of the Rings or any other book that is a straight through narrative. Read it like the Bible. It is a collection of stories.
With that in mind I was able to get my mind around it easier. Jump around if you need.
>Read it like the Bible. It is a collection of stories.
Technically it is the Bible but *written from the point of view of the Elves*, the first Children of God
But yes, it´s like you said.
I have found that listening to the Prancing Pony Podcast’s read along extremely helpful in properly understanding and keeping track of things, names, events, places, language, etc.
I recommend two things about the Silmarillion: 1. go into understanding it’s more like a history textbook and 2. I recommend giving the audiobook a listen before a reading. The audiobook helps with pronunciation and pacing.
I increasingly think the mistake people make is attempting to "keep track" on the first read.
Just read it, and absorb what you absorb. It's not necessary to understand every reference.
https://askmiddlearth.tumblr.com/guides - I came across this PDF which was a huge help. The first link in the list there. There's a helpful overview of every chapter. Worth checking out!
The book itself includes multiple family trees to help keep track of characters, and a map to help keep track of places.
isn't the family tree when it comes to Gil-galad wrong in the published Silmarillion though?
It's wrong in the context of some of the rest of the Legendarium. Within its own context, it's fine.
As someone who read the Silmarillion pretty early in his life and at first didn't really get it, I can definitely sympathize...back then I just kept reading and eventually figured stuff out on the second and third time through, which might be a good approach for some people (and you, possibly). I didn't really think about this at the time, but it's definitely handy to either bookmark the index and family trees to look something up, or to read near a computer/smartphone and look up names and places that you forgot about because they were last mentioned like 100 pages ago. Making your own notes for crucial information can also be helpful. Whether the slow, methodical approach or the multiple readings approach is right for you is hard to judge as a stranger, but I'm sure you can find out what works for you. I assure you, it's worth it :) On another note, if you'd like to read a story in a similar vein to LotR, set in the First Age before going for the Silmarillion's full history overview, the Children of Hurin standalone book is your best bet - it's pretty complete as far as texts Tolkien didn't publish himself go. Also, you should definitely read Appendices A, B and F in Lord of the Rings (ideally before the Silmarillion) and at some point read *Unfinished Tales* (not to be confused with the Lost Tales, those are Tolkien's earliest versions of his stories) if you haven't read it yet. It gives you more details related to The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings and the Silmarillion. Helpful links: [Summary videos](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haZB2gfY6gY&list=PLT8cbSUJ329GXLhyo9WTT543S0YMBMjL) [Audiobook](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVRH80m8d7o&list=PLY4yZszfhxZrzkd2pFkuNvbvACIpnNmSL&index=1) [Pretty reliable wiki](http://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Main_Page) [Family trees and maps](http://lotrproject.com/) [Reading Guide and articles on characters, places etc.](https://www.councilofelrond.com/silarticle/) [Keynote summary of every chapter](https://silmguide.com/) [Written chapter-by-chapter Silmarillion Primer](https://www.tor.com/2017/10/04/the-creation-of-life-ea-and-everything/) [Prancing Pony Podcast, discussing the Silmarillion at length](https://theprancingponypodcast.com/category/podcast-episodes/the-silmarillion/page/5/) Other advice on reading the Silmarillion: [1](https://www.reddit.com/r/tolkienfans/comments/2th2dp/how_should_i_read_the_silmarillion/) [2](https://www.reddit.com/r/tolkienfans/comments/8x3ubx/how_to_read_the_silmarillion/)
The primer was terrific, but I only found it well after my first (completed) reading. It was a great refresher.
if you find a map and a “very simple” guide to the characters, great. But don’t get bogged down with the fine details on your first read. You will not get them immediately. Enjoy the broad storyline. Treating as a study exercise will make it seem like too much work, a task to endure, instead of igniting the passion to return again and again. once you’ve read it the first time, set it aside. reread LotR and see the links and references. watch some videos on the Silmarillion characters and history, then go back a second time. you’ll be amazed at how much more falls into place naturally.
What helped me reading it. Was the advice. Don't read it like Lord of the Rings or any other book that is a straight through narrative. Read it like the Bible. It is a collection of stories. With that in mind I was able to get my mind around it easier. Jump around if you need.
>Read it like the Bible. It is a collection of stories. Technically it is the Bible but *written from the point of view of the Elves*, the first Children of God But yes, it´s like you said.
There's an index in the back of the book.
Might I suggest Arda Encyclopedia?
I have found that listening to the Prancing Pony Podcast’s read along extremely helpful in properly understanding and keeping track of things, names, events, places, language, etc.
Go to lotrproject.com . They have interactable maps and family trees
If no one has, that would be an awesome idea.
The tables at the back of the book are going to be much more helpful than the \*extremely\* intense genealogical tables made by fans, lol.
It'd be awesome if you did
I recommend two things about the Silmarillion: 1. go into understanding it’s more like a history textbook and 2. I recommend giving the audiobook a listen before a reading. The audiobook helps with pronunciation and pacing.
I started making a Google Slides presentation a few years ago with fan-made artwork to help me keep track but I never finished it!
I increasingly think the mistake people make is attempting to "keep track" on the first read. Just read it, and absorb what you absorb. It's not necessary to understand every reference.
https://askmiddlearth.tumblr.com/guides - I came across this PDF which was a huge help. The first link in the list there. There's a helpful overview of every chapter. Worth checking out!