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The Silmarillion is probably the book that’s been on my To Read list for the longest. Read chapter 1 in 2016, aaaaand, I’ll get to later
I’m not going to lie to you. It’s a slog. That thing is like the world’s longest Wikipedia article but in prose. But there are some genuinely top-tier stories in there and it provides my lore obsessed autism everything it has ever wanted from a fictional universe.
I hate to admit but I’ve read it… three times (read the actual book once and listened to the audiobook twice).
I do a lot of driving in my life.
Every time I read it my one abiding thought is “what’s with the names? Why can’t someone have one name and keep that name and always have the SAME BUGGERING NAME for the love of god?” because really - it’s the part that always confuses me :)
Why would someone keep the same name for thousands of years when they’ve done loads of epic stuff?
See - that I understand. It’s when … hold on. Let me give you an example.
“One day Susan the bold was slaughtering demons, and she encountered Mary the wise”
(Two chapters later)
“Snifflepug the merry was drinking wine and killing moose. She then did something heroic and snarky. But then she was killed. And people mourned the loss of Snifflepug”
(One chapter later)
“Albert came to town, and learned that Susan had died…” and it’s then you learn that Susan and Snifflepug are THE SAME BUGGERING PERSON!!!
I don’t mind people changing names, but could he not say “Snifflepug (who was also named Susan) was drinking wine” or something like that?? I mean is it that hard when you introduce a character by a new name to at least say “Oh - by the way - this character? It’s the same one who I’ve been talking about FOR HALF THE BLOODY BOOK!!!”
Don’t get me wrong - it is one of the most impressive books I have read and I am in awe. This is just the one minor thing that bugs me every time :)
Your comment makes me want to read the book even more. I’ll be on a look out for Susan and Snifflepug. Thanks for the hint!
It’s a history textbook, not really a story.
