Middle-earth recently arrived on Prime Video. And Amazon’s expensive foray into the realm of orcs, wizards, and elves introduced viewers to the world’s Second Age. It’s a time that predates The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. But the show isn’t the only format that brings that period to life. For the first time ever, The Silmarillion is getting a new fully illustrated edition with paintings and drawings done by Tolkien himself. And anyone interested in knowing more about the world of The Rings of Power may want to consider this beautiful copy of The Silmarillion, which is now available to purchase.
HarperCollins announced this brand-new version of The Silmarillion. It is the first fully illustrated edition of Tolkien’s 1977 book. Originally his son published The Silmarillion posthumously after his father’s death. Unlike his narrative novels, which take place during Middle-earth’s Third Age, the book explores the history and myths of the First and Second Ages.
“J.R.R. Tolkien was a young man in his early twenties when he first began to envision his great legendarium, and had just taken his first steps into the world of The Silmarillion when war took him to France,” said Jennifer Hart, HarperCollins Senior Vice President and Associate Publisher, in a statement. “Despite the terrible experience of that dark time, during the next ten years he would create texts of surpassing beauty, lyrical power, and narrative energy as he began to tell the story of the Elder Days of Middle-earth.
Tolkien continued working on The Silmarillion long after the 1955 release of the final book in his seminal trilogy. But it was his son who completed the book and had it published in 1977. Needless to say, fans loved it. It became a #1 New York Times bestseller. With more than a million copies purchased in its first year.
Tolkien’s son Christopher created the Middle-earth maps for the book. And many of his father’s drawings and painting for it have released in other formats over the years. But this new edition marks the first time The Silmarillion will include all of Tolkien’s original art.
This new, illustrated version of The Silmarillion released on November 8. Worldwide translations will follow. Hopefully, that will include a copy in Elvish. We want the most authentic version we can get.
Originally published on March 25, 2022.
