Before the Fellowship: Fans Read and React to the Silmarillion by JRR Tolkien Every Week

Manwë decrees the most glorious feast. Fëanor and Fingolfin are reconciled, and Fingolfin vows to follow Fëanor wherever he leads. Suddenly, Melkor and Ungoliant ambush the feast. Melkor delivers deadly blows to both trees with his spear, and Ungoliant feeds on the light, leaving the world in darkness.

Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien.

00:48 Dan (tries to) read pages 74-77 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition

12:09 Recap

13:16 Discussion

"And in that very hour Melkor and Ungoliant came hastening over the fields of Valinor, as the shadow of a black cloud upon the wind fleets over the sunlit earth; and they came before the green mound Ezellohar. Then the Unlight of Ungoliant rose up even to the roots of the Trees, and Melkor sprang upon the mound; and with his black spear he smote each Tree to its core, wounded them deep, and their sap poured forth as it were their blood, and was spilled upon the ground. But Ungoliant sucked it up, and going then from Tree to Tree she set her black beak to their wounds, till they were drained; and the poison of Death that was in her went into their tissues and withered them, root, branch, and leaf; and they died."

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The Rings of Power comes to Amazon, but nothing compares to the real story JRR Tolkien wrote. Is the Silmarillion his masterpiece? The Silmarillion is a book everyone should read, but it can be intimidating. Go on a journey with us.

Witness the creation of Tolkien's universe, meet the villain that's bigger and badder than Sauron, and hear a love story that will leave you in tears. We are not experts, we're just fans like you. And we're having a blast going through this masterpiece of fiction, 15 minutes at a time. Grad a cup of tea or your favorite scotch (or your steering wheel!) and join us every week!

Oromë and Tulkas pursue Melkor who goes south to the dark region of Avathar, where lived Ungoliant, a lustful being in the form of a monstrous spider. Ungoliant feeds on light and weaves black webs. Melkor makes a deal with Ungoliant, for revenge on the Valar he will let her feed on the eternal city.

Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien.

00:51 Cameron reads pages 73-74 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition

6:52 Recap

7:36 Discussion

"Now Melkor came to Avathar and sought her out; and he put on again the form that he had worn as the tyrant of Utumno: a dark Lord, tall and terrible. In that form he remained ever after. There in the black shadows, beyond the sight even of Manwë in his highest halls, Melkor with Ungoliant plotted his revenge. But when Ungoliant understood the purpose of Melkor, she was torn between lust and great fear; for she was loath to dare the perils of Aman and the power of the dreadful Lords, and she would not stir from her hiding."

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The Rings of Power comes to Amazon, but nothing compares to the real story JRR Tolkien wrote. Is the Silmarillion his masterpiece? The Silmarillion is a book everyone should read, but it can be intimidating. Go on a journey with us.

Witness the creation of Tolkien's universe, meet the villain that's bigger and badder than Sauron, and hear a love story that will leave you in tears. We are not experts, we're just fans like you. And we're having a blast going through this masterpiece of fiction, 15 minutes at a time. Grad a cup of tea or your favorite scotch (or your steering wheel!) and join us every week!

Fëanor opposes his half-brother Fingolfin, even threatening him with his sword. Because the peace of Aman is disrupted, Fëanor and others are forced to stand before Mandos. Melkor attempts to turn Fëanor against the Valar and find an opportunity to steal the Silmarils, but Fëanor is not fooled.

Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien.

00:41 Greg reads pages 67-79 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition

11:29 Recap

12:38 Discussion

"Now Fëanor's heart was still bitter at his humiliation before Mandos, and he looked at Melkor in silence, pondering if indeed he might yet trust him so far as to aid him in his flight. And Melkor, seeing that Fëanor wavered, and knowing that the Silmarils held his heart in thrall, said at the last: 'Here is a strong place, and well guarded; but think not that the Silmarils will lie safe in any treasury within the realm of the Valar!'"

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The Rings of Power comes to Amazon, but nothing compares to the real story JRR Tolkien wrote. Is the Silmarillion his masterpiece? The Silmarillion is a book everyone should read, but it can be intimidating. Go on a journey with us.

Witness the creation of Tolkien's universe, meet the villain that's bigger and badder than Sauron, and hear a love story that will leave you in tears. We are not experts, we're just fans like you. And we're having a blast going through this masterpiece of fiction, 15 minutes at a time. Grad a cup of tea or your favorite scotch (or your steering wheel!) and join us every week!

Feänor at last creates the Silmarils, three great jewels infused with the blended light of the Two Trees. Mandos decrees that the fate of Arda lay with the Silmarils. Melkor poisonous deceptions begin to take their effect in the Noldor.

Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien.

00:47 Dan reads pages 67-79 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition

10:57 Recap

12:08 Discussion

"For Fëanor, being come to his full might, was filled with a new thought, or it may be that some shadow of foreknowledge came to him of the doom that drew near; and he pondered how the light of the Trees, the glory of the Blessed Realm, might be preserved imperishable. Then he began a long and secret labour, and he summoned all his lore, and his power, and his subtle skill; and at the end of all he made the Silmarils."

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The Rings of Power comes to Amazon, but nothing compares to the real story JRR Tolkien wrote. Is the Silmarillion his masterpiece? The Silmarillion is a book everyone should read, but it can be intimidating. Go on a journey with us.

Witness the creation of Tolkien's universe, meet the villain that's bigger and badder than Sauron, and hear a love story that will leave you in tears. We are not experts, we're just fans like you. And we're having a blast going through this masterpiece of fiction, 15 minutes at a time. Grad a cup of tea or your favorite scotch (or your steering wheel!) and join us every week!

Melkor’s sentence comes to an end. He appeals for freedom, vowing to assist the Valinor in repairing the hurts he caused. Melkor wins the trust of the Noldor and shares “hidden knowledge”. Feänor and Melkor become enemies.

Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien.

00:55 Cameron reads pages 65-66 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition

5:50 Recap

6:33 Discussion

"Then he looked upon their glory and their bliss, and envy was in his heart; he looked upon the Children of Ilúvatar that sat at the feet of the Mighty, and hatred filled him; he looked upon the wealth of bright gems, and he lusted for them; but he hid his thoughts, and postponed his vengeance."

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The Rings of Power comes to Amazon, but nothing compares to the real story JRR Tolkien wrote. Is the Silmarillion his masterpiece? The Silmarillion is a book everyone should read, but it can be intimidating. Go on a journey with us.

Witness the creation of Tolkien's universe, meet the villain that's bigger and badder than Sauron, and hear a love story that will leave you in tears. We are not experts, we're just fans like you. And we're having a blast going through this masterpiece of fiction, 15 minutes at a time. Grad a cup of tea or your favorite scotch (or your steering wheel!) and join us every week!

Feänor masters crafting and lettering (and having kids). The Noldor become more estranged in the house of Finwë.

Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien.

00:42 Greg reads pages 63-65 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition

6:50 Recap

7:50 Discussion

"All his love he gave thereafter to his son; and Fëanor grew swiftly, as if a secret fire were kindled within him. He was tall, and fair of face, and masterful, his eyes piercingly bright and his hair raven-dark; in the pursuit of all his purposes eager and steadfast. Few ever changed his courses by counsel, none by force. He became of all the Noldor, then or after, the most subtle in mind and the most skilled in hand."

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The Rings of Power comes to Amazon, but nothing compares to the real story JRR Tolkien wrote. Is the Silmarillion his masterpiece? The Silmarillion is a book everyone should read, but it can be intimidating. Go on a journey with us.

Witness the creation of Tolkien's universe, meet the villain that's bigger and badder than Sauron, and hear a love story that will leave you in tears. We are not experts, we're just fans like you. And we're having a blast going through this masterpiece of fiction, 15 minutes at a time. Grad a cup of tea or your favorite scotch (or your steering wheel!) and join us every week!

We meet the Princes of the Eldalië. Can we all agree that Feänor is so much cooler than Aegnor? Greg tries to un-embarrass himself by correcting our geography mistakes.

Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien.

00:55 Dan reads pages 60-62 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition

10:08 Recap

12:02 Discussion

"Finwë was King of the Noldor. The sons of Finwë were Fëanor, and Fingolfin, and Finarfin; but the mother of Fëanor was Míriel Serindë, whereas the mother of Fingolfin and Finarfin was Indis of the Vanyar. Fëanor was the mightiest in skill of word and of hand, more learned than his brothers; his spirit burned as a flame."

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The Rings of Power comes to Amazon, but nothing compares to the real story JRR Tolkien wrote. Is the Silmarillion his masterpiece? The Silmarillion is a book everyone should read, but it can be intimidating. Go on a journey with us.

Witness the creation of Tolkien's universe, meet the villain that's bigger and badder than Sauron, and hear a love story that will leave you in tears. We are not experts, we're just fans like you. And we're having a blast going through this masterpiece of fiction, 15 minutes at a time. Grad a cup of tea or your favorite scotch (or your steering wheel!) and join us every week!

Elwë spots a Maia in the Forests of Lorien, and it's love at first sight — for years! They stay in Middle Earth to build a kingdom.

Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien.

00:34 Greg reads pages 55-56 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition

05:35 Discussion, AKA Dan tries to change his name to Iluvitar.

"Melian was a Maia, of the race of the Valar. She dwelt in the gardens of Lórien, and among all his people there were none more beautiful than Melian, nor more wise, nor more skilled in songs of enchantment."

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The Rings of Power comes to Amazon, but nothing compares to the real story JRR Tolkien wrote. Is the Silmarillion his masterpiece? The Silmarillion is a book everyone should read, but it can be intimidating. Go on a journey with us.

Witness the creation of Tolkien's universe, meet the villain that's bigger and badder than Sauron, and hear a love story that will leave you in tears. We are not experts, we're just fans like you. And we're having a blast going through this masterpiece of fiction, 15 minutes at a time. Grad a cup of tea or your favorite scotch (or your steering wheel!) and join us every week!

Ulmo saves Elves with a floating island. Aulë teaches the Noldor to craft some gems (uh oh...)

Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien.

00:51 Cameron reads pages 57-60 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition

12:25 Reading Summary

13:30 Discussion: Where *exactly* did the elves live in Valinor? And how you can distinguish the different races. Keep your eyes on the Noldor...

"To these the Valar had given a land and a dwelling-place. Even among the radiant flowers of the Tree-lit gardens of Valinor they longed still at times to see the stars; and therefore a gap was made in the great walls of the Pelóri, and there in a deep valley that ran down to the sea the Eldar raised a high green hill: Túna it was called. From the west the light of the Trees fell upon it, and its shadow lay ever eastward; and to the east it looked towards the Bay of Elvenhome, and the Lonely Isle, and the Shadowy Seas. Then through Calacirya, the Pass of Light, the radiance of the Blessed Realm streamed forth, kindling the dark waves to silver and gold, and it touched the Lonely Isle, and its western shore grew green and fair. There bloomed the first flowers that ever were east of the Mountains of Aman."

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The Rings of Power comes to Amazon, but nothing compares to the real story JRR Tolkien wrote. Is the Silmarillion his masterpiece? The Silmarillion is a book everyone should read, but it can be intimidating. Go on a journey with us.

Witness the creation of Tolkien's universe, meet the villain that's bigger and badder than Sauron, and hear a love story that will leave you in tears. We are not experts, we're just fans like you. And we're having a blast going through this masterpiece of fiction, 15 minutes at a time. Grad a cup of tea or your favorite scotch (or your steering wheel!)

What happens in the hearts of Elves when they are summoned to the eternal city? Who goes and who tarries? What bliss or doom awaits them in Valinor?

Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien.

00:57 Dan reads pages 53-54 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition

09:04 Discussion

"Long and slow was the march of the Eldar into the west, for the leagues of Middle-earth were uncounted, and weary and pathless. Nor did the Eldar desire to hasten, for they were filled with wonder at all that they saw, and by many lands and rivers they wished to abide; and though all were yet willing to wander, many feared rather their journey's end than hoped for it Therefore whenever Oromë departed, having at times other matters to heed, they halted and went forward no more, until he returned to guide them."

Send feedback to [email protected]

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The Rings of Power comes to Amazon, but nothing compares to the real story JRR Tolkien wrote. Is the Silmarillion his masterpiece? The Silmarillion is a book everyone should read, but it can be intimidating. Go on a journey with us.

Witness the creation of Tolkien's universe, meet the villain that's bigger and badder than Sauron, and hear a love story that will leave you in tears. We are not experts, we're just fans like you. And we're having a blast going through this masterpiece of fiction, 15 minutes at a time. Grad a cup of tea or your favorite scotch (or your steering wheel!) and join us every week!