The Silmarillion

· HarperCollins · Narrated by Andy Serkis
117 reviews
Audiobook
19 hr 24 min
Unabridged
Eligible
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About this audiobook

The forerunner to The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion tells the earlier history of Middle-earth, recounting the events of the First and Second Ages, and introducing some of the key characters, such as Galadriel, Elrond, Elendil and the Dark Lord, Sauron.

The tales of The Silmarillion are set in an age when Morgoth, the first Dark Lord, dwelt in Middle-earth, and the High Elves made war upon him for the recovery of the Silmarils, the jewels containing the pure light of Valinor.

Included on the recording are several shorter works. The Ainulindalë is a myth of the Creation and in the Valaquenta the nature and powers of each of the gods is described. The Akallabêth recounts the downfall of the great island kingdom of Númenor at the end of the Second Age, and Of the Rings of Power tells of the great events at the end of the Third Age, as narrated in The Lord of the Rings.

This brand-new unabridged recording is read by the acclaimed actor, director and author, Andy Serkis.

The forerunner to The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion tells the earlier history of Middle-earth, recounting the events of the First and Second Ages, and introducing some of the key characters, such as Galadriel, Elrond, Elendil and the Dark Lord, Sauron. The tales of The Silmarillion are set...

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Ratings and reviews

117 reviews
Aurorayooo
August 9, 2023
This is not a $40 audiobook. I bought this to treat myself for a new job. Parts of this audiobook does not work- the 'smart resume' is non-existent, when you try to use, it starts over the chapter and you cant go back to where you were.... this is the silmarilion.... you have to be able to have a 'smart resume' I contacted google and got denied a refund, which sucks a cause im broke right now. Ive never bought an expensive audiobook before and this sucks
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Sheldon Corcoran
January 1, 2025
Either the audiobook or Google’s player is messed up. Several chapters don’t allow you to pause, rewind, or fast forward without glitching out.
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Marco Balboni
January 29, 2026
Listening to The Silmarillion is the ultimate "cheat code" for enjoying Tolkien’s deep history, turning a notoriously dense text into a sweeping, cinematic experience. By hearing the complex names and poetic prose spoken aloud, the confusion of the written page vanishes, replaced by a gripping "fireside" performance that makes the tragic legends of Middle-earth feel both clear and deeply emotional. It is a five-star must-listen that transforms a difficult read into an effortless, epic journey.
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About the author

J R R Tolkien (1892-1973) was a distinguished academic, though he is best known for writing The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion, plus other stories and essays. His books have been translated into over 40 languages and have sold many millions of copies world wide.

J R R Tolkien (1892-1973) was a distinguished academic, though he is best known for writing The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion, plus other stories and essays. His books have been translated into over 40 languages and have sold many millions of copies world wide.

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