The ring problem, and the solution....

[Zarathustra]

WF, was that the first time you'd read the Silmarllion? What were your thoughts?

[wayfriend]

In the earlier post, I was referring to my last re-read.

I first read the Silmarillion as soon as I could get my 14yo hands on a copy, which was in 1977, as soon as I got to the top of the list at the public library -- only a few months after it's first publication. I've read it three or four times since then. And I got my own copy now.

I thought it was fascinating. At that age, I particularly loved maps.

[High Lord Tolkien]

The Silmarillion is mostly NOT about the Rings of Power. There's kind of a sketchy appendix, that's it. So don't read it looking for Ring lore! Read it for its utter goodness.

huh?

"Sketchy appendix"?
There's two lengthy chapters dealing with Numenor and the 2nd Age (with some snippets about the Rings and the last chapter is called "OF THE RINGS OF POWER AND THE THIRD AGE".

Ok, the details aren't great but you're right that it's all just awesome.

[wayfriend]

"Sketchy appendix"?

IMO not as elaborate and detailed as the main body of the work, plus it makes it look like the ring history was weakly joined to the rest of the mythos (which indeed it was).