Reunited in the common-room and finally beginning their discussion of The Silmarillion, Alan and Shawn tackle nothing less than the creation of the universe, check out Ilúvatar’s playlist, observe a cosmic toddler tantrum, and learn what SPBMI means.
Recommended Reading:
Tolkien, J. R. R. The Silmarillion (Mariner Books, paperback), pp. 15-22, Ainulindalë
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Hey guys,
Just found your podcast yesterday. Loving it! You two are humble so you wouldn’t say it this way but I think you’re both bright literary scholars when it comes to LOTR and I appreciate you sharing your knowledge!
I found it endlessly interesting to learn that Tolkien said that you can still hear a bit of the song of creation in water. I was listening to a sermon today that talked about how in Heaven there will be no sea, and the pastor went on to talk about how much water there is in our created world. Most of our globe is water, most of our human bodies are water – so the idea that the song of creation is in water really has resonance with me because water is in many ways all around us and even in us! So cool! I’m glad I’m late to the game only for the fact that I can listen to tons of episodes without having to stop and wait for the next one for a good long while. Keep up the great work. I certainly hope you stick with it and make it to The Hobbit and the Trilogy. Thanks guys!
Thank you, Dan! We’re glad you found us… and hope you enjoy catching up!
Hi guys,
Just finished LOTR for the umpteenth time which inspired me to try to understand The Silmarillion (again for the umpteenth time!!). My wife suggested professional help (not sure if she meant help for me or reading the book) and I subsequently stumbled over your podcast. WOW WOW WOW
Just brilliant guys. Your unbelievable knowledge combined with sense of fun and humour makes PPP compulsive listening. The insight you bring to each show has improved what I thought was already perfect – can’y say better than that. My friends and family are already fed up with my constant referencing and recommendation.
So excited to think that I have 230 more episodes just to catch up – the road goes ever on!!
Thank you so much. Des
Thank you, Des! I’m glad you found us and I hope you enjoy catching up!
Hello!
Thank you so much for the podcasts, just learned about you in a comment thread of the new Amazon series that was announced (and how I dread what it will become).
Never read the books just seen the movies, so I am eager to be guided in this adventure by the two of you. I have always been an avid fantasy book reader, a big dnd player and a huge C.S Lewis fan, so I am looking forward to my journey through the Tolkien universe!
Welcome aboard! I hope you enjoy reading along and exploring Tolkien’s Middle-earth with us. As for the Amazon series, we remain cautiously optimistic, and will be releasing our thoughts on it in a new podcast that we just started a few weeks ago… more to come on that! Thanks for listening!
Just discovered your podcast! 6 years too late! Ha ha! I’m a huge Tolkien (middle earth) fan! I’m currently reading the Silmarillion for the 3rd time and I’m loving it! It’s my favourite book! You are right though, the more you read it, the more you understand it. I’m obsessed with the first age and the Valar, it all just fascinates me! Just listened to the Music of the Ainur and loved it, love to hear you decipher it all. Can’t wait to listen to the rest of your Silmarillion podcasts now! Looking forward to reading unfinished tales again soon too when I’ve finished the Silmarillion! Really need to read hobbit and LOTR again too as it’s been a while since I read those. I feel so sorry for all the people who never read the books before seeing the movies, reading the LOTR books without seeing the movie is experiencing the book how it should be experienced (sorry for my lack of words! Ha!) I will never forget the first time I read it and how I felt, not knowing what would happen, how it would end. It changed my life! The ending I found confusing, when Frodo left, where did he go, why did he go, these questions lead me to the Silmarillion and wow I was blown away and a lot of my questions answered! Amazing!! Keep up the good work! 🙂