The Silmarillion Primer

By Jeff LaSala

J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Silmarillion is famous for two things: being a brilliant masterwork of fantasy literature . . . and being a real slogfest that no one’s ever finished reading. To many, it’s an unparalleled “prequel” to The Lord of the Rings, a collection of rich and ever-inspiring mythologies. Meanwhile, some would-be readers just can’t keep their Finwës and their Finarfins and their Fin-what’s-their-faces straight and end up throwing the book against the wall. That’s where this one comes in—to lay down a smooth layer of primer before you slather on a topcoat of Silmarillion proper.

The Silmarillion Primer guides readers through Tolkien’s seminal work. Every chapter of this book corresponds to a section of the published Silmarillion and includes helpful diagrams, charts, and maps—tons of graphics that bring clarity and humor to the sometimes tangled nature of Tolkien’s most epic tome. The book also provides new insights and perspectives that contextualize the mythologies of Middle-earth. But to be clear, The Primer is not deconstruction. It’s not alternative analysis or reinterpretation. It’s illumination through modern and at times lighthearted language.

Cover art by David DelaGardelle

For first-time readers, The Silmarillion Primer is an easygoing walk through Middle-earth’s origin story. For dyed-in-the-wool Tolkien nerds (like its author), the book offers a homecoming to the wonders of Valinor, the assorted realms of Beleriand, and all the dramas of the Elder Days—but with a fresh view, exploring it all again as if through that first-timer’s eyes. And with plenty of laughs across the ages.

• Meet with Jeff in a monthly Creator Circle to discuss this project and his choices and challenges along the way.
• Read the updates and notes in Jeff’s Project Room;
• Read full revisions in the Subscription Library
• When the project is complete in a few months, The Silmarillion Primer will be available for sale and download from the Signum Store.

“If reading The Silmarillion feels like fighting the long defeat, Jeff LaSala has the guide for you. Witty, learned, and irreverently reverent, The Silmarillion Primer maps, illustrates, and explains the book closest to Tolkien’s heart.” —Tom Hillman, author of Pity, Power, and Tolkien’s Ring: To Rule the Fate of Many

“Like a light in dark places, having Jeff LaSala’s The Silmarillion Primer in hand will help you find your way through J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved (but sometimes challenging) work. Combining clever insight, handy maps and guides, with a warm and witty tone . . . [the] Primer proves to be the perfect companion, whether you’re a first-time reader of The Silmarillion, or a First Age veteran.” —Alan Sisto, coauthor of Why We Love Middle-earth and host of The Prancing Pony Podcast and Today’s Tolkien Times

“It is no small thing to make a famously difficult work easy to understand, and that’s just what Jeff LaSala accomplishes with The Silmarillion Primer. Don’t be fooled by its casual tone and hilariously dry humor: LaSala brings deep knowledge of Tolkien’s lore and themes to make The Silmarillion more approachable to new readers and a wealth of sharp insights for Middle-earth aficionados as well. And the maps, family trees, and other diagrams accompanying the text make the Primer a handy reference to have on any Tolkien bookshelf. Highly recommended!”—Shawn E. Marchese, coauthor of Why We Love Middle-earth and cohost of The Prancing Pony Podcast