one of my friends started the silmarillion, and didn't get very far (I think many of us agree the beginning isn't exactly exciting). I had the same problem the first time I tried to read it, but i picked it up again later and ended up loving it. I want to try to convince my friend to give the sil another chance because i think he'd really like it too, but i'm not sure what would work. Any advice?

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"If I had a button that would cause all guns everywhere to disappear, I might push it.
Wars would be more fun if we used swords again."
– one of my guyfriends

Tell him to skip forward to the battle chapters. I personally really enjoyed the book all the way through, but as soon as I read Hurins Last Stand I was hooked to Tolkien

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Great is the victory of the Noldoli

Yeah. Get him to skip forward over the first 100 pages or so, and then persever with it. the first time I tried to read it, I gave up. But I tried again, not reading the first bit, and skipping to somwhere around the return of the Noldor. I read the rest of it, because it is an awesome story. Sfter I'd done that I was able to read it all through.

The Silmarillion is one of those books that is rewarding if you stick with it.

hmm, yes, definately get him to skip over to the stories, (but, beeing a purist, i still try to persuade people to read the start and all . ^^)

My mother is acutally about to read it - when she gets time. So I'll soon know if she'll be able to read the whole book as it is, or skip to the stories. I'm really hoping she'll like it, because then, I'd actually know someone not on the net who has read it (no offence ><)

I've had no luck trying to get my own friends to read any Tolkien books -__- they get through the first 3 pages then give up. But then, they dont have the slightest interest in it. = /

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it def is easier for most people to skip around and read whatever looks interesting to them
after they start reading it theyre usually able to read the rest of it

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"I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend."
- Faramir

thanks, guys! (well, most of you are probably girls...)
you're all quite helpful.

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"If I had a button that would cause all guns everywhere to disappear, I might push it.
Wars would be more fun if we used swords again."
– one of my guyfriends

I don't know about telling him to skip over the begining, as it's one of the most fascinating parts of the book, and one of the most important. But, if that's all that will motivate him, maybe he should skip to the Valaquenta. That has all the interesting info about the Vala, and when Dwarves were created, etc.

I find it starts getting interesting at the coming of the elves... after that, I can't put it down. The opening bit is a little tough, even now I've been a Tolkien freak for four and a half years, but it is worth it.

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<center>-In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song-

^JF is awesome

There will come a time with no more tears
and love will not break your heart but dismiss your fears</center>

I can't seem to get my friends to read ANY of the Tolien books! *is disgruntled* I try sooo hard. They just stick to Harry Potter...

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VITAM AETERNO; an original creature roleplay

^^That is a terrible crime. HP instead of LotR? *shudders*

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<center>-In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song-

^JF is awesome

There will come a time with no more tears
and love will not break your heart but dismiss your fears</center>

oh no, you poor thing! HP instead of LotR over my dead body!

Thats awful, I feel sorry for you!!

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^ Hehe, yeah...Lotr was always my first love and shall always be. But still I'm not giving up, I'll keep on pestering them till they have to humour me. XD

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VITAM AETERNO; an original creature roleplay

^ Good for you! LotR is my first love too - I was more obsessed with HP for a year or two, but I came back to LotR.

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"If I had a button that would cause all guns everywhere to disappear, I might push it.
Wars would be more fun if we used swords again."
– one of my guyfriends

....I just tell them to stick to it through the first hundred pages and after that they'll be glad they did, since there is still a lot of info in those first 100 pages. (lol, I read the book in four hours...and I was very glad I read the first part).

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Yes, I also had my period obsession with HP but Lotr's just TEH bestest ever!

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VITAM AETERNO; an original creature roleplay

same here. My best friend also likes HP instead of LotR and I just don't understand why.. I can't get her to read any Tolkien books.. in fact not even to watch the movies with me.. but oh well, I got the forum here to talk to other ppl who are as crazy about LotR as I am and that's cool

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