[BradyLS]

Many people are not aware that The Silmarillion as published is not the one that was floating in Tolkien's head. I think it best to ground one's self in what Tolkine really meant to put out there before delving into the mountains of literature that Tolkien left piled up in his house when he died.

Well, I can understand wanting to tackle The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings? before going on to The Silmarillion. But are you saying that The Silmarillion is of no use when discussing Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings?

[HairOfTheDog]

I think what he is saying is the Silmarillion was published from notes and rough drafts, after Tolkien's passing. Though it is still very much Tolkien's work, it was not necessarily in the condition that Tolkien would have published it, maybe not as polished or artful as it might have been... but I don't think that changes its worth. It is useful, but it wasn't finished. There may have been more that was never written, and some of what was written may have just been notes that wouldn't have made it to a novel. It is something to keep in mind, not something used to discredit it. I don't think.

[The Iguana]

Well, I can understand wanting to tackle The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings? before going on to The Silmarillion. But are you saying that The Silmarillion is of no use when discussing Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings?

Absolutely not.

I just caution against making TS one's first point of introduction to Tolkien's world.

It's less accessible - and it's all posthumous.

For those who love Middle Earth, however (as I do), it is indispensible.