The Silmarillion Illustrated Edition by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Silmarillion is J.R.R. Tolkien’s history of Middle-earth’s earlier Ages, presented here as an illustrated edition with artwork attributed to Tolkien. It combines creation mythology, the story of Númenor and accounts of the First Age, offering substantial context for readers of The Lord of the Rings. Customer feedback praises its detailed world-building but notes that it can be difficult to follow.

At a glance

Covers the rebellion of Fëanor and the history of the First Age of Middle-earth.
Also includes the Ainulindalë, Valaquenta, Akallabêth and Of the Rings of Power.
The edition description says it includes Tolkien’s paintings and drawings, a 1951 letter as an introduction and sprayed edges.
The listing describes the complete text as printed in two colours.

Price

£27.00Save 40%

Reference price: ~~£45.00~~

Price checked: 12 Nov 2026

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Often bought together

The Hobbit: The enchanting children’s classic with beautiful illustrations from the creator of the Moomins.

£19.99

The Lord of the Rings: The Classic Bestselling Fantasy Novel

£37.42

Pros and cons

Pros

Provides substantial background to Middle-earth and events referred to in The Lord of the Rings.
Includes several shorter works alongside the main history.
Tolkien’s artwork and the introductory letter give this edition additional material beyond the text.

Cons

The layered history and dense detail may be challenging to follow, as some customers report.

Technical specifications

9 specifications

Publication
Edition	Illustrated edition
Publisher	HarperCollins
Publication date	10 Nov. 2022
Language	English
Print length	448 pages
ISBN-10	0008537895
ISBN-13	978-0008537890

Dimensions and weight
Dimensions	14.9 x 4.1 x 22.8 cm
Weight listed	294 g

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Tolkien readers wanting background on Middle-earth’s earlier Ages.
Readers interested in the history, mythology and creation stories behind The Lord of the Rings.
Collectors looking for an illustrated edition featuring artwork attributed to Tolkien.

Less suited to

Readers looking for a light, straightforward fantasy narrative or an easy entry point into Tolkien’s world.

The Silmarillion Illustrated Edition by J.R.R. Tolkien · photo 2 — Additional product photo 2

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.7 / 5 · 23,671 ratings

5 stars80%80%
4 stars13%13%
3 stars6%6%
2 stars1%1%
1 star0%0%

Customer feedback describes this edition as an essential source of Middle-earth backstory and history, especially for Tolkien fans, and praises its detailed, informative content. Some readers find it hard to follow, so its extensive historical scope may be rewarding for readers seeking context but less approachable for those wanting a simple narrative. The listing describes 448 pages and includes several related works.

Positive themes

Customers value its extensive Middle-earth backstory and detailed content.
Feedback particularly highlights its interest for Tolkien fans and readers wanting more context for The Lord of the Rings.

Negative themes

Some customers find the book hard to follow.

Mixed feedback

Readability is a mixed point: readers praise its detail and information, while some find its scope difficult to navigate.

Frequently asked questions

What stories and material does The Silmarillion include?

Alongside the history of the rebellion of Fëanor and the First Age, the listing names the Ainulindalë, Valaquenta, Akallabêth and Of the Rings of Power.

Does this edition include Tolkien’s artwork?

The edition description says it presents Tolkien’s paintings and drawings throughout, and also mentions a 1951 letter as an introduction and sprayed edges.

Is The Silmarillion an easy read?

Customer feedback describes it as detailed and valuable for Tolkien fans, while some readers find it hard to follow. Its broad historical scope may suit readers prepared for dense world-building.