I am eager for your next post on this topic for I find your insights thought provoking. Fox was the only one on this board that enjoyed talking Tolkien. I too have more to say but little time to say it in.

The first two times I read it I enjoyed it but couldn't wrap my head around it. The syntax can be frustrating. My brain does pick up on it like other authors' syntax can.

I have heard as well that Tolkien wanted to create a mythos for Britain an complete agree on the unavoidable hollowness of the task.

Still, since I love LOTR (I used to read it every June for about 25 years), the Silmarillian gave me a greater appreciation of the characters deep motivations. I think having that multi-thousand year history makes LOTR enjoyable even if you don't know it. You feel it the very first time you read LOTR, this sense that this is a small part of a very big story.

As for the other books that Christopher Tolkien has edited and published, I really haven't read them. Bits and pieces here and there, but that's it.

However, I must be honest with you. I've read The Silmarillian more than three times. Re-reading really good books is my personal guilty pleasure.

(note: original comment was trashed and reposted to fix subject line typo.)