When I was a young man I tried to read The Silmarillion and did not finish it. I wanted to understand, to link together, to track everything like there was going to be a test.

Years later I picked it up again. There was an introduction that stated that the book has errors. There were contradictions from one story to another. That the book is best read for the enjoyment of the stories, not to learn and study.

So I read it again. And I count it as one of the 5 best books I've ever read.