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on April 16, 2017
In short, The Children of Húrin is very Tolkien... but much more dark/grim than most people have read. I own the Alan Lee illustrated version and the audiobook narrated by none other than Saruman-actor Christopher Lee. Extremely dark! A dense read made easier by the narration and tenor of Lee. Listening to C.Lee while looking at A.Lee's illustrations is a great experience.
If anyone thinks JRR only wrote happy fairytales, then they will be surprised by this ultradark tale. On the other hand, Tolkien-tropes/style are still very much present:
1) A dragon, Glaurong, terrorizes Middle Earth (reminiscent of Smaug in the Hobbit)
2) Evil villain-god Glaurong is a servant of Morgoth, once named Melkor whose lieutenant Sauron appears in LOTR; Morgoth has a large role in this book.
3) Forbidden man and elf-woman relationships, in this case Turin has a few relationships with women, and elves, but one relationship echoes that of Aragorn & Arwen from LOTR ... which echoes that of Bereth and Luthien in and Tale of Tunuviel
4) Abandoned Dwarf place: in the Hobbit and LOTR we were treated to ruined Dwarf holds (Erebor and the Mines of Moria); here we have the petty-dwarf Mim and his abandoned hold Amon Rûdh.
5) Secretive Elf places: in the Hobbit and LTOR, we had Rivendell and Lothlórien... here we are graced with Doriath and Nargothrond)
These Tolkien-tropes reinforced my take on the Hobbit and LOTR's themes; if you've read those and are entertaining reading the Silmarillion, I suggest reading Hurin first. It is easier to read than The Silmarillion and expands the milieu well.
The Children of Húrin really extends the World of the Hobbit and Return of the King. Easier to read than the Similarion, but still pretty thick. From this I learned lots of nuances (like Elrond is half-human). Would make an awesome movie (which will not happen :( ). Highly recommended.
If anyone thinks JRR only wrote happy fairytales, then they will be surprised by this ultradark tale. On the other hand, Tolkien-tropes/style are still very much present:
1) A dragon, Glaurong, terrorizes Middle Earth (reminiscent of Smaug in the Hobbit)
2) Evil villain-god Glaurong is a servant of Morgoth, once named Melkor whose lieutenant Sauron appears in LOTR; Morgoth has a large role in this book.
3) Forbidden man and elf-woman relationships, in this case Turin has a few relationships with women, and elves, but one relationship echoes that of Aragorn & Arwen from LOTR ... which echoes that of Bereth and Luthien in and Tale of Tunuviel
4) Abandoned Dwarf place: in the Hobbit and LOTR we were treated to ruined Dwarf holds (Erebor and the Mines of Moria); here we have the petty-dwarf Mim and his abandoned hold Amon Rûdh.
5) Secretive Elf places: in the Hobbit and LTOR, we had Rivendell and Lothlórien... here we are graced with Doriath and Nargothrond)
These Tolkien-tropes reinforced my take on the Hobbit and LOTR's themes; if you've read those and are entertaining reading the Silmarillion, I suggest reading Hurin first. It is easier to read than The Silmarillion and expands the milieu well.
The Children of Húrin really extends the World of the Hobbit and Return of the King. Easier to read than the Similarion, but still pretty thick. From this I learned lots of nuances (like Elrond is half-human). Would make an awesome movie (which will not happen :( ). Highly recommended.
on November 2, 2016
Stop reading this review and buy this book! If you're a fan of any of Tolkien's other works, you will like this story as well, but be warned! This is a story of tragedy, for when Hurin defied Morgoth's will he put a doom on the Children of Hurin, and such is the content of this work.
on May 20, 2017
Was I just asked to rate Tolkien's writing? Come on now, Amazon.
Anyway, The Children of Hurin. This is not LOTR or The Hobbit: it's more along the lines of The Silmarillion. The story was an interesting glimpse into the world Tolkien painstakingly created around LOTR and it was fascinating to read. I dove into The Silmarillion right after finishing this story (it's really too short to be called a book) because I was in the mood for more Tolkien and wanted to see how The Children of Hurin fit in with what I remembered of The Silmarillion (which I had previously begun, but not finished). I think the style of writing (different from either LOTR or The Hobbit) provided a good transition into the heavier Silmarillion and I was able to dig in and enjoy the entire book this time around. Definitely worth reading if you're a Tolkien fan.
Anyway, The Children of Hurin. This is not LOTR or The Hobbit: it's more along the lines of The Silmarillion. The story was an interesting glimpse into the world Tolkien painstakingly created around LOTR and it was fascinating to read. I dove into The Silmarillion right after finishing this story (it's really too short to be called a book) because I was in the mood for more Tolkien and wanted to see how The Children of Hurin fit in with what I remembered of The Silmarillion (which I had previously begun, but not finished). I think the style of writing (different from either LOTR or The Hobbit) provided a good transition into the heavier Silmarillion and I was able to dig in and enjoy the entire book this time around. Definitely worth reading if you're a Tolkien fan.
on December 7, 2015
If you are a LOTR fan, you've got to read this! Its readability is about the same as the trilogy (ok, maybe a little slower), but definitely easier to read than the Silmarillion. It's great for reading aloud to other people, but I don't expect children under 10 to love it (the Hobbit would work better in that case). The writing is polished and the characters are developed and interesting. The main plot was not too surprising -- it features a classic tragic hero trajectory. Keep in mind that this is Christopher Tolkien's work, and it is consistent with his father's style (bittersweet endings, very nostalgic, good versus evil, predictable outcomes). This book doesn't have the "every character you ever loved might die brutally" plot twists that George R. R. Martin loves to employ, because this story isn't about shocking/complex plots, but rather, the slow unfolding of a character's life. It really is quite beautiful.
on December 10, 2012
I have become a Tolkien nut over the last 5 years and when this book was recommended to me, I was happy to see it on Kindle.
This is a wonderfully told tale of tragedy told in a way only Tolkien could tell it. It takes place in the First Age of Middle Earth and adds to the rich deep history that is only scratched in Hobbit/LOtR.
I dont want to give the story away, but I will say, if you are at all a fan of Tolkien's work, interested in more of the rich history of Middle Earth (and beyond) you will like this book.
I am not a scholar or anything like that like some of these other reviewers seem to be, just a regular guy that likes fantasy type stuff like this.
The story itself it dark. There are few, if any, happy moments. Much of it is written in a more "Old Testament" style with "thees and thous" and such and the dialogues are that somewhat "extended style" where many words are used to say something seemingly simple. But it fits within the story and makes you feel as if you are reading some ancient history writings. This story is supposed to be many thousands of years ago (LOtR 3rd/ 4th age most are familiar with) and when you read it, it feels like it (in a good way). If you have some extended (beyond high school level) education in English and literature it wont be difficult to follow, but younger readers may find it so.
I find it refreshing to read something that satisfies my fantasy appetite without feeling like I am reading children's books or losing a few IQ points with some of the more "modern" styles I have come across.
This is a great story, and a great read for fans of Tolkien, just know that it isn't the feel good story of the year, or another book for your "tween" once they finished all the Harry Potter or Twilight novels (but maybe they should:))
This is a wonderfully told tale of tragedy told in a way only Tolkien could tell it. It takes place in the First Age of Middle Earth and adds to the rich deep history that is only scratched in Hobbit/LOtR.
I dont want to give the story away, but I will say, if you are at all a fan of Tolkien's work, interested in more of the rich history of Middle Earth (and beyond) you will like this book.
I am not a scholar or anything like that like some of these other reviewers seem to be, just a regular guy that likes fantasy type stuff like this.
The story itself it dark. There are few, if any, happy moments. Much of it is written in a more "Old Testament" style with "thees and thous" and such and the dialogues are that somewhat "extended style" where many words are used to say something seemingly simple. But it fits within the story and makes you feel as if you are reading some ancient history writings. This story is supposed to be many thousands of years ago (LOtR 3rd/ 4th age most are familiar with) and when you read it, it feels like it (in a good way). If you have some extended (beyond high school level) education in English and literature it wont be difficult to follow, but younger readers may find it so.
I find it refreshing to read something that satisfies my fantasy appetite without feeling like I am reading children's books or losing a few IQ points with some of the more "modern" styles I have come across.
This is a great story, and a great read for fans of Tolkien, just know that it isn't the feel good story of the year, or another book for your "tween" once they finished all the Harry Potter or Twilight novels (but maybe they should:))
on April 22, 2017
When Húrin crosses the path of Morgoth, the Black Enemy, he is imprisoned and a curse placed upon his heirs. The book, in the usual pattern of a Greek tragedy, shows the life of Túrin and Niënor, in their separate paths, until they reunite in the most tragic way possible.
Adapted from the early works of J. R. R. Tolkien by his son Christopher, this paints a more compelling and expanded tale than what is found in the Silmarillion, but nevertheless a great work which must be read by fans of the genre and of the Tolkien lore.
Recommended.
Adapted from the early works of J. R. R. Tolkien by his son Christopher, this paints a more compelling and expanded tale than what is found in the Silmarillion, but nevertheless a great work which must be read by fans of the genre and of the Tolkien lore.
Recommended.
on March 29, 2017
This is such a great piece from Tolkien that's not too well known. His writing is so cogent and the stories are fascinating. For example (SPOILERS), one instance has the character chasing after another for wronging him. The offending character is basically being chased at sword-point COMPLETELY NAKED through the woods as the offended character is trying to scare him to teach a lesson. Well, the offending character ends up running off a cliff and dying. The fact that this is the great Lord of the Rings professor Tolkien is what makes it even more hysterical. Check this out if you want a good read.
on November 17, 2016
This is a flushed out tale from The Silmarillion. If you've read The Silmarillion and enjoyed this tale buy the book. It is well written and is an engaging story.
As an added bonus, the audio book is narrated by Christopher Lee, the actor who played Saruman in LOTR.
As an added bonus, the audio book is narrated by Christopher Lee, the actor who played Saruman in LOTR.
on March 3, 2017
If you long for a story of uplift and hope, this is not it. A tale of woe and loss from beginning to end. Well written in the style of one recounting a history it delves into the background of middle earth without tying into the Lord of the rings except as one may recall references in that tome.
