The Children of Hurin by J.R.R. Tolkien
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Book Reviews of The Children of Hurin
Book Review: Review of the Children of Hurin
Summary: 5 Stars
The coming holiday season, especially Yule, is a very appropriate time to enjoy The Children of Hurin, by J.R.R. Tolkien---the first complete book by Tolkien since The Silmarillion in 1977.
Tolkien had started the story before 1920 and made several revisions after, but did not finish it before his death in 1973. His son Christopher edited the manuscripts and was able to complete the tale.
The time of the story is from the First Age of Middle-Earth---before that of Frodo, Bilbo, Gandalf, The Hobbit and the The Lord of the Rings. Morgoth, the first Dark Lord, is trying to conquer Middle Earth, but is being resisted by the Elves and, eventually, Men. Hurin is the first Man to defy Morgoth, and for that, Morgoth places a curse upon Hurin and his family. This curse affects Hurin's son, Turin, and his daughter Nienor, and most of the book focuses on the struggles of his children.
This is a much darker tale than Lord of the Rings, and traits and concepts that seem forgotten in today's time, such as honor, luck, valor, loyalty, courage, and duty, play great roles in the story. Even the style of writing harkens back to a time long forgotten, yet is somehow familiar and elemental and right. Thus it is perhaps not a light reading, but one that is nevertheless very satisfying.
(reviewed by Kendall Giles)
Book Review: In the vein of Norse Tragedy
Summary: 5 Stars
Wonderful story. Parts are, yes, a little dry and "Old Testament-like", but that is the material point I think. This is an old tale of heroes and dragons, good and evil, etc etc. in the vein of old Norse and Scandinavian sagas. Turin is a tragically flawed hero, much like Hamlet or Achilles, and his own faults lead to his downfall, coupled with a fate he cannot escape. I don't think people give this book enough of a chance. They may not have the "humanizing" touch of LOTR or the Hobbit, but it's not supposed to. This book is supposed to have an epic feel, an archaic feel; something wondrous and tragic. If you buy it do not assume it is another tale of adventure. This is a solemn book about fate and choices and sorrow, not hobbits on treasure hunts. Do keep that in mind, and do give it a chance.Book Review: Very engaging. A book for Tolkien fans and lovers of Medieval style lore.
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the first Tolkien book that I have read since the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. I found it engaging and exciting. I had to get by, as some critics noted, the long list of who's who in Middle Earth (I am not into ME lore), but gliding through the names and their lineage I was well rewarded. The personalities are well developed. The story is very dark and tragic with interesting insight by the author on human, Dwarfish and Elvish behavior. This book is a good stand alone book, I enjoyed it without having read the other posthumously published works.Book Review: A tragedy for the ages
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a very, very dark epic, not like The Lord of the Rings at all. Nonetheless, if you like Tolkien's other works, The Children of Hurin is worth a try. It explores the earlier ages of Middle Earth, particularly the story of Turin as described in The Silmarillion.
The story emphasizes key Tolkien themes like honor, oaths, tragedy - and, of course, dragons. Hurin, a noble king, is kidnapped by the evil lord Morgoth. When he refuses to reveal the location of an elven stronghold, Morgoth curses his children. The story follows Hurin's son, Turin, and his trials. The story of Turin is overwhelmingly depressing, with tragedy heaped upon tragedy. He accidentally kills his best friend, makes love to his sister, and eventually begs for death. Think Oedipus meets Aragorn. It is a pretty original and exciting story, but you'll definitely need some prozac after finishing.
Tolkien believed the book wasn't fit for publication because the prose was dry and stilted at times, and I have to agree. However, it also gives the book an archaic flavor. You really feel like you're reading an ancient story, not just a fantasy novel. I'll admit that The Children of Hurin is a tough read, but it is worth your effort.
I disagree with some of the reviewers here in that I think it is extremely helpful, if not necessary, to have read the The Silmarillion first. While The Children of Hurin stands alone as a story, it does reference characters in The Silmarillion, particularly Morgoth and several of the Vallar. What I would recommend is reading The Silmarillion up until the chapter about Hurin and Turin, and then switch to reading this book.
Book Review: The Story of Turin in its Completest Form
Summary: 4 Stars
This is the latest book to be published under Tolkien's name. It is the story of Húrin and his family, and the curse laid upon them by Morgoth. It's one of the most tragic stories that Tolkien ever wrote, and it is appearing now in its most complete form, since its first appearance in The Silmarillion.
Húrin starts out as the lord of Dor-lómin, an enclave of Men in the north of Beleriand, but is captured by Morgoth after The Battle of Unnumbered Tears, who questions him about the whereabouts of the hidden kingdom of Gondolin, where he knew Húrin had been. When Húrin refuses to talk, Morgoth sets him at the top of Thangorodrim and curses him and his family. His plan is that Húrin should know all that his family suffers because of his defiance.
This curse follows Húrin's son, Turin, his wife, Morwen, and even his unborn daughter, Nienor for the rest of their lives. But it is not simply that Morgoth assails Turin and his family with war and pestilence. Tolkien ensures that the curse works in a much more subtle way: through the twists of fate, the rash decisions they make, and the very stubbornness of their natures. Because of all of these things, evil befalls all of them.
The book mainly follows Turin's adventures, as he becomes a great warrior, an outlaw, and a dragon-slayer. The black fate that follows him, as he seems to carry the brunt of Morgoth's curse, eventually consumes him and his family. It is said in some of Tolkien's other writings as they appear in The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales, that the sufferings of Húrin's family, particularly of Turin and Nienor are considered one of Morgoth's worst crimes, and that when the end of the world finally comes, Turin will be the one to defeat Morgoth in battle and finally vanquish him forever.
This book is a relief to many of Tolkien's fans, as it relates the story of Turin in an easy to follow narrative, as opposed to the broken writings of earlier publications. The illustrations by Alan Lee are beautiful, the writing is fluid, and the story is more realized than it has ever been. Now, if only Christopher Tolkien can do the same thing for the story of Beren and Lúthien...