The Children of Hurin by J.R.R. Tolkien
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Book Reviews of The Children of Hurin
Book Review: Posthumous "Practice Book"
Summary: 1 Stars
I just finished reading The Children of Hurin by J.R.R. Tolkien. The experience of reading this book brings to mind a long held belief of mine. Namely, that books that are published posthumously in the name of a well-known author were not published in the author's lifetime for good reason.
If a well-known author has a book that they feel is worthwhile they will publish it in their own lifetime. Books published by relatives or estates at a later time are almost always an attempt to 'cash in' on the fame of the deceased relative, however well-meaning they might seem.
Now this might be different in the case of an author who was little-known in their lifetime, or who found fame only late in life. They might still have 'unpublished jewels' among their effects. However, I believe that a well established and popular author has every chance to publish anything note-worthy once they are successful. If they have not published something that they formerly wrote, we can assume that they consider that work to be a "practice book" and not one they want brandished about in their name!
This is what I think J.R.R. Tolkien would feel about The Children of Hurin; no doubt a 'practice book' that he had no intention of publishing once he discovered his wonderful literary voice and story telling ability.
If you pick up this book expecting to hear more wonderful tales from J.R.R. Tolkien, the great story teller who we all know and love, you will be greatly disappointed!
Book Review: Impossible to read. Like the parts of the old testament that bored you to tears
Summary: 1 Stars
This book is amazingly terrible. I picked it up thinking it was going to be like the "lord of the rings", which i loved. It wasnt
In reality, if the lord of hte rings is like "tom clancy", this book is like a mistranslated 18th century copy of the really boring parts of the old testament.
It is written in an amazingly out of date style, kind of a weird third person. There are PAGES of "herengebold married therenfellen, and they begat shinzabar, who was a warrior king, who after warring in the west, he begat thooflinabor by way of herrenfarvegnugen". Pages of it. and NONE OF THESE PEOPLE MATTER. There is geneology upon geneology of people who then NEVER reappear anywhere else in the story. I started skipping pages upon pages, and it didnt matter- since there is almost no real plot, you can skip around all you want. The fact that no human could ever remember the geneologies doesnt matter, because these characters dont actually a) reappear or b) have personalities.
This is some sort of weird attempt at an alternative archaic history- but who actually reads archaic history? the lord of the rigns is AMAZING- this is like LOTR's version of the old testatment "begat" section- we dont read OUR begat secton, why should we read Gandalfs?
It is hard for me to say this, but this book is one of the biggest disappoinments ever- i actually threw it out ceremonially.
Book Review: WOULDNT KNOW ABOUT THE CHILDREN OF HURIN
Summary: 1 Stars
I WOULDNT KNOW HOW THE BOOK IS SINCE I STILL HAVE YET TO RECEIVE IT. I WAS CHARGED AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN HERE ABOUT 8 DAYS AGO. I EMAILED THE COMPANY AND GOT NO RESPONSE. SINCE THE BOOK WAS A SURPRISE FOR MY HUSBAND, I WOULD RATHER HAVE IT, BUT IF I CAN'T GET A RESPONSE, THEN A REFUND WILL BE NECESSARY!