The Children Of Hurin by JRR Tolkien
Summary
Just read the Silmarillion instead.
The Children of Hurin is the bringing together of many of JRR Tolkien's unfinished works by his son Cristopher Tolkien.
There are tales of Middle-earth from times long before the Lord of the Rings, and the story told in this book is set in the great country that lay beyond the Grey Havens in the West: lands where Treebeard once walked, but which were drowned in the great cataclysm that ended the First Age of the World.
Unfortunately The Children of Hurin does not give us much of what we have no already had. The Silmarillion was excellent, in its own dry way, of providing Tolkien fans with the pre-history that they so badly wanted.
However, what The Children of Hurin does do is expand upon stories only lightly touched upon in The Silmarillion. The Fall of Nargothrand is arguably the highlight of the book.
Then Turin, being yet bemused by the eyes of the dragon, as if he were treating with a foe that could know pity, believed the words of Glaurung, and turning away he sped over the bridge. But as he went, Glaurung spoke behind him, saying in a fell voice: 'Haste you now, son of Hurin, to Dorlomin! Or perhaps the Orcs shall come before you, once again. And if you tarry for Finduilas, then never shall you see Morwen or Nienor again; and they will curse you.'
The Children of Hurin: The Fall Of Nargothrand
This publication has received much criticism with some saying that it is purely cashing in on the Tolkien "brand". I feel this is a bit harsh and that the book does serve a purpose and it is evident that a lot of care and dedication went into the editing of this work.
I would still recommend that one wishing to understand the pre-history of Tolkien's world would be better served by reading The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales but there are definately a few chapters within The Children of Hurin which make reading it a worthwhile venture for die-hard fans and newcomers alike.
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Ollie from Nottingham
Horrible... I would give it 0 if I could. My 7 year old brother can write better stories than this...
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