The Children Of Hurin by JRR Tolkien

Rating 6.5/10

A worthwhile read for die-hard Tolkien fans. Middle-earth's pre-history.

The Children of Hurin is the bringing together of many of JRR Tolkien's unfinished works by his son Christopher 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 definitely a few chapters within The Children of Hurin which make reading it a worthwhile venture for die-hard fans and newcomers alike.

Purchase options

Paperback/hardback (Amazon)

Kindle ebook (Amazon)

Audiobook (Amazon/Audible)

Hurin from Middle-earth

10-stars

This is my favourite out of all the other Tolkien books I've read. I felt sad at the end, it was that well written also you get to see a little into the First Age. I think it is a masterpiece, the story is amazing.

2012-04-23 | Have Your Say

pippin from shire

10-stars

are you kidding me ollie! i cried at the end of this from how strong the end is. why make tolkien lovers mad by giving one of his books a bad review? i thouht lord of the rings is a little better, but this book is still wonderful!

2012-03-01 | Have Your Say

Fea from Kuuliakis

8-stars

Then, Ollie from Nottingham, I look forward to reading your son's novels - he'll be one of the greatest writers the world has ever seen!

2012-03-01 | Have Your Say

Mimi from Manila

9-stars

For JRRT die-hard fans. People who aren't into Middle-Earth so much would not appreciate the beauty of the story as much as a die-hard would. Anyways, it's a masterpiece just the same. Tolkien never gave us less.

2012-03-01 | Have Your Say

Antonio from Itality

7-stars

An orotund, serious, grim tale which discourages fans but awakens those most puritanical. Above all this, The Children of Húrin is a book of conspicuous magnitude and scholarliness.

2012-03-01 | Have Your Say

Omarion from Dublin

8-stars

This book is a masterpiece, and a seven-year can not even be close to be writing one of these very good Tolkien fantasies, the ending is somewhat sad and the beginning is somewhat boring but the book over all is very good for people that understand it.

2012-03-01 | Have Your Say

Ollie from Nottingham

1-stars