Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
Edited by: Christopher Tolkien
Edited by: Christopher Tolkien
Originally published : 2007
Length: 320 pages
Personal Enjoyment Rating: 4/5
Amazon Rating: 4/5 (288 Customer Reviews)
Goodreads: 2,480 ratings, 3.78 average rating
Length: 320 pages
Personal Enjoyment Rating: 4/5
Amazon Rating: 4/5 (288 Customer Reviews)
Goodreads: 2,480 ratings, 3.78 average rating
In the past I've experimented with four-word reviews and seven-word reviews. Well, a two-word review kept popping into my head while I read this one:
Fate sucks.
Just ask Turin and Nienor, the children of the the stalwart Hurin, who refuses to submit when captured by the evil Morgoth. Morgoth answers Hurin's mockery with a curse upon his offspring: "The shadow of my thought shall lie upon them wherever they go, and my hate shall pursue them to the ends of the world." Wherever they go, evil will arise. . .
And that's what the story is about--the dark fate that Turin cannot escape, no matter how many times he changes his name (which is, like, six times.) His inability to avoid hurting those he loves the most. His efforts to avenge his missing father, only to play right into the hands of Morgoth. A tragedy worthy of the Greeks, The Children of Hurin is the antithesis of the "feel-good" novel.
The big question concerning this posthumous work of Tolkien's is of course whether or not you need to be a fan of The Lord of the Rings to appreciate it. As a fan of both the series and movies, I would say yes. The experience of getting another glimpse of Middle Earth, aided by the stunning illustrations of Stan Lee, carried me through sometimes stiff writing, and the excess of names, place-names and foreboding adages. I can't imagine finding much satisfaction without having been a part of Tolkien's world before, and having a desire to "escape" there if only for a brief time. I do get the impression from the introductory commentary that I would have appreciated it even more if I had read The Silmarillion. Another one to add to my TBR list.
My notes, mostly just chapter summaries, can be found here.
Other thoughts:
Book Nook Club
The Wertzone
Stainless Steel Droppings
Jule's Book Reviews
If you've reviewed this, let me know and I'll add the link!
And that's what the story is about--the dark fate that Turin cannot escape, no matter how many times he changes his name (which is, like, six times.) His inability to avoid hurting those he loves the most. His efforts to avenge his missing father, only to play right into the hands of Morgoth. A tragedy worthy of the Greeks, The Children of Hurin is the antithesis of the "feel-good" novel.
The big question concerning this posthumous work of Tolkien's is of course whether or not you need to be a fan of The Lord of the Rings to appreciate it. As a fan of both the series and movies, I would say yes. The experience of getting another glimpse of Middle Earth, aided by the stunning illustrations of Stan Lee, carried me through sometimes stiff writing, and the excess of names, place-names and foreboding adages. I can't imagine finding much satisfaction without having been a part of Tolkien's world before, and having a desire to "escape" there if only for a brief time. I do get the impression from the introductory commentary that I would have appreciated it even more if I had read The Silmarillion. Another one to add to my TBR list.
My notes, mostly just chapter summaries, can be found here.
Other thoughts:
Book Nook Club
The Wertzone
Stainless Steel Droppings
Jule's Book Reviews
If you've reviewed this, let me know and I'll add the link!
