Painstakingly restored from Tolkien's manuscripts and presented for the first time as a fully continuous and standalone story, the epic tale of The...
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Jun 05, 2008
Jake
rated it: 
It has been said that all good things must come to an end. In this case, the end of Children of Hurin also marks the end of my quest to read a book by each of my five favorite authors. It seems like a fitting way to end this journey, in that Tolkien is the oldest of my favorites, and if there was ever a modern author suited to end-of-quest tales, it was Tolkien. He was also the author on my list that gave me the greatest concern—not only has he passed away, but his body of published work is rela
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(22 people liked it)
Sep 03, 2007
Beggs
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The Children of Hurin is not a for people who saw the Lord of the Rings movies and then read the book. It's for hardcore fans. The people who remember all the names from the The Silmarillion. Or for the few people out there who reread Beowulf a lot. The Children of Hurin reads like a Nordic Saga.
As a self proclaimed Tolkien Fanatic I enjoyed The Children or Hurin. The Heroic, epic and ultimately tragic life of Turin and his sisters. It's not more The Lord of the Rings but it co More...
As a self proclaimed Tolkien Fanatic I enjoyed The Children or Hurin. The Heroic, epic and ultimately tragic life of Turin and his sisters. It's not more The Lord of the Rings but it co More...
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(9 people liked it)
Feb 14, 2008
Carter
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Dec 15, 2008
Aldean
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As a general rule I try to write my reviews "in a vacuum" as much as possible, that is, before I read through the other reviews already here. I am not going to be able to do that here. I have spent more than twenty years with this story (since my mother first read the Unfinished Tales version aloud to me when I was eight years old), and if Christopher Tolkien had not put this volume together, I might have eventually had the hubris to do so myself.
Let me start by making a c More...
Let me start by making a c More...
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Apr 28, 2008
Dustin
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Having read most of Christopher Tolkien's other editions of his father's work, I was eager to read this prose rendering of the Narn i Chin Hurin, which may be familiar to anyone who has read the Silmarillion, or any of the Lost Tales/Unfinished Tales/History of Middle Earth volumes.
What always strikes me about the early writings of Tolkein's (JRR, not Christopher) is the love and tenderness with which he writes his characters. No matter how awful their acts, whether voluntary or fat More...
What always strikes me about the early writings of Tolkein's (JRR, not Christopher) is the love and tenderness with which he writes his characters. No matter how awful their acts, whether voluntary or fat More...
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Jun 21, 2008
Andrew
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So, I decided to take the next step of Tolkien nerdom and read one of his non-Lord of the Rings books. At first I was emotionally detached from this story because, let's face it, Tolkien's never really been that great with character development. I was bored, and I thought I should probably quit. But I persevered. Good thing I did! The last half of the book picks up speed, and it turns into something reminiscent of a Greek tragedy - which is something I did not expect. It shocked me, disturbed me
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Jan 04, 2012
reinaj
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I could’ve read this book in one sitting if I had the luxury of time. Like everything I’ve read of Tolkien so far (The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings), I found it engrossing and hard to put down. But don’t expect to have an experience similar to that of reading LOTR. Just as The Hobbit should not be compared in merit with LOTR, so shouldn’t this one, for though they come from the same world (Middle Earth), they’re entirely of different species (much like Elves, Dwarves and Men).
I knew ev More...
I knew ev More...
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(2 people liked it)
Apr 06, 2008
Heather
rated it: 
This book is only for the serious JRR Tolkien fan. If you've read the Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, Silmarillion, and still want more, then you will probably be interested in this book. It is very different than the above books though. The Hobbit is a very easy read, written for a young audience. Lord of the Rings is a long tale, but keeps you drawn in til the end. The Silmarillion is incredibly complex, and difficult to read, yet fascinating because of all of the history of Middle Earth that
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(4 people liked it)
Jan 14, 2008
Lauren
rated it:
Now, i am a huge fan of the Lord of the Rings trilogy but The Children of Hurin was sorely disappointing. Though i have to give Tolkien credit for starting a good story i would have to give his son two thumbs down in his editing abilities. I don't think i have ever read anything so coldly written in my life. There was no love in the book. I was depressed while reading it and had to make myself finish it. If there were more character building or even just some form of emotion aside from
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(3 people liked it)
Dec 11, 2007
Nick
rated it: 
This book, based on original manuscripts along with notes and other bits and pieces left by J.R.R. Tolkien, has been brought together into a coherant form by his son, Christopher Tolkien who has done so much good work to bring to light the other writings of Middle-Earth that were as important to Tolkien as his seminal works, The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.
This book sets out one of the longer so called "Lays of Beleriand", stories from that place in the west of Middle- More...
This book sets out one of the longer so called "Lays of Beleriand", stories from that place in the west of Middle- More...
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(1 person liked it)
Nov 05, 2007
Luis
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Of course as this book came as a must read for any Tolkien fan worth their salt. I bought this within a week of its premiere and while on vacation a few months back it became one of the key books during the trip. I wanted to relish in its reading and linger on the words and history of middle earth. One part of this book that bothered me may in fact be the fact that the book itself is rather short for a Tolkien work. Christopher Tolkien fingers are all over this work for it reads smoothly and ele
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Nov 14, 2008
Dan
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People seem to go both ways on this book, but I can only speak for myself: GREAT.
Great, great, great, great, great. As one who is among the (legions of) people who appreciate the character-driven, powerful portrayal of daily trials, personalities, and themes of friendship and loyalty found in The Lord of the Rings, and those (somewhat smaller number of) people who appreciated the sweeping, cataclysmic majesty of The Simarillion; The Children of Húrin is a most satisfying blend of th More...
Great, great, great, great, great. As one who is among the (legions of) people who appreciate the character-driven, powerful portrayal of daily trials, personalities, and themes of friendship and loyalty found in The Lord of the Rings, and those (somewhat smaller number of) people who appreciated the sweeping, cataclysmic majesty of The Simarillion; The Children of Húrin is a most satisfying blend of th More...
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(3 people liked it)
Aug 08, 2007
Silvercharmer
rated it:
Can you imagine my excitement over the prospect of more Tolkien material? The story itself appears in a briefer form in the Silmarillion, and here in it's longer form we get to dwell a lot more on what things were like in the First Age, when the Elves screwed everything up so royally it all had to be sunk beneath the sea. Seriously, for a race that is immortal and thus in theory hip to smart decisions vs. horrendous ones, the Elves FAIL miserably to do anything that ultimately turns out to be ri
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(2 people liked it)
Jul 10, 2007
Steven
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Christopher Tolkien does an excellent job sifting through his father's manuscripts to assemble the tragedy of Hurin -- the first of the three "Great Stories of Middle Earth" according to J. R. R. Tolkien -- into a single coherent narrative. The style and themes have more in common with Beowulf and other Nordic and Anglo-Saxon epics, than it does with the Lord of the Rings or the Hobbit. This is, after all, no children's story. Be advised, however, the first several pages (as is typical
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(1 person liked it)
Apr 10, 2008
ba
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As a teenager, I was a huge fan of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and fantasy books in general. But that was a long time ago. In the years between, I did read The Silmarillion, and did not enjoy it very much. So when I read that Mr. Tolkein's son had edited yet another book from his father's notes, I was wary. Having read some favorable reviews, I purchased the book, but it sat on my shelves many months as I tried to stave off the impending disappointment.
How wrong I was. I ve More...
How wrong I was. I ve More...
Jul 20, 2007
Joe
rated it:
The Children of Hurin will make you cry--it made me cry, and that's saying something. I cry rarely, and only when something is as touching as the movie "Cool Runnings".
If you love the Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit but have not been able to muster the patience and dedication it takes to read the Silmarillion, this book will inspire you to delve deeper into the ancient, tragic and glorious history of middle earth.
The story is one of Tolkien's "Great Tales" and t More...
If you love the Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit but have not been able to muster the patience and dedication it takes to read the Silmarillion, this book will inspire you to delve deeper into the ancient, tragic and glorious history of middle earth.
The story is one of Tolkien's "Great Tales" and t More...
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(1 person liked it)
Apr 04, 2008
Ceridwen
rated it:
All of Western thought may be footnote to Plato, but all Western fantasy is a footnote to Tolkien. A "new' book by Tolkien certainly is welcome, and it's interesting to be confronted by his somewhat staggering limitations as a novelist.
After reading the introduction by Chris Tolkien, JRR's editor/son, I learned that this story was severally written as alliterative verse, a lay, several snippets of notes, outlines, etc, and smoothed together later. It's episodic, and ends on an More...
After reading the introduction by Chris Tolkien, JRR's editor/son, I learned that this story was severally written as alliterative verse, a lay, several snippets of notes, outlines, etc, and smoothed together later. It's episodic, and ends on an More...
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Dec 12, 2008
Adam
rated it:
I'm always sketchy of posthumous Tolkien. It used to be because "it wasn't Lord of the Rings," but later it was because these works involved an awful lot of exposition, telling, and names.
Children of Hurin certainly starts this way (there are 12 names in the opening paragraph alone!), but a few pages in the story started for real. After that I couldn't put it down.
This book is dark and sad and really good. It feels powerful in a way that a lot of stories don't. More...
Children of Hurin certainly starts this way (there are 12 names in the opening paragraph alone!), but a few pages in the story started for real. After that I couldn't put it down.
This book is dark and sad and really good. It feels powerful in a way that a lot of stories don't. More...
Nov 14, 2008
Saved By Grace
rated it:
I was looking forward to reading this, because heck, Tolkien basically wrote it, his son just edited it, right? I was severely disappointed. Especially with the whole gloom and doom thing. I understand, there are many books out there like this and many people don't mind gloom and doom books. But I really couldn't stand it, and
***********SPOILER WARNING********************************
I thought the way Turin/Thurin died was More...
***********SPOILER WARNING********************************
I thought the way Turin/Thurin died was More...
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Dec 01, 2008
Valerie
rated it: 
Why did the family of Hurin wait so long before trying to find each other? To force the story line, that's why. Unless you are an extreme Tolkien fan, pass this one up!
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Apr 18, 2008
Michaela
rated it:
Well, I think without the quirky and down-to-earth Hobbits the plight of men and elves are just too SERIOUS. Although I know Tolkien enjoyed the creation of British Lore, this is a Greek tragedy . I felt so bored by the time the main character killed off the last of his friends. It's like speeding to the edge of a cliff, thinking how exciting it will be when the driver pulls off the side, only to find yourself toppling over the edge of the cliff to the canyon below..."but this was supposed
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May 11, 2011
Coligne
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[...] e se la vicenda di Bilbo, di frodo e di Aragorn è un mito, qui approdiamo al mito del mito.
Nella nota questo libro, Quirino Principe ci fa notare quello che secondo me è il nodo centrale della vicenda di Túrin: una leggenda, e come tale questa storia deve essere presa.</p>
Nella nota questo libro, Quirino Principe ci fa notare quello che secondo me è il nodo centrale della vicenda di Túrin: una leggenda, e come tale questa storia deve essere presa.</p>
La sotria ivi narrata non è altro che la versione riveduta-ed ampliata- del racconto già presente ne Il Silmarrilion e nei Racconti perduti.
La sostanziale differenza tra le tre versioni della storia, oltre alla sua
Feb 21, 2011
Tolkien Novice: I'm writing this review for those who have not yet strayed far from 'The Lord of the Ring' or 'The Hobbit'. Much like myself a couple of years ago you were probably swept up by the movies and decided to read the books. But now that the adventure is over your looking for more, let me take you by the hand and lead you down the dark and brooding path of middle-earth's past. But be warned, this journey should not be taken lightly for middle-earth is vast and varied, even more so than
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Mar 24, 2009
Tony
rated it:
The book opens with Hurin leaving his home at the request of the Elf Lords of Middle Earth to go to open battle against the first Dark Lord, Morgoth. A disastrous route ensues in which the armies of the Elf Lords are driven back (including the shining army of Gondolon). Hurin directs his men to act as a rear guard so Morgoth's army will be delayed long enough to not be able to chase the army of Gondolon, to its hidden valley. While commanding that force, Hurin is captured. Under torture from
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Feb 05, 2009
Shorter versions of Hurin first appeared in The Silmarillion (1977) and Unfinished Tales (1980); finally, fans of Middle-earth can read this fine addition to Tolkien's fantasy oeuvre in entirety. Hurin, illustrated by Alan Lee, is a dark, tragic tale. Readers expecting the good-trumps-evil trajectory of Lord of the Rings will instead discover Trin, a complex, tormented antihero, and Tolkien's bleak, darker side. (Think dragons over hobbits.) Critics mostly quibbled with the accessibility of the
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Dec 21, 2008
Angela
rated it:
I promised earlier this year that I'd write about this book, and now I finally can! I'd had to read it in bits and pieces, since I didn't dare take it out of the house or into the bath as part of my usual reading cycle. It's such a lovely volume that I was scared to death of damaging it!
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is reason number one that you should have this book. Even completely aside from the words it contains, this book is a work of art. I've long heard people speak of the phy More...
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is reason number one that you should have this book. Even completely aside from the words it contains, this book is a work of art. I've long heard people speak of the phy More...
Jan 09, 2012
Paul
rated it:
by J. R. R. Tolkien, edited by Christopher Tolkien, published in 2007.
The works of J. R. R. Tolkien are so well known worldwide that I hardly have to mention the fact, but “The Children Of Hurin” is not so well known at all - at least not until now.
Some of the tale is told in “Unfinished Tales Volume 1" and “The Silmarillion”, but nothing like it is presented here in “The Children Of Hurin” - and I”m very glad I have it to read now.
Written in bits and pieces st More...
The works of J. R. R. Tolkien are so well known worldwide that I hardly have to mention the fact, but “The Children Of Hurin” is not so well known at all - at least not until now.
Some of the tale is told in “Unfinished Tales Volume 1" and “The Silmarillion”, but nothing like it is presented here in “The Children Of Hurin” - and I”m very glad I have it to read now.
Written in bits and pieces st More...
Dec 28, 2011
dragonhelmuk
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Nov 08, 2011
Asya
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The Children of Hurin was a much awaited book published well after the death of J.R.R. Tolkien and edited by Christopher Tolkien. I was excitedly looking forward to this book and was disappointed that I wasn’t quickly drawn into the story like with the Hobbit or the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I grappled with the extensive ancestries and the unfamiliar realms that were to have preexisted Middle-earth, the setting of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. Often I found that I had to reread passages bec
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Oct 17, 2011
Christopher
rated it:
A very impressive novel of the first age of Middle-Earth long before "The Hobbit" or "The Lord of the Rings." In this novel, Christopher Tolkien has finally edited (all of this was written in an unfinished form by J.R.R. Tolkien before his death) a tale from his father's mythology that is accessible for all readers and not just the super fans. You don't even need to have read "The Silmarillion" or any of Tolkien's other works in order to enjoy this. True, if you've
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