Tolkien, J.R.R-- The Children of Húrin informal buddy read starts July 5, 2018

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

This thread is open to discuss The Children of Húrin by J.R.R. Tolkien.



Synopsis
Tolkien fans are sure to treasure this tale of Middle-earth's First Age, which appeared in incomplete forms in the posthumously published The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales. Those earlier books, also edited by Tolkien's son, Christopher, only hinted at the depth and power of the tragic story of Túrin and Niënor, the children of Húrin, the lord of Dor-lómin, who achieved renown for having confronted Morgoth, who was the master of Sauron, the manifestation of evil in the Lord of the Rings.
Six thousand years before the One Ring is destroyed, Middle-earth lies under the shadow of the Dark Lord Morgoth. The greatest warriors among elves and men have perished, and all is in darkness and despair. But a deadly new leader rises, Túrin, son of Húrin, and with his grim band of outlaws begins to turn the tide in the war for Middle-earth -- awaiting the day he confronts his destiny and the deadly curse laid upon him.
Deftly balancing thrilling battles with moments of introspection, Tolkien's vivid and gripping narrative reaffirms his primacy in fantasy literature.

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[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

      ~ Buddy Style Reads ~
    Three Ways to Enjoy a Book!

At NRBC we use three styles of buddy reads. These will be indicated in the thread title as “Buddy Read”, “Relaxed Buddy Read” or “Informal Buddy Read”.

A “Buddy Read” has a discussion leader and a reading date is set to start the book. A reading schedule is posted prior to the start date and discussion questions are posted each day regarding that section of the book. More information about these types of reads is below. An example is here, showing a reading schedule here.

A “Relaxed Buddy Read” is similar to our usual “buddy reads” except there are less questions and break points. For example, a book may be split into three sections and those reading the book should pause at the end of the section to answer some discussion questions, make comments, or ask their own questions to other readers. An example is here.

An “Informal Buddy Read” doesn’t have a discussion leader and participants are asked to consider some generic questions when making comments about the book. An example is here.

A “Read and Watch Buddy Read” may be set up as any of the above, but we will also watch the movie or T.V. series - or even go to a play! - and make comparisons, discussing what has been left out or changed as well as the actors and actresses. There is a long debate of what one should do first: read the books or watch the movie? We usually read first, but it isn’t essential. Also, if you would like to join in, but don’t want to watch the movie, show, or play, but only read the books, that is fine, too. An example is here.


MORE UNDER SPOILER
(view spoiler)[

“Buddy Reads” (“BRs”) include:

• A reading schedule which can range from 50, 75, to 100 or so pages a day.

• Discussion questions posted daily by moderators and occasionally group members
   who help one of us out. If you want to be a Discussion Leader, let us know.

• If the book is really long, we'll plan a break day.

• Members do NOT have to answer every question, they are meant to stimulate
   conversations about the books AND allow us to glance back upon them when the
   sequels come out. This helps us to remember what exactly happened in the previous
   book.

• We find the buddy style of reading to be more fun than just posting one or two
   sentences about a book. We feel this is what distinguishes us as being a ‘book club’
   rather than just another GoodReads ‘group.’

• If you can NOT start the book on time, feel free to join in at a later date. They are
   set up to make it easy to do so.

• Moderators are people too, so occasionally we get sick, have to work late at our real
   jobs, or have something that keeps us from writing the questions. Please forgive us;
   we're only human and we don't get any compensation for what we do--not even
   free books!

• Discussions and questions are set up to make you think, analyze, and see things you,
   or even we, may have missed. Feel free to add your own thoughts at any time, if you
   think we've missed something.

• If you've read the book, feel free to let us know what you thought about the book.
   You can do so at the end of the buddy read, or, if you can't wait, add spoiler tags
   before you comment like:

   **************BEWARE! SPOILER FOR THE END OF THE BOOK**************

   Or insert a (view spoiler)[spoiler (hide spoiler)]. If you do NOT know how to do so, just check out our
   GoodReads 101 explanation on how to Insert a Spoiler.

• If you are looking for a reading buddy, post an inquiry in our Buddy read requests thread. Use that thread, if you want to have a repeat read of a BOM
    or buddy read, too.

• Have fun! We always do when more than one person joins in. And we look less silly
   if someone else discusses a book with us. (hide spoiler)]

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

res

[Karishma]

Checking in!

Team Tonks.

[Alanna]

Checking in as well! If anyone else pops in and is doing Tower Teams, please put it in your post so we can let our teams know! (Team Luna)

[Alanna]

I kind of started today, but it was my first day at my new job so I was a bit down on time. It's shorter than I had thought, though.

[Karishma]

Okay great. Was waiting for you to start.

Oh that's nice!
How are you liking your workplace?
And are your colleagues nice?

[Alanna]

It's mostly a work-from-home deal, so I haven't really met anyone. But so far I like the job well enough. It's not terribly different from what I was doing when I got laid off.

[Alanna]

Have you been able to start? I'm a little over 100 pages to the end and so far I like it a LOT more than I did chunks of The Silmarillion--and it's easier to read, too.

[Karishma]

I have been able to start. Finished the first 2 chapters. I don't know how many pages in.

But it's slow going because my mom isn't well so I'm only listening to it on audiobook(got it yesterday) as I'm doing chores etc.

[Deanna]

Hey ladies. I'm from Team Flitwick. I just got the book from the library today and started.

Through chapter 5 so far:

Morwen - (view spoiler)[I can understand her not being able to flee when her daughter was about to be born, but I am puzzled why she continued to refuse to seek refuge. She did the right thing for her son, so I would have expected her to do the same for her daughter. (hide spoiler)]

Turin - (view spoiler)[He has had to deal with a lot early on. I hope his actions don't turn out ill for the elves after all they have done for him. He seems to have skill in fighting but needs to learn more patience and control. I'm undecided as to whether Mordred's curse is actually influencing him or if it is simply how he is. (hide spoiler)]

[Deanna]

Chapters 6 - 10

Beleg - (view spoiler)[Turin certainly did not make it easy for Beleg to continue as his friend, and yet Beleg remained true and faithful and was a much needed good influence on Turin. I was truky sorry to see him die at Turin's hand by accident. (hide spoiler)]

Mim - (view spoiler)[It seems to me that the curse is not necessarily on Turin but on someone near to him. First the elf councilor, then Mim betrayed him. I'm beginning to think Gwindor will be next. Mim I think met a fitting end for his betrayal although I wonder what ended up happening to his son after the orcs held him hostage. (hide spoiler)]

Morwen - (view spoiler)[I am glad that she and her daughter have finally escaped to safety. (hide spoiler)]

Turin - (view spoiler)[He is definitely an excellent warrior, but I think sometimes he is too focused on bravery and honor and not enough on the needs and safety of those around him. (hide spoiler)]

[Deanna]

Alanna wrote: "Have you been able to start? I'm a little over 100 pages to the end and so far I like it a LOT more than I did chunks of The Silmarillion--and it's easier to read, too."

I haven't read The Silmarillion yet, but I have found this easy to read after wading through the introduction which had too many names for me to keep them all straight.

[Deanna]

Karishma wrote: "I have been able to start. Finished the first 2 chapters. I don't know how many pages in.

But it's slow going because my mom isn't well so I'm only listening to it on audiobook(got it yesterday) a..."

I hope your mom feels better soon.

[Deanna]

Finished. A very well written tragedy.

Hurin - (view spoiler)[Poor man! Having to watch his children die then to find his wife only to have her die in his arms. (hide spoiler)]

Morgoth - (view spoiler)[I wonder how much of the tragedy was actually his curse and how much was simply the fault of the pride of his wife and children. There were so many points where the story could have been changed to a less tragic end if any one of them had been willing to listen to wise counsel. (hide spoiler)]

[Karishma]

Thanks. She is getting discharged tomorrow morning so that's a relief.

[Alanna]

Deanna wrote: "Finished. A very well written tragedy.

Hurin - [spoilers removed]

Morgoth - [spoilers removed]"

This is a little more Grecian than the rest, but I was thinking about it and The Hobbit is probably Tokien's only undiluted happy ending.

[Karishma]

Did you finish it Alana?

[Alanna]

Karishma wrote: "Did you finish it Alana?"

I did! I'm sorry, I thought I'd come and posted already. In the end, I think Tolkien had a thing about tragedies. The only I can think of with a properly happy ending is the Hobbit, as I said, since even Return of the King was bittersweet.

Usually Tolkien's stuff is a little more Norse, but this one is straight Grecian--Turin's fatal flaw leads to his own prophesied/cursed downfall.

Thing is, I'm kind of over Tolkien generally at this point. The whole thing was just kind of 'eh'. I'm not upset I read it, but I sold the book to a used bookstore today.

[Deanna]

Alanna wrote: "Karishma wrote: "Did you finish it Alana?"

I did! I'm sorry, I thought I'd come and posted already. In the end, I think Tolkien had a thing about tragedies. The only I can think of with a properly..."

I thought it read like a Greek tragedy as well, like a combination of Oedipus and Achilles. I held a brief hope(view spoiler)[ for an Odyssey ending when Hurin and his wife were reunited, but that was quickly dashed. (hide spoiler)]. The Hobbit remains my favorite of his books by far.