The Children of H?rin by J.R.R. Tolkien Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Children of H?rin
Book Review: Posthumous "Practice Book"
Summary: 1 Stars
I just finished reading The Children of Hurin by J.R.R. Tolkien. The experience of reading this book brings to mind a long held belief of mine. Namely, that books that are published posthumously in the name of a well-known author were not published in the author's lifetime for good reason.
If a well-known author has a book that they feel is worthwhile they will publish it in their own lifetime. Books published by relatives or estates at a later time are almost always an attempt to 'cash in' on the fame of the deceased relative, however well-meaning they might seem.
Now this might be different in the case of an author who was little-known in their lifetime, or who found fame only late in life. They might still have 'unpublished jewels' among their effects. However, I believe that a well established and popular author has every chance to publish anything note-worthy once they are successful. If they have not published something that they formerly wrote, we can assume that they consider that work to be a "practice book" and not one they want brandished about in their name!
This is what I think J.R.R. Tolkien would feel about The Children of Hurin; no doubt a 'practice book' that he had no intention of publishing once he discovered his wonderful literary voice and story telling ability.
If you pick up this book expecting to hear more wonderful tales from J.R.R. Tolkien, the great story teller who we all know and love, you will be greatly disappointed!
Book Review: Expect an ancient, dark tale...
Summary: 3 Stars
Loved The Hobbit. Enjoyed the epic nature of The Lord of the Rings. Couldn't get through The Silmarillion.
Which brings me to The Children Of Hurin. Before you attempt to read it, you should either:
1) be committed to learning more about Middle-Earth;
2) be a fan of the third-person, runic, tale-telling style ("Thus going forward in the way she first ran, she came to the river Teiglin, and stayed her thirst; but no food she found, nor knew how to seek it, and she was famished and cold" [p. 214]);
3) like ancient tales of battles, dragons, curses,dark lords, and interactions of elves, dwarves, orcs, and humans;
4) be a J.R.R. Tolkien fan or biographer; or
5) be stuck in an airport with nothing else to read.
The Children of Hurin is about a family with a terrible curse, and the curse leads to no happy endings.
This is the tale. Enjoy as you are willing and able.
Book Review: Fantastic!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great recording. Christopher Lee does a fantastic reading of this book. Highly recommended for any student of Tolkien.Book Review: Not fit for publication
Summary: 1 Stars
There's a reason why Tolkien didn't publish this in his lifetime -- it isn't good enough.
The prose is leaden, the dialogue often verges on the ridiculous, and the plotting is erratic at best.
This could well have been just some of his rough notes for a future novel which his son has "edited" -- expanded -- into something that loyal fans of Tolkien can be conned into accepting.
Everyone else: beware!
Book Review: A sombre and moody tale.
Summary: 4 Stars
Expanded from a portion of the original text of the Silmarillion, this is a great tale told in (and this is the only negative) the archaic style that is such a hallmark of Tolkien's work.
The Children of Hurin is a great return to Middle Earth, if but of ages past. It is set well before the travails of Frodo and Bilbo, and in a world with a different (yet similar) spread of nations, races, and geography.
Detailing the woes of Hurin and the terrible curse brought down upon him by Morgoth, the man is not just simply executed or kept from his family, but forced to watch their downfall and coming desolation over not just months or seasons, but so many years.
This is great tragedy.
The text is archaic, but readable, and not to be taken lightly - but in the end, the tale and prose is rewarding for those who wish to return to Tolkien's Middle Earth.
The illustrated editions are beautiful.
A dark and guilty pleasure.