Narn I Chin Hurin: The Tale of the Children of Hurin
by J.R.R. Tolkien
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Book Reviews of Narn I Chin Hurin: The Tale of the Children of Hurin
Book Review: Powerful and tragic
Summary: 5 Stars
Personally I liked this better than any of Tolkien's other work, so far. I loved every page, and at the very end I actually cried, which is rare for me in books. (By the way, when you get to the end of the story, turn the page and make sure you're really at the end)
I have been reading many Icelandic Sagas over the past few years, which have an archaic and terse style very similar to Children of Hurin, so I was accustomed to the style before I started reading. I think most people will need to get used to it, and at first it might be a little harder to get into than some books. After a chapter or two it will feel natural and you won't even notice.
The artwork is excellent. I was luke-warm to Alan Lee's work for Lord of the Rings, but in this book I think it fits perfectly.
But make no mistake, this book is a tragedy. It starts with a war and basically goes downhill from there, but within the overarching tragic story arc there are many scenes of heroism, romance, and victory. In my opinion the romantic tragedy genre finds one of it's finest examples in Children of Hurin. I would put this story even on the level of Romeo and Juliet (with which it shares some themes, but with greater depth). I consider it one of the best books I've read.
If you are a Tolkien fan this book is a must. If you are just a Lord of the Rings fan you may or may not enjoy it, since it happens so far in the past it is barely relevant to the later story except to true Tolkien geeks. However that also means that you can read this without having read any other Tolkien work, and you won't miss out on anything.
Book Review: An Excellent Posthumous Volume by the Master of Twentieth Century Fantasy
Summary: 5 Stars
Long awaited (although anticipated by both the Silmarillion and the Lays of Beleriand), Christopher Tolkien has given the fantasy-reading world a gem of a text. Stylistically, the small volume reads very easily while maintaining some air of antiquity. While it does not require an extensive knowledge of the mythology of the Silmarillion, it does draw relationships (and exposes individuals on a more microscopic level) which are aided by knowledge of this text's place in the larger framework of Tolkien's mythos.
As for the content of the story itself, it is a fabulous reflection on the nature of intentions, dialogue (and arrogance), and personal prowess. The character of Turin Turambar is, in many ways, a reflection of all that is great and also dangerous in humanity. A man of super-human (perhaps better said, Elven) skills, persuasive abilities of leadership, and fiery desire to follow the calling which he feels is his own, Turin is ultimately embroiled in the truest of curses of Morgoth. It is in a deeply resonant way that the curse of Morgoth reduces Turin to a thrall much in the same way that Morgoth himself is thrall to the Valar. Turin's self-sufficient arrogance ultimately is his undoing, just as Morgoth's own self-sufficiency hurtles him toward the Void.
A keen insight into the darkness that can mar even the best of humanity, this volume is an excellent read for those who are fantasy fans and those who are perhaps turned off by the genre. Like Tolkien's other works, this text remains firmly related to reality as true mythology is and is therefore highly recommended to the extended audience of readership.
Book Review: A dark yet glorious addition to the Tolkien canon.
Summary: 5 Stars
There's been great speculation about this book since its 2006 announcement. Based on a manuscript begun by father J.R.R. in 1918 and reworked throughout his life, son Christopher, who has edited 14 posthumous volumes of his dad's work, spent decades shaping the story's many drafts into this final form. Tolkien's legions of fans--all except those expecting Lord of the Rings Part II--shouldn't be disappointed; it's goooood! But far from hobbits frolicking in the Shire, this is a woeful tale laced with suicide, incest, and murder. Set 6500 years before Rings, the old master delivers new depth to Middle-earth lore, which, by its sheer weight, arguably is modern literature's greatest mythology. Many characters and settings will be familiar to those who've delved beyond Rings, and here we encounter Túrin and Niënor, son and daughter to Húrin, a great warrior held captive by Morgoth, the Dark Lord. Once grown, Túrin seeks vengeance against Morgoth, and though mighty in arms and the bane of orcs, Morgoth's icy fingers touch all Túrin's deeds, and doom and darkness surround him. The destiny of sister and brother are intertwined, and their ultimate fate is a family tragedy worthy of Shakespeare. Production wise, the book is a beauty, with nine color paintings and 25 pencil sketches by Tolkien artist Alan Lee, plus a glossary of names, family trees, and the obligatory appendix and map. The Children of Húrin is a dark and brooding yet glorious addition to the Tolkien canon. Welcome back, old friend (and bravo Christopher for bringing it to fruition!). Highly recommended.Book Review: An Imperfect Novella But An Enjoyable Read
Summary: 4 Stars
First a few warnings:
1) This is a novella. It is probably less than 60,000 words long, and it takes up only 227 of the book's 313 pages; the rest is a preface, an introduction, genealogies, appendices and a list of names.
2) Within those 227 pages are references to almost 250 characters/places/events with which you will probably be unfamiliar and which will probably require you to flip constantly to the List of Names in the back.
3) Each chapter has a title, and the Table of Contents may thus divulge things about which you might prefer to be surprised if you look at it first.
Having said this, I still enjoyed Children. Its brevity makes it, definitionally, much less richly developed than The Hobbit and LOR. Turin is fleshed out nicely, but many of the other characters are more two-dimensional than three-D. It is a convincing tragedy. It reads easily. The map is helpful, and the drawings don't encroach on your ability to imagine characters and settings the way you'd like to.
If it had not been written by Tolkien, I would consider it a fairly conventional story about dark forces, brave knights, evil spells and star-crossed lovers. While it's a good one, it breaks no new ground. But it will be reviewed more positively than that, I suspect, because so many readers love Tolkien's other works as much as they do.
My guess? If you've read Silmarillion, you'll love this book, if you've just read The Hobbit and LOR, you'll like it, and if you've never read Tolkien and only seen the movies, it may not hit the spot.
Book Review: The Only Way to Dea th
Summary: 5 Stars
Some will try to convince you this story is boring. Others will say it's not authentic J.R.R. Tolkien. I consider it a lost treasure and a masterpiece. If you're familiar with Tolkien's work, you'll feel his themes and voice pulsing through this narrative. Yes, it's told in an older style, which only adds weight and depth to his mythology.
After a long introduction from Christopher Tolkien, we are drawn into the tragic heroism of the Children of Hurin. While Hurin, the father, is bound by an ancient curse, his offspring suffer under their own shadows of doom. Turin, the central character, is a strong-headed leader with a penchant for trouble. We follow his story from noble roots to outlaw living. At one point he says, "It is the only way, to dea th or to life...and delay will not make it seem more hopeful." It's this attitude and fearlessness that draw us into his twisted fate. He's a man fighting his family's demons and his own personality faults. The conclusion is a perfect blend of tragedy, heroism, and bittersweet resolution.
Although there are bits that tie "The Children of Hurin" into the longer narrative of Middle-earth and "The Silmarillion," this tale can stand alone for the uninitiated--particularly with the use of the handy map, family trees, and list of names in the back of the book. The illustrations are subdued and beautiful, matching the moods to perfection. I started reading with skepticism, became entranced with Turin's story, and closed the final page with a pang of longing for more from one of our greatest storytellers.