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: This Book Is An Unexpected Gift To All Who Love Middle Earth
Summary: 5 Stars
The Children of Hurin is so good in some places it gave me a chill reading about these monumental events previously all but lost in the shadowy time before The Lord of the Rings. As were others, I'm certain, I was unavoidably reminded of The Silmarillion (a much maligned book in itself) but here in The Children of Hurin there was an ease that the other tale of Middle Earth's earlier history did not have. The Children of Hurin is still a ponderous, sometimes heavy, recounting of events as imagined by one of the great storytellers of human history, JRR Tolkien, but this editing and completion in the hands of Christopher Tolkien has made The Children of Hurin the accessible instant classic that it is. The epic and ultimately tragic story of the noble hero Turin, son of Hurin, proud warrior from the age of Morgoth---terrible Sauron's one-time master let us not forget---is at least on a par with anything Tolkien imagined for The Lord of the Rings, and should be gratefully welcomed by anyone who has ever been swept up in the magic of Middle Earth. I'd also like to note that once again in Nienor, the other "child of Hurin" a strong female character comes in at the narrative's end, just as with The Return of the King, to greatly impact the outcome of the tale itself, and personally, for good or ill, I was glad that Nienor played the role she did in a tale otherwise centered on the men in Tolkien's world. (Not complaining about the fact men dominate the story, just saying I was impressed that Nienor was used as she was.) I found the archaic prose appropriate and somehow authentic to the tale. I wouldn't have it any other way, even if it did slow the pace of reading down from time to time. The Children of Hurin is in my opinion as good as could be wished, and is exactly the story it is advertised to be. It is delightful, moving, sad, soul-stirring, and it re-awakens the light of imagination as few books do. It deservedly belongs alongside all the other books of Middle Earth.Book Review: Beautiful Tragic Epic
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the first "new" book to be published by J.R.R. Tolkien in 30 years, so of course, I'm excited. I've read all the main works many times, and whatever stray collection I run upon. The story of Hurin is largely told in the Silmarillion, along with many other stories that intercut and intertwine with it. This book brings those tales together in one story, and takes the reader on an epic, tragic ride. Of course, the tales here are varied in depth and quality of writing, as Tolkien never got to finish up his stories and polish off the rough edges. His son, Christopher, does an admirable job of pooling the stories and editing them into a cohesive whole. I read the book over a couple of days, taking my time and letting myself fall into the characters and plot. The story itself is devastating; it is comparable to think of being held by the Devil as he tortures your family just to torture you. The curse of Morgoth on Hurins' family is absolute and without pity, which is exactly as Morgoth is always portrayed: pityless and without remorse. The great tragedy at the end is forseen yet that in no way takes away from the storys impact. I think while it's true at times the narrative seems out of kilter, and that one can tell at times a rough draft has been used alongside a more finished draft, this is an outstanding piece of literature by one the great authors. I hope that more of his work will see the light of day, as he was truly gifted with one of the most vivid imaginations ever. The artwork presented in the book is also outstanding. Each frame presented a searing moment frozen in time, and make the story all the more compelling. Wrapping up, this isn't as well done as the Hobbit or the Lord of The Rings, as they are finished works completed in his lifetime. But, what was done is amazing, and certainly won't hurt Tolkiens' reputation as a master story-teller.Book Review: The Macbeth of Middle Earth
Summary: 5 Stars
Here is my perspective - I've read the Hobbit, seen the Lord of the Rings movies, passed on the Silmarillion (too complex) and have now read The Children of Hurin. So I am not a Tolkien expert with limitless tolerance for genealogical trees, but I enjoy Middle Earth.
As the title of the review suggests, The Children of Hurin is definitely a tragedy worthy of being compared to Shakesperean or Greek tragedies in its depressing finality. In considering the major novels covering middle earth, the dark tone of the Children of Hurin provides a nice balance to the lighthearted novel The Hobbit. The Lord of the Rings trilogy falls in the middle with a mixed bag of good and evil, tragedy and triumph. So overall Children of Hurin is dark, but adds more breadth to the good and evil transpiring in middle earth.
When I sat down to read it, I felt like I was in for a treat of long lost history. We all know it is pieced together from J.R.R. Tolkien's drafts and notes - the preface makes this very clear. Nevertheless it is a wonderful read. Enhancing the mood of the novel, Tolkien's writing is an archaic style that makes the text seem as if it could have been passed down verbally and as old as the first age itself.
This work may be faulted for a lack of secondary character development and somewhat disjointed nature. I certainly did not mind the episodic nature of the work or the heavy focus on the main character, Turin. These characteristics added to the mystique of the book. If it had been a well-polished epic saga, it wouldn't have had the same feel.
Christopher Tolkien did an excellent job of assembling this novel for all of us to enjoy. Alan Lee's accompanying artwork is perfect in its reserved nature. I truly enjoyed the book and intend to read it again. I hope you will too.
Book Review: Fleshed Out Version of the Tale of Turin Turambar.
Summary: 4 Stars
Anyone who has read the "Silmarillion" is already familiar with the Tale of Turin Turambar presented in the Children of Hurin. The book is a longer more fleshed out version of the Story of Morgoth's Curse on the Hero Hurin and his family because of the Patriarch's defiance of the Dark Enemy.
The story is a tragedy that takes place thousands of years before the events of the LOTR during the First Age of Middle Earth. Morgoth is the Great Enemy who seeks to destroy the Elves and their human allies and bring all of the World under his control(Sauron is a minion and the Wizards have not yet come from the West). Hurin is a leader of the Men who side with the Elves who is captured following the defeat of the Eldar by Morgoth. He defies Morgoth who curses him and his family in revenge.
Hurin's youngest child dies young from a plague. His kingdom is given to Easterling allies of Morgoth. The elves come to rescue his family but his pregnant wife refuses to leave and his son Turin goes to live with the elves where he grows up to be a great warrior. The family reunites at one time or another with tragic consequences.
Hurin's family all make tragic choices which eventually bring doom to themselves and their friends. It is hinted that they are destined to make these choices due to the curse of Morgoth. Redemption eventually comes to Middle Earth thru the descendants of Hurin's brother Huor but that is another story.
I find the story to be a great tragedy and would make a terrific play but it is in no way as good of a work of Literature as "The Lord of the Rings" though it holds up well to the "Hobbit".
A nice feature is the illustrations. They help to flesh out the characters and the places in the book.
If you are a Tolkien fan you will enjoy this book.
Book Review: THE DELUXE VERSION
Summary: 5 Stars
The Children of Hurin is essential reading for Tolkien aficionados if ONLY for the scene where Glaurung the worm (the great dragon of Morgoth's creation) freezes Turin with his gaze and forces him to watch as the Elf maid Finduilas is carried off by a gang of orcs to suffer certain and indescribable torment. This scene is missing from the text of The Unfinished Tales; it is one of the most terrible, gut-wrenching visions Tolkien ever created--a powerful example of the pure evil and spectacular malice of the "fallen angel" Morgoth and his hatred of those who defy him. (Note: In response to another reader who said they thought they remembered the scene from Unfinished Tales...there is a lacuna in that work which omits the scene entirely. It might exist, however, in C. Tolkien's Book of Lost Tales series.)
This UPDATED review concerns the printing quality of the Deluxe Edition of The Children of Hurin. I am pleased to say that the Deluxe version is beautifully made. It was printed and bound in Italy by L.E.G.O. S.p.A. The cover image from the American Edition (Turin on the bluff) is the frontispiece of the Deluxe version. It's a heavy book "Quarter-bound in blue with gray boards, stamped in gold foil with a unique motif of the Helm of Hador created by Alan Lee, and housed in a matching custom-built slipcase." (Text from the one-sheet that is included under the book's shrink wrap.) The edges are laser cut in a crescent shape which is actually much easier to page than a deckled edge. There are no additional paintings, drawings or text differing from the regular dust jacket hardcover edition. This is a must-have for any dedicated Tolkien collector. It looks great next to my leather-bound Hobbit and Lord of the Rings and first editions of The Silmarillion and The Inklings. N. Smith, author of Stolen from Gypsies.