The Children Of Hurin by JRR Tolkien

8/10

When you begin reading J.R.R. Tolkien’s work many start with The Hobbit and then move on to The Lord of the Rings. That is often the extent to many people’s Tolkien-intake – and it’s certainly the easiest route to take, for if you take even a one step more,

Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can

The first step on this particular road is found in the appendices to The Lord of the Rings in which we are provided with a tantalising hint of the extraordinary breadth and depth in which this book takes place. The tales told within The Lord of the Rings are in fact the last, and arguably the least of the great and extensive history of Middle-earth.

Beyond the appendices are books like The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, and if you’re really willing to commit yourself to this particular journey, The History of Middle-earth – a 12-volume compendium of J.R.R. Tolkien’s exploration of the three great Ages of Middle-earth.

Within both The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales, as well as several volumes of The History of Middle-earth we are introduced to Túrin, the son of Húrin, but to properly follow the story from beginning to end requires one to have committed to the aforementioned journey which, sadly, many do not. In fairness, it is somewhat understandable, considering the sheer wealth of material and the intricate nature of its publication.

Until now, that is.

Published in 2007 (I’m sorry it took me so long to get around to reviewing this book) Christopher Tolkien, J.R.R. Tolkien’s son, who has spent his life compiling and publishing his father’s work, released The Children of Húrin. It might seem redundant, but in fact this book is Christopher’s effort to open the door for non-fanatics to partake in some of the splendour of the First Age of Middle-earth, without having to pick up The Silmarillion or work their way through the Histories.

The Children of Húrin is a compilation of the whole of the story concerning the family of Húrin – including a few of Húrin’s adventures, his wife Morwen, and the tragic life of his three children, Túrin, Urwen/Lalaith, and Niënor. While Christopher Tolkien primarily brought together all of the relevant story already written by his father, there is an unknown amount of bridging material Christopher wrote in an effort to both make this story run naturally from beginning to end, while simultaneously avoiding any of the editorial insights that are commonplace through most of the other work he has published after his father’s death.

As a result, we have a single, continuous story, with no editorial intrusion, that brings people for the first time into easy access to one of the most important stories Tolkien ever wrote, after The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. 

And it is a singularly tragic tale. Let me warn you, there is no happy ending, this is tragedy in all its glory. It is beautifully written – a stunningly beautiful story that, despite its overwhelmingly tragic style, must nevertheless go down as a key story in Tolkien’s Legendarium. More than that, however, this book is wonderful on its own. I can’t imagine that it is necessarily overly attractive to non-Tolkien fans – though given just how well written it is, and how captivating the story, I wouldn’t dismiss the idea – it is regardless an absolute must-read for anyone who has even a passing-interest in Tolkien.

There are two small essays in the back which provide a little editorial insight – for those of us who enjoy such things – but they are unnecessary to enjoy the story in and of itself. These days we very rarely get to read a true tragedy – unsurprisingly, considering most people don’t want to read a tragedy. But tragedy has been a tried and true genre for millennia, and Tolkien mastered it in his writing the life of Húrin and his family.

Further, this story overlaps with many other familiar names and tales. Beren and Luthien are contemporaries to this tale, as are those from their family. It sits in the middle of some of the great defeats of the free people of Middle-earth, and the dominance of their great enemy, Morgoth. We finally get to meet Glaurung, the Father of Dragons on Middle-earth. And there are some interesting names – including my favourite, Glorfindel. 

Whether you have read Tolkien before, I’m willing to bet that this medium-length book is worth your time. Tolkien’s writing is concise and constrained to a single story (mostly), moves along at a rapid pace, and though it has no happy ending is nevertheless completely captivating. Add in numerous paintings by renowned Tolkien artist Alan Lee, and The Children of Húrin is an absolute must-read.
Joshua S Hill, 10/10

The Children of Hurin is the bringing together of many of JRR Tolkien's unfinished works by his son Christopher Tolkien.

There are tales of Middle-earth from times long before the Lord of the Rings, and the story told in this book is set in the great country that lay beyond the Grey Havens in the West: lands where Treebeard once walked, but which were drowned in the great cataclysm that ended the First Age of the World.

Unfortunately The Children of Hurin does not give us much of what we have no already had. The Silmarillion was excellent, in its own dry way, of providing Tolkien fans with the pre-history that they so badly wanted.

However, what The Children of Hurin does do is expand upon stories only lightly touched upon in The Silmarillion. The Fall of Nargothrand is arguably the highlight of the book.

Then Turin, being yet bemused by the eyes of the dragon, as if he were treating with a foe that could know pity, believed the words of Glaurung, and turning away he sped over the bridge. But as he went, Glaurung spoke behind him, saying in a fell voice: 'Haste you now, son of Hurin, to Dorlomin! Or perhaps the Orcs shall come before you, once again. And if you tarry for Finduilas, then never shall you see Morwen or Nienor again; and they will curse you.'
The Children of Hurin: The Fall Of Nargothrand

This publication has received much criticism with some saying that it is purely cashing in on the Tolkien "brand". I feel this is a bit harsh and that the book does serve a purpose and it is evident that a lot of care and dedication went into the editing of this work.

I would still recommend that one wishing to understand the pre-history of Tolkien's world would be better served by reading The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales but there are definitely a few chapters within The Children of Hurin which make reading it a worthwhile venture for die-hard fans and newcomers alike.
Floresiensis, 6.5/10