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caelfind's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“In their light we are dimmed, or we burn with too quick a flame, and the weight of our doom lies the heavier on us.”
J.R.R. Tolkien is, without doubt, the undisputed master of Fantasy, and The Children of Húrin is a true testament to that magnificent legacy.
Set towards the final days of the First Age, this is one of Tolkien’s darkest tales in Middle-earth. It relates the trials of the children of the mortal warrior Húrin, who are cursed for the defiance of their father by the Dark Lord Morgoth. It is a tragic, raw story which encapsulates both the hopelessness and resilience that are so characteristic of the First Age. A plethora of radiant characters add so much life and breadth to the tale, and it is of course enriched by the incredible and unmatched world of Tolkien’s creation.
The character of Túrin, the principal hero, is a fascinating and complex figure, whose own choices contribute seemingly as much to his doom as the curse of Morgoth. His heroic deeds are consistently underpinned by his flawed nature, a sharp contrast to later mortal characters such as Aragorn, so that at times the reader both loves and hates him. He is both victim and author of his doom, a beautifully horrific paradox which adds interesting layers to the curse as a whole. This tale is a fascinating reflection of human nature in a time of strife and war, and it is nothing short of an achievement in the lore of Middle-earth.
Christopher Tolkien has compiled a thoroughly wonderful and readable account of the tale from his father’s notes, and that in itself is a skill that cannot be overlooked or underestimated (and indeed will be sorely missed). The layout and structure of the book itself is excellent, and the preface and introduction are both free of spoilers, instead offering background on the First Age so that new readers can approach The Children of Húrin undaunted. Anything that could be a potential spoiler is reserved for two discussions in the Appendix, so that altogether the layout felt very well-conceived and considerate of the reader.
For anyone looking to delve into the First Age of Middle-earth, The Children of Húrin is a perfect tale to jump into!
J.R.R. Tolkien is, without doubt, the undisputed master of Fantasy, and The Children of Húrin is a true testament to that magnificent legacy.
Set towards the final days of the First Age, this is one of Tolkien’s darkest tales in Middle-earth. It relates the trials of the children of the mortal warrior Húrin, who are cursed for the defiance of their father by the Dark Lord Morgoth. It is a tragic, raw story which encapsulates both the hopelessness and resilience that are so characteristic of the First Age. A plethora of radiant characters add so much life and breadth to the tale, and it is of course enriched by the incredible and unmatched world of Tolkien’s creation.
The character of Túrin, the principal hero, is a fascinating and complex figure, whose own choices contribute seemingly as much to his doom as the curse of Morgoth. His heroic deeds are consistently underpinned by his flawed nature, a sharp contrast to later mortal characters such as Aragorn, so that at times the reader both loves and hates him. He is both victim and author of his doom, a beautifully horrific paradox which adds interesting layers to the curse as a whole. This tale is a fascinating reflection of human nature in a time of strife and war, and it is nothing short of an achievement in the lore of Middle-earth.
Christopher Tolkien has compiled a thoroughly wonderful and readable account of the tale from his father’s notes, and that in itself is a skill that cannot be overlooked or underestimated (and indeed will be sorely missed). The layout and structure of the book itself is excellent, and the preface and introduction are both free of spoilers, instead offering background on the First Age so that new readers can approach The Children of Húrin undaunted. Anything that could be a potential spoiler is reserved for two discussions in the Appendix, so that altogether the layout felt very well-conceived and considerate of the reader.
For anyone looking to delve into the First Age of Middle-earth, The Children of Húrin is a perfect tale to jump into!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Incest, Violence, and War
Minor: Torture
pluviosity's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I miss my old self who hasn't read this book.
Honestly.
This is definitely the darkest Tolkien I have ever read—and yes, even more than the kinslaying. But it is also the best of Tolkien.
You're left wondering whether Morgoth's evil force was truly that powerful, or was it all truly the characters' deeds unraveling their own paths.
Honestly.
This is definitely the darkest Tolkien I have ever read—and yes, even more than the kinslaying. But it is also the best of Tolkien.
You're left wondering whether Morgoth's evil force was truly that powerful, or was it all truly the characters' deeds unraveling their own paths.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Death, Incest, Murder, and War
Minor: Child death, Death of parent, and Abandonment
calimie's review against another edition
I can't stand Turin. I just can't. Not even Chritopher Lee reading I can make it. It's too much for me.
The book is very well written and Christopher Lee is excellent.
The book is very well written and Christopher Lee is excellent.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Incest
aimee2meee_no's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Violence, Murder, and War
Minor: Incest, Torture, and Kidnapping
Death. Lots of death.lauramcc7's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Incest, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and War
aisabel's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Incest, Suicide, and War
Moderate: Child death, Domestic abuse, Violence, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Ableism, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Torture, Pregnancy, and Pandemic/Epidemic
amy_harboredinpages's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A sad tragic Tolkien take... no happy ending can be found here. A good story all the same, adding depth to the world and history of Middle Earth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and War
Moderate: Incest and Gaslighting
Minor: Child death
caity's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
If you are picking up this book you know what you are in for. The writing is slow and full of references to other events and characters that don't take place in the book - as one expects from Tolkien. However the story is interesting and a real roller-coaster. Would recommend reading the silmarillian before hand, unlike what I did, with this being the first book of Tolkien I have read. But I will end the review with a warning. This is not for the faint of heart.
it took my so many pages to realise it was his sister and that he was Turin. I mean he changed his name 1000 times
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Slavery, Suicide, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Pregnancy
nickynak3's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Death, Incest, Violence, Grief, and War
Minor: Domestic abuse
melina_30's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Incest, Suicide, Violence, Grief, Murder, and War
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Child death, Rape, Slavery, and Toxic friendship