Monday 14 April 2008

The Children of Húrin Review


I'm writing this short review as an ardent admirer of Professor Tolkien's great imagination and as a result, this review can't help but reflect my love for the man's work. The Children of Húrin is a beautiful story that is tragic in every sense of the word, I would say that it's Shakespearean in scope but Professor Tolkien would write me a scathing letter from his grave for saying such a profane thing. I've you've read The Silmarillion, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings and enjoyed them you will find that this book is a gem of Fëanorian standards. The Children of Húrin is the longest of the lays of Beleriand and takes place in the first age of Middle-Earth. Melkor, the fallen Ainur, wages war against the people of Middle-Earth from his stronghold, Angband and Elves and Men unite against him in the Battle of Unnumbered Tears in which the Man, Húrin openly defies Melkor. For this Húrin is taken alive into Angband and Melkor puts a curse on all of his kin. The Lay of the Children of Húrin is an account of how Melkor’s curse causes the tragic downfall of Húrin’s children, Túrin and Nienor by the devices of his servant, the wingless dragon, Glaurang. Middle-Earth has a rich history in which tales like The Lord of the Rings are only a pebble in the pond. If you want a beautiful and epic story, I recommend The Children of Húrin.

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