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J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Children of Hurin was, to no surprise, very well written and exceptionally compelling. However, if you are a loyal Tolkien fan and have read The Silmarillion then you already know the tragic tale of Hurin’s descendants and this novel will offer little further enlightenment.

The Children of Hurin is set in Beleriand during the First Age, long before The Lord of the Rings, which is set at the end of the Third Age. Beleriand was the land that made up the western-most portion of Middle Earth, but which later sunk into the sea during the Second Age. The novel follows the family of Hurin of the House of Hador Goldenhead, who went to battle against the forces of Morgoth in the Nírnaeth Arnoediad. In that battle, when hope of victory was lost, Hurin fought at the rearguard of the retreat and eventually found himself fighting alone. Hurin was then taken alive and Morgoth put a curse on him and all his descendants.

The Children of Hurin is, thus, a tragic story–depressing, yet compelling. After Hurin is captured, the tale primarily follows his son Turin is his various misadventures. There is no doubt that Turin, like his father, was a great and valiant warrior, but there was also no doubt that a curse laid upon him. All his exploits seemed to go ill in the end, even if they made a positive impact for a time. Turin’s greatest battle was against the dragon Glaurung, a minion of Morgoth who inhabited the kingdom of Nargothrond after its defeat.

If you are debating reading this novel, there are only a couple things to consider. First, if you enjoy Tolkien’s writing and storytelling, then you should definitely read it. If, however, you have read The Silmarillion, you will probably still enjoy the novel, but you will find little difference to the version from that work. I certainly enjoyed it and work recommend it to any Tolkien fan.