The Children of Húrin

[Flexor the Mighty!]

There is also the elves of Mirkwood in the Hobbit who didn't come off too well.

True. The Silvan elves of Mirkwood are kind of rustic elves who are not nearly as advanced as the Noldor and Sindar so they distrust outsiders very much. Of course they were lead by a Sindar who was a jerk apparently.

 

[sniffles]

I think you might be confusing the movie with the books. I never got the feeling Elrond was bigoted against humans.

I thought about that when I was making that remark, but even in the books he seems to think Men are a "failing" race who are too weak to be trusted. They exaggerated that in the movies, certainly, but I think it was still present in Tolkien's writing.

 

[Gadget]

I thought about that when I was making that remark, but even in the books he seems to think Men are a "failing" race who are too weak to be trusted. They exaggerated that in the movies, certainly, but I think it was still present in Tolkien's writing.

In the books, it is the elves that are a failing race, and the time of Men is at hand. The Wise, most of all Elrond, know this. He is very melancholy, speaking of fighting the 'long defeat', but he does not seem to lament men's particular weakness more than the elves'. Granted, he does come off as somewhat distant, mythic figure that can lead one to an uncharitable impression of him. But I just don't see the disdain for men that you seem to read into it.

 

[Welverin]

Tolkien must have done his writing in fits and starts, much the way I do. I can empathize with him.

Not just fits and starts, but if he didn't like something he would throw out what ever work he had done and start over completely.

Of course I think quite a bit of this can be chalked up to the fact he wasn't a professional author who was writing for a living, can't help when you're a perfectionist.

 

[horacethegrey]

Some people seem to forget that the whole brouhaha with Sauron and the Rings of Power was largely the elves fault as well. Tolkien even mentions it in one of his letters, something about "them wanting more cake than they were worth". And let's not forget ol' Feanor with his lusting after the Silmarils he created, which led to whole Doom of Mandos bit along with the Kinslaying.

Yep, the elves are hardly perfect in the world of Middle Earth.

But back on topic, I'm looking forward to reading The Children of Hurin once it comes out in paperback form.

 

[Kris]

Anyone read this yet? Is it any good?

If you have read the Silmarillion version and are familiar with the snippets in The Book of Lost Tales and Unfinished Tales regarding Turin etc. (...well I think its those books), then there doesn't appear to be much new material.

It is however the full tale, from beginning to end, of the (mis)adventures of Turin (who happens to be one of my favourite characters ...so I'm most likely biased).

I think that the beginning may be a bit of a chore for some folks to get past who are only familiar with LotR and The Hobbit, and I would also say that (IMO) the style of writing is more alike to that of the Silmarillion than LotR ...but if tales of the first age of Middle-earth are of interest, then it's worth picking up.

I obviously like it, as I'm quite a big Tolkien fan, and I probably like the brief histories laid down in the Silmarillion more than LotR itself. However, I can't help but think that some folks might be a little disappointed with the book if they are expecting another 'The Hobbit' or something similar.

I'm also looking forward to the audio book version that's coming out later in the year (read by Christopher Lee) and if I'm honest, I think I would like to see The Children Of Hurin make it to the big screen next - rather than the Hobbit

 

[Randolpho]

I thought about that when I was making that remark, but even in the books he seems to think Men are a "failing" race who are too weak to be trusted. They exaggerated that in the movies, certainly, but I think it was still present in Tolkien's writing.

Hmm... I just re-read the series and can't remember how he was portrayed such. Was it during the council? In the appendix? For some reason I need to know.

I seem to remember that he didn't care much for Aragorn's decision to love Arwen, but I didn't think that was a "humans suck" attitude so much as it was a "don't take my daughter away from me" attitude.

 

[Gentlegamer]

I have read the work in question, and it is superb! I do feel that it is "unfinished" in the sense that it needs more polish to make it into a novel narrative, similar to Lord of the Rings. There is quite a bit of exposition at the beginning about Hurin that is tough for non-fans to get through before the story begins in earnest.

And for those that are well read in the fantasy genre, take note: Tolkien wrote about an evil black sword long before Moorcock, and much better, I might add!