J.R.R.
Tolkien’s greatest known work is the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. While this work is know all around the world
it is also probably one of my least favorite works by Tolkien. Along with the Lord of the Rings the Hobbit
and the Silmarillion Tolkien wrote many other shorter works and poems. While most of these stories like the Children
of Hurin were published after Tolkien’s death they also represent some of his
greatest work.
Expanding on
the story of Turin Turambar found in the Silmarillion; the Children of Hurin is
the story of the adventures and misadventures of Turin. As the title suggests
Turin is the son of Hurin, who was once a ruler of men in the first age of
middle earth. Hurin is captured in
battle by Morgoth (for all practical purposes this is the devil of Tolkien’s
fiction before Sauron) who curses Hurin and his family.
In a sense
this story is very reminiscent of the tale of Oedipus Rex. While the tale is a tragedy it is well
written, and interesting. Unlike the
Lord of the Rings this tale is very fast moving and as the appendix states is
probably the pinnacle of J.R.R. Tolkien’s work.
This work is not as light hearted as the Hobbit however for anyone
interested in classic British literature or any fans of Tolkien’s mythology
this is perhaps one of his best works.
