The Children of Hurin released today!

[jammi567]

Today, the Children of Hurin was released (Tuesday 17th April 2007), and it is set to be one of the most hyped things within the Tolkien community since we heard that movies were going to be made of the books, as it will finally allow us to view a masterpiece, that has previously been fragmented, as one complete story.

A link to a report on the book: http://www.glyphweb.com/ARDA/default.asp

I have ordered the book, and should hopefully arrive tomorrow. Once i have a chance, i will write a book report on it, and post it on this wonderful site first.

[Earniel]

I admit going shopping today with (aside from a few other things I needed) the new book in mind. Of course I realise that releasing the book does not equal getting the book on the shelf the same day. So I did what I have never done before and reserved a copy, which should be available somewhere this week. (The guy from the shop definitely was a fan too.) I don't think I'll read it immediately, though.

It's probably going to take a massive reorganisation of my book shelves to get this book with the other Tolkien books and the Children of Húrin's not my favourite silmarillion story. But like hell am I going to miss out on this.

[The Gaffer]

Cool, jammi, look forward to reading your review.

Not sure if I'll buy it as I already have Unfinished Tales, which has much of Narn i Hin Hurin in it.

[jammi567]

Yeah, but it also uses other elements from the History's, so it will be fuller and much more detailed then that (in fact, at a last count, someone said that the actual story is about 200 pages, not including the intoductions and appendices).

[Rían]

I'll wait for the reviews here - I'm pretty sure I have all the various versions already, and it's not one of my favorites, either.

I wish there was more on Gondolin ...

[jammi567]

There's always hope.... (although, saying that, it's the least favorite of the three greats, with Beren and Luthien being second).

[brownjenkins]

Well, it's my favorite!

Turin was one of the more "real" characters and, while I've read Unfinished Tales, this one sounds as if it's a bit more polished.

[tolkienfan]

I'm going to Barnes and Nobles today to get it too! (Among other things, such as reserving Harry Potter 7!)

[Rían]

Originally Posted by brownjenkins

Well, it's my favorite!

Then you should definitely take a look at HoME III, The Lays of Beleriand, and read The Lay of the Children of Húrin.

Here's a bit from where Túrin is forced to leave his mother:

... Then in Túrin leapt
his awakened heart, and he wept blindly,
calling 'I cannot, I cannot leave thee.
O Morwin, my mother, why makest me go?
Hateful are the hills where hope is lost.
O Morwin, my mother, I am meshed in tears.
Grim are the hills, and my home is gone.'
And there came his cries calling faintly
down the dark alleys of the dreary trees,
and one who wept weary on the threshold
heard how the hills said 'my home is gone.'

[brownjenkins]

I've read all the HoME books a few times, so this is all that's left.

[Nurvingiel]

I have to admit it will take me a while to get around to reading this.

But here's another article on it from the CBC.

[Lief Erikson]

Christopher Tolkien spent 30 years studying his father's manuscripts and putting this together. I'm certainly quite curious .

I'm looking forward to hearing the opinions of all here who read it, when you're done.

I'm pretty slow about buying things, because I have a routine that doesn't include buying, and I don't tend to change my ways quickly. Pretty lame, but that's me. I'll probably get around to it eventually though, if folk here give it strong reviews.

[jammi567]

I got the book today! However, i haven't read the actual story yet, only the introduction, and some of the appendices. The introduction is really good, as it allows a newcomer to understand the contex in which the story is being set. The appendices, for those interested in it, have a detailed summery of how the work because the form it is today, as well as the changes made from the Narn to the actual book.

[Valandil]

The bookstore finally had it out - I just picked it up tonight.

I'll start reading it on my commute tomorrw. Don't worry - I'm taking the el, not my car.

[frodosampippinmerry]

What is Children of Hurin? Is it a "remake" of the Silmarillion? will I be buying something I already have by buying it with the Silmarillion

[Peter_20]

Originally Posted by frodosampippinmerry

What is Children of Hurin? Is it a "remake" of the Silmarillion? will I be buying something I already have by buying it with the Silmarillion

There is indeed a chapter of this tale in The Silmarillion, but The Children of Húrin tells the tale in full, with details, whereas the chapter in The Silmarillion is told very, very briefly.

This is exactly like buying The Lord of the Rings after reading the chapter "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age" in The Silmarillion.

[BeardofPants]

The BF bought it for me today, and I've read the first chapter, plus preface & intro. How exciting to see my favouritest tolkien story brought to light like this! Weeeee!!!!

*is SUCH a Turin fangirl.

[The Telcontarion]

Got it today, just finished reading the intro. To siked right now...

[Rosie Gamgee]

I'm about a third of the way through the book--which I think I said once I would not read.. but.. "doth not the appetite alter?"

I like it so far. It's very descriptive; not as engaging as LoTR in the writing style, but still very interesting. It makes the world of that Age come to life in a way that the abbreviated version in the Silly doesn't do. Very cool.

[Gwaimir Windgem]

Oh, poo-poo you people. I love this story. It's so tragically beautiful, and tragedy touches me like few other things can. Oh, the catharsis!