Book log: The Children of Hurin
A much more fleshed out and engaging version of the chapter
"Of Turin Turambar" from the Silmarillion. This book brings
together several fragments and versions to a quite complete
narrative. Apparently, some additions needed to be written by
Christopher Tolkien, but I only noticed one section that
seemed to break the rhythm or feel.
A "classical tragedy" at heart, the story follows Turin's
life and the curse laid upon him by Morgoth. The main
antagonist is the dragon Glaurung, who has massive
destructive powers, as well as a hypnotizing stare.
The more detailed narrative brings us closer to the story
than most of The Silmarillion does, but it still doesn't
feel as lifelike or visceral as The Lord of the Rings or
The Hobbit.
I enjoyed the introduction and the appendix, laying out how
Christopher Tolkien worked with the original manuscripts to
bring the story to completion.
Awaiting the other two of Tolkien's "great tales" in the mail
- The Fall of Gondolin and Beren and Luthien - and will read
them as soon as they arrive.
