Daniel W. (giddyaboutgod) reviewed on 8/11/2023 + 10 more book reviews

Expectations are a funny thing. I didn't come into this book with high ones but came away pleasantly surprised. The Children of Hurin is not anywhere close to a perfect book. Indeed, people who like light, breezy books need not apply. The book is dark in tone throughout but, to me anyway, is much easier to read than the Simarillion. The narrative is pretty straightforward and the cast of characters is large although the story centers on Hurin and his family. They are the center of the story around which all the other characters orbit, although Tolkien has the habit of having some of the main characters have multiple names, which can be confusing at times. If you do get confused there is a list of names index that will prove helpful. The best thing I can say is Tolkien writes in such a way that I want to keep reading even though the main character is not likeable at all. If you have read and enjoyed Tolkien then you should enjoy this.

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