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The Children of Hurin / The Silmarillion / Unfinished Tales
624 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 2009
35 people are currently reading
1490 people want to read
About the author
J.R.R. Tolkien
798 books78k followersJohn Ronald Reuel Tolkien: writer, artist, scholar, linguist. Known to millions around the world as the author of The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien spent most of his life teaching at the University of Oxford where he was a distinguished academic in the fields of Old and Middle English and Old Norse. His creativity, confined to his spare time, found its outlet in fantasy works, stories for children, poetry, illustration and invented languages and alphabets.
Tolkien’s most popular works, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are set in Middle-earth, an imagined world with strangely familiar settings inhabited by ancient and extraordinary peoples. Through this secondary world Tolkien writes perceptively of universal human concerns – love and loss, courage and betrayal, humility and pride – giving his books a wide and enduring appeal.
Tolkien was an accomplished amateur artist who painted for pleasure and relaxation. He excelled at landscapes and often drew inspiration from his own stories. He illustrated many scenes from The Silmarillion, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, sometimes drawing or painting as he was writing in order to visualize the imagined scene more clearly.
Tolkien was a professor at the Universities of Leeds and Oxford for almost forty years, teaching Old and Middle English, as well as Old Norse and Gothic. His illuminating lectures on works such as the Old English epic poem, Beowulf, illustrate his deep knowledge of ancient languages and at the same time provide new insights into peoples and legends from a remote past.
Tolkien was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa, in 1892 to English parents. He came to England aged three and was brought up in and around Birmingham. He graduated from the University of Oxford in 1915 and saw active service in France during the First World War before being invalided home. After the war he pursued an academic career teaching Old and Middle English. Alongside his professional work, he invented his own languages and began to create what he called a mythology for England; it was this ‘legendarium’ that he would work on throughout his life. But his literary work did not start and end with Middle-earth, he also wrote poetry, children’s stories and fairy tales for adults. He died in 1973 and is buried in Oxford where he spent most of his adult life.
Tolkien’s most popular works, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are set in Middle-earth, an imagined world with strangely familiar settings inhabited by ancient and extraordinary peoples. Through this secondary world Tolkien writes perceptively of universal human concerns – love and loss, courage and betrayal, humility and pride – giving his books a wide and enduring appeal.
Tolkien was an accomplished amateur artist who painted for pleasure and relaxation. He excelled at landscapes and often drew inspiration from his own stories. He illustrated many scenes from The Silmarillion, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, sometimes drawing or painting as he was writing in order to visualize the imagined scene more clearly.
Tolkien was a professor at the Universities of Leeds and Oxford for almost forty years, teaching Old and Middle English, as well as Old Norse and Gothic. His illuminating lectures on works such as the Old English epic poem, Beowulf, illustrate his deep knowledge of ancient languages and at the same time provide new insights into peoples and legends from a remote past.
Tolkien was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa, in 1892 to English parents. He came to England aged three and was brought up in and around Birmingham. He graduated from the University of Oxford in 1915 and saw active service in France during the First World War before being invalided home. After the war he pursued an academic career teaching Old and Middle English. Alongside his professional work, he invented his own languages and began to create what he called a mythology for England; it was this ‘legendarium’ that he would work on throughout his life. But his literary work did not start and end with Middle-earth, he also wrote poetry, children’s stories and fairy tales for adults. He died in 1973 and is buried in Oxford where he spent most of his adult life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
September 21, 2022
The Children of Húrin: 5/5*
This is one or part of Tolkien’s ‘great tales’, and it is apparently one of the earlier things he worked on, continuously altered, and made further notes on, until his death. The editing work from his son included completing the work and making it a cohesive linear story for readers, and was published in 2007. This is also a part of the Unfinished Tales and The Silmarillion.
I had intended to read through some more of Tolkien’s work prior to September, and the release of The Rings of Power. When I realized it was already august, I knew I had to get it in gear. Now the great tales aren’t the storyline from tRoP, but I still wanted to conquer them as I have already read the appendices before. Due to time, I decided to go with the audio, which sadly means I missed the great illustrations on this first read through, but it is narrated by the late Christopher Lee…his performance is explosive. However it was a bit weird, because the audio is broken into 7 chapters for an 18 chapter book, with seemingly no reason whatsoever for it.
Tolkien called this The Lay of the Children of Húrin, a lay being a narrative poem (typically sung). In many ways it also comes off as very epic, both in the style of poem, and the things happening. I really found myself thinking about this quote from Tolkien’s son (about Jackson’s LotR trilogy): “They eviscerated the book by making it an action movie for young people aged 15 to 25.” And although film cannot mimic the lyrical and powerful nature of Tolkien’s ability to write, this story includes some heavy things, descriptions, and themes that would almost read more as George R. R. Martin. It’s for that reason I kept thinking of the quote. Tolkien writes of dismemberment, torture, orcs beheading huge groups of people, humans hanging large groups of orcs from trees, suicide, unwitting incest. I mean there’s a lot to digest, but a lot of these things kind of resonated with me as the kind of violence translated into Jackson’s films.
Regardless of that, or with that being said, Tolkien still gives us the history, or almost overview of the story. The description is light, not exactly glossing over things, but he does not dwell on action and terror stroke by stroke. A huge battle is simply talked about as having happened, you’re never really inside the moment. It’s for that reason that Tolkien always translates into history for me. This is much more linear than the Silmarillion as a whole, but they can still be viewed as almost textbook like writing. None of this is meant as a negative in any way though, as I absolutely love Tolkien and I absolutely loved this story.
The Silmarillion: 5/5*
I FINALLY DID IT. I started/got through the first 30-60 pages of this book like literally 12 times. Wow. It is honestly a textbook.
I most definitely absorbed only 1/26th of this book though. Except for the Numenor stuff because I’ve also read Unfinished Tales. I really liked what I grasped, but this is just a dump of content on Middle-Earth and it can be hard to follow along. I’ll definitely need a round two one day. The new edition illustrated by Ted Nasmith is absolutely beautiful.
Personally still a 5/5* for me as the fact that Tolkien’s mind could do all that is astounding. Additional thanks to his son...without Christopher, I doubt we’d ever seen this at all.
Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth: 5/5*
This is a wonderful collection of stories depicting Tolkien’s ability to imagine every single aspect of Middle-earth and everything it could be.
The editing and notes once again show that Christopher Tolkien truly is the leading expert in his father’s work.
A must read for Tolkien fans
This is one or part of Tolkien’s ‘great tales’, and it is apparently one of the earlier things he worked on, continuously altered, and made further notes on, until his death. The editing work from his son included completing the work and making it a cohesive linear story for readers, and was published in 2007. This is also a part of the Unfinished Tales and The Silmarillion.
I had intended to read through some more of Tolkien’s work prior to September, and the release of The Rings of Power. When I realized it was already august, I knew I had to get it in gear. Now the great tales aren’t the storyline from tRoP, but I still wanted to conquer them as I have already read the appendices before. Due to time, I decided to go with the audio, which sadly means I missed the great illustrations on this first read through, but it is narrated by the late Christopher Lee…his performance is explosive. However it was a bit weird, because the audio is broken into 7 chapters for an 18 chapter book, with seemingly no reason whatsoever for it.
Tolkien called this The Lay of the Children of Húrin, a lay being a narrative poem (typically sung). In many ways it also comes off as very epic, both in the style of poem, and the things happening. I really found myself thinking about this quote from Tolkien’s son (about Jackson’s LotR trilogy): “They eviscerated the book by making it an action movie for young people aged 15 to 25.” And although film cannot mimic the lyrical and powerful nature of Tolkien’s ability to write, this story includes some heavy things, descriptions, and themes that would almost read more as George R. R. Martin. It’s for that reason I kept thinking of the quote. Tolkien writes of dismemberment, torture, orcs beheading huge groups of people, humans hanging large groups of orcs from trees, suicide, unwitting incest. I mean there’s a lot to digest, but a lot of these things kind of resonated with me as the kind of violence translated into Jackson’s films.
Regardless of that, or with that being said, Tolkien still gives us the history, or almost overview of the story. The description is light, not exactly glossing over things, but he does not dwell on action and terror stroke by stroke. A huge battle is simply talked about as having happened, you’re never really inside the moment. It’s for that reason that Tolkien always translates into history for me. This is much more linear than the Silmarillion as a whole, but they can still be viewed as almost textbook like writing. None of this is meant as a negative in any way though, as I absolutely love Tolkien and I absolutely loved this story.
The Silmarillion: 5/5*
I FINALLY DID IT. I started/got through the first 30-60 pages of this book like literally 12 times. Wow. It is honestly a textbook.
I most definitely absorbed only 1/26th of this book though. Except for the Numenor stuff because I’ve also read Unfinished Tales. I really liked what I grasped, but this is just a dump of content on Middle-Earth and it can be hard to follow along. I’ll definitely need a round two one day. The new edition illustrated by Ted Nasmith is absolutely beautiful.
Personally still a 5/5* for me as the fact that Tolkien’s mind could do all that is astounding. Additional thanks to his son...without Christopher, I doubt we’d ever seen this at all.
Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth: 5/5*
This is a wonderful collection of stories depicting Tolkien’s ability to imagine every single aspect of Middle-earth and everything it could be.
The editing and notes once again show that Christopher Tolkien truly is the leading expert in his father’s work.
A must read for Tolkien fans
March 24, 2013
A fleshed-out version of the events that happen in a few chapters of The Silmarillion. Since it covers an unrelentingly bad time in Middle-Earth (no happy ending) it may not be for everyone. Tolkien descends from the loftier point of view of The Silmarillion into a more intimate mode of storytelling. The Eldar and Edain don't come off too well (with exceptions like the loyal Beleg) but it all makes sense within the framework of the various curses and dooms that hang over everyone. Recommended for those who want to be Tolkien "completists" but maybe don't want to read every volume of story fragments and unfinished works.
September 30, 2019
A really enjoyable collection of the obscure and unfinished tales by Tolkien. This was a fantastic bundle and will hold down a space on my book shelf until I can get the hard covers.
I'm a big fan of Tolkien, and am not going to try and review this huge set of stories beyond saying they are invaluable if you like the world of Middle Earth. A challenging read however, hence only the 4 Stars.
I'm a big fan of Tolkien, and am not going to try and review this huge set of stories beyond saying they are invaluable if you like the world of Middle Earth. A challenging read however, hence only the 4 Stars.
March 2, 2021
I loved it listened to Christopher read with comments. Feels like being right there. Tolkein is a genius
August 22, 2016
I have heard many people say Tolkien novels, especially The Silmarillion, are boring fictional history books. However, considering the extent in which I enjoyed the LOTR novels and movies, I was genuinely interested in the history of Middle Earth. The detail of this fictional universe is so fine that if didn't know any better, I would believe it as truth. Personally, I enjoyed The Children of Hurin the most due to the more typical novel-style writing.
October 14, 2014
For a Tolkien nerd like me, this was a treat. It only gets three stars because it seems like a more fleshed out recycling of the Turin chapter of the Silmarillion (basically the Bible of Tolkien's world). You have to give it to Christopher Tolkien for putting together his father's scribbles in such a detailed, satisfying way.
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September 16, 2025CONTENT
(for the Children of Hurin/Narn I Hin Hurin)
nudity (non-graphic, but still there...), incest, suicide (on screen), acohal consuption, potentaly gross medical description(including description of blood)
(for the Tale of Alrarion and Elendis/Unfinished Tales)
mentions of husband and wife sharing their bed, faild realtionship leading to divorce, degrading comments made about the usefullness of men (condemned by narritive)
(for the rest of the Unfinished Tales)
mentions of being in love with someone who's already married, ...
...and for the Silmarillion
(NOTE; you may want to note that it’s in a similar style to the scriptures, so it may be less tiggering than if it was in the same detail as LotR)
suicide (on screen and mentioned) – Violence (mostly non-graphic) – someone unintentionaly marries their sister (not condoned) – very light romantic touch, – magic (both power from Iluvatar and Morgoth’s counterfeits), – and alcohol consumption mentioned and done
(for the Children of Hurin/Narn I Hin Hurin)
nudity (non-graphic, but still there...), incest, suicide (on screen), acohal consuption, potentaly gross medical description(including description of blood)
(for the Tale of Alrarion and Elendis/Unfinished Tales)
mentions of husband and wife sharing their bed, faild realtionship leading to divorce, degrading comments made about the usefullness of men (condemned by narritive)
(for the rest of the Unfinished Tales)
mentions of being in love with someone who's already married, ...
...and for the Silmarillion
(NOTE; you may want to note that it’s in a similar style to the scriptures, so it may be less tiggering than if it was in the same detail as LotR)
suicide (on screen and mentioned) – Violence (mostly non-graphic) – someone unintentionaly marries their sister (not condoned) – very light romantic touch, – magic (both power from Iluvatar and Morgoth’s counterfeits), – and alcohol consumption mentioned and done
March 2, 2021
Masterfully assembled by Christopher Tolkien, no mean feat given the exhaustive but disparate source material, The Silmarillion gives the story behind the story of LOTR. This is more difficult to read and follow than the more famous The Hobbit and LOTR owing to the quite archaic prose, which might not be to every modern reader's tastes. However, the creativity, stories and tragedies within are second to none, and Tolkien really goes to town on assembling the English mythos he set out to create. I personally would rate it 5 stars, but I appreciate the prose can be difficult to follow.
July 17, 2025
Apesar da nota, não é um livro para todo mundo.
O livro aborda alguns contos de Arda bem como traz versões alternativas de determinados trechos.
Além disso, a pegada do livro se torna bem semelhante aos apêndices em algumas histórias.
Se a pessoa não curte o universo de Tolkien ou então caiu de paraquedas direto nesse livro não imagino que seria uma leitura muito agradável. Ele acaba por ser bem direcionado para os fãs que desejam se aprofundar no legendários.
O livro aborda alguns contos de Arda bem como traz versões alternativas de determinados trechos.
Além disso, a pegada do livro se torna bem semelhante aos apêndices em algumas histórias.
Se a pessoa não curte o universo de Tolkien ou então caiu de paraquedas direto nesse livro não imagino que seria uma leitura muito agradável. Ele acaba por ser bem direcionado para os fãs que desejam se aprofundar no legendários.
October 22, 2022
Few writers can hold a candle to what Tolkiens comprised works have created a beacon of. Woe to anyone who claims his work are anything but a triumphant fire which shines upon fantasy, language, and the characters within.
January 13, 2025
The world of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings is indeed very old. The long history starts with a creation story, but as always, Tolkien’s beautiful world is the stage for the struggle of good against evil.
August 23, 2018
Beyond words.
March 16, 2022
Of course Tolkien is my absolute favorite. It was fun reading this again as an adult - very biblical in style. Third person.
March 11, 2023
tolkien's world. beautiful, unbelievable, and real.
September 24, 2024
Read these during college. Silmarillion was a real eye opener to how much world building Tolkien had done.
May 12, 2025
Facisnating tales & insight into Middle Earth
May 11, 2012
The only reason I gave this two stars is that it was Waaaayyy too complicated on Audio.......my husband and I listened to this for a good 1/2 hour before we made the decision to move onto something else on our roadtrip. Even though I have read many Tolkien books, just the introduction alone of characters and background was very difficult to follow. Maybe another time. Interestingly enough, Goodreads says that the Audio CD format is not available, but it is sitting in front on me as I write this; published by Harper Collins AudioBooks!
July 3, 2016
I cannot help but give it five stars simply because it is a Tolkien piece. But, mother-of-god it is the ultimate tragedy and please do not seek to read this if you choose to be uplifted. Will Shakespeare wishes he could have down such downcast misery as it is Ulysses, Macbeth, Oedipus, Romeo and Juliet, and more all wrapped up in one. My God! But with the Tolkien Middle Earth twist it is truly great. For any fans I say it is a must read but not for those just looking to happy.
Read
August 9, 2011The Children of Hurin, another book about Middle Earth. Many people are familiar with The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Honestly, those are the easy books to read. I’ve always found Tolkien’s other writings to be hard to follow, mainly because the setting is just so complex. This book, although not an easy read, is a captivating story that took places long before the time of The Hobbit.
May 28, 2014
I enjoyed reading "The Children of Hurin",unlike some of Tolkien's other works the plot had plenty of action that kept me interested.Reading a book set in old middle earth was interesting and I actually liked it better than "The Lord of The Rings" series. Overall "The children of Hurin" was a fun book and one of my favorites.
May 6, 2011
Audio Book. A tale of Middle Earth long before the hobbit and the Lord of the Rings. No rings in the story but Morgoth did beat up on the elves a lot. Turin was the main character and he went around to a bunch of different people fighting the Orcs ever
Read
August 2, 2011A well written expansion of the tale from the Silmarillion. Tolkien's style and narrative ability are refreshing to see in a new composition. Overall, I wish Tolkien would have released more of these stories while he was alive.
December 1, 2010
Follows one of the threads from The Silmarillion. Typically good Tolkien tale that leads you into another world.
Read
August 6, 2011Hard to read to begin with, had to get past the first chapter. After that the tale started to come together.
March 30, 2013
A little gem and written on the style of The Silmarillion from where the original story is taken.
July 31, 2013
Ihan hyvä, aika vaikeaa kieltä, surullinen.
February 19, 2015
a surprising ending. a nice book
October 19, 2014
OK, this explain alot about LOTR
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2015
The Children of Hurin represents another beautiful and integral component in the more ephemeral works that inform the vast Tolkien mythos.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews