“In their light we are dimmed, or we burn with too quick a flame, and the weight of our doom lies the heavier on us.”

J.R.R. Tolkien is, without doubt, the undisputed master of Fantasy, and The Children of Húrin is a true testament to that magnificent legacy.

Set towards the final days of the First Age, this is one of Tolkien’s darkest tales in Middle-earth. It relates the trials of the children of the mortal warrior Húrin, who are cursed for the defiance of their father by the Dark Lord Morgoth. It is a tragic, raw story which encapsulates both the hopelessness and resilience that are so characteristic of the First Age. A plethora of radiant characters add so much life and breadth to the tale, and it is of course enriched by the incredible and unmatched world of Tolkien’s creation.

The character of Túrin, the principal hero, is a fascinating and complex figure, whose own choices contribute seemingly as much to his doom as the curse of Morgoth. His heroic deeds are consistently underpinned by his flawed nature, a sharp contrast to later mortal characters such as Aragorn, so that at times the reader both loves and hates him. He is both victim and author of his doom, a beautifully horrific paradox which adds interesting layers to the curse as a whole. This tale is a fascinating reflection of human nature in a time of strife and war, and it is nothing short of an achievement in the lore of Middle-earth.

Christopher Tolkien has compiled a thoroughly wonderful and readable account of the tale from his father’s notes, and that in itself is a skill that cannot be overlooked or underestimated (and indeed will be sorely missed). The layout and structure of the book itself is excellent, and the preface and introduction are both free of spoilers, instead offering background on the First Age so that new readers can approach The Children of Húrin undaunted. Anything that could be a potential spoiler is reserved for two discussions in the Appendix, so that altogether the layout felt very well-conceived and considerate of the reader.

For anyone looking to delve into the First Age of Middle-earth, The Children of Húrin is a perfect tale to jump into!