
I just finished reading The Children of Hurin, the latest book written by J.R.R. Tolkien’s son, Christopher, but different from the previous ones in that it is a cohesive novel rather than unfinished tales and fragments of stories.
The story is mainly about Turin (pronounced TOO-rin), of whom a long chapter in The Silmarillion is dedicated; those familiar with the story from that book will be interested to read the full account of Turin and his tragic life in this one.
Turin lived long before the Hobbits and the One Ring ever came to be, in the first days of the world when Morgoth, Sauron’s master, still lived in the world and fought against Elves and Men.
Turin grew up in the time that Morgoth regained the mastery over the world, and so early on he loses his dad, Hurin, whom Morgoth took captive, and he is sent away to live with the Elves in Doriath (Thingol and Melian the Maia).
He grows strong but also becomes very prideful, which plagues him his entire life, ultimately leading to his doom. Turin leaves the Elves and takes up with unscrupulous outlaws for many years; his best Elf friend, Beleg, leaves in search of him and eventually finds him, but through a twist of fate, Turin unwittingly slays Beleg, one of many horrible things that happens in Turin’s life.
Turin finds his way to another Elven stronghold, in Nargothrond, and once again rises in honor to become the captain of the Elven army there. However, his pride also rises, and when he is warned to prepare to defend against Morgoth’s assault, he ignores the advice.
Morgoth sends the evil dragon Glaraung to attack Nargothrond, and because Turin did not do as he weas counselled, Nargothrond falls and all are slaughtered.
Turin escapes, however, and ultimately flees to a new land, where he again becomes the chief; his sister Nienor and his mother try to find him, but are themselves ensnared by the dragon, and Nienor loses her memory, ultimately finding her way to Turin’s new homeland.
Grossly, Turin and Nienor fall in love and get married (eww), neither realizing they are siblings, and shortly thereafter, Glaraung comes after Turin again; Turin slays the dragon, but in its dying breath, the dragon reveals to Nienor that Turin is her brother; at the dragon’s death the spell is broken, and she regains her memories.
Then, horrified by what has befallen, she throws herself off a cliff. (Yes, this book is quite tragic). Turin wakes up from his wounds, finds out that Nienor was his sister and that she is now dead, and he falls on his own sword.
It is a really depressing story, perhaps the most central one in the elder days of Middle Earth. The writing does not have Tolkien’s brilliance, but it is worthwhile for hardcore fans of the trilogy.