So I read the book and the story was pretty much identical to that published already in The Lost Tales etc. There are major differences of course, the primary one being that this version is actually readable… and for Tolkein this is a major advance, it looks like Chris has been working hard on the manuscript.
Nevertheless I enjoyed it… well I enjoyed it as a Tolkein book anyway. The story itself, is one of unremitting depression bereft of any hope.
Essentially it is the story of one family who’s head is Hurin. Hurin set himself against the original ‘dark lord’ Morgoth who could be equated in many respects to our modern conception of the devil. Having insulted this extremely powerful being Hurin found himself and his children cursed. He is forced to ‘look through Morgoths eyes’ to see the horrific downfall of his wife and children. Oddly, the remainder of the story of Hurin himself is not told… not even in an appendix… which is a bit sad. Still, for those who are interested there is a mass of information in both the Last Tales and the remainder of the ‘histories’.
As usual Tolkein’s writing and plot development are outstanding and his use of the English language is exemplary but this *is* a book with a very depressing theme.
Like I said tho… I liked it 🙂
The Eclectic Interweb 