History of the Lord of the Rings - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Groin Redbeard · 06-18-2008, 07:41 PM

I'll join you in this one, cesar.ewok. I'm looking into buying the complete series of HoME, but one thing that I've noticed is that the Children of Hurin is not accounted for in this series. Is the Children of Hurin a seperate book unto itself like the Silmarillion?

Eönwë · 06-18-2008, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Groin Redbeard

I'll join you in this one, cesar.ewok. I'm looking into buying the complete series of HoME, but one thing that I've noticed is that the Children of Hurin is not accounted for in this series. Is the Children of Hurin a seperate book unto itself like the Silmarillion?

I haven't read it myself, but I think the CoH is meant to be read in much the same way as LOTR (rather than CT remarking on his father's works).

Lindale · 06-19-2008, 06:10 AM

My dad hasn't returned my freshly-bought copy of CoH, but he says that it's very much like the story in the sil plus the story in the UT, all melded into an LotR-ish style that he says, "reeks of Greek tragedy."

Mithalwen · 06-19-2008, 06:34 AM

I own all of HoME and I would say that the Lord of the Rings volumes are to my mind the most approachable - I have read them through whereas I tend to "dip" into some of the others. It is fascinating to see how the story developed and expanded moving from the Hobbit sequel to being also a sequel to the Silmarillion. Obviously some people don't want to know this kind of thing and prefer to take the finished work as it is, but I really enjoyed them.

As for the Children of Hurin, you will find parts of it in HoME but since it was published later you won't find it referred to there as a single volume work.

A short version of the story was published in the Silmarillion, more was included in "Unfinished Tales" and some fragments appeared only in HoME. I seem to recall this was partly because Tolkien wrote many drafts, and moved house and office and was generally somewhat disorganized and as a result some things went to the US university that had bought a lot of his manuscripts while others were left in the care of Christopher Tolkien.

Therefore last year The Children of Hurin was published as a single volume novel.

06-18-2008, 07:41 PM	#1
Groin Redbeard Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Facing the world's troubles with Christ's hope! Posts: 1,635	I'll join you in this one, cesar.ewok. I'm looking into buying the complete series of HoME, but one thing that I've noticed is that the Children of Hurin is not accounted for in this series. Is the Children of Hurin a seperate book unto itself like the Silmarillion? __________________ I heard the bells on Christmas Day. Their old, familiar carols play. And wild and sweet the words repeatof peace on earth, good-will to men! ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

06-19-2008, 06:10 AM	#3
Lindale Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: midway upon... in a forest dark Posts: 975	My dad hasn't returned my freshly-bought copy of CoH, but he says that it's very much like the story in the sil plus the story in the UT, all melded into an LotR-ish style that he says, "reeks of Greek tragedy." __________________ The heart does things for reasons Reason itself cannot comprehend. - Blaise Pascal Legal Madness.

06-19-2008, 06:34 AM	#4
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	I own all of HoME and I would say that the Lord of the Rings volumes are to my mind the most approachable - I have read them through whereas I tend to "dip" into some of the others. It is fascinating to see how the story developed and expanded moving from the Hobbit sequel to being also a sequel to the Silmarillion. Obviously some people don't want to know this kind of thing and prefer to take the finished work as it is, but I really enjoyed them. As for the Children of Hurin, you will find parts of it in HoME but since it was published later you won't find it referred to there as a single volume work. A short version of the story was published in the Silmarillion, more was included in "Unfinished Tales" and some fragments appeared only in HoME. I seem to recall this was partly because Tolkien wrote many drafts, and moved house and office and was generally somewhat disorganized and as a result some things went to the US university that had bought a lot of his manuscripts while others were left in the care of Christopher Tolkien. Therefore last year The Children of Hurin was published as a single volume novel. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

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