The Children of Húrin

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The Children of Húrin
J.R.R. Tolkien
2007

The Summary
As the final product of J.R.R. Tolkien's and his son's collaborative effort, The Children of Húrin tells the story of a world before the rule of Sauron, before the Rings of Power, even before the days of Elrond.

It chronicles the tragic story of Húrin. Specifically, Tolkien's novel recounts the lives of Húrin's children, Túrin and Niënor, and his beloved wife, Morwen, as they suffer under the malevolence of the Dark Lord Morgoth.

The Good
Tolkien, as always, presents a compelling story rich with history and detail. True to form, this novel glimpses Tolkien's definitive style and penchant for intricacy; however, there are elements decidedly "not Tolkien" - or, at least, not the one we know.

The influence of his son, Chrisopher, can be seen throughout the work, which gives it a unique flavor and style all its own that makes it different from the typical Tolkien.

It's different, but exceptional nonetheless.

The Bad
Incest.

And death.

It isn't a very happy book, to say the least.  But if you don't mind having your day tinged with sadness (or entirely ruined), feel free to pick up Tolkien's novel and devour it.  It's good for a tear jerker.

The Ugly
Written with the intention of being called a tragedy, The Children of Húrin stays true to its roots and embraces unfortunate circumstance, like Tolkien embraces fantasy - which is to say the two are virtually inseparable.

The house of Húrin, it would seem, simply can't escape tragedy. Enslavement, death, despair, suicide, agony, violence, misfortune - and much, much more. It's all very gruesome and grim.

And Húrin, trapped by Morgoth's power, is forced to hear and see every tragic event which befalls his children and his wife. Unable to move, unable to die, he is forced to watch as his family withers and endure their misfortunes as his own without running to their aid - he must watch and remain.

The Return of the King

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The Return of the King
J.R.R. Tolkien
1955

The Summary
The Return of the King serves as the gripping conclusion to an epic event.  Here, all questions will be answered and all fates will be decided.

Will Frodo and Sam reach the fires of Mount Doom?  Will the Fellowship survive the relentless malevolence of Sauron?  Will Minas Tirith and Middle Earth fall to the Dark Lord - or will the King finally return to his rightful throne?

Read on and see for yourself.

The Good
J.R.R. Tolkien provides an intricacy and detail to his novels like no other writer (or so I believe).  His villains are more maniacal, his heroes more courageous, and his characters more vibrant than any other.  His novel leaves you with a lasting impression of its magnificence.

And, in the conclusion of his saga, his writing can be no more magnificent.

More importantly, as the climax of his trilogy, Tolkien delicately balances his story between two vastly dissimilar endings.  The Return of the King could just as easily turn into a tragedy as conclude happily.  The suspense he sets - and the breathless moments of expectation - will thrill you and leave you cheering.

The Bad
Once you begin your descent toward a resolution, you will long to reach its conclusion.  After three books (four, counting The Hobbit) and, no doubt, more than a thousand pages, an ending is a well-deserved reward. But Tolkien is a crafty fellow.

Just when you think you've reached the final pages....BAM!  Tolkien throws in an additional chapter, before giving you the conclusion you so richly deserve.

Like I said, he's crafty.

The Ugly
It's the end of the road, so to speak.  All is said and done, and it's finally time to say good-bye.

This is the saddest point of any series:  the point when we must close the book, end the adventure, and bid farewell to the characters we love.

The Two Towers

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The Two Towers
J.R.R. Tolkien
1954

The Summary
With the dissolution of the Fellowship, Frodo and Sam have struck out on their own for the gates of Mordor, while Gimili, Legolas, and Aragorn seek to rescue Merry and Pippin from the clutches of Sauron's orc army.

Great battles and great hardships will ensue as the remaining members of the Fellowship are pushed to their limits in their desperate fight to save Middle Earth.

And Sam Gamgee, loyal and courageous companion of Frodo, will face the most difficult decision of all:  can he go forward without his dearest friend Frodo?

The Good
Like The Fellowship of the Ring, J.R.R. Tolkien crafts an intricate story with beautiful scenery and amazing characters, who will steal your heart and last forever in your memory.

More importantly, Tolkien has further developed his characters and the relationships they share.  Gimli and Legolas, despite the ancient animosity existing between their races, have become close friends.  Aragorn has ventured closer to embracing his destiny.  Merry and Pippin have begun growing into warriors.  And Frodo has changed - the One Ring has started taking its toll.

Strictly speaking, Tolkien knows his way around a story.

Additionally, he knows how to show his readers a good time.  He's not afraid to toy with your emotions, or give you some good news every once in a while.  You're certainly in for a treat, when a familiar - and much beloved - character returns.

The Bad
Since the Fellowship has shattered, the novel is split into two primary parts:  the journey of Frodo and Sam as they venture into Mordor, and the struggles the others face as they fight to remain together in the face of insurmountable odds.

Tolkien doesn't take pity on his readers and alternate his chapters; instead, he starkly divides them.  First, he presents the stories of Legolas, Gimli, Aragorn, Merry, and Pippin, and then he follows by chronicling the adventures of Frodo and Sam.

Throughout the course of one tale, you will long to hear of the other.  And when you reach the end and begin the next, you will long to return to the one you left.  You will always wonder what is happening to the beloved characters you cannot see.

The Ugly
Cliffhangers.

I won't spill any secrets or spoil the story, but I will offer this warning:  Tolkien ends with a major cliffhanger. He will first tear out your heart, then he will give you hope and leave you cheering, and tear out your heart yet again.

The Two Towers is a guaranteed emotional roller coaster ride.

The Fellowship of the Ring

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The Fellowship of the Ring
J.R.R. Tolkien
1954

The Summary
Bequeathed the One Ring by an aging Bilbo Baggins, Frodo and his friends are given the task of returning it to the fires of Mount Doom in the lands of Mordor.

The road they follow, however, will not be an easy one, for they must face Ringwraiths, orcs, and the Dark Lord Sauron's all-seeing eye.

But Frodo and his half-ling companions will not be alone in their journey.  In the elves' city of Rivendell, they are joined by Gandalf (a tempestuous wizard), Strider (a Ranger with a mysterious family legacy), Legolas (an elf from the forests of Mirkwood), Gimli (a rather loud and loyal dwarf), and Boromir (a son of the Steward of Minas Tirith).

And so the Fellowship is forged.

The Good
J.R.R. Tolkien is an exceptional writer.  He infuses his work with great detail and depth.  Everything in his novel has a name - and every name has a meaning - and everyone has a history.  Whether it is a memento passed down through the ages or an individual reciting the lineage of his family, everything and everyone has a long, detailed history.

Tolkien is nothing if not thorough in his work.

Additionally, Tolkien creates enchanting and endearing characters, such as the ever-faithful Sam, or the playful Tom Bombadil, or the heroic and honorable Strider (less frequently known as Aragorn, son of Arathorn).  More to the point, he crafts characters who will become a part of our lives for a short moment in time and last forever in our memories.

The Bad
The Fellowship doesn't complete the first portion of their journey and remain entirely unscathed.  If you have read this book in the past (or, yes, even watched the movie), then you understand what I mean.

If not, find a book or a DVD player and see for yourself.

The Ugly
I wouldn't necessarily call the songs of Tolkien's novel "ugly," but I would occasionally call them annoying.

You see, Tom Bombadil sings.  The elves sing.  The hobbits sing.  Everyone sings, at one point in time or another.

Granted, it's amusing and it certainly shows Tolkien's talent (of which there is a great deal).  And yet it may compel you to skip a page or two - or three - for the sake of your sanity, if you find yourself unable to hold a tune.

The Hobbit

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The Hobbit
J.R.R. Tolkien
1937

The Summary
The Hobbit tells the story of Bilbo Baggins, a half-ling living in a hole in the ground - neither a dirty, wet hole, nor a sandy, dry hole, but a comfortable hobbit hole - in the Shire, who finds himself mixed up in the unsavory business of adventuring with a hot-tempered wizard and fourteen curiously quirky dwarves.

This is where the saga begins.

The Good
J.R.R. Tolkien weaves an intricate story filled with lovable characters, fantastic creatures, and exceptional adventure. Tolkien promises an epic journey from the outset, especially since Bilbo and his traveling companions seek to reclaim treasures from the dangerous dragon, Smaug.

Adventures upon adventures will pile up before Bilbo, Gandalf, and their dwarven friends. There are incidents involving goblins, trolls, enormous spiders, elves, giant eagles, talking animals, and much more. It's fascinating that one hobbit can do so much, considering, as Tolkien once said, "They do not like noise."

Moreover, The Hobbit reminisces of a bedtime story, which makes it exceptionally fun to read aloud, especially when read aloud with funny voices. (I suggest Chapter Five, which presents a curious little incident between Bilbo and the creature named Gollum - and a certain Ring of Power.)

The Bad
Hobbits have no natural inclination to take adventures, and Bilbo is no exception.  He will often wish to return home to his nice, warm hole in the Shire and put a kettle on the fire (not for the last time, of course), which turns into a tedious reminder every few pages.

There is no lack of consistency in Bilbo's desires, at least.

Additionally, the Ring - the One Ring that serves as the most crucial driving element of The Lord of the Rings - holds very little significance in Bilbo's tale. Granted, it rescues him from danger in a pinch, but, unless you already have some experience with Tolkien's work, the importance of the Ring can fall flat.

The Ugly
Tolkien has a special skill with poetry and song unlike any other. But, if you can't hold a tune to save your life or you fall exceptionally off key, his songs can wear on your nerves and drive you absolutely bonkers.

Don't just take my word for it.  Try reading a few sections aloud.

It won't be a pleasant experience.

You were warned...

As you can no doubt see, I've changed the line-up for this month and hijacked the month of July in honor of Tolkien and his works. Rather than providing reviews on an assortment of books and authors, I've decided on a singularly linear course this time around.

Why Tolkien, you may ask?

Well, I am a fanatic for J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.  So, of course, I would ultimately write mediocre "reviews" based on three of the greatest novels ever written - and I will, most likely, only sing Tolkien's praises and rave about every aspect of his wonderfully fantastic novels.

I apologize now for any inconvenience this may cause, especially if you are less inclined to read epic fantasy novels or avoid Tolkien altogether.

(If the latter, shame on you.)

But, as always, I welcome any comments or suggestions and thank you for visiting Reader's Reach.

- The Scrivener