Listen free for 30 days
-
The Children of Hurin
- Narrated by: Christopher Lee
- Length: 7 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Fantasy
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Listen with a free trial
Buy Now for £14.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
The Fall of Gondolin
- By: Christopher Tolkien, J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Timothy West, Samuel West
- Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 276
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 243
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 241
Gondolin, beautiful but undiscoverable, is central to the enmity of two of the greatest powers in the world. Morgoth of the uttermost evil seeks in vain to discover the marvellously hidden city of his Elven enemies, while the gods in Valinor refuse to support Ulmo Lord of Waters' designs to protect it. Into this world comes Tuor, cousin of Túrin, and guided unseen by Ulmo he sets out on the fearful journey to Gondolin to warn them of their coming doom.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Added so much to what I love
- By adambrown on 04-12-19
-
Beren and Lúthien
- By: Christopher Tolkien, J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Timothy West, Samuel West
- Length: 6 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 181
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 155
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 155
Beren was a mortal man, but Lúthien was an immortal Elf. Her father, a great Elvish lord, was deeply opposed to Beren, and imposed on him an impossible task that he must perform before he might wed Lúthien. Undaunted by Lord Thingol’s challenge, Beren and Lúthien embark on the supremely heroic attempt to rob Morgoth, the greatest of all evil beings, of a Silmaril, one of the hallowed jewels that adorn the Black Enemy’s crown.
-
1 out of 5 stars
-
this is absolute dross. There is NO STORY ! ! !
- By Robert Luke on 16-05-20
-
Unfinished Tales
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien - editor
- Narrated by: Timothy West, Samuel West
- Length: 21 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 195
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 173
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 173
Unfinished Tales is a collection of narratives ranging in time from the Elder Days of Middle-earth to the end of the War of the Ring and provides those who have read The Lord of the Rings with a whole collection of background and new stories from the 20th century’s most acclaimed popular author.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
FIX THE CHAPTERS
- By Malak on 07-05-21
-
The Silmarillion
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Martin Shaw
- Length: 14 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2,874
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 2,544
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 2,537
The complete unabridged audiobook of J.R.R Tolkien's The Silmarillion. The Silmarillion is an account of the Elder Days, of the First Age of Tolkien’s world. It is the ancient drama to which the characters in The Lord of the Rings look back, and in whose events some of them such as Elrond and Galadriel took part.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Great but with random audio glitches...
- By Allpressto on 28-08-17
-
Tales from the Perilous Realm
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
- Length: 7 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 141
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 123
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 122
Combined into one volume, this is the definitive collection of Tolkien's five acclaimed modern classic 'fairie' tales in the vein of The Hobbit, read by Derek Jacobi. The five tales are written with the same skill, quality and charm that made The Hobbit a classic. Largely overlooked because of their short lengths, they are joined here in one volume which reaffirms Tolkien's place as a master storyteller for listeners young and old.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Hmm
- By Jules on 04-12-17
-
The Adventures of Tom Bombadil
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Sir Derek Jacobi
- Length: 1 hr and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 118
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 100
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 99
The Adventures of Tom Bombadil is a collection of poetry written by J. R. R. Tolkien and was first published in 1962. The audio is read by Sir Derek Jacobi and is a collection of 16 poems that contain an assortment of bestiary verse and fairy tale rhyme. It is a stunning recording that captures all the characters in their own charming and mysterious ways.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
After the forword back to the forword and then onward...
- By Amazon Customer on 12-03-16
-
The Fall of Gondolin
- By: Christopher Tolkien, J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Timothy West, Samuel West
- Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 276
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 243
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 241
Gondolin, beautiful but undiscoverable, is central to the enmity of two of the greatest powers in the world. Morgoth of the uttermost evil seeks in vain to discover the marvellously hidden city of his Elven enemies, while the gods in Valinor refuse to support Ulmo Lord of Waters' designs to protect it. Into this world comes Tuor, cousin of Túrin, and guided unseen by Ulmo he sets out on the fearful journey to Gondolin to warn them of their coming doom.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Added so much to what I love
- By adambrown on 04-12-19
-
Beren and Lúthien
- By: Christopher Tolkien, J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Timothy West, Samuel West
- Length: 6 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 181
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 155
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 155
Beren was a mortal man, but Lúthien was an immortal Elf. Her father, a great Elvish lord, was deeply opposed to Beren, and imposed on him an impossible task that he must perform before he might wed Lúthien. Undaunted by Lord Thingol’s challenge, Beren and Lúthien embark on the supremely heroic attempt to rob Morgoth, the greatest of all evil beings, of a Silmaril, one of the hallowed jewels that adorn the Black Enemy’s crown.
-
1 out of 5 stars
-
this is absolute dross. There is NO STORY ! ! !
- By Robert Luke on 16-05-20
-
Unfinished Tales
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien - editor
- Narrated by: Timothy West, Samuel West
- Length: 21 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 195
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 173
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 173
Unfinished Tales is a collection of narratives ranging in time from the Elder Days of Middle-earth to the end of the War of the Ring and provides those who have read The Lord of the Rings with a whole collection of background and new stories from the 20th century’s most acclaimed popular author.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
FIX THE CHAPTERS
- By Malak on 07-05-21
-
The Silmarillion
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Martin Shaw
- Length: 14 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2,874
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 2,544
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 2,537
The complete unabridged audiobook of J.R.R Tolkien's The Silmarillion. The Silmarillion is an account of the Elder Days, of the First Age of Tolkien’s world. It is the ancient drama to which the characters in The Lord of the Rings look back, and in whose events some of them such as Elrond and Galadriel took part.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Great but with random audio glitches...
- By Allpressto on 28-08-17
-
Tales from the Perilous Realm
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
- Length: 7 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 141
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 123
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 122
Combined into one volume, this is the definitive collection of Tolkien's five acclaimed modern classic 'fairie' tales in the vein of The Hobbit, read by Derek Jacobi. The five tales are written with the same skill, quality and charm that made The Hobbit a classic. Largely overlooked because of their short lengths, they are joined here in one volume which reaffirms Tolkien's place as a master storyteller for listeners young and old.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Hmm
- By Jules on 04-12-17
-
The Adventures of Tom Bombadil
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Sir Derek Jacobi
- Length: 1 hr and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 118
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 100
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 99
The Adventures of Tom Bombadil is a collection of poetry written by J. R. R. Tolkien and was first published in 1962. The audio is read by Sir Derek Jacobi and is a collection of 16 poems that contain an assortment of bestiary verse and fairy tale rhyme. It is a stunning recording that captures all the characters in their own charming and mysterious ways.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
After the forword back to the forword and then onward...
- By Amazon Customer on 12-03-16
-
Tales from the Perilous Realm (Dramatised)
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Matthew Morgan
- Length: 2 hrs and 57 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 51
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 44
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 43
Michael Hordern stars as J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, in four BBC Radio full-cast dramatisations. Tolkien's tales of myth, mystery, and rumbustious exploits have been specially adapted for radio by Brian Sibley, one of the dramatists of the highly acclaimed BBC radio production of The Lord of the Rings.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Perfect
- By Fred on 06-07-15
-
The Hobbit
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Martin Shaw
- Length: 5 hrs and 57 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,064
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 687
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 682
Whisked from his comfortable hobbit-hole by Gandalf the wizard and a band of dwarves, Bilbo Baggins finds himself caught up in a plot to raid the treasure hoard of Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
The Hobbit
- By Paul S on 05-01-07
-
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Book 1
- By: J.K. Rowling
- Narrated by: Stephen Fry
- Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 36,413
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 31,596
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 31,546
Harry Potter has never even heard of Hogwarts when the letters start dropping on the doormat at number four, Privet Drive. Addressed in green ink on yellowish parchment with a purple seal, they are swiftly confiscated by his grisly aunt and uncle. Then, on Harry's eleventh birthday, a great beetle-eyed giant of a man called Rubeus Hagrid bursts in with some astonishing news: Harry Potter is a wizard, and he has a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. An incredible adventure is about to begin!
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Sells its self as always
- By Amazon Customer on 23-01-19
-
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Terry Jones
- Length: 4 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 92
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 66
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 66
A collection of three medieval English poems, translated by Tolkien for the modern-day reader and containing romance, tragedy, love, sex and honour.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Good stories brilliantly read by Terry Jones
- By Amazon Customer on 24-10-06
-
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Dramatised)
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Ian Holm, Michael Hordern, Robert Stephens, and others
- Length: 4 hrs and 35 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2,159
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 1,755
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 1,746
Part One, The Fellowship of the Ring, introduces us to Frodo Baggins. With his uncle Bilbo having mysteriously disappeared, Frodo finds himself in possession of a simple gold ring that has great and evil power. It is the Ruling Ring, taken long ago from the Dark Lord, Sauron, who now seeks to possess it again. Frodo must do everything he can to prevent this, and with the help of Gandalf the wizard and a band of loyal companions he begins a perilous journey across Middle-earth.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Should have been published on Audible as a whole!
- By Amazon Customer on 07-08-16
-
Nada the Lily
- By: H. Rider Haggard
- Narrated by: William Boyde
- Length: 11 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 4
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 4
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 4
"For I will call you by the name that for fifty years has been honoured by every tribe between Zambesi and Cape Agulbas,—I greet you! Sompseu, my father, I have written a book that tells of men and matters of which you know the most of any who still look upon the light; therefore, I set your name within that book and, such as it is, I offer it to you. If you knew not Chaka, you and he have seen the same suns shine, you knew his brother Panda and his captains, and perhaps even that very Mopo who tells this tale, his servant"....
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
A grim and splendid tale
- By R. A. Williams on 23-04-18
-
She Who Must Be Obeyed
- Ayesha
- By: Henry Rider Haggard
- Narrated by: Peter Newcombe Joyce
- Length: 14 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 1
-
Story3 out of 5 stars 1
Twenty years have passed since their first adventure in Africa, but Leo assures Holly that Ayesha is alive and imploring him to find her. They search through Asia and eventually arrive in the city of Kaloon, ruled by the mad Khan Rassen and his devious wife, the Khania Atene. The people live under an uneasy truce with the followers of the Priestess of Hes, who dwells on the Mountain, a huge volcano that dominates the region.
-
J. R. R. Tolkien
- A Biography
- By: Humphrey Carpenter
- Narrated by: Roger May
- Length: 11 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 79
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 67
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 67
The original authorised biography, and the only one written by an author who actually met J. R. R. Tolkien. In the 25 years since Tolkien’s death in September 1973, millions have read The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion and become fascinated about the very private man behind the books. Born in Bloemfontein in January 1892, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was orphaned in childhood, brought up in near poverty and almost thwarted in adolescent romance....
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Pleasing and well-read biography of a complex man
- By Kl Love on 18-05-20
-
Smith of Wootton Major
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
- Length: 1 hr and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 78
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 69
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 69
Tolkien's acclaimed modern classic 'fairie' tale, read by Derek Jacobi. Smith of Wootton Major journeys to the Land of Faery thanks to the magical ingredients of the Great Cake of the Feast of Good Children.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Enchanting
- By Mrs. R. G. Koren on 18-04-17
-
The Sandman: Act II
- By: Neil Gaiman, Dirk Maggs
- Narrated by: Neil Gaiman, James McAvoy, Emma Corrin, and others
- Length: 13 hrs and 47 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 3,498
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 3,147
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 3,131
In the absolutely packed Act II, the dark fantasy resumes and the Sandman expands into the French Revolution, ancient Rome, 19th-century San Francisco, eighth-century Baghdad, and beyond. New and familiar characters abound, voiced by a bright mix of performers, including Kat Dennings, Regé-Jean Page, Emma Corrin, Michael Sheen, Kristen Schaal, Brian Cox, John Lithgow, Jeffrey Wright, and so many more, including fan-favorite narrators Simon Vance and Ray Porter.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Enjoyable but not sandman 1
- By Jakki B. on 30-09-21
-
Path of Destruction
- A Novel of the Old Republic
- By: Drew Karpyshyn
- Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
- Length: 12 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 2,637
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 2,369
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 2,362
Once the Sith order teemed with followers. But their rivalries divided them in endless battles for supremacy. Until one dark lord at last united the Sith in the quest to enslave the galaxy - and exterminate the Jedi. Yet it would fall to another, far more powerful than the entire Brotherhood of Darkness, to ultimately realize the full potential of the Sith, and wield the awesome power of the dark side as never before.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Book one of the Darth Bane series.
- By Thanaros on 07-04-13
-
Eragon: The Inheritance Cycle, Book 1
- By: Christopher Paolini
- Narrated by: Gerrard Doyle
- Length: 16 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,930
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,683
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,681
When Eragon finds a polished stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy; perhaps it will buy his family meat for the winter. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon soon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself. Overnight, his simple life is shattered, and he is thrust into a perilous new world of destiny, magic and power.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Great
- By hana warren on 22-01-15
Summary
In that remote time, Morgoth, the first Dark Lord, dwelt in the vast fortress of Angband, the Hells of Iron, in the North; and the tragedy of Túrin and his sister Nienor unfolded within the shadow of the fear of Angband and the war waged by Morgoth against the lands and secret cities of the Elves. Their brief and passionate lives were dominated by the elemental hatred that Morgoth bore them as the children of Húrin, the man who had dared to defy and to scorn him to his face. Against them he sent his most formidable servant, Glaurung, a powerful spirit in the form of a huge wingless dragon of fire.
Into this story of brutal conquest and flight, of forest hiding-places and pursuit, of resistance with lessening hope, the Dark Lord and the Dragon enter in direly articulate form. Sardonic and mocking, Glaurung manipulated the fates of Túrin and Nienor by lies of diabolic cunning and guile, and the curse of Morgoth was fulfilled.
The earliest versions of this Tolkien story go back to the end of the First World War and the years that followed. But long afterwards, when The Lord of the Rings was finished, he revised and greatly enlarged it, enhancing complexities of motive and character. It became the dominant story in his later work on Middle-earth. But he could not bring it to a final and finished form. In this book, Christopher Tolkien has constructed, after long study of the manuscripts, a coherent narrative without any editorial invention.
More from the same
What listeners say about The Children of Hurin
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- William
- 24-01-13
An Epic and Griping Tale
An excellent tale read by Christopher Lee who's voice brings it to life. I'd recommend reading/listening The Silmarillion first so that you can truly understand and respect the gravity of the events that happen in this book. Part of this tale is told there but not nearly all of it.
21 people found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Yan
- 23-12-12
Fantastic insight into the past of Middle Earth.
The Children of Hurin is, like most of Tolkien's books, set in the same Universe as the Lord of the Rings trilogy. It is however set in much earlier age, long before Wizards and Hobbits appear on the scene.
It picks up the story about mid-way through the Samarillion and follows in much greater detail the history of men and elves and follows particularly the family of Hurin, a king of men and their continuous striving against Morgoth.
Christopher Lee has a fantastic voice and really brings the characters alive in this gripping epic tale of misfortune and determination to not be beaten by an overwhelming evil.
13 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Buyer
- 12-08-12
A truly epic, tragic saga
I have just finished listening to the audiobook version of "The Children of Hurin" by J.R.R. Tolkien- told in elegant and bold prose, at times bordering on poetry akin to the style of Old Norse Sagas.
Read by Christopher Lee (who played Saruman the White Wizard in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy)- a powerful voice equal to the telling and with much of the nobility and bearing which flow from Tolkien's words- the story is conjured in to life and absorbs you into the legendarium. His pronounciation is rich, his tones varied and evocative delivering a powerful narrative experience.
Those with an ear for a good tale, whatever the ending or the style will cherish this story and those whos imaginations have been piqued by Tolkien's writing in the past shall not be disappointed. I was enthralled by this book and I heartily recommend it!
13 people found this helpful
-
Overall2 out of 5 stars
-
Performance1 out of 5 stars
-
Story3 out of 5 stars
- Cailleach Eilidh
- 29-01-18
Couldn't get past the awful narration
What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?
If I could have finished the book. I really wanted to hear this story, I am a Tolkein fan and have never read this one. The narration made the story sound like one, very boring, never ending monotone list. I stuck it out as long as I could but realised I had not taken any of what I had heard in, so I gave up.
How could the performance have been better?
As an actor, Christopher Lee was great, but he is not a narrator. To be fair, it would be hard to make long lists of names interesting but I don't think he even tried.
Any additional comments?
I am sure this is a very good story, I will be looking for the book to read but the audio version was sadly not for me
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall3 out of 5 stars
-
Performance3 out of 5 stars
-
Story3 out of 5 stars
- Pablo
- 15-02-15
it's ok but too narrative
I enjoyed it at times but too many descriptions and not enough dialogue for my taste
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Bjorn
- 19-12-13
So sad
What made the experience of listening to The Children of Hurin the most enjoyable?
The Narrators voice is superb, so important in an Audio Book
What was one of the most memorable moments of The Children of Hurin?
The Ending which is so terribly sad
Have you listened to any of Christopher Lee’s other performances? How does this one compare?
No I haven't but he has such and excellent voice it's a shame he can't narrate everything!
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
For sure
Any additional comments?
A very beautiful and sad book excellently told, very much like an old Viking Saga. Epic in scope and language. One of the best books I have ever read and the feeling when it ends stays with you long after.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Lynda
- 11-11-07
Such a sad tale
This is a well written tale and the narrator does a very good job. Tolkien fans will find enjoyment in the expansion of the world. But it is just so sad and to be honest somewhat predictably so, that it took away some of the pleasure for me. I guess I like to see the good guys win and live happily ever after.
16 people found this helpful
-
Overall3 out of 5 stars
-
Performance3 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sian
- 16-08-15
One of Tolkein's finest but a little slow to listen to.
I read this book a couple of years ago and thought it was genuinely one of Tolkein's best so I wanted to 'read' it again via audiobook. However, I felt Christopher Lee's narration was very slow and a bit awkward. I know how much of a fan Lee was of Tolkein's work but some parts of the book needed more pace and punch than he could offer. Still worth getting the audio book, but slightly disappointed.
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Huw
- 18-06-15
Brilliantly voiced and written
Narration was perfect, story was well written and extremely enjoyable to listen to. I happy to to listen to again and will have to get more books by J.R.R Tolkin
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall2 out of 5 stars
- Timbo
- 13-03-09
The Children of Hurin - not easy listening.
This is not a pick up and leave type of book and I don?t mean it?s a ?can?t put down? type of story; I mean it takes a lot of concentration to get into the story and once you are into it you can lose the thread very easily, there are so many names that it really does become hard to follow. I thought it would be a real treat to listen to Christopher Lee telling a new Tolkien tale, but unfortunately it did not meet with my expectations - Christopher Lee has a unique diction that regrettably seems to get in the way of the story telling. A great deal of effort is given over the pronunciation of the names and places, but he never seems to get comfortable with them. I have been a huge fan of Tolkien for almost as long as I have been able to read, but I would not recommend this to anyone new to Tolkien or to Audible books.
15 people found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Catherine Collins
- 19-12-09
Powerful and Disturbing
This is a powerful and disturbing novel -- the tragic story of a man crippled by external misfortune and by his own proud and violent temperament. I began this book in paper format when it first came out but soon gave it up. I found the story to be grim and unappealing. I then decided to give Audible a try, and I'm glad I did. Christopher Lee's brilliant narration saved the book for me. He gives full justice to Tolkien's musical prose and The Children of Hurin carried me happily through several weeks of commuting. I have to say that the story is easier to take when split up into 20 minute chunks.
The text that we have was not completed by Tolkien, but was edited by his son from rough drafts and notes. This accounts for a lot. The novel is repetitious. In fact, it feels as if one is hearing the same story several times over. The same themes of heroism, followed by rashness and failure, occur again and again throughout the novel in slightly different episodes. And throughout, Turin, the hero, never seems to learn anything or to be changed by what he experiences. It occurred to me at the end, that perhaps what we have is precisely that: several attempts at the same short story, strung one after the other, rather than a complete novel with a fully realized narrative arc.
I suspect that if Tolkien had managed to finish the work to his liking, it would have been shorter, or more varied. It is one aspect of Tolkien's genius, evident in the Hobbit and the LOTR, that he never tells the same story twice. Every chapter of the Hobbit, for example, is not only a different adventure, but a different kind of adventure. That inventiveness is missing from The Children of Hurin. For this reason, I give the book only 4 stars instead of 5.
Nonetheless, I am glad that I bought this recording. Christopher Lee is first rate and the work is a masterpiece, albeit a flawed and unfinished one.
206 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Chelsea
- 21-01-11
Christopher Lee makes it!
Christopher Lee's narration really makes this book accessible and enjoyable. His pronunciation of the difficult Elvish words is accurate and spry in a way. I love his different voices for the different characters, especially Morwen. His interpretation of her really adds to the listener's imagining of the character.
25 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Brian
- 07-11-07
Great read
Wonderful book for Tolkien fans. Christopher Lee, who played Saruman, does a wonderful job narrating. A Tolkien fanatic in his own right his reading lends an almost palpable weight to the story, helped by how easily he reads Tolkien's imagined languages. Non-Tolkien fans or new readers may find this book difficult to follow at times and would be better served to start with his more well known works.
49 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Tom
- 07-01-09
Couldn't Stop Listening!
An excellent rendition of this newly-reconstructed tale. Tolkien fans should take note, however, that this recording does not include Christopher Tolkien's introduction or notes on the text. You'll want to supplement your listening with a print copy for these, as well as the map, geneologies, reference sections, and beautiful illustrations by Alan Lee.
32 people found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Sue
- 13-03-08
Persistance Pays Off
This book requires the listener to be patient and skim over the alien sounding names. Eventually you gain an understanding of the characters and the story line. I have to admit it was a lot easier to listen to than to actually read as pronunciation was handled by the reader. Christopher Lee did a stirling job and presented a wonderful story in a appropriate and entertaining tone.
30 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Elithea
- 07-10-07
at last!
someone got a clue! fabulous, perfect narrator, now please: the silmarillion, the ring "trilogy" and the whole tolkein corpus, unabridged and with narration of this quality, should mr. lee prove unavailable for the enirety of such a mammoth project. how can no one have done this yet?!
42 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- haesel
- 02-02-08
Epic Story
I have read many of the reviews and it seems that you will not like this book if a happy ending is essential to you. For me, happy endings are nice, but I dont need them to enjoy the story. I agree that you will enjoy this book more if you have read the Silmarillion-- oh darn, another great book to read... Personally, I prefer these tragic epics to the Ring & Hobbit series -- they are dense and complex and the characters stay with you -- these stories are facinating. The narration is a bit mello dramatic and the music is terrible, but it didnt bother me too much. This is a great winter book to read by the fire.
31 people found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story3 out of 5 stars
- Akariel
- 22-01-14
Tolkien Overload...So good it hurts
If you like Lord of the rings, Or The Hobbit than you will like this.
Pros: Learn more about the workings and history of middle earth.
Christopher Lee
Christopher Lee
Christopher Lee
Christopher Lee
Cons: Lacks some of the charm of his other works, however considering this book was just his notes worked on by his family that is to be expected.
Get this if you have already read Tolkiens other books, not the best introduction to his work.
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Penny
- 10-12-07
Not quite epic
I preferred Rob Inglis reading the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I think Christopher Lee is too serious in places. This story has a mind-boggling collection of names for the first few chapters, but settles down eventually to tell a "St George and the Dragon" type of story. Not an epic like the Hobbit or LOTR, but classic Tolkien nonetheless.
For reasons known only to Audible, the Rob Inglis versions are no longer available. Pity, they are amazing.
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Alyssa
- 28-06-08
Extraordinary Tale as only Tolkein can contrive
If you want the true experience of Tolkein's genius, you need to read the Silmarillion, not the Lord of the Rings. This is an expansion of one of the tales from the Silmarillion, which deals with the great tragedies of Middle Earth eons before LOTR, and the epic battles between the stranded races of Humans, Elves and Dwarves with Morgoth/Lucifer. If you love true literature, not just modern trash, then this will bring great joy. Those who found this book difficult, need to read the Silmarillion, as you cannot possibly understand what is happening in the "Children of Hurin" without it. Highly Recommended.
28 people found this helpful
