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The Children Of Húrin
J.R.R. Tolkien

The Children Of Húrin

Quick Answer

"The Children Of Húrin" is an optional companion work. It can be read at any time, though it is usually best enjoyed after reading the first few core novels of the The Great Tales of Middle-earth & Canonical Background.

Quick Verdict

🟡 Optional side story — not required for main plot

❓ Can I skip this book?
✅ Yes — Optional

This is a side story that can be safely bypassed without losing any context for the main series.

Verdict Insight: While this short_story provides deeper world-building, it is a standalone story and can be read at any stage.

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20071 ppShort StoryOptional Side Story
The ‘Great Tale’ of The Children of Húrin, set during the legendary time before The Lord of the Rings. Morgoth, the first Dark Lord, dwells in the vast fortress of Angband in the North; and within the shadow of the fear of Angband, and the war waged by Morgoth against the Elves, the fates of Turin and his sister Nienor will be tragically entwined. Their brief and passionate lives are dominated by the elemental hatred that Morgoth bears them as the children of Hurin, the man who dared to defy him to his face. Against them Morgoth sends his most formidable servant, Glaurung, a powerful spirit in the form of a huge wingless dragon of fire. Sardonic and mocking, Glaurung manipulates the fates of Turin and Nienor by lies of diabolic cunning and guile, in an attempt to fulfil the curse of Morgoth.
Next Recommended Book

The Book Of Lost Tales, Part Two

Book #3 of 6 in Series

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for deep lore fans.

Order Confidence

high Confidence

Why this order?

Our team of curators analyzes publication history, author interviews, and internal narrative continuity to establish the definitive reading sequence. This ensures zero spoilers and maximum narrative impact.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for The Great Tales of Middle-earth & Canonical Background conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip reading The Children Of Húrin?

This is a side story that can be safely bypassed without losing any context for the main series.

Can I read The Children Of Húrin before Unfinished Tales?

Yes. The Children Of Húrin is an optional side story and can be read at any time without spoiling the main series plot.

Is The Children Of Húrin required reading for the The Great Tales of Middle-earth & Canonical Background?

No, it is a companion work that enriches the lore but is not essential to the central storyline.

What comes after The Children Of Húrin in the reading order?

The next recommended book after The Children Of Húrin is The Book Of Lost Tales, Part Two (Book #3).