Hello from Stockholm! I'm very excited to be part of the group.
1. Have you already read The Children of Húrin, or is this your first time? First time, I don't know if I'd even heard of it before I found the post announcing the read along.
2. Tell me a little about yourself! Why are you participating, are you a new or longtime subscriber, what are you hoping to get out of this read along, etc.
I've been a fan ever since I saw Peter Jackson's LotR trilogy as a kid, but even though I was a voracious reader, I never attempted the books. I dealt with Tolkien's scholarly legacy more in college, when I learned Old English. I think I still have his prose translation of Beowulf somewhere. This past summer, I decided it's finally time to tackle the trilogy, which I'm doing in 2026. Just finished The Hobbit this weekend :)
As for what I want to get out of this, I'd just like to have some people to talk to. I've done some online book clubs before and enjoyed them a lot :)
Hello! Very glad to have you join us and be part of this group!
Such great timing to have just finished The Hobbit right before Hobbit Day! I think it'll be so interesting for you to read this story after having seen the movies but before/while reading the trilogy (which, also so exciting that you're tackling those in 2026!). ALSO...not giving anything away, but you will definitely see Beowulf's influence on The Children of Húrin 👀
I keep a reading journal and I note the similarities to Beowulf and Norse literature, I studied medieval history with a focus on Old English and Old Norse so I see those influences everywhere :)
Hello from California! I am a long time subscriber and have read The Hobbit and LOTR but have not ventured into Tolkien's other works. I figure this is a good time to change that and am excited to join you all with the readings!!
Hello from Michigan, USA! Long-time reader, first-time subscriber because I love read-a-longs. 😁 This is my first time reading these books, though I've read The Silmarillion twice.
So glad to have you join us for the read along, Carrie! I think it'll be very interesting to get the extended versions of the stories you're familiar with from The Silmarillion (and in the case of Beren and Lúthien and The Fall of Gondolin, to read earlier versions of the tales as well!)
Ahh, I love it! So excited as well (both to have you join us and also that you get to read it for the first time)! You've read The Silmarillion though, right?
Hello! I'm another from Michigan, USA. Long time reader of Tolkien and about Tolkien, since I was about fourteen years old. New subscriber. Found you on Substack this summer and have been delighted. Have not read these tales except as they appear in the Silmarillion and are mentioned in LOTR and Appendices. I've never done an online read-along before and am excited for the opportunity. My 59th birthday is this week (alas not exactly on Hobbit day), so I bought the remaining two books as a present to myself! I had Húrin already but it's been on the shelf for a while, unread. Not sure I can figure out Discord but I did join and I will try. ;-) I am rather obsessed with Tolkien's cosmology. The Ainulindalë is, in my opinion, one of the most fascinating bits of literature ever created. Thank you for offering your work to the world and for being our guide! I have a mind to try the Wizard level. I consider myself a lifelong learner so this will be fun.
Well the discord is a totally optional way of participating! The main discussions will happen on the weekly Substack posts for paid subscribers, so you could simply participate that way if you wanted. But totally get it either way! :)
Hello from Stockholm! I'm very excited to be part of the group.
1. Have you already read The Children of Húrin, or is this your first time? First time, I don't know if I'd even heard of it before I found the post announcing the read along.
2. Tell me a little about yourself! Why are you participating, are you a new or longtime subscriber, what are you hoping to get out of this read along, etc.
I've been a fan ever since I saw Peter Jackson's LotR trilogy as a kid, but even though I was a voracious reader, I never attempted the books. I dealt with Tolkien's scholarly legacy more in college, when I learned Old English. I think I still have his prose translation of Beowulf somewhere. This past summer, I decided it's finally time to tackle the trilogy, which I'm doing in 2026. Just finished The Hobbit this weekend :)
As for what I want to get out of this, I'd just like to have some people to talk to. I've done some online book clubs before and enjoyed them a lot :)
Hello! Very glad to have you join us and be part of this group!
Such great timing to have just finished The Hobbit right before Hobbit Day! I think it'll be so interesting for you to read this story after having seen the movies but before/while reading the trilogy (which, also so exciting that you're tackling those in 2026!). ALSO...not giving anything away, but you will definitely see Beowulf's influence on The Children of Húrin 👀
I keep a reading journal and I note the similarities to Beowulf and Norse literature, I studied medieval history with a focus on Old English and Old Norse so I see those influences everywhere :)
Hello from California! I am a long time subscriber and have read The Hobbit and LOTR but have not ventured into Tolkien's other works. I figure this is a good time to change that and am excited to join you all with the readings!!
Hello Ellie! So glad to have you join in and get to venture into some of Tolkien's other works with us!!
Hello from Michigan, USA! Long-time reader, first-time subscriber because I love read-a-longs. 😁 This is my first time reading these books, though I've read The Silmarillion twice.
So glad to have you join us for the read along, Carrie! I think it'll be very interesting to get the extended versions of the stories you're familiar with from The Silmarillion (and in the case of Beren and Lúthien and The Fall of Gondolin, to read earlier versions of the tales as well!)
This will be my first time reading The Children of Húrin, so I'm excited!
Ahh, I love it! So excited as well (both to have you join us and also that you get to read it for the first time)! You've read The Silmarillion though, right?
Yes, I've read the Silmarillion a couple times!
I note that in some respects, it's reading LOTR after you read the Silmarillion that's a great shock. What passed unnoticed -- doesn't.
You're so right! Things that you never noticed before come alive in a completely new way
This is my first time reading it. I am excited to dive in. I appreciate the opportunity to read and learn from others.
Excellent! Excited to have you along and for you to get to experience this tale for the first time!
Bilbo and Frodo’s birthday. That’s when they started all that trouble—for Sauron!
Bonjour from Paris, France
I can't wait for the reading to begin and to read your insights on these three legendary tales
I'm aiming for wizard level 🤞 (you should always set ambitious goals... and adjust them later)
Bonjour, Aurélie! So excited to not just share my own insights but learn from you all as well!
I love that you're aiming for the wizard level! I knew there would be folks who would enjoy the challenge and having even more resources to explore!
Hello! I'm another from Michigan, USA. Long time reader of Tolkien and about Tolkien, since I was about fourteen years old. New subscriber. Found you on Substack this summer and have been delighted. Have not read these tales except as they appear in the Silmarillion and are mentioned in LOTR and Appendices. I've never done an online read-along before and am excited for the opportunity. My 59th birthday is this week (alas not exactly on Hobbit day), so I bought the remaining two books as a present to myself! I had Húrin already but it's been on the shelf for a while, unread. Not sure I can figure out Discord but I did join and I will try. ;-) I am rather obsessed with Tolkien's cosmology. The Ainulindalë is, in my opinion, one of the most fascinating bits of literature ever created. Thank you for offering your work to the world and for being our guide! I have a mind to try the Wizard level. I consider myself a lifelong learner so this will be fun.
I would love to but have heard some very Sauron-esque tales about discord servers.
Well the discord is a totally optional way of participating! The main discussions will happen on the weekly Substack posts for paid subscribers, so you could simply participate that way if you wanted. But totally get it either way! :)
I have never read The Children of Húrin before, so I am looking to start with the 'Hobbit' Level approach.
Which sections of The Silmarillion would be the relevant ones?
AI (Perplexity) is pointing me toward Chapter XXI, Of Túrin Turambar in the Quenta Silmarillion. Does that sound Right?
None of their architects owned lawnmowers, apparently… 😅
1. Second time (plus a bunch of times I have read the Silmarillion)
2. I’m from Chile, so I’ll be reading a version in Spanish 🤙. First time joining a read along, so I’m very excited!!!
Cannot believe I forgot about Hobbit day! Thank you for promoting this important holiday :)