Thoughts of a nerdy feminist

This is the story of Turin, and in my opinion it is the most tragic of all of Tolkien's stories.  It's up there with Steinbeck, for just how dark and miserable it is.  For a good love story, read about Beren and Luthien in The Lays of Beleriand.  If you want to cry, read this.

It's been about twenty years since I read The Silmarillion.  Through it, I knew the story of Turin already, but I didn't remember it so well.  I didn't remember the foreshadowing.  I didn't remember the way every decision made by anyone, was the worst possible decision they could make, in every situation.  I didn't remember the good advice given to Turin and his family, that was repeatedly ignored at every turn.  It was maddening.

With all that, the writing is beautiful and poignant.  I remembered why I had loved Tolkien so much, and why he'll always be special to me.