A review by ksull95
The Lays of Beleriand by J.R.R. Tolkien

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The Lays of Beleriand (The History of Middle Earth, #3) by J.R.R. Tolkien, and edited by his son Christopher Tolkien, traces the literary evolution of two of Tolkien's most well-known myths, The Lay of the Children of Hurin and The Lay of Leithian.  Both tales are presented in verse, The Children of Hurin in alliterative verse, and The Lay of Leithian in rhyming couplets.  It's fascinating to follow Tolkien's changing ideas of the plot and layout of these two tales and it adds a lot to the reader's understanding of his overall legendarium.