FAIRHOPE — The Children of Hurin, a newly published book based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s manuscripts, was released to stores on April 17, giving Tolkien fans another opportunity to lose themselves in the labyrinthine world of Middle Earth.

Although several versions of the author’s original manuscripts (written mainly in prose and revised by Tolkien several times) have been published throughout the years (under the titles of The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, The Book of Lost Tales and The Lays of Beleriand), a complete and coherent narrative had not been prepared by the time of the author’s death.

Christopher Tolkien, one of Tolkien’s sons and his literary executor, spent years painstakingly organizing his father’s manuscripts into The Children of Hurin.

Throughout this tragic saga, which precedes the existence of hobbits in Middle Earth, readers encounter elves and orcs, heroes and villains as the narrative follows the tragic destiny of a family of a race of men, who, cursed by the dark lord Morgoth, choose to defy the forces of evil.

The Lord of the Rings has been touted as one of the most popular books of the 20th century, and despite the book’s fantasy genre, it has appealed to readers of all ages and cultures. In fact, it has sold more than 150 million copies worldwide to date, according to UK publishing company, Houghton Mifflin.

The author; John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1892-1973) was a professor of Old English at the University of Oxford. Although a number of his manuscripts were published, he is most recognized for The Hobbit, released in 1937, and The Lord of the Rings, released between 1954 and 1955.

Tolkien was a devout Catholic.

He was a founding member of “The Inklings,” an informal group of friends that met regularly to socialize and critique each other’s works-in-progress. C.S. Lewis, another deeply religious author and one of Tolkien’s best friends, was also a member.

Tolkien and his wife, Edith, raised four children. His son, John, became a priest; his son, Michael, a schoolmaster. His daughter, Priscilla, became a social worker; and his son, Christopher, following in the tradition of his father, is a writer and university lecturer.

Read-a-Thon outside

The Page and Palette bookstore, in honor of TV Turn Off Week, will hold a J.R.R. Tolkien read-a-thon on Tuesday, April 24, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Thirty-nine participants will be given the opportunity to read aloud for 15 minutes each, after which they will sign the title page of two of Tolkien’s books.

One of the books will be auctioned off at Page & Palette’s Dancin’ in the Streets event on Oct. 27, and the money raised from the sale will be donated to The Center for the Book, a partnership of individuals, agencies and organizations that love and support books and reading in Alabama.

The second book will be shipped to Christopher as a thank you for his contribution to the literary world.

The 18 readers already committed to the event include students and teachers from as far away as Foley, and well-known local writers, such as Sonny Brewer, author of The Poet of Tolstoy Park.

Brewer said he was asked to participate by one of the employees during a visit to the store.

“The store has had readings of my books in the past, and there has always been a wonderful turnout,” said Brewer. “I thought it would be nice to give back to the community that has shown such support for me.”

Page & Palette wants to make it easy for people to take time out for reading during TV Turn Off Week, so from April 23 to April 29 a comfortable reading area will be set up in the front of the store. The public is invited to sign up to read a book of choice for as long as they wish during store hours.

For more information on how to participate in the read-a-thon or how to bid on the book, call 928-5295.