The Children of Hurin has long reminded me of a strange cross between Oedipus and Elric of Melnibone (possible only in the hindsight of when UT was first published, since Elric obviously was written after Tolkien wrote his first drafts of the Hurin tale, and I doubt very much that either author was any influence on the other). At lot of Tolkien's tales are like a lot of classic mythology in general -- not too many light and happy tales out there, when you stop to think about it (awe-inspiring, perhaps, like the Ainulindale, but not light-hearted). Which is appropriate, since myths, I think, often come about to explain and give meaning to what seem like the eternal burdens and difficulties and mysteries of life.
I imagine that given the "weight" of Tolkien's tales, it explains why, when I first read LotR as a child, I liked the hobbits, as I became an adult, I was fascinated by Aragorn, and now that I'm "over the hill," I'm intrigued by the Ainur. First the (comparatively) child-like, then the heroic, and then the angelic. Sheesh, I feel like I'm sticking one foot in the grave, here... Not ready for that by a long shot.
