For fans of J R R Tolkien (1892-1973), April will be the nicest month.

It sees the worldwide release in eight languages, on April 17, of The Children of Hurin, a previously unpublished tale that was begun by the writer towards the end of the First World War.

The book is set in Middle-earth at a time long before The Lord of the Rings. It speaks of a time when Morgoth, the first Dark Lord, dwelt in the fortress of Angband, the Hells of Iron, in the North. For fans of The Lord of the Rings -- and there are many, considering it was voted one of the most popular books of the twentieth century -- this will undoubtedly be an exciting event.

The Children of Hurin unfolds over 320 pages in hardcover, with 20 black-and-white illustrations and 8 colour inserts. It also comes with an exclusive new fold-out map of Middle-earth. And, at just Rs 495 in India, it's a steal.

Go, pick it up. And find out where J K Rowling got her first lessons in writing.