Written for J.R.R. Tolkiens own children, The Hobbit met with instant critical acclaim when first published more than sixty years ago. Now recognized as a timeless classic with sales of more than 40 million copies worldwide, this introduction to Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf the Wizard, and the spectacular world of Middle-earth tells of the adventures of a reluctant hero, a power...moreWritten for J.R.R. Tolkiens own children, The Hobbit met with instant critical acclaim when first published more than sixty years ago. Now recognized as a timeless classic with sales of more than 40 million copies worldwide, this introduction to Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf the Wizard, and the spectacular world of Middle-earth tells of the adventures of a reluctant hero, a powerful and dangerous ring, and the cruel dragon Smaug the Magnificent.(less)
Paperback, 351 pages
Published
August 15th 2002
by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
(first published 1937)
Some books are almost impossible to review. If a book is bad, how easily can we dwell on its flaws! But if the book is good, how do you give any recommendation that is equal the book? Unless you are an author of equal worth to the one whose work you review, what powers of prose and observation are you likely to have to fitly adorn the work?
'The Hobbit' is at one level simply a charming adventure story, perhaps one of the most charming and most adventurous ever told. There, see ...moreSome books are almost impossible to review. If a book is bad, how easily can we dwell on its flaws! But if the book is good, how do you give any recommendation that is equal the book? Unless you are an author of equal worth to the one whose work you review, what powers of prose and observation are you likely to have to fitly adorn the work?
'The Hobbit' is at one level simply a charming adventure story, perhaps one of the most charming and most adventurous ever told. There, see how simple that was? If you haven't read it, you should, because it is quite enjoyable. At some level, there is little more to say. Enjoy the story as the simple entertainment it was meant to be. Read it to your children and luxuriate in the excitement and joy that shines from their faces. That's enough.
But if it was only simple entertainment, I do not think that it would be anything more than just a good book. Instead, this simple children's story resonates and fascinates. It teases and hints at something larger and grander, and it instructs and lectures as from one of the most subtle intellects without ever feeling like it is instructing, lecturing or being condescending.
At its heart, the complaint I opened the review with is just a variation on one of the many nuanced observations Tolkien makes in 'The Hobbit' when he complains that a story of a good time is always too quickly told, but a story of evil times often requires a great many words to cover the events thereof. How often has that idea fascinated me.
Consider also how the story opens, with Bilbo's breezy unreflective manners which are polite in form but not in spirit, and Gandalf's continual meditation on the meaning of 'Good morning.’ How much insight is concealed within Gandalf's gentle humor! How often do we find ourselves, like Bilbo, saying something we don't really mean and using words to mean something very unlike their plain meaning! How often do we find ourselves saying, "I don't mean to be rude, but...", when in fact we mean, "I very much mean to be rude, and here it comes!" If we did not mean to be rude, surely we wouldn't say what we say. Instead we mean, "I'm going to be rude but I don't want you to think I'm someone who is normally rude...", or "I'm going to put myself forward, but I don't want you to think of me as someone who is normally so arrogant...", or even, "I'm going to be rude, but I don't want to think of myself as someone who is rude, so I'm going to pretend I'm not being rude..."
I think that is what makes this more than just a good book, but a great one. Tolkien is able to gently skewer us for our all too human failings, and he does so without adopting any of the cynicism or self-loathing so common with those that seek out to skewer humanity for its so evident failings.
We fantasize about heroes which are strong and comely of form, and we have for as long as we've had recorded literature. Our comic books are filled with those neo-pagan mythic heroes whose exaggerated human virtues always amount to, whatever else may be true of them, 'beats people up good'. These modern Ajaxs, Helens and Achilles dominate the box office, and I would imagine dominate our internal most private fantasy lives as well. Oh sure, the superhero of our fantasy might have superhuman ethics to go along with his superhuman ability to kick butt, attract the opposite sex, and enforce their will upon others, but it is always attached to and ultimately secondary to our fantasy of power and virility. How different is Tolkien's protagonist from Heracles, Lancelot, Beowulf, or Batman - short, small, mundane, and weak. Of all the principal characters of the story, he possesses probably the least of that quintessential heroic attribute - martial prowess.
And yet, he is not actually merely an 'average Joe'. Bilbo is just as much an exaggerated idealized hero as Heracles, it's just that those attributes in which Bilbo is almost transcendently inhuman isn't the sort of attributes we normally fantasize about having ourselves. Bilbo is gentle. He is simple. He is humble. Power and wealth have little attraction for him. He is kind. He takes less than his share, and that that he takes he gives away. He is a peacemaker. Though wrongly imprisoned, he bears no grudge and desires no vengeance for the wrongs done to him. Rather he apologizes for stealing food, and offers to repay in recompense far more than he took. Though mistreated, he harbors no enmity. He never puts himself forward, but he never shirks when others do.
How often do we fantasize about being this different sort of hero, and yet how much better we would be if we did? How much better off would we be if we, like Thorin could declare in our hearts, "There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West. Some courage and some wisdom, blended in measure. If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." How often is it that we hunger after all the wrong things? What profit would we really have if we had in great measure the power to 'beat people up good'? What real use could we put it too? How much better off would we be individually and as a people if we most desired to be graced with Bilbo's virtues, rather than Achilles speed, strength, and skill with arms? How much less mature does this mere children's book of a well lit-world cause our darker fantasies to seem?
Now, I admit I am biased in my review. I read this book 36 times before the age of 16. I broke the spines of three copies of it with continual reading. Yet in my defense I will say that I'm considered only a moderate fan of the book by many. I've known several devotees of the book who, like the protagonist of Bradbury's 'Fahrenheit 451', can recite whole chapters from memory - ensuring that this would be one of the few books that would survive the sudden destruction of all the world's technology if only the world's story tellers survived. If you are inclined to think no book can be that good, and that my review overhypes it, so much the better. Go in with low expectations so as to be certain that they will be met or exceeded. Forget all I have said save that, "If you haven't read it, you should, because it is quite enjoyable."
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MichelineYou're most certainly right, after all thats what sets Bilbo and Frodo apart from the rest, and allows them to become the respective heroes of JRRT's ...moreYou're most certainly right, after all thats what sets Bilbo and Frodo apart from the rest, and allows them to become the respective heroes of JRRT's universe. They are neither power hungry or inclined to self pity, the way Gollum was (as you mentioned). And I agree that their capacity for empathy and their kindness both played huge parts in their resiliency to the ring.(less)
Jul 06, 2011 02:42pm
IsabellaI really enjoyed your review! And I suffer too from that worry 'I've read this too many times, so my opinion has to be a biased one' lol Well, if so, ...moreI really enjoyed your review! And I suffer too from that worry 'I've read this too many times, so my opinion has to be a biased one' lol Well, if so, it's a welcome bias, especially when so many of us seem to share it!:) Cheers:)(less)
Nov 20, 2011 11:44am
I've undertaken to read this to the boy; our first real book with chapters. Richard and I alternate reading at bedtime, so the experience is kind of fractured, but so far I'm loving it. I got to be trolls tonight. I do brilliant trolls.
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When I was six, my dad, who was more the reader-at-nighter of my parents, endeavored to read The Hobbit to me. He got to the part about the giant spiders in Mirkwood, and I promptly lost my damn mind, and begged him to stop reading. H...moreI've undertaken to read this to the boy; our first real book with chapters. Richard and I alternate reading at bedtime, so the experience is kind of fractured, but so far I'm loving it. I got to be trolls tonight. I do brilliant trolls.
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When I was six, my dad, who was more the reader-at-nighter of my parents, endeavored to read The Hobbit to me. He got to the part about the giant spiders in Mirkwood, and I promptly lost my damn mind, and begged him to stop reading. He did. My room at the time was this odd room that couldn't rightly be said to be on any floor of the house but its own: you reached the top of the stairs to the second floor, and then there was a door at the end of the long, Victorian hallway, then then another set of maybe five stairs to a small room with sloping ceilings, kind of like a dormer, but not. I couldn't be called an arachnophobe, exactly, but I was regularly terrified by mosquitoes that would somehow get into the bedroom while I was sleeping, drink my blood, and then whine around me in the dark. The ceilings were dotted with the bug and blood marks when my dad would have to come in after I started screaming and hunt down the offending insects with a shoe. So boo on you, mosquitoes, and boo on giant spiders.
When I was eight, he started again, and the intervening two years gave me the composure necessary to finish the tale. I loved it. I didn't really go on a big rampage of reading fantasy at this point, although I did like the Lloyd Alexander stuff I found in the school library. But something about this story made me want to write it myself, and I set to telling the tale of some creature who never went on adventures until he did and then all manner of craziness ensued. I don't know where any of this writing has gone, and in truth I don't think I really want to see it, but I'm now stuck by the power of Tolkien's writing to make other people want to write. I just recently finished reading Meditations on Middle Earth, and if there is any commonality to the stories of latter day fantasists, it's that being readers of Tolkien made them writers. (I mean, shit yeah, writers are always readers first – duh – but I'm just going to go on record as saying that if an author claims never to read, then they aren't an author, they're a dumb word product generator/marketer, and no reader should ever encourage them. There's enough crappy word-product coming out of people who actually give a tinker's damn, bless them.) There's something exceptional about Tolkien's world that drives people to tell stories themselves, something weird and hind-brain, coiled up in our mystical and commonplace daily word usage that jumps from the dinner table anecdote to the broad, unending vistas of the otherworldly. Man, just thinking about it makes me all hot.
I started reading this to my own son now that he is six. I fretted a bunch about the giant spiders, but of course it turns out that I am not him, or he is not me, and we don't share the same fears. I've read The Hobbit maybe a half dozen times, or had it read to me, but I've never before been in the position to read it aloud to someone else. I thoroughly recommend having some babies for the purposes of reading stuff aloud to them. Barring that, as that could possibly be irresponsible and expensive, take a very patient lover and spend some time in a darkish room in your pajamas and really roll the tale out. (This stuff may not be sexy in the strictest sense, but literacy is hot however you slice it, and this is the kind of tale for the telling.) Be the freaking trolls, wield String while you shout attercop and slash down your arachnid foes, smoke and steam and lie like Smaug in the ruined halls, squeak and scheme and try to avert a battle of five armies, and fail, but fail in the honesty of smallness. The story rips along for the most part, a busy enough tale to keep the attention of distractable six year olds for maybe half the time. This may sound like I'm damning it with faint praise, but half is maybe the best for which a parent can hope.
This most recent reading has given me an appreciation for the role of the narrator in The Hobbit. The narrator's often a tricky beast, capable of bringing down the entire narrative house of cards with his or her weird intrusions and extra-narrative knowledge. Who the hell are you, narrator? Stop that right now! But when done well, the narrator can be this sly commentary on the mechanics of plot and character. I'm thinking here of the narrator in Persuasion, whose voice rings with the authority and social barbarism that is everything the (very beloved, and almost idealized) main character is not. Narrators are often genderless, but the Persuasion narrator is almost a counterpoint to Anne's hyper-femininity, not male exactly, but differently female. You see this when one of the Musgroves injures herself in the seaside town. The prose is simple, descriptive, a series of declarations. Anne within this narrative takes charge in the most feminine of ways, and manages to tell everyone what to do without ever using the imperative; indeed, I think even without finishing a sentence, but I don't have the book in front of me. (I'm so far off topic, it's awesome to behold. I'll try to bring it back around.) The narrator details the domestic with her clear prose; the character is the domestic with her silence and demurrals.
Tolkien's not much interested in the questions of gender. Now that I've typed maybe the most insanely obvious statement I've ever written in a review, (gold star! high fives!) when I give it some thought, I realize that women in The Hobbit function as a sort of bracketing device. There's some mention of Bilbo's mother at the start, descended from the Old Took himself, and Bilbo has to confront the acquisitive Sackville-Bagginses when he gets home, but at its heart, The Hobbit is concerned with what happens when a quiet boy is thrust into the world of men. Bilbo is not child at the beginning, but he's comfortable and domestic, puffing about getting seed cakes and dratting unwelcome visitors who mess up his kitchen. Throughout the tale, he pines for food and bed, and those lovely old standards of feminine affection, the pocket handkerchief. I don't think anyone much uses those anymore, but my Grandfather did, and those worn and frayed squares of cloth, washed, folded and placed habitually in the pockets of his jackets by my Grandmother, are one of the few items I took from his belongings when he died. For me, and it's possible that I'm an eccentric in this regard, the pocket handkerchief is an emblem of the quiet and commonplace intersections that take place between partners in traditional gender roles, and Grandpa's hanky, and his love for Grandma, and her love back makes me all weeping and nostalgic for a social structure that I habitually scorn, wasn't raised in, and have no interest in bringing back, even if such a project weren't doomed to utter failure.
The narrator in the Hobbit consistently situates the events of the story in a mythic past, while the story itself plays out a very different set of values than the a traditional heroic legend. The story begins more in the style of the anecdote, with its digressions and definitions, and only very slowly works into the mode of the fairy tale. The narrator defines hobbits, gossips a bit about Gandalf, Bilbo's parents and house, and then a few pages in does the “once upon a time” thing: “By some curious chance one morning long ago in the quiet of the world, when there was more green and less noise...” The dwarves – my spell check is insisting on dwarfs, but it can go screw itself – intrude on Bilbo's peace, tell tales of gold and dragon slaying and other glorious pursuits, and it's the tale that sent him puffing out the door. Bilbo, the most hobbitest of hobbits, which is by definition the most domestic, social and quiet of beings, gets swept off into the world of legends, and I think it's totally fascinating that Bilbo here functions as a kind of reader-proxy. I sit in the most domestic of settings, as my father did, read out this tale of adventure to my children in the safety of their own bedrooms, and Bilbo's constant whining and dratting undercuts the honor of war and the mythos of danger. The boy loves the wizards and dangers, but part of the fascination is born of fear, and Bilbo keeps reminding us that the fear is real, hungry and uncomfortable.
This is where the narrator comes in. He – and I'm going to call the narrator a he, because it's the only thing that makes sense – is the voice of the present, who simultaneously places this story in the mythic past and then confounds the story's mythic status. There are lots of fairy tales and the like about plucky younger sons who make their ways through the world using luck and wit, and I think one could mistake Bilbo for one of these, he's really much more of a Shaggy-from-Scooby-Doo-style bungler and coward. I mean this in the best possible way. We all hate Fred, with his fearless masculinity, (or should, because c'mon, man) and Shaggy/Bilbo isn't so much feminine as differently masculine, the kind of masculine that doesn't sit upon hordes of gold with nothing to eat, but instead pines for a good meal and a hanky. The hanky ends up being the standard of femininity, carried with Bilbo on his journey, pined for in the dangerous world of men, their heroic wars, travels and squabbles. Bilbo carries idea of the handkerchief with him, trying to apply the less aggressive, less “heroic” modes of conflict resolution to the problems ahead of him. He sneaks, he burgles, he riddles: all the quiet activities of the clown, the the weakling, the sensitive boy, the Shag and Scoobs of the world.
I realize now I have a hobby horse about Tolkien and his experience with WWI, but I'm going to get up and ride it anyway. The heroic tale of the national hero, whose ethnic identity is wound up with his goodness, managed to get his ass completely mowed down by the mechanism and mass-production of the world wars. There are no heroes in WWI, only silly and tragic figures like the Red Baron, who flew the symbol of the future of warfare using the outdated social models of the Romantic Past. Bilbo puts a face on the cannon fodder, and doesn't so much speak to power as pick its pockets, get knocked in the head, and survive due to to love of comfort over the love of glory. Here is Bilbo's response after being found, unconscious, at the end of the battle:
“Victory after all, I suppose!” he said, feeling his aching head. “Well, it seems a very gloomy business.”
And again, after being led to the Thorin's bedside, as Thorin lays dying he says to Bilbo:
“There is more good in you than you know, child of the kindly West. Some courage and some wisdom, blended in measure. If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world. But sad or merry, I must leave it now. Farewell!”
Then Bilbo turned away, and went by himself, and sat alone wrapped in a blanket, and whether you believe it or not, he wept until his eyes were red and his voice was hoarse.”
I'll try not to go off about Tolkien's directional metaphors; how the West is often synonymous with tradition, the conservative, the homey, even while it carries the implications of death and stagnation. The East is where you go to find your death and salvation, in Tolkien's most Christian of terms, but it is not a path of ease and comfort.
I was also struck, in this reading, by Tolkien's fierce and loving descriptions of landscape. One of the reasons Middle Earth seems so real is that Tolkien conjures dirt and rock, tree and water in this incredibly solid way. I was lucky enough to be the one who read the section in which Smaug batters and destroys the rock ledge where Bilbo and the dwarves had been camped in their attempts to infiltrate the mountain, and the majesty and violence of that description really moved me. It made me think of the devastation of Europe, the earth itself laid low by the engines of war. The earth of Middle Earth is a love song and a eulogy to the lost landscape of Tolkien's youth. He and many other young men were swept out the door on the path to glory and victory, and the dragons they slew ended up being the myth of progress and heroism. Tolkien was savvy enough to see that the heroic quest is almost coded within the language, and that rewriting such a thing requires not just a simple reversal, but a reordering of heroism. Thorin, by all rights, is the hero of the story; his is the will that sets the plot in motion, and his temper and anger are the hallmarks of heroes stretching back to Achilles. Bilbo is not an anti-hero, who simply turns his anger and his will against the things for which the hero stands, but something subtler and more cunning: the fool. Sure, nothing would ever get done with a Bilbo in charge, but let us hope and pray that our Thorins can have clown such as Bilbo there to remind them that a myth is more useful in the nursery than on the battlefield.
Tolkien was famously irritated that fairy tales had been “relegated to the nursery”, but I humbly think he's wrong, that the telling of such stories to boys who will become men is the first order of business for we mothers who pray and hope for world in which the test of manhood is not glory but some courage and some wisdom, blended in equal measure.
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There are some days when I actually think that the humble Hobbit is superior to it's bohemoth brother, The Lord of the Rings. It's a much tighter story, and Bilbo is a much more appeal character than is Frodo. I also just love this poem, from The Hobbit
Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away ere break of day
To seek the pale enchanted gold.
The dwarves of yore made mighty spells,
While hammers fell like ringing ...moreThere are some days when I actually think that the humble Hobbit is superior to it's bohemoth brother, The Lord of the Rings. It's a much tighter story, and Bilbo is a much more appeal character than is Frodo. I also just love this poem, from The Hobbit
Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away ere break of day
To seek the pale enchanted gold.
The dwarves of yore made mighty spells,
While hammers fell like ringing bells
In places deep, where dark things sleep,
In hollow halls beneath the fells.
For ancient king and elvish lord
There many a gleaming golden hoard
They shaped and wrought, and light they caught
To hide in gems on hilt of sword.
On silver necklaces they strung
The flowering stars, on crowns they hung
The dragon-fire, in twisted wire
They meshed the light of moon and sun.
Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away, ere break of day,
To claim our long-forgotten gold.
Goblets they carved there for themselves
And harps of gold; where no man delves
There lay they long, and many a song
Was sung unheard by men or elves.
The pines were roaring on the height,
The winds were moaning in the night.
The fire was red, it flaming spread;
The trees like torches blazed with light.
The bells were ringing in the dale
And men looked up with faces pale;
The dragon's ire more fierce that fire
Laid low their towers and houses frail.
The mountain smoked beneath the moon;
The dwarves, they heard the tramp of doom.
They fled their hall to dying fall
Beaneath his feet, beneath the moon.
Far over the misty mountains grim
To dungeons deep and caverns dim
We must away, ere break of day,
To win our harps and gold from him
MichelineThe Hobbit definitely has more of a magic than the LOTR trilogy, and that coupled with it's simplicity sets it apart. This coming from a huge LOTR fa...moreThe Hobbit definitely has more of a magic than the LOTR trilogy, and that coupled with it's simplicity sets it apart. This coming from a huge LOTR fan :)(less)
Jul 03, 2011 09:59am
FictionfanI love the Hobbit, and count it as one of the best books out there. And I too, love "Over the misty mountains cold". I have read and listene...moreI love the Hobbit, and count it as one of the best books out there. And I too, love "Over the misty mountains cold". I have read and listened to the Hobbit multiple times and probably will again. If you listen to the audio book, I strongly suggest the version read by Rob Inglis. He not only is a VERY good reader, but he actually sings all of the songs and poems ion the book. And he does it very well, too.(less)
Sep 16, 2011 10:44am
I wish I could count this among my childhood nostalgia books.
I remember trying to read this book in grade-school and stopping because there was too much boring scenery and background. I must've been too young because it isn't boring at all, and there isn't all that much scenery as I'd thought and hardly any background. But as I kept reading, this flipped into a feeling that I'm reading this far too old, not young. The voice of the narrator is odd, generally the vague omniscient ov...moreI wish I could count this among my childhood nostalgia books.
I remember trying to read this book in grade-school and stopping because there was too much boring scenery and background. I must've been too young because it isn't boring at all, and there isn't all that much scenery as I'd thought and hardly any background. But as I kept reading, this flipped into a feeling that I'm reading this far too old, not young. The voice of the narrator is odd, generally the vague omniscient overlooking tone but occasionally slipping into a confiding 1st person; are you, the reader, the narrator or an accomplice in this tale-telling? This is a book intended to be read out loud* with funny voices (cranky hobbit, grumpy dwaves, grumbling wizard, dumb trolls, merry and suspicious elves, sneering goblins, howling Wargs, roaring dragon) and dancing eyebrows, with blankets shaped into terrain. I wish this had been read to me.
Thinking about reading and childhood - my parents read out loud to us, sometimes. I think between about 4-6yo, Mom chose to read Bible stories usually in the middle of the day when us kids were at our most active and wiggliest, so that didn't work out too well. Lots of whining, tears, orders to sit and listen which had the opposite effect. Booooooring; poor Mom, in her choice of reading material. Dad was also in the middle of the day, but this was a few years later, maybe between 8-10yo, when we would bring a book to him and beg him to read. My father has never learned to speak or read English fluently, so the books were from a set of Korean folktales.** My brother and I could barely understand the words but we were fascinated by the sound of his voice. I don't know if anyone is familiar with traditional Korean music, but it features extremely heavy vibrato (I think?), these extended ends of a note with an earthquake shaking in the throat; Dad has a gorgeous voice when he choses to use it, all ragged and fuzzy, which made his readings mesmerizing. I think he lulled us with it, my brother and I nearly swaying as we peeked over his shoulders at the brightly colored illustrations. The least successful reading sessions had him interrupting himself to try to explain the story in broken English. It was only a few weeks before he became impatient with this whole practice and refuse to read to us.
I wish there had been more reading to us as children, before bedtime instead of in the middle of the day. I wish my dad had been more patient. I wish he had learned better English, found The Hobbit, and read that to us. I wish I wish I wish.
This silly book has made me nostalgic for a childhood I never had. Is there a word for that?
I guess I should type about the book itself, since there're enough weepy couch confessions masquerading as book reviews out there (not really! love the non-book reviews, want more). A pacifistic creature known as a hobbit (a little man with big hairy feet) has adventures, makes friends, becomes stronger and proves true to his friends, then goes home. It's a great story.
Since my only exposure to Tolkein (Tolkien?) before this has been the LotR movies, I was suprised at the lighter tone of this book. Much less grim and grand but still great. I wonder if the Necromancer is Sauron. There's brief mention of Gollum remembering his grandmother - do we learn more about her later?
Since I've lost the chance to have this read to me as a kid, I have the urge to read this to a kid myself. Can I borrow someone's child?
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*And now I'm wondering how much I've been influenced by Ceridwen's review, where she recommends having babies just to read aloud to them. Also, from Richard's review, it doesn't sound like children sit as still as I imagined for this.
**I thought Dad had given these away! Turns out, he gave away a different set of books, just as treasured...oh well. Just recently found that these are still tucked into a corner of the parents' house. I'm going to rescue them from give-away happy Dad.(less)
Bilbo Baggins is a normal hobbit, only wanted is a peaceful life and a home loving type. But one day when Gandalf tricked Bilbo to host a party for Thorin and the gang, he was ridiculed and forced to join the team to explore the land within the imagination of Tolkien. Bilbo, the band and the reader met new faces from orcs, eagles, and other mystical creature that fought within stories by stories. Imaginative Tolkien once again made his famous children's book of all time.
If I'm a li...moreBilbo Baggins is a normal hobbit, only wanted is a peaceful life and a home loving type. But one day when Gandalf tricked Bilbo to host a party for Thorin and the gang, he was ridiculed and forced to join the team to explore the land within the imagination of Tolkien. Bilbo, the band and the reader met new faces from orcs, eagles, and other mystical creature that fought within stories by stories. Imaginative Tolkien once again made his famous children's book of all time.
If I'm a little bit younger, I may love and treasured this book like the other readers. I heard a lot of praises and one of my friends love Tolkien that he collected most of his works in hardbound, not to mention his Stephen King first edition hardbound copies. So I read it because of him and some of my friends in the other group, and I'm glad I did! It was a fun read and I can feel the songs still tingling on my ear. Come, my jolly hobbit!
What are hobbits or holbytlan (hole-dweller) in Old English anyway? Hobbits are small creature created by Tolkien. They are usually very shy creatures, but are nevertheless capable of great courage and amazing feats under the proper circumstances. For me they are just cute little stuff toy that you want to give to your friend or girlfriend, seriously I fetish them for some reason. For what reason Tolkien created this small creature, he succeed to make them to be loved by humans. To whoever it signify, the hole dwellers will always be those shy type heroes or maybe not.
I enjoyed reading the book. He also use ruin symbols which I'm currently studying because of its power to decode the future, kidding, I mean to tell the future. Somehow, the letters are unique but not quite used in the context itself. It was just introduced through the map and the clue to where the dragon lived. I'm still expecting more from it since they already shoot a movie adaptation and I can't wait to watch it. God, seriously, for 18 years of existence I never tried to watch the Lord of the Rings series but I'll promise to interfere my reading after I read the whole book just to watch it.
The Hobbit was also written in a simple and in friendly way. Although most of you can determine who those characters saying, for me, I find it very difficult to identify them except for Bilbo. I have to back read a little bit and read it again but I never thought that the book put me to sleep and dreamed of A Walk to Remember. I know there is no connection between the said movie and the book but what I want to say is that the book is very magical. It digs the unconscious part of the person not like the books I read for awhile.
If people ask me why I gave this book a four and I really enjoyed it, well, that's because the events happened too fast that I can't feel the whole action and so on. Hey, I don't mean because I read a lot of pocketbooks lately, that's the worst answer you can conclude! But at least, all the time I spent is worth it! I'm interested in reading the other series, but today, I have to play with my new friend, Mr. Hobbit. Tra-la-la-la-la!
In anticipation of the movie - and I anticipate, eagerly! - I thought I'd pull my socks up and try to do what I've copped out of doing before: Reviewing Tolkien's work.
This is the easiest book to review though, as it is also the most accessible of his writings.
There is none of the poetically archaic lyricism that emerges in LOTR.
It's the thing most people I know get into contact with first:
Through having had it read to them by their parents when they were but bair...moreIn anticipation of the movie - and I anticipate, eagerly! - I thought I'd pull my socks up and try to do what I've copped out of doing before: Reviewing Tolkien's work.
This is the easiest book to review though, as it is also the most accessible of his writings.
There is none of the poetically archaic lyricism that emerges in LOTR.
It's the thing most people I know get into contact with first:
Through having had it read to them by their parents when they were but bairns.
I read it when I was fourteen, two years after reading LOTR, because I'd read everything on my assigned school book list and was becoming a complete pain in the arse during English class.
Luckily I had a very open minded teacher - thank you Miss Tine Visser, wherever you may roam - and she let me read what I liked.
Moreover, she let me off attending classes if I turned in book reviews for every book I read once a month.
She knew I loved to read, she knew I loved to write. A perfect pact was born.
You know, I think she might be partly to blame for my Goodreads presence...
But I seem to be skiving off from writing about the book, again.
Right then: I really didn't like it to start off with, in a teenage 'This stuff is STUPID' kick-the door-on-your-way-out manner.
It's still not my ultimate favourite, but enough of a happy read that nowadays it's relegated to the quick comfort reads section of my bookshelf.
And you know what? I think it's petty resentment: I regret not having had the joy of falling into this book when I was small, because I can tell how incredible the experience would have been.
I missed out and it's a wrong that can never be righted. *Kicks door on way out*
The story is an unmitigated joy of adventure, friendship, creatures and treasure.
The pacing is perfect, more so than in LOTR - and I should really stop making comparisons very soon -:
Suddenly you find that from slowly accelerating you are running along full tilt with great vistas of colour and ideas zipping by.
Yet it never seems so, from the writing. There's a kind of contained glee lurking under all the well placed sentences, so you are continuously aware of great things afoot just a mere page away.
Bilbo is more acceptable as a person, because he is young and gormless and his sense of justness and rightness is unmarred by later events.
Everyone knows the story, right, with the possible exception of having just been born? So I can just skip on to the things I loved most:
Thorin. My aching heart. And such delicately chosen words, Mr. Tolkien, when it comes to Bilbo's reaction.
And furthermore:
I have a long and very personal history with _The Hobbit_. My first experience of it was, I think, at the age of 7 or 8 when my older brother (13 years my senior) read the story to me and I was immediately captivated. After that came readings from the LotR and I was a Tolkien fan forevermore. My re-reading of _The Hobbit_ immediately prior to my most recent one was a bit of a disappointment. Somehow the same old magic didn’t all seem to be there and I was perhaps most discomfited by the gaps in ...moreI have a long and very personal history with _The Hobbit_. My first experience of it was, I think, at the age of 7 or 8 when my older brother (13 years my senior) read the story to me and I was immediately captivated. After that came readings from the LotR and I was a Tolkien fan forevermore. My re-reading of _The Hobbit_ immediately prior to my most recent one was a bit of a disappointment. Somehow the same old magic didn’t all seem to be there and I was perhaps most discomfited by the gaps in style that were apparent between this story and its even more famous descendent, _The Lord of the Rings_. On this re-read, however, I found much of my initial love of the tale coming back to me and many of the same episodes stirred memories of my first hearing of the tale.
For those two or three people not in the know, this is the story of a hobbit, Bilbo Baggins by name, and his unexpected adventure with 13 dwarves and, for part of the time at least, the wizard Gandalf. Thorin Oakenshield and his followers have long been exiled from their home, the far-away and fabled dwarf-realm of Erebor at the Lonely Mountain, after its pillaging by the dragon Smaug. We follow Bilbo as he moves from inept bungler to expert burglar and begin to see, along with the dwarves, just why Gandalf chose this particular hobbit to round out the unlucky number of the dwarves’ party as his inner courage and resourcefulness grow. We see Bilbo through many adventures, from an encounter with trolls and a harrowing escape from goblins, to a dark journey through the treacherous spider-haunted deeps of Mirkwood and a creeping view of the great dragon upon his misbegotten mound of gold. There are many great characters to meet in the journey from Bilbo’s hobbit hole to the Lonely Mountain, even if only a few of the dwarves are fleshed out to any great detail. A personal favourite is the irascible Beorn, a vegetarian skin-changer and unwitting host to the party who eventually becomes a staunch ally; and am I wrong in seeing in the enigmatic and laconic Bard the bowman something of a prototype for Aragorn?
This is, of course, a children’s story, and as such does not always seem to sit well as a prequel to the later work, the Lord of the Rings (though of course in its original conception the tale was not meant to be a prequel to anything and its ultimate inclusion into the storied history of Middle Earth only grew as the tale did and the significance of certain elements, namely the Ring, became clearer in Tolkien’s mind). Whether it is the silly songs sung by the elves of Rivendell (can anyone picture Fëanor or Thingol singing these things?), the faux-cockney accents and names of the trolls encountered by Bilbo and co., or the various authorial asides, this book can appear hard to reconcile with the later tales. Of course one valid approach to this is simply to say, “who cares?” and move on. This is certainly valid, but after my most recent reading I found that taking into account the conceit of Tolkien’s that all of his tales from Middle Earth (even the posthumously published _The Silmarillion_) exist as documents taken originally from the “Red Book of Westmarch”, a hobbit tome detailing the adventures of the Shire’s most famous sons, and subsequently handled and translated by many hands before coming down to us was a helpful approach. In essence we can see in _The Hobbit_ how Bilbo’s diary of his own adventures was turned into an adventure tale for children, while the higher matters of the LotR were possibly deemed unsuitable for such treatment. Thus we have talking spiders, tra-la-laing High Elves, and silly trolls mixed in with berserk shape-changing warriors, hints of malign necromancy, and a final battle on the doorstep of the Lonely Mountain.
Bilbo is an excellent main character, both unsure of himself and eager to prove his dwarven compatriots wrong in their initial impression of him to be “more a green grocer than a burglar”. Many may criticize Tolkien for his apparent anachronism with the hobbits and the Shire in Middle Earth, with their mantel clocks, singing tea kettles and other modern conveniences in the midst of what appears to be a medieval world of saga and epics. Yet it is this familiarity that allows us to identify with Bilbo as he is thrown into the strange epic world outside the bounds of the Shire. To my mind, despite his estrangement from it, Bilbo sits much more comfortably in this world than do a pack of modern British schoolchildren crossing dimensions or some other conceit that might have been used to allow the reader to identify with the hero. This also gives Bilbo the chance to grow into something more akin to a hero and leader than we ever would have expected of him based on his origins and it is this growth that gives impetus to the story amidst its many colourful episodes. The most famous of these is, of course, the riddle game between Bilbo and Gollum, a suitably creepy game played by Bilbo for nothing less than his life and the keystone moment that links this smaller tale to the greater epic of the LotR as we see just how important that question Bilbo asks is: “What have I got in my pocket?”
Bilbo not only grows in courage and resourcefulness, but shows his inner worth when he resists the call of the dragon horde, unlike the unfortunate Thorin, and even attempts to broker peace between those who ought to be allies when greed and anger threaten to destroy all that the quest attempted to achieve, at the possible cost of his own safety and the friendship of his comrades. This is a great story for children, of any age, and will provide them with not only an exciting adventure, but also some good lessons and a fine model for true heroism. It’s also a great introduction to the world of Middle Earth and you won’t regret your time spent with the charming Mr. Baggins of Bag End.
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My parents had a BBC version of this on vinyl when I was about 3-4 years old, and they taped it for me onto four or five analog tapes that I listened to every morning. I'd spend hours and hours at the beginning of each day listening to the British actor read these words, taking them to heart and memorizing them until they became rote. By the time I was five, you could start me at any point in the book and I could continue on, word for word spilling out of my young mouth. I remember gathering ...moreMy parents had a BBC version of this on vinyl when I was about 3-4 years old, and they taped it for me onto four or five analog tapes that I listened to every morning. I'd spend hours and hours at the beginning of each day listening to the British actor read these words, taking them to heart and memorizing them until they became rote. By the time I was five, you could start me at any point in the book and I could continue on, word for word spilling out of my young mouth. I remember gathering three or four of my friends together after Sunday School one day, sitting them down, and beginning to tell them this story:
" In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort."
I think I got that far before my tale was shut down by parents seeking their kids, and as I aged, I forgot and lost that wonderful ability kids have to make words and stories and languages utterly their own so easily.
My parents bought that BBC version of the Hobbit anew a few years back. I really should dig it out and listen to it. Maybe some ancient synapse in my brain will start firing again, and it will all come rushing back.(less)
This book took me on a great adventure, one that took me through a great range of emotions, and I have to say, it must be the cutest adventure I've ever been on. How can you not adore Bilbo and his hobbit friends with thier furry feet and quaint past-times? Of course, by the same Tolkien (pun intended), how can you not be afraid for Bilbo as he faces trolls, gobblins, men, and numerous other dangers? I for one don't know how you couldn't, not with J.R.R.'s gi...more This book took me on a great adventure, one that took me through a great range of emotions, and I have to say, it must be the cutest adventure I've ever been on. How can you not adore Bilbo and his hobbit friends with thier furry feet and quaint past-times? Of course, by the same Tolkien (pun intended), how can you not be afraid for Bilbo as he faces trolls, gobblins, men, and numerous other dangers? I for one don't know how you couldn't, not with J.R.R.'s gift for character development. I quickly came to identify with Bilbo and realized that he and I share a fondness for many of the same things, such as: food, music, and pipe weed, just to name a few. And I could easily see myself in his furry lack of shoes, as he finds himself in way over his head. When I finally got around to reading this book I had allready read the Lord of the Rings trilogy and felt like this was the low calorie version, but that was exactly what I needed in my life. After the great epic of the trilogy it would be years before I could watch Middle earth go through that kind of upheaval again, yet I just could'nt get enough of J.R.R.'s fascinating creation. Or did he create it? Middle earth seems so ancient, so grand, and so complete I sometimes suspect that Tolkein didn't in fact make it up at all, but that somehow, somewhere, middle earth is out there and as real as we are. It's as if Tolkein saw it all himself and simply wrote it down. If you haven't read this book, do so, and share it with everyone you love. Read it to people who will listen, or at least make shure that they can get a copy. No one should miss out on the the beutifull and mystical place that is middle earth, after all who doesn't want to escape every now and then, if just for a little while? (less)
During my childhood, Zimatar, a radio drama was very popular. Before classes start every morning, children would tell and retell the story to one another. Expounding how wonderful yesterday's episode was. Those were the days...
This edition of The Hobbit brought me back to my youth. It was alive, fun and very entertaining. Narrated simultaneously by both Bilbo and The Tale Bearer. When I say simultaneously, what I mean is that they sometimes talk both at the same time, which was...moreDuring my childhood, Zimatar, a radio drama was very popular. Before classes start every morning, children would tell and retell the story to one another. Expounding how wonderful yesterday's episode was. Those were the days...
This edition of The Hobbit brought me back to my youth. It was alive, fun and very entertaining. Narrated simultaneously by both Bilbo and The Tale Bearer. When I say simultaneously, what I mean is that they sometimes talk both at the same time, which was really funny making me laugh out loud while walking.
Listening to the whole adventure is twice as exciting and suspenseful. Everything seems to be real especially the fight scenes/part. Mostly I love it when the dwarfs and elves were singing. It was very rewarding every time they put a tune to the words I once only read.
Amazing thing, too, is that Andy Serkis, who gave voice to Sméagol to Jackson's LOTR trilogy, have a very similar voice to Wolfe Morris of the BBC edition.
I totally love and enjoyed this edition. Hope you guys consider trying it.(less)
Sebuah kisah petualangan selalu menarik diikuti terutama jika di dalamnya terkandung bumbu sentimentil tentang nilai kepahlawanan yang lahir dari kenaifan seorang tokoh. Formula “From Zero to Hero” kerap kali menjadi mantra yang ampuh dalam kisah fiksi yang barangkali juga menjadi bagian dari daftar mimpi kebanyakan orang di dunia nyata. Dan layaknya sebuah “lompatan takdir” yang mendatangi seseorang, kisah Bilbo dimulai dari ketukan di pintu di rumahnya.
Bilbo Baggins, bangsa hobbit,...moreSebuah kisah petualangan selalu menarik diikuti terutama jika di dalamnya terkandung bumbu sentimentil tentang nilai kepahlawanan yang lahir dari kenaifan seorang tokoh. Formula “From Zero to Hero” kerap kali menjadi mantra yang ampuh dalam kisah fiksi yang barangkali juga menjadi bagian dari daftar mimpi kebanyakan orang di dunia nyata. Dan layaknya sebuah “lompatan takdir” yang mendatangi seseorang, kisah Bilbo dimulai dari ketukan di pintu di rumahnya.
Bilbo Baggins, bangsa hobbit, menyukai hidup dalam kedamaian, bersantai menghisap pipanya sambil meminum secangkir teh, duduk-duduk di atas sofanya yang nyaman, dan yang terpenting adalah menikmati dua kali sarapan pagi. Tak pernah terbesit dalam kepalanya untuk menjadi tokoh utama dalam setiap kisah legenda yang pernah ia dengar di mana di dalamnya selalu terdapat kisah mengerikan tentang monster-monster. Tapi hidupnya berubah ketika suatu kali rumhnya didatangi oleh 13 kurcaci pemberani dan seorang penyihir (Gandalf) yang mengajaknya untuk berpetualang merebut harta karun turun-temurun yang kini dikuasai oleh seekor naga. Dalam perjalanan yang melelahkan dan berbahaya itu, Bilbo menjalani ujian penting tentang siapa dirinya dan kekuatan apa yang terkandung di dalamnya, seperti yang terangkum dalam kata-kata Gandalf: “What did I tell you? Mr. Baggins has more about him than you guess.”
Kemahiran Tolkien dalam meramu cerita petualangan fantasi ini memang patut dipuji. Tidak hanya imajinasinya yang hidup dalam aksara, tapi juga bagaimana karakter-karakter tokoh di sini diciptakan secara nyata dan bahkan logis ─tentu saja mengikuti logika Middle-Earth─ seolah-olah ia menceritakan kisah biografi. Apa yang terjadi pada Bilbo bukanlah kisah kepahlawanan epik yang instan di mana semacam kekuatan tiba-tiba muncul di dalam dirinya. Namun lewat Bilbo Tolkien seperti hendak menunjukkan bahwa seseorang takkan pernah tahu siapa dirinya bila hanya “berdiam diri” tanpa “petualangan” menghampiri hidupnya. Bilbo tidak menjadi sosok yang terkesan berani mati atau petarung sejati, tapi ia tetaplah hobbit biasa yang polos, jenaka, dan banyak akal.
Beberapa adegan di novel mampu mengundang tawa gemas. Seperti ketika para kurcaci itu datang ke rumah Bilbo yang langsung masuk dan memberi hormat tanpa menjelaskan apa-apa sementara Bilbo kebingungan dan dengan gugup melayani mereka dengan hidangan dari dapur. Atau juga kecerdikan Bilbo saat ditantang untuk melakukan tebak-tebakan dengan Gollum (ya, si Gollum itu!) di sebuah gua yang gelap. Kemudian bagaimana ia meloloskan diri dari jebakan laba-laba raksasa dan penjara kaum elf. Dan niat baiknya kala berusaha mendamaikan bangsa kurcaci dengan ras manusia dan elf dari perang besar yang menunjukkan kepiawaiannya dalam berpikir jernih. Kejadian di perang besar itu sendiri juga cukup ampuh mengundang tawa.
Memang kisah Bilbo ini tidak sefenomenal keponakannya, Frodo Baggins dengan petualangan cincinnya yang melegenda itu. Tapi seandainya Bilbo tidak pernah memiliki jiwa petualangan bisa jadi kisah kolosal itu takkan pernah ada, mengingat dialah yang mencuri cincin keramat itu dari kediaman Gollum. Bilbo tidak pernah menjadi sama lagi, dan tidak ada pencapaian yang membahagiakan bagi manusia bila kita mampu mengetahui siapa diri kita dan apa yang bisa dilakukan dalam hidup untuk membuat semuanya jadi lebih bermakna. Lewat perjalanan hidupnya yang tersurat dalam 19 bab ini, Bilbo telah berhasil menemukan "harta karun" di dalam dirinya.
Mungkin setelahnya Bilbo sudah merasa ketagihan dan tidak sabar dengan petualangan yang lain dan dia akan senang sekali bila yang mengetuk pintu rumahnya berikutnya adalah Tintin dan kawan-kawan :)
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An amazing story that starts with a disturbance in the life of a homely Hobbit. The unpleasantness leads on to an adventure that spans the known world of Middle Earth and sets the stage for the final battle with the Dark Lord, Sauron of Mordor.
Written in a much more simple and easy to read form than "Lord of the Rings," "The Hobbit" has a charm that is often lacking in the great epic that follows it. Many either prefer "The Hobbit" or "The Lord of the Rings...moreAn amazing story that starts with a disturbance in the life of a homely Hobbit. The unpleasantness leads on to an adventure that spans the known world of Middle Earth and sets the stage for the final battle with the Dark Lord, Sauron of Mordor.
Written in a much more simple and easy to read form than "Lord of the Rings," "The Hobbit" has a charm that is often lacking in the great epic that follows it. Many either prefer "The Hobbit" or "The Lord of the Rings" but rarely do readers favor both, even though they are part of the same story. Those who like lighter tales of adventure as opposed to more meaty epics will find "The Hobbit" a very enjoyable read.
"The Hobbit" is also interesting from the point of view of a study of Middle Earth. In this part of the story, Tolkien's vast and detailed world is much more raw and less developed. There are many more allusions to contemporary myths than in the broader Lord of the Rings. And the concept of elves is less realized or revealed.
For my part, this was the book that started it all for me. Prior to The Hobbit, I had little interest in reading at all. So here's to Tolkien, grandfather of fantasy!
John Ronald Reuel (J. R. R.) Tokien (1892-1973) wrote The Hobbit or There and Back Again after serving in World War I (1914-1918). This book's themes of personal growth and forms of heroism were based on his own and other writers' experiences. Particularly those writers who also served in that war. This book was a huge success both critically and financially so Tolkien's publisher requested him to write a sequel. That sequel was the trilogy Lord of the Rings that was mostly written at the time W...moreJohn Ronald Reuel (J. R. R.) Tokien (1892-1973) wrote The Hobbit or There and Back Again after serving in World War I (1914-1918). This book's themes of personal growth and forms of heroism were based on his own and other writers' experiences. Particularly those writers who also served in that war. This book was a huge success both critically and financially so Tolkien's publisher requested him to write a sequel. That sequel was the trilogy Lord of the Rings that was mostly written at the time World War II (1939-1945) was happening.
Bilbo Baggins, a 50-y/o hobbit is asked by the wizard Gandalf to accompany 13 dwarves (Thorin, Dwalin, Balin, Kili, Fili, Dori, Nori, Ori, Oin, Gloin, Bifur, Bofur and Bomfur) to get back the treasures that used to be theirs. The treasures are in the Lonely Mountain being guarded by a dragon, Smaug and other creatures like man-eating trolls, goblins, evil wolves or Wargs and giant spiders. Being a hobbit, Bilbo prefers to stay at home. In fact, during the journey to the mountain he oftentimes dreams of being in his house, cooking or eating and relaxing on his armchair. Being a reluctant hero adds to his charm. At first he is a helpless baggage to the more combative Thorin and I laughed out loud in one of the escape scenes when Bilbo was holding on the leg of Balin while the later was rolling from a mountain trying avoid the man-eating trolls. Referring to his hurting arms, Bilbo says "my arms, my arms" to which Balin replies "my leg, my leg".
Being a children's book, it is pure superb entertainment. From dwarves, wizard, hobbit that go up to the mountain, they meet all the other evil and non-evil creatures and other characters (some of them would also be in LOTR) like elves, the sage Elrond, bearman Beorn, Bard the bowman and my favorite Gollum a.k.a. "my pressscious", a strange creature inhabiting an underground lake. The the story's climax is the Battle of Five Armies, where dwarves, men and elves band together and fight the combined forces of Wargs and goblins.
But like any well-known children's books, it has a deeper meaning. That deeper meaning is due to the fact that Tolkien drew the inspiration about that battle from his WWI personal experiences. Then this typical children's book becomes a whole different reading experience altogether.
Trivia: Just this morning, I read in Philippine Star that a two-part movie adaptation of this book is in the making. Cate Blanchett, who will reprise her role as Galadriel or ElvenQueen. I did not find that character here in this book. I only remember reading ElvenKing. Anyway, part I of The Hobbit: The Movie will be shown in December 2012. Grrr....Two years from now!
The Hobbit is the epic journey of Bilbo Baggins, our titular 50 something hobbit. Bilbo though might as well be 10 year old, since he has almost no experience of the outside world and likes to sit in his Hobbit hole, resting in his armchair having breakfast, supper and dinner and numerous meals in between. That is, until Gandalf the great comes barging in with a dozen of dwarfs, urging him to take up the role of the burglar in their quest to The Lonely Mountains. The dwarfs question Gandalf’s de...moreThe Hobbit is the epic journey of Bilbo Baggins, our titular 50 something hobbit. Bilbo though might as well be 10 year old, since he has almost no experience of the outside world and likes to sit in his Hobbit hole, resting in his armchair having breakfast, supper and dinner and numerous meals in between. That is, until Gandalf the great comes barging in with a dozen of dwarfs, urging him to take up the role of the burglar in their quest to The Lonely Mountains. The dwarfs question Gandalf’s decision, which offends Bilbo and the home loving hobbit agrees sets out with them, on their “epic journey”.
And, what a journey it is! We meet elves, goblins, giant spiders, warts, the great Beorn and of course the Great dragon along our way and pass through Mirkwood, The lonely mountains, goblin’s lairs. Every description is so vivid, the images almost float into your mind when you read it. Every adventure is greater than the previous one, every scenery better. Just when one thinks, nothing better can come after this, another amazing character gets introduced. And amidst it all is Bilbo and they way his character develops through out the story.
Our Hobbit, who is underestimated by all (including himself) discovers strength, wisdom, and courage within hims. He also discovers the magic ring ( THE RINGto be precise), but I wouldn’t give it much credit. Because its Bilbo and his courage which makes him such an inevitable part among his group and this novel. Without him the novel would be just another amazing fantasy saga, with him, it’s epic. He’s so unfamiliar with the larger world in the beginning, always wondering how he could possibly have left without his hat and continuously wants to go back. Still, in crucial situations, he is the one who to rescue the others. He kills a giant spider, and that is the first step toward him discovering strength. He is the first one to go in the lonely mountain (where the dragon lies with his treasure) and he says that it is the bravest thing he has ever done. Bilbo devises the plan to stop the war among the dwarves and the elves and shows immense wisdom in this. And amidst it all, he still remains our humble, simple, naive hobbit, and how does one not love him?
This story has so many different facets. Brilliant adventure, flawless description and still conveyed such an important message. It's funny and wry, and tells us a classic coming-of-age story. Its not melodramatic, still, one feels Bilbo’s pain when Thorin dies. Him accepting gold to be worthless is such an epic scene from the novel. Who would have thought that the subtle details Tolkien uses could move someone so much. Not only Thorin, all the other dwarves (Fili, Kili, Oin, Gloin and the others whose name I don’t remember), Beorn, the Elrond king, Bard, even the goblins make such an incredible impression one’s mind. Secondary characters have never been so memorably rendered.
By the end of the journey, Gandalf tells Bilbo that he has changed. And he has! Bilbo comes away from The Hobbit with a couple of sacks of treasure, but what's immensely more valuable to him (and to us) is the respect he wins from all of the people he meets. More importantly, the respect he wins from himself. He gains self confidence and stops caring about what his fellow hobbits think of him. Somewhere along the journey, I, as a reader felt that, in some way, I have changed too. . Bilbo might not be big or impressive looking, but he's still able to change the course of history in Middle-earth. What can be more inspiring for a person and what more can one ask from a book?
No book is more flawless, inspiring, touching, adventurous and fun than the Hobbit. I may sound melodramatic when I say this, but every time I read books like this, I feel happy to be alive. A more perfect book has never been written and I am going to cherish it as long as I live.
50000 stars and highest possible recommendation. (less)
Bilbo Baggins is a Hobbit who doesn't take much after his Took side of the family. Adventure might be in his blood, but it's not really his thing. He'd rather stay in his nice home under the Hill and have tea. But adventure comes knocking in the form of one wizard, Gandalf, and thirteen dwarves. Gandalf has volunteered Mr. Baggins to be the burglar for these dwarves. To steal into their former home and get back their treasure from a nasty dragon by the name of Smaug. Bilbo would rather say no...moreBilbo Baggins is a Hobbit who doesn't take much after his Took side of the family. Adventure might be in his blood, but it's not really his thing. He'd rather stay in his nice home under the Hill and have tea. But adventure comes knocking in the form of one wizard, Gandalf, and thirteen dwarves. Gandalf has volunteered Mr. Baggins to be the burglar for these dwarves. To steal into their former home and get back their treasure from a nasty dragon by the name of Smaug. Bilbo would rather say no, but he doesn't get the choice.
So off he goes on an amazing adventure that takes him across Middle Earth and to very dangerous places. Bilbo discovers just how much he is capable of (more than he imagines), and proves his worth again and again to the dwarves. Of course, Gandalf knew he was capable of that all the time.
This was a lovely story. I had never read any Tolkien prior to this, so it was fascinating getting to experience his work firsthand. He clearly has a love of song and poetry, and the epic works of bravery and adventure. It took some getting used to, but I decided I liked how he used lots of songs in this work. I would even read them aloud to myself.
I appreciated the time spent in crafting this world, replete with various types of folk, from Hobbits to Elves, Trolls, Goblins, Dwarves, a bear Shape-changer, Wargs (werewolves), talking ravens, great War Eagles, nasty giant Spiders, and even a grumpy Dragon. I liked that Mr. Tolkien told us a little of each, but primarily integrated this knowledge into the story so we could see for ourselves what they were made of.
This book was a great mix of humor and adventure. Tolkien doesn't seem to take himself too seriously, and his narrative shows a lively sense of humor and a good-spirited view of the world. It's clear that he has some things to say about what was going on in the world of his times, but he doesn't use his story to beat the reader over the head with his beliefs. Instead, one gets the clear impression that Tolkien questions the advance of industrialization and how it might cause the loss of things much more valuable in the world. And to think he uses a mythical world and mythical creatures, and tells a great story along the way, making that the clear focus. Personally, I think a writer can reveal a lot about himself without taking a reader out of the story and into editorial land, and that is clearly the case with Mr. Tolkien in this novel.
Bilbo is definitely an unlikely hero, which is one of my favorite kinds. He shows that being a hero is both a lot of work and sacrifice, yet comes naturally when one does what one feels is right, albeit not easy. I liked that as we got to know what he was capable of, so did he. His strengths felt realistic to who he was, and I liked that although people expected little of a Hobbit, Bilbo shows them just what he's made of. Bilbo gets frightened, and who can blame him? But he shows a cool head, and puts his thinking cap on, and always works through his fear. He's the kind of character that challenges the stereotype of what a hero is made of, and in a very good way. I found myself feeling very affectionate towards the guy and hoping that things worked out for him. I especially liked that although Gandalf is their companion part of the way, and a powerful wizard, he's not a deus ex machina figure in this book. His powers and sage knowledge do help, but his companions, particularly little Bilbo, mainly have to use their own strengths to extricate themselves from some nasty situations.
Although this tends to be a light-hearted book, there are some scary moments, and foes that I certainly wouldn't want to face. Poor Bilbo and his companions continually get out of one bad scrape, only to end up in a worse one. Lives are at risk, and heroes have to make their stands. But good wins out in the end, and that's what I want to see in a Goodread.
I can certainly see why The Hobbit is considered a classic. This is a rich story that can be taken on several levels. It's not only fun to read, but it has some good messages. I also found the writing to be high quality and showcasing that its author had the benefits of a classical education in folklore, myth, and legend. He combined all that to make a very delightful story that I had the pleasure to read for the first time (although not the last, I'm sure). If you have enjoyed the Lord of the Rings movies but haven't read the books, I highly recommend reading Tolkien. And The Hobbit is the best place to start. (less)
There are not many books that I have read twice. The first time I read The Hobbit, I liked it a lot. But I hadn't read The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and still haven't (so i guess I didn't like The Hobbit enough). But it brought a smile to my face when I saw it on our shelf this past summer and I decided that I would read it aloud to my 10 year old daughter. In reading it aloud, a few things happened. First, it took a very long time to read the whole book (8 months, in fact). Some of this ...moreThere are not many books that I have read twice. The first time I read The Hobbit, I liked it a lot. But I hadn't read The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and still haven't (so i guess I didn't like The Hobbit enough). But it brought a smile to my face when I saw it on our shelf this past summer and I decided that I would read it aloud to my 10 year old daughter. In reading it aloud, a few things happened. First, it took a very long time to read the whole book (8 months, in fact). Some of this was due to other commitments, mine as well as hers. But some of it was due to the writing. Reading The Hobbit aloud to a 10-year old is not easy. For starters, there are a lot of words in the book that are not in a 10-year old's vocabulary, which leads to frequent interruptions and questions. Second, there are a lot of words in the book that aren't used much today so they weren't in my vocabulary either. Third, certain parts of the book are so slowly but beautifully descriptive that reading them quickly gives you nothing to grab onto. So you have to read it slowly. Fourth, it is hard to keep track of who all the characters are so you find yourself going back over pages you have read to figure out who is who and where they fit in (especially when you take 8 months to read it!). But the journey is worth it. This book is so incredibly creative and enchanting that it my daughter and I always found it a pleasure to pick it up and read it no matter how much time had passed since the last reading. The characters are so rich, each with his own idiosyncrasies and quirks. Even the bad guys are exquisitley described. Especially Gollum and the Dragon. It had been such a long time since I read this book the first time that I had forgotten the ending and I had also not realized how richly descriptive the story was. I really loved this book and recommend that you read it or reread it, and savor it. Do not try to zoom through it or you will miss what it has to offer.(less)
Hear here a tale of yore
Of Hobbit's unlikely adventure
Through a Wizard's wit and guile
Ventured he out of Hole and Hill
Off to the Misty Mountain wild!
Off to the Rivers long and wide!
Off to the Forest dark and deep!
All for the treasures that dwarves seek.
Oh the paths with dangers fraught
Trolls and wolves that need be fought
Spiders weave their nasty work
And goblins all in darkness lurk
Off to the Misty Mountai...moreHear here a tale of yore
Of Hobbit's unlikely adventure
Through a Wizard's wit and guile
Ventured he out of Hole and Hill
Off to the Misty Mountain wild!
Off to the Rivers long and wide!
Off to the Forest dark and deep!
All for the treasures that dwarves seek.
Oh the paths with dangers fraught
Trolls and wolves that need be fought
Spiders weave their nasty work
And goblins all in darkness lurk
Off to the Misty Mountain wild!
Off to the Rivers long and wide!
Off to the Forest dark and deep!
All for the treasures that dwarves seek.
But for courage, wit and ring
Will all perish, death will claim
Save for friendship, kinship true
Darkness Light will not subdue
Off to the Lonely Mountain far
Ruled by the Dragon Smaug in fear
When high and low the journey won
The Hobbit-- There and back again!(less)
AldrinYer a stinkin' liar, Emir. Thought ye said yer a poet manqué like me?!
Apr 21, 2011 06:14am
Joselito'Twas his mother who said he's a poet laureate
That was at the time he was taking his baccalaureate
But he humbly says he's a poet manque or...more'Twas his mother who said he's a poet laureate
That was at the time he was taking his baccalaureate
But he humbly says he's a poet manque or a poetaster
He in fact burned his early works in an oven toaster
To his chess friends he's a pawnographer of words
Who likes to mumble poems as he plays the boards
The rhythm of the words gives him erection unending
Suited to his unique lovemaking style, patent pending(less)
Apr 21, 2011 06:56pm
The charming hairy hero, Bilbo Baggins, maintains a strong rooting interest throughout. His reluctance to participate in the unfolding adventure—immediately endearing to homebodies like myself—provides the exciting, episodic narrative with a core of emotion. (His constant pining for the comforts of home is the book's best joke.) Bilbo's companions—including the mysterious and aloof wizard Gandalf—are only sketched in, but Bilbo is a true personality.
In the funny early chapters, one c...moreThe charming hairy hero, Bilbo Baggins, maintains a strong rooting interest throughout. His reluctance to participate in the unfolding adventure—immediately endearing to homebodies like myself—provides the exciting, episodic narrative with a core of emotion. (His constant pining for the comforts of home is the book's best joke.) Bilbo's companions—including the mysterious and aloof wizard Gandalf—are only sketched in, but Bilbo is a true personality.
In the funny early chapters, one can almost hear Tolkien chuckling to himself (and winking at his readers), but the playfulness segues into seriousness as the scrapes and scuffles intensify. War, Tolkien says, is no laughing matter. The most startling passage is called "Riddles in the Dark," which introduces the creature Gollum, named after the horrible swallowing noise he makes in his throat. He's a terrifying animal, wretched and debased, but also pitiable, and altogether extraordinary. Paddling around his lake in near-darkness looking for fresh victims to strangle and eat (fish or goblin—it doesn't matter), he makes a great foil for gentle Bilbo, who's fortunate enough to stumble across a magic ring that grants invisibility. The ring is well used: Bilbo's covert spying reveals the key to the undoing of the chief adversary, the magnificently arrogant dragon Smaug, who's dispatched swiftly in order to clear a path for another, more generic battle.
Tolkien's voluminous imagination and archaic style (quaint, but not too dry) are sufficiently transporting, and the frequent discursions into poem and song—while in excess to the story—are thrillingly authentic. (less)
This book was a very ancient candidate on my "to read list" and I always planned to read it just before the Lord of the Rings. So far, things have worked out and I have started Lord of the Rings the same afternoon I finished the Hobbit.
I don't think I would enjoy Lord of the Rings as much as I do, had I not read the Hobbit just beforehand. The Hobbit really provides the reader with a lot of background information, which is an advantage when you get started with the trilogy...moreThis book was a very ancient candidate on my "to read list" and I always planned to read it just before the Lord of the Rings. So far, things have worked out and I have started Lord of the Rings the same afternoon I finished the Hobbit.
I don't think I would enjoy Lord of the Rings as much as I do, had I not read the Hobbit just beforehand. The Hobbit really provides the reader with a lot of background information, which is an advantage when you get started with the trilogy.
Nevertheless, I still feel that, as a stand - alone story, the Hobbit is a book aimed at children. Tolkien's fluid writing style and the way in which he addresses his readers, often gave me the impression that the author was right next to me, lecturing about hobbits in a style suitable for primary school children. The Hobbit is thus the perfect book to read to your children before bedtime or even one of the first novels they might read themselves.
When evaluating the Hobbit as a prelude to Lord of the Rings, things look a little bit different. Currently reading Lord of the Rings, I am thankful to have followed the chronological path, as the Hobbit prepares the setting for Lord of the Rings, in which Tolkien has adapted his very scholarly writing style to an audience of grown ups.
Apart from the obvious highlights of the story, i.e. Bilbo's encounter with Gollum, The Hobbit, even though the plot was neat and perfectly paced, sometimes felt dragging as the story meanders from one perilous situation to another. However, the aspect I enjoyed most was the author's typically English humour, which often shines through when Bilbo interacts with the other characters.
StacyThe hobbit and lord of the rings were never meant to be stand alone. They were written as one story and later broken into individual books.
Aug 27, 2011 07:16pm
Personally I think that Tolkien is somewhat of a genius. I mean anyone who went through enough trouble to write an entire volume of history for a three book trilogy, the length of which is as long as any of the books in the installment, has got to be operating on a different mental tear. I mean the guy created entire languages for races of ancient people that he had made up the day before. I mean literally, if there ever was a father and founder of modern fantasy as we know it, weather it be ...morePersonally I think that Tolkien is somewhat of a genius. I mean anyone who went through enough trouble to write an entire volume of history for a three book trilogy, the length of which is as long as any of the books in the installment, has got to be operating on a different mental tear. I mean the guy created entire languages for races of ancient people that he had made up the day before. I mean literally, if there ever was a father and founder of modern fantasy as we know it, weather it be Harry Potter or a digital fantasy or video game, I can safely say that Tolkien did it first and then some. However, I understand that in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, the story can get a little tedious and tiresome for those not intensely involved in Tolkien's world. This should not however, be a problem in the precursor to the trilogy, the Hobbit. Here Tolkien seems to have no trouble being non specific and and seems to skip over details with ease. In fact, although still beautifully written, the Hobbit seems to have an altogether different tone. Less of a sense of urgency and more of a notion of fun and adventure. A quiet, good natured, and quite portly hobbit finally getting a chance to prove to himself and his comrades that he is something more than an excellent cook. If you are looking to get a peak at the fantasy world of Tolkien but are unsure if your ready to delve into the complex world of the Lord of the Rings, then this is the book the check out. Reading this as a boy with my father I could easily let my mind run wild in my own back woods traveling across the open country with my band of dwarves. This is a must read for any little boy who has an imagination too big for his own good. Do not pass this one up. (less)
Because it was meant for both children and adults, its tone is warmer and more easily accessible than the more famous and dense Lord of the Rings that followed. The tone tempts one to read it aloud, belying Tolkien's intent for parents to share it with their children. Despite the intent, it should inspire more mature writers to take care of how their language sounds. The story is magnificent. There are battles, lovely settings, feats of bravery without a Conan or Arthurian hero, morally-enforcin...moreBecause it was meant for both children and adults, its tone is warmer and more easily accessible than the more famous and dense Lord of the Rings that followed. The tone tempts one to read it aloud, belying Tolkien's intent for parents to share it with their children. Despite the intent, it should inspire more mature writers to take care of how their language sounds. The story is magnificent. There are battles, lovely settings, feats of bravery without a Conan or Arthurian hero, morally-enforcing character growth, and one of the best endings in English literature. I don't care what you tell me about Lord of the Rings: this is a better ending. Not to spoil it for the fifteen people who don't how it ends, but everyone ought to have learned by now that a conflict doesn't end after some villain is slain. In fact, it usually a lot stickier and worse after that. But building to that curious end is a wonderful journey, speckled with the most bizarre creatures and problems, that are never too sugary or bleak - in fact Tolkien does a great job of giving the characters a kick in the butt when they have it too good, and of reminding readers of the futility of giving in to hopelessness when things seem impossible.
This book is particularly important to me, as it was crucial to getting me over my A.D.D. Throughout my childhood I couldn't focus enough to read more than very small, very short illustrated books. I relied mostly on comics to build my vocabulary. After Rankin and Bass' wonderful cartoon adaptation of the book (and after pretending to be Gandalf in my backyard for a few weeks), I was hard set on reading the book. My parents gave it to me for my birthday, in print and audio. I did my best to read it every day, and listened to it every night as I fell asleep. Never have I been so overcome with admiration or love for characters, from the brave, tiny Bilbo, to the grand, powerful Gandalf, to the threatening, gigantic Smaug. Along with a couple of books by Mark Twain, this instilled a love of storytelling in me that has never gone away. It made me want to be a reader, a writer and a hero - not bad for a kid's book from another country.(less)
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.I can't review The Hobbit - it would be like reviewing my left ulna: it's part of me, so I can't be objective.
Instead, kick on the karaoke machine.
He Didn’t Mean To Adventure - The story of The Hobbit, singable to the tune of Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire”
Bilbo is respectable in Bag End Under Hill
Till “Gandalf tea Wednesday”and a rune scratched on his door.
Fili Kili Ori Óin, Dori Nori Bombur Glóin
Bifur, Dwalin, Bofur, Balin...moreI can't review The Hobbit - it would be like reviewing my left ulna: it's part of me, so I can't be objective.
Instead, kick on the karaoke machine.
He Didn’t Mean To Adventure - The story of The Hobbit, singable to the tune of Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire”
Bilbo is respectable in Bag End Under Hill
Till “Gandalf tea Wednesday”and a rune scratched on his door.
Fili Kili Ori Óin, Dori Nori Bombur Glóin
Bifur, Dwalin, Bofur, Balin - are there any more?!
Yes: Thorin especially; Gandalf makes fourteen
An Unexpected Party, and a burglar with no choice.
Green Dragon, Bywater, Trolls consider slaughter:
Bert, Tom, and William - Gandalf throws his voice.
Bilbo: I didn’t mean to adventure
Minding my own business,
Then all things went amiss
I didn’t mean to adventure
Taken from my doorstep
Now with Gandalf I schlep
Heading on to Rivendell, Elrond’s House where elves yet dwell
Moon runes, Elf tunes, but it’s not long before:
Thunderstorms, giants swarm, misery is uniform
Captured by the Goblins, but Gandalf comes through once more
Goblin King, a missing Ring(!), Bilbo makes good use of Sting
A game of Riddles in the Dark, Gollum’s bite’s worse than his bark
Balin is sharp-sighted, the party’s reunited,
Bilbo appears, Dwarves cheer, Gandalf is delighted.
Bilbo: I didn’t mean to adventure
Wish that singing was my kettle
Not Elves in fine fettle
I didn’t mean to adventure
Almost served like mutton
Then lost all my buttons
From the frying pan of Goblin fray to Wargs and wolves, ya harri hey
An eye-opener and no mistake, racket keeps Eagles awake
A night spent in an eyrie, Beorn’s house is more cheery
Ponies serve up honey-cake, with dogs and rams - no chops or steak
Beorn gives good advice (maybe should’ve told ‘em twice)
Black squirrels and butterflies, cobwebs and insect eyes
White hart frustrates, Bombur is a dead weight
Vanishing feast agonize, all lose their heads (no real surprise)
Bilbo: I didn’t mean to adventure
I don’t think I’m an asset -
Are we nearly there yet?
I didn’t mean to adventure
The Road goes ever on
That’s why I’m woebegone
Bilbo’s nearly caught in webs : courage peaks as daylight ebbs
Attercop, Attercop, monster spiders nearly get the drop
Thorin caught by Woodelves, the rest made prisoners themselves -
Butler and guard drink till they drop; barrels float, Bilbo atop
Bilbo starts to cough and sneeze; Fili says No apples, please! Desolation of the Dragon, now it’s all up to Burglar Baggins!
Bilbo: I didn’t mean to adventure
Hope I come in useful
Not look too much a fool
I didn’t mean to adventure
Once I blew smokerings
Now I’ve got this joke Ring
Bilbo ‘thags you very buch’ old black snail-cracking thrush
Smaug rises in fire, off to Laketown venting ire
But now the dragon’s Not At Home, I’ll just take that Arkenstone Goblets they found there for themselves, and harps of gold where once they delved
Mithril vest, did Smaug go west? Lake Town is put to the test
Grim-voiced Bard, black arrow last, a little bird speaks as Smaug flies past
Smaug goes down in clouds of steam - Bard should be king, the Dale folk deem
Dalemen and Elf array marching northward straightaway
Bilbo: I didn’t mean to adventure
I miss my good old arm-chair
Once back I won’t leave there
I didn’t mean to adventure
Don’t care how much gold’s strewn
Can I be going home soon?
Old Roäc, son of Carc, reports Bard’s arrow hit its mark -
That’s the good news; bad remains - Thorin sends him off to Dain
Dueling ballads, Elves and Dwarves - Thorin’ll sit on gold and starve
The Clouds Burst, Bilbo’s cursed, after Dain comes the worst -
Goblins led by Azog’s son - wolves and Wargs behind them run
Disagreements disappear - so does Bilbo, thinking clear
Goblins offer no reprieve, then Thorin turns the tide at eve
And Bilbo sees a welcome sight - Eagles are coming! To join the fight
Bilbo: I didn’t mean to adventure
I’ve a helm and hard skull
Of adventure chock-full
I didn’t mean to adventure
Didn’t expect warfare
Eagles, Dwarves, Wargs, Elves, bear
Bilbo comes to once more - Thorin’s passing grieves him sore
And Fili and Kili, body and shield, defending Thorin died before
Under the Mountain Dain’s now King, Even dragons have their ending
Chest of silver, chest of gold, Yule-tide with Gandalf in Beorn’s hold
Bilbo’s Took blood grows more tired the closer he comes to the Shire
Rivendell - the first of May, and Elves’ lullabyes at break of day
Auction ended, SB’s offended, reputation gone and won’t be mended
Thus ends the tale, how beyond all ken, Bilbo journeyed There and Back Again. (less)
Recommends it for: Everyone, but especially pre-teens.
Recommended to Chris by:
My Mother
This book started it all for me. I was in the 4th or 5th grade and, until then, it had been all picture books and starter books (i.e. Superfudge, Ramona the Pest, etc.). Then my Mom read me the first chapter of The Hobbit. She said I could read ahead and she would just continue from where I left off. Of course, I took the book and ran head first into Middle Earth. By the time I looked up, Smaug was dead and Bilbo was back in Hobbiton, with a really cool magic ring in his possession.
...moreThis book started it all for me. I was in the 4th or 5th grade and, until then, it had been all picture books and starter books (i.e. Superfudge, Ramona the Pest, etc.). Then my Mom read me the first chapter of The Hobbit. She said I could read ahead and she would just continue from where I left off. Of course, I took the book and ran head first into Middle Earth. By the time I looked up, Smaug was dead and Bilbo was back in Hobbiton, with a really cool magic ring in his possession.
I've read this several times since, and for me, it still holds up completely. I've heard critics complain that Tolkien occasionally addresses the reader directly, which (they contend) is a shortcoming of the prologue, as compared with the rest of the Lord of the Rings. I say: phooey! This is the book which sucks you in! It engages you, especially as a child!
I think what I like most about it is the fact that the ring is a wonderous trinket, full of mystique and promise. And then...naturally, one picks of the Fellowship of the Ring, only to find out...well, you know.
Oh, and Tom Bombadil rules. Really. He's my hero. Favorite character ever. Seriously.(less)
So much, in both our world and Middle Earth, rests on the shoulders of Bilbo Baggins, the reluctant adventurer of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit. But while Bilbo was reluctant to journey into the unknown, Tolkien effortlessly lures his happy reader into an epic adventure with his loveable characters, witty charm, and incredible world. Okay, maybe not effortlessly. Definitely not effortlessly. The man created a new world, language, species, (some argue literary genre)… that’s effort. But very w...moreSo much, in both our world and Middle Earth, rests on the shoulders of Bilbo Baggins, the reluctant adventurer of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit. But while Bilbo was reluctant to journey into the unknown, Tolkien effortlessly lures his happy reader into an epic adventure with his loveable characters, witty charm, and incredible world. Okay, maybe not effortlessly. Definitely not effortlessly. The man created a new world, language, species, (some argue literary genre)… that’s effort. But very worthwhile.
As a bookstore employee working through the first two Lord of the Rings movie releases, I watched customer after customer insist on starting in the trilogy and just skipping over The Hobbit. They were foolish. The Hobbit, I think, is vital to the trilogy, to an understanding of the One Ring, of Gandalf, of Bilbo, elves, dwarves, orcs… So if you’re gonna read the trilogy, add a bonus one.
This review will highlight Tolkien’s enchanting narrative style. Though his narrative is third person, the narrator seems to have a concern, love, and interest in his/her subject. The narrator’s amicable approach to Tolkien’s characters and world easily rubs off on his reader. The narrator is self-aware and acknowledged his/her role in the story telling process, taking time to address the audience, or comment on a situation, noting that he/she would not want to be in such a nasty predicament, or something of that sort. Tolkien creates this narrator masterfully, as it comes across as charming, but not corny. I looked for examples to include in here but found none that could adequately demonstrate what I’m talking about. Taken out of the stylistic context, they just don’t quite work.
Quotes make the world go ‘round:
“You certainly usually find something, if you look, but it is not always quite the something you were after.” (That was the narrator. It kinda shows what I’m talking about. Here he/she’s addressing the reader.)
“So comes snow after fire, and even dragons have their ending!” (Bilbo).
The juvenile warm-up to the splendor of the Lord of the Rings. Wholly engrossing, The Hobbit becomes more than merely a novel, it becomes a portal through which audiences are welcomed to the wonderful world of Arda. Grab a nicely packed pipe, some marvelously baked black bread, a tall stein of stout, lose yourself into a comfortable chair and begin a journey that should remain the cornerstone of children's entry into literature. This book should be read to children, by children, and for those...moreThe juvenile warm-up to the splendor of the Lord of the Rings. Wholly engrossing, The Hobbit becomes more than merely a novel, it becomes a portal through which audiences are welcomed to the wonderful world of Arda. Grab a nicely packed pipe, some marvelously baked black bread, a tall stein of stout, lose yourself into a comfortable chair and begin a journey that should remain the cornerstone of children's entry into literature. This book should be read to children, by children, and for those of us that so desperately long to read it with the same wonder as we summoned when reading it as children. Once the sweet honey of Professor Tolkien's world has moistened your lips, the master has provided a great many avenues through which to explore his magical world. Whereas The Hobbit is the door through which to enter Arda, the Lord of the Rings provides the legendary plateau of story telling, and the Silmarillion maintains its place as the pinnacle for adult readers to revel in the magnificence of the world. A must read for any and all! It retains a special place on my shelves!(less)
I hadn't read this book since 4th grade. Back then I wouldn't normally have been attracted to such a wordy book, but we were required to do a certain number of book reports and I guess my teacher thought my reading level was too high to be basing mine on Hardy Boys novels, so she gave me a list of books that she approved of and for one reason or another I ended up with "The Hobbit."
I loved it back then, but I honestly remember losing track of what was going on. A lot of T...moreI hadn't read this book since 4th grade. Back then I wouldn't normally have been attracted to such a wordy book, but we were required to do a certain number of book reports and I guess my teacher thought my reading level was too high to be basing mine on Hardy Boys novels, so she gave me a list of books that she approved of and for one reason or another I ended up with "The Hobbit."
I loved it back then, but I honestly remember losing track of what was going on. A lot of Tolkien's words went way over my head. I remember reading some very specific parts, such as the death of Smaug and the barrel scene, as well as the spiders and Gollum, but by age 26 I'd forgotten the bulk of the story's events.
So I decided to re-read it, and boy howdy am I glad I did! Tolkien does an amazing job of writing his characters without sacrificing story. Events happen WHILE we get to know the people involved. He writes multi-dimensionally so as to provide depth and interest in Bilbo and his dwarf companions, something I imagine would be easy to let go of in such a fantasized setting.
I'm not normally a fan of the fantasy genre, but feel that I would strongly recommend this book to anyone -- if anything, for its cultural impact and just an overall fun tale of adventure. There was a lot of excitement, a lot of depth, and a lot of worthwhile messages, my favorite of which shows us how stereotypes shouldn't define/limit an individual's potential for usefulness.(less)
The only Tolkien I've ever read. And it guarantees it'll stay that way. That's right, I'm one of the five people on the planet who didn't pretend to have read the Lord of the Rings trilogy after the movies came out. And that's using the term loosely. They weren't really movies, they were more like protracted masturbatory fantasies for stoner geeks and people who would otherwise be making b-horror film remakes. The Hobbit wasn't a part of the trilogy, and I can only assume that it got left it out...moreThe only Tolkien I've ever read. And it guarantees it'll stay that way. That's right, I'm one of the five people on the planet who didn't pretend to have read the Lord of the Rings trilogy after the movies came out. And that's using the term loosely. They weren't really movies, they were more like protracted masturbatory fantasies for stoner geeks and people who would otherwise be making b-horror film remakes. The Hobbit wasn't a part of the trilogy, and I can only assume that it got left it out because it wasn't as good as the other 3 books. Or 10. How many are written now? I can't keep track. My generation's contempt for franchises apparently only extends to Steven Segal movies. But I digress. The Hobbit is plodding, ponderous, pretentious and yes, perfunctory. Even the people I know who really, truly did read those godawful books all say The Hobbit is the weakest of the lot. Personally, I don't trust them. I think they're trying to trick me into reading one of the others so I finally realize how utterly useless reading really is, and give up on literacy altogether.
YeahrightThat is not what I meant by it. Anyone can be entertained by a movie. But to recognize the genius behind it is something else.
Dec 08, 2011 05:41pm
Kelly WalkerI very much disagree with your review, Nathan, and I really do wish that you had taken more time to explain your view point. Judging by your page, I t...moreI very much disagree with your review, Nathan, and I really do wish that you had taken more time to explain your view point. Judging by your page, I think Tolkien was writing in a genre that you do not fully appreciate and instead of realising this and thoughtfully concluding that perhaps other people enjoy other things (shock horror), you decided to insult the readers of this book and the admirers of Tolkien, not to mention the man himself. As a fellow lover of literature, I expected more of a one star review. The one star implies a deeper loathing of a book which should be explained and not described through insults and silly cliche's about those who read Tolkien's works.
But, I guess every cloud has a silver lining, which I guess your review revealed. It at least revealed to me that those who do not like Tolkien's writings are generally quite immature themselves, with no real reason to hate it except to go against the mainstream. Explain further your reasonings and prove me wrong, since your review simply did not elaborate more then what I have mentioned.(less)
20 hours, 14 min ago
I'm not sure if I added the right edition of this book; what I'm reading is a comic book adaptation of "The Hobbit," but I don't know if this is the right one or not....
Well, I've finished it! I thought it was a nice adaptation of "The Hobbit;" it was a good refresher for me, since I'd forgotten the details, and would also be good for someone interested in hearing the story without having to read the whole book. As a graphic novel, it maybe doesn't work quite as w...moreI'm not sure if I added the right edition of this book; what I'm reading is a comic book adaptation of "The Hobbit," but I don't know if this is the right one or not....
Well, I've finished it! I thought it was a nice adaptation of "The Hobbit;" it was a good refresher for me, since I'd forgotten the details, and would also be good for someone interested in hearing the story without having to read the whole book. As a graphic novel, it maybe doesn't work quite as well, as a couple of the pictures were a little unclear at first. Still, it was an enjoyable read; the art was decent, and the writing fun.(less)
AnnI'm glad you enjoyed this! Perhaps I should read it for a refresher, too! And yay! Now you've sort-of officially read the end!:>
Nov 19, 2007 11:45am
KathrynYay! Glad you enjoyed this version more than the original! :-D
Nov 19, 2007 12:35pm
I don't have time to make a proper review or literary criticism, so I'll just write My Thoughts About The Hobbit.
First, a confession: I've never read The Hobbit, not even before I walked alone the dark aisle of a popular movie house South of Manila to see The Fellowship Of The Ring, thinking to myself 30 minutes into the movie how it was a bad decision to watch it sans company, especially when the monstrous (transformed) face of Bilbo appeared as he tried to grab the ring on a chain...moreI don't have time to make a proper review or literary criticism, so I'll just write My Thoughts About The Hobbit.
First, a confession: I've never read The Hobbit, not even before I walked alone the dark aisle of a popular movie house South of Manila to see The Fellowship Of The Ring, thinking to myself 30 minutes into the movie how it was a bad decision to watch it sans company, especially when the monstrous (transformed) face of Bilbo appeared as he tried to grab the ring on a chain around Frodo's neck.
So a decade later, with Peter Jackson making available The Hobbit Trailer in youtube and playing it a dozen times (because I like Thorin's song), I decided to read The Hobbit, but more to the point: I wanted to read it. And I've never wanted to read a book so much in a very long time (the last was Ben Fountain's Brief Encounters with Che Guevara, which is yet to be ordered by my preferred local bookstore).
On Christmas Day, guess what I received: a paperback of The Hobbit. The perfect Christmas gift from an Aunt who could only be called a true best friend (because she gave me a book I haven't read). And it's worth that one or two days of waiting to get a copy until I'm not too busy to visit the bookstore and buy it myself. Because it was the best fantasy I've ever read. Tolkien made me love Bilbo and his Tookish side and why the dwarves, relatively taller and bigger, need a small creature of comfort like him--a "grocer" in their judgment, but, to their unending gratitude, a smart and heroic "burglar." A savior of dwarves and Gandalf has known it.
In a nutshell, reading The Hobbit is one of the best experiences you can give yourself especially if you're into fantasy genre. I can promise you that Bilbo Baggins is an unforgettable character, a true soldier whose story will forever be in my list of favorite christmas or NY reads.
Recommends it for: Everybody! It's a wonderful story for children and adults alike!
Recommended to Nicole by:
My Best Friend, many years ago, in 7th Grade~
It is done already! How easy, how swift and enjoyable a read it is ever single time I pick up this tale! A story for children and a story for adults alike, it charms the mind with its stories and immediately gives one the sense as of sitting at the knee of your old grandparent, listening to them tell this tale of old that they have passed down over the generations, and which your heart knows only as truth. It is a classic beauty in the world of fantasy, and has the authenticity of surviving for ...moreIt is done already! How easy, how swift and enjoyable a read it is ever single time I pick up this tale! A story for children and a story for adults alike, it charms the mind with its stories and immediately gives one the sense as of sitting at the knee of your old grandparent, listening to them tell this tale of old that they have passed down over the generations, and which your heart knows only as truth. It is a classic beauty in the world of fantasy, and has the authenticity of surviving for ages, as though it very well might have been the beginnings of a world we so easily know and fall into. And with that, it has the unquenchable joys of a tale that has no sad endings even in its sadnesses, even in its struggles, even in its great paths and little twists. What a wonderful tale for anyone to read! What a delightful world to fall into!
The moment you read this fascinating, alluring little tale, which could almost be right out of your own mind's hidden halls, you fall in love with it. For it's a story of things not ours, and yet strangely like us. It captures our spirit of adventure, our desire to know of great things! It hails to our delight in fulfilling curiosity, and bates our better knowledge with turns and mishaps that bring groans to our lips and worries in our hearts. It's a tale like no other in that it -is- a tale like all others! It is a piece of antiquity that is and will continue everlastingly to be timeless. We are taken up on adventure, my friends! An adventure of great and wide things calls to us! And we are nearly swept, tumbling and bumbling, right out the door before we know that we have already begun it! What a miracle of work! To bring forth in our minds a world that we cannot for an instant deny to be real, less we face the outcries of our inner child, and which we become a part of before we even recognize that we have fallen in love with Middle-Earth and all of its inhabitants.
And what a jolly, remarkably swift tale this is! To think that from such a joyous, tremendous journey comes the next three greatest parts of a story that will stand as The Great in the battles of our hearts and minds, of Good against Evil. While here we are cleanly charmed and captive with devoted love by the tale of Mr. Bilbo Baggins when he was still young, by the voice of our author and narrator both, who speaks to us as though he knows us intimately, and has long told us such things, such stories as these that we grew up on... in the next three books we will be swept away into the tides of even greater deeds, harder journeys, and more beautiful, more loved, and more timeless characters. Characters and acts that will be forever ingrained within us and engraved upon our hearts. Why would anyone on our good earth not read this lovely, fantastic tale of heroism which has been so long lost to our age? To those of you who know, and those of you who do not know, the things yet to come... these words I leave to you, to echo in your very soul when you hear them and lift up this book at last, and when you think of the wonderful tale contained in its pages:
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, CBE, was an English writer, poet, philologist, and university professor, best known as the author of the high fantasy classic works The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
Tolkien was Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford from 1925 to 1945, and Merton Professor of English language and literature from 1945 to 1959. He was a close friend of C. S. Lewis...moreJohn Ronald Reuel Tolkien, CBE, was an English writer, poet, philologist, and university professor, best known as the author of the high fantasy classic works The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
Tolkien was Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford from 1925 to 1945, and Merton Professor of English language and literature from 1945 to 1959. He was a close friend of C. S. Lewis.
Christopher Tolkien published a series of works based on his father's extensive notes and unpublished manuscripts, including The Silmarillion. These, together with The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, form a connected body of tales, poems, fictional histories, invented languages, and literary essays about an imagined world called Arda, and Middle-earth within it. Between 1951 and 1955 Tolkien applied the word legendarium to the larger part of these writings.
While many other authors had published works of fantasy before Tolkien, the great success of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings when they were published in paperback in the United States led directly to a popular resurgence of the genre. This has caused Tolkien to be popularly identified as the "father" of modern fantasy literature—or more precisely, high fantasy. Tolkien's writings have inspired many other works of fantasy and have had a lasting effect on the entire field. In 2008, The Times ranked him sixth on a list of 'The 50 greatest British writers since 1945'.
Religious influences J.R.R. Tolkien, was born in South Africa in 1892, but his family moved to Britain when he was about 3 years old. When Tolkien was 8 years old, his mother converted to Catholicism, and he remained a Catholic throughout his life. In his last interview, two years before his death, he unhesitatingly testified, “I’m a devout Roman Catholic.”
Tolkien married his childhood sweetheart, Edith, and they had four children. He wrote them letters each year as if from Santa Claus, and a selection of these was published in 1976 as The Father Christmas Letters. One of Tolkien’s sons became a Catholic priest. Tolkien was an advisor for the translation of the Jerusalem Bible.
Tolkien once described The Lord of the Rings to his friend Robert Murray, an English Jesuit priest, as "a fundamentally religious and Catholic work, unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision." There are many theological themes underlying the narrative including the battle of good versus evil, the triumph of humility over pride, and the activity of grace. In addition the saga includes themes which incorporate death and immortality, mercy and pity, resurrection, salvation, repentance, self-sacrifice, free will, justice, fellowship, authority and healing. In addition The Lord's Prayer "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" was reportedly present in Tolkien's mind as he described Frodo's struggles against the power of the One Ring.'(less)
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Jul 06, 2011 02:42pm
Nov 20, 2011 11:44am