The Hobbit, or There and Back Again in CPL's Book a Week Challenge

Nov 15, 2012 Christina (Reading Extensively) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, book-to-movie, read2012, reread, favorites

The Hobbit is now considered a prequel to The Lord of the Rings and Tolkien later changed the story to match the events in The Lord of the Rings and how Bilbo came to find the ring in Gollum's cave. I loved The Lord of the Rings when I read it in 2001-2002 and I read it before I read The Hobbit. I think that is the reason that my expectations were not met the first time I read it in 2002. I was expecting a story more similar to The Lord of the Rings in tone, with an epic feel. Instead it is more The Hobbit is now considered a prequel to The Lord of the Rings and Tolkien later changed the story to match the events in The Lord of the Rings and how Bilbo came to find the ring in Gollum's cave. I loved The Lord of the Rings when I read it in 2001-2002 and I read it before I read The Hobbit. I think that is the reason that my expectations were not met the first time I read it in 2002. I was expecting a story more similar to The Lord of the Rings in tone, with an epic feel. Instead it is more lighthearted. I felt disappointed and decided that I didn't like the book. Well with the upcoming film adaptation by Peter Jackson, I thought it would be a good time to reread the story. This time, my reaction was quite different!

Ten years after my first reading, I was able to appreciate the story as it was. I loved the character of Bilbo Baggins and could relate to him perhaps better than I could relate to Frodo. Like Bilbo, I am a person who likes a quiet life and dreams of adventure from the safety of my home! I liked how Bilbo grew over the course of his adventure and became this unwitting hero. I also loved how Gandalf believed in him and saw what he was capable of.

It was interesting to learn more about the dwarves of Middle Earth and their history. Thorin is something of a complex character. At times I admired him and at times I was annoyed with him, particularly his decisions that nearly led to war.

I enjoyed the humor particularly from the scene with the trolls and I loved the scenes where Bilbo meets Gollum and they have the riddle contest. The story may not have the epic good vs. evil themes of The Lord of the Rings but there is still adventure to be found and some deeper meaning. The book explores the themes of greed, revenge, and holding onto the past as well as having courage and wisdom and stepping out of your comfort zone.

I look forward to rereading The Hobbit and getting more from the story with each reread and I look forward to rereading The Lord of the Rings and having a deeper appreciation for Bilbo Baggins and the dwarves. ...more

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Mar 11, 2012 Katie Whitt rated it it was amazing

This was the perfect re-read to start off the New Year! I loved this story so much as a child and I'm relieved to say I still love it just as much! I also think re-reading The Silmarillion helped me to appreciate it in a new way-I will admit to being obsessed with dragons as a kid so I was unfortunately Team Smaug as a child, but after reading about the dragons in The Sil it definitely gave me a new perspective on the old worm. Honestly still one of the best reading experiences for me ...more

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Aug 30, 2012 Desiree rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2012, re-read, fantasy

I read this when my uncle originally gave it to me as a kid, but it was hundreds of books ago, and my friends peer pressured me into reading it again. I did love it, just as they assured me.

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