From the Bookshelf of J.R.R. Tolkien…

The Hobbit

J.R.R. Tolkien

Start date: October 1, 2014

Finish date: December 31, 2014

Discussion: Group Reads

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Group Reads

* Group Read September 2021-January 2022 (No Spoilers)
By Michael · 21 posts · 119 views

last updated Jan 31, 2022 11:38AM

Group Read January-March 2015: The Silmarillion
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last updated Apr 18, 2023 01:00PM

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What Members Thought

Aug 11, 2011 Pallavi Gambhire rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

“Far over the Misty Mountains cold…..to dungeons deep and caverns old….
And thus you are transported into a land of goblins, dwarves, elves, wargs, eagles and hobbits!
“The Hobbit” by J.R.R Tolkien was originally a bedtime story for his children and the published version continues the same feel and writing style as a children’s book. It tells the story of a hobbit, which is a creature similar to humans but short like dwarves and with really hairy feet! Needless to say, hobbits became much more fam “Far over the Misty Mountains cold…..to dungeons deep and caverns old….
And thus you are transported into a land of goblins, dwarves, elves, wargs, eagles and hobbits!
“The Hobbit” by J.R.R Tolkien was originally a bedtime story for his children and the published version continues the same feel and writing style as a children’s book. It tells the story of a hobbit, which is a creature similar to humans but short like dwarves and with really hairy feet! Needless to say, hobbits became much more familiar to the world, when Peter Jackson made the Lord of the Rings trilogy into blockbuster movies that are sequels to the events in “The Hobbit”
"The Hobbit" has a few familiar characters for those like me who read the more popular “Lord of the Rings” series first. It begins with Gandalf the Grey visiting the quiet hobbit Bilbo Baggins in his cozy little hobbit hole with the promise of an adventure, that’ll quite change his life forever. And he’s not alone…
Enter twelve dwarves Oin, Gloin (yes, Gimli’s father!), Fili, Kili, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Nori, Dori, Dwalin, Balin (the future lord of Moria) and the leader of their company, Thorin Oakenshield. These feisty dwarves are off to the Lonely Mountain, to reclaim their stolen treasure from a dreadful dragon named Smaug. So where does Gandalf think a small peaceful hobbit like Bilbo would fit in? Well, Gandalf thinks Bilbo being small and sneaky will eventually reveal his true purpose in the quest, which he does much to the dwarves’ amazement.
You’ll also be introduced to Gollum and the innocuous looking “one ring”, the story behind Bilbo’s sword’s name, and how he comes to possess his remarkable coat of mithril. It is interesting how these events that were narrated so casually in this book, went on to become the epic that is the Lord of the Rings.
The book is narrated in a playful way with plenty of typical Tolkienish songs, and is a book that will appeal to the pre-teen/teen reader who is not yet corrupted by the plethora of poorly written YA books available these days, and those of us adults who are ardent fans of Tolkien’s fabulous Middle earth.
If you are feeling ambitious enough, try a “The Silmarillion”, “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” reading marathon! ...more

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Aug 20, 2011 Diogo Silva rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, fantasy

Astonishing enough this was the first book I ever reread. I had retained the all story but, apparently, I had forgotten some details. However, it was a joy to remember it all once more. It is an interesting book because we can feel Tolkien speaking directly at us, in other words he wrote it as if he is speaking the words right there on our side.

Tolkien never disappoints!

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Jul 28, 2011 Mark Woodland rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Delightful prelude to The Lord of the Rings, but written on a simpler reading level. I read this book to my daughter when she was 4, and she loved it. The best introduction to Middle Earth if you haven't read any Tolkien. ...more

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Aug 19, 2011 Marian rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

this book gets better every time i read it. second time through with my kids and they were gripped from beginning to end. just love, love, love. brilliant. together with LOTR, the ultimate tale.

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Jul 31, 2011 Johann Thorarensen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

A wonderful, wonderful book. A fairytale of the old school that still has the possibility to weave magic around the reader. If only more of us were like a hobbit.

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