The Hobbit, or There and Back Again in Classics Without All the Class

Feb 21, 2009 Cecily rated it really liked it

Shelves: classics, series-and-sequels, ya, childrens, fantasy-faeries-magic

2021 update re podcast - see section below image of two rings.

This is a book I cast aside, unfinished, as a child, and learned to love through the enraptured passion of my own child, nestled in my lap. It’s a much cosier introduction to Middle Earth than the Lord of the Rings.

“Good Morning!" said Bilbo, and he meant it. The sun was shining, and the grass was very green. But Gandalf looked at him from under long bushy eyebrows that stuck out further than the brim of his shady hat.
"What do you m

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Oct 11, 2009 Gaijinmama rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, re-read, classics, favorites, fantasy

Full disclosure: I am a life-long Tolkien geek. Mock me, and I'll cuss you out in Elvish. And then I'll breathe a bit of fire at you.
This is the prequel to The Lord of the Rings. I actually read LOTR first when I was 9 years old (back when dinosaurs walked the earth...) and it was rough going, so I highly recommend reading The Hobbit first. It explains a lot of things that are important to the trilogy. Also, unlike LOTR, this is a children's book. It's not just for children, by any means, but it ...more

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Feb 16, 2012 Jess rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2012, books-to-movies-challenge, read-in-2013, owned, magenta-mix-up, read-in-2016

So there are probably a thousand other reviews that say what I want to say about this book, so I won't labour the point too much: this book is a fun adventure about Bilbo and a troop of dwarves. It's the kind of book that makes you smile a lot while reading it, and it is a lovely story. ...more

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Jan 24, 2009 Ebster Davis rated it it was amazing

I consider myself fortunate in that I was exposed to the Middle Earth universe in literature before I saw it in cinema. Technically I listened to a radio adaption of this story before I read any of the books, and it really ignited my imagination and I had to consume all I could get of this fantastic place. It was just so rich and marvelous; it articulated so well the beauty in the natural world, and the perspective of what it means to live a fulfilled life really resonated with me (and still doe I consider myself fortunate in that I was exposed to the Middle Earth universe in literature before I saw it in cinema. Technically I listened to a radio adaption of this story before I read any of the books, and it really ignited my imagination and I had to consume all I could get of this fantastic place. It was just so rich and marvelous; it articulated so well the beauty in the natural world, and the perspective of what it means to live a fulfilled life really resonated with me (and still does).

For me, though, the magic for "The Hobbit" is rooted in the character of Bilbo and how he interfaces with the world. I think this is one of those stories that came to me at just the right time in my life, because although I'm sure I would have enjoyed it immensely at any age, it only particularly resonated with me because I felt I could identify with Bilbo and how he was continuously (and humorously) challenged to step outside of his comfort zone.

The characters in this story tend to make judgments based on personal values rather than a stoic sense of right and wrong, and Bilbo is no exception. Throughout the story, Bilbo is continually challenged to prioritize his values in decision making.

We see that wondrous things can happen when you step outside of your comfort zone, but the story also acknowledges that it is never without risk.
(view spoiler)

Although we do get to see Bilbo's values kind of validated at the end (view spoiler) Bilbo's perspective-values are never presented as the ultimate solution to what's wrong with the world. We even see times where a fixation on these exact same perspective-values is presented as cowardly, and selfish, and on the whole un-admirable (albeit relatable). To me, this makes Bilbo one of Tolkien's most dynamic protagonists (and, truthfully, makes “The Hobbit” one of his more intriguing stories.)

If I had to pick one theme from this book that has resonated with me most over the years it is that challenging yourself on any level is important, even when (and especially when) you fail. ...more

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