The Hobbit, or There and Back Again question

ok, I didn´t like it so much... but horrible? naaaah I've read far worst books. But I have to admit that after reading the Lord of the Rings' trilogy I was expecting this book to be similar. Instead, I found that even though it was simpler to read, it was quite boring and disappointing. In fact, the movie was, by far, more entertaining...

Elebu wrote: "Do you like this book? I think it was horrible! Others may not. What do you think?"

I actually listened to it as an audio book first and have not read it yet. It was wonderful. Try the audio book and see if you feel differently. I think I heard this book was meant as a bedtime story to his kids ( I could be so wrong on that!), but listening to it really brought it to life for me.

Elebu wrote: "Do you like this book? I think it was horrible! Others may not. What do you think?"

I never touched fantasy books until I read The Hobbit. Suddenly, my whole world changed. Tolkien is a genius.

It took me forever to finish it. I started LotR over six months ago and cannot finish it. I've re-read the entire ASoIF series and have started an Anne Rice novel. I just don't get the hype over these books.

I loved this book.

I think Tolkien is simply on a different level. And even if The Hobbit is written for children, it's still better than all that pseudofantasy crap everyone is so impatient to publish today, thanks to Twilight. And they weren't just going for gold, they went for land, their home, 'cause they were exiles. I liked that in the end, a random character killed the dragon: the meaning is that everyone can be a hero, even if you're not the dwarf badass Thorin is. And don't forget that greed is something very human, and Tolkien always reminds us, even in LOTR with Boromir. It's a warning. In the end, I like LOTR more than The Hobbit, but as someone said, "horrible" implies an objective judgement, and you didn't explain why. If you found it boring, you should just have said "I found it boring". Words are important.

I read this book years ago as a teenager and really loved it. Ithink it was my fist introduction to "Sci-fi" if you like, and thought it amazing! It gives you a lot to think about, not like the vampire based stuff that seems to be hanging around at the moment, To my mind that is read it and forget it! or better still leave it and get something worthwhile to read.

I read it like 3 times - first when I was 9. I love it from the beginning but each reading shows me more and I remember more.

I dont agree i absolutely loved it (well... i love all books except children ones)

I love the LOTR movies and after watching the hobbit I decided to read the book. I loved it! There is so much more to the story then the movies will be able to tell.

I agree with you, Emily and Melissa, it was required reading in High School, I was not a fan at the time.

Tolkien himself wrote (more about the Lord of the rings), "If you like it, you do; If you don't then you boo".

I loved LOTR and the Hobbit, but think that it is great that people like other / different things - otherwise there would be no discussions!

I'm with Elebu. I slogged through the first fifty pages and gave up. I decided that if I read "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire" instead, I would at least gain some knowledge for all of the work.

And I suspect "Decline and Fall" would be livelier.

I agree, I found it to be a snore as well.

I tried to read this book twice, but I haven't been able to finish it, it's quite boring, and I won´t try to read it again, it doesnt worth it.

I'm with you. Absolutely hated it. I had to force myself to finish. It was boring. The plot was stupid. (I'm sorry... you're forcing me to go on some stupid adventure for GOLD?! That's not even noble...) Oh, and the ending sucked. Who kills the dragon again? I don't even remember because it wasn't even a main character. I will never understand the hype. And I LOVE fantasy books.