The Hobbit (Middle Earth Universe) by J.R.R. Tolkien - Restarting October 20th 2022

[Dannii]

Chapter five - (view spoiler)[We get to witness Bilbo alone and without the protection or judgement of the others. We really get to see the spirit and skills that Gandalf clearly did to bring him on this quest.

I loved the introduction to Gollum's character and the riddle game they play. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter six - (view spoiler)[Bilbo found his way out of the caves, away from Gollum, and back to Gandalf and the dwarves. Gandalf is suspicious of his escape and it is already evident that not much gets past him, even if the others believe his tale and hold him in more esteem now. The appearance of the wolves slightly altered this when his small size meant he needed to be helped up the trees. I wish these scenes had been kept in the movie adaptation. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter seven - (view spoiler)[Gandalf introducing the dwarves to Beorn in twos as he disliked visitors, reminded me of the dwarves slow arrival at Bilbo's, at the beginning of the book. He was wrong for saying Bomber was so fat he would count for two though! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter eight - (view spoiler)[The group have entered into the woods, which were described super eerily with the tension they feel around them, the pitch black nights, and the numerous eyes. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter nine - Damn, that was enjoyable but felt like a long chapter. It was a little slower in pace too.

[Dannii]

Maddie wrote: ":o THAT SOUNDS AMAZING. Haha what's bad about it being a plan?"

It was so good. It hasn't gone off for the past few years because of pandemic stuff but I think they're planning a low-key one next April in Hay-on-Wye.

Definitely nothing bad about it! I feel like all book lovers get along too so it would be the best time!

[Aly]

Maddie wrote: ":o THAT SOUNDS AMAZING. Haha what's bad about it being a plan?"

Whoo yes!

[Aly]

Just finished chapter 11. I feel like there's been a lull, but it might be about to pick up. (view spoiler)[ the keyhole in the mountain showed itself so things are going to get crazy when they meet Smaug! (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

I have to say I definitely prefer the movie, feels a lot deeper to me!

[Maddie]

I'd love to meet some of my intl book friends haha

[Aly]

Through chapter 11 (view spoiler)[ Ooh the battle against Smaug! I felt bad that so many people died or had their homes destroyed, but maybe their new leader will help them rebuild even better (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

It's frustrating a little bit because I'm not really enjoying this, I'm just reading it to make it to the next one, and I'd rather re-watch the movies. So much more depth to them.

I'm up to Chapter 17

[Aly]

I think the book is okay, but I agree that the movies are better.

I think I'll finish the book Friday because my loan is due to the library

[Maddie]

Yeah go for it! That's roughly when I'll finish too!

[Aly]

Chapter 18 (view spoiler)[ Sad chapter. Bilbo lost friends to the battle and then departed from the rest of the group, never to see them again. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Finished - I'm glad it said that Bilbo did see some of his companions again, that makes me happy. Now I think I'll watch the movies this weekend ;)

[Maddie]

Yes I finished too! WATCH THE MOVIES haha I couldn't imagine doing them in one weekend though wow

Will start Fellowship tonight, do we have a thread for it yet?

[Aly]

Maddie wrote: "Yes I finished too! WATCH THE MOVIES haha I couldn't imagine doing them in one weekend though wow

Will start Fellowship tonight, do we have a thread for it yet?"

there's a previous thread, it just needs to be reset: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Maddie]

Thanks!

[Maddie]

It's reset!

[Dannii]

So I fell a bit behind with this and haven't picked it back up since last month. Hoping to finish the second half today and tomorrow though and then carry on with LOTR with you all :)

[Aly]

Dannii wrote: "So I fell a bit behind with this and haven't picked it back up since last month. Hoping to finish the second half today and tomorrow though and then carry on with LOTR with you all :)"

Okay :)

[Maddie]

I finally finished the first chapter last night, now I'm on page 40 haha. I like how we're getting so much more insight than we do in the movies. Didn't realise Frodo knew about the ring, or that it was years without Bilbo before he goes adventuring!

[Aly]

Ooh okay! I'm going to listen today for sure. I got the Andy Serkis narrated one since he did so great with The Hobbit

[Maddie]

Yeah I didn't want the audios for the trilogy because I want to focus properly haha take my time with it. I rush with audios

[Dannii]

Chapter ten - (view spoiler)[So many songs...

I'm liking seeing how Bilbo is growing in the others' esteem. He still is smaller, slower, and weaker than the others and is definitely not as brave or used to adventure and discomfort, but he has his own skillset and is giving everything he has to this mission. He suffered from a cold in this chapter but the others still praised him for his previous actions. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter eleven - (view spoiler)[Bilbo's finds are often by accident but the discovery of the door is still down to him. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter twelve - (view spoiler)[Bilbo is stepping up again by entering through the hidden doorway alone to spy on the dragon inside. I love the descriptions of Smaug's image, horde, and personality. Bilbo's discovery of the cup was far too simple and even if I was not familiar with this story, with so much of it yet to go, I knew they would not escape from Smaug so quickly and have their mission ended so easily. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter thirteen - (view spoiler)[Tolkien did a good job of making the reader relish the sight of sunlight too. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter fourteen - (view spoiler)[The town is under attack from Smaug. I liked learning about Bard and how he saved his town with the arrow to Smaug's foreleg. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter sixteen - (view spoiler)[Smaug has been defeated but the stone still makes things unpleasant for the group. I'm glad to see Gandalf again! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter eighteen - (view spoiler)[It was actually sad to read how the stone divided Bilbo from the other dwarves. Their friendship seemed truly ended and the hobbit didn't even have any treasure to take with him for all his efforts. With the arrival of the goblins their squabbles were put into perspective though, as they all fought on one side against them.

The eagles arrived, many perished, but Bilbo and Gandalf survived. I'm glad that Thorin saw the error of his ways and lives long enough to have a chance to make ammends with Bilbo. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter nineteen - (view spoiler)[I loved returning to this world! It is such a cosy story, with each chapter having its own little storyline, which made it easy to draw out and enjoy slowly over the course of almost a full month. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

I've finally finished! :)

[Aly]

Dannii wrote: "I've finally finished! :)"

Whoo!

[Maddie]

Oh boy haha nice work!