The Hobbit, or There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkein 4 fun stars

[Karin]

This is my third time through this book. I first read it when I was in grade three and loved it. This time I listened to it on audiobook which almost made me raise it back to the 5 stars I'd have given it had I even known about star ratings for books when I was a child.

Most anglophones, as well as many speakers of other languages, are familiar with the premise of this story. There is a wizard, an hobbit, a group of dwarves, various elves both good and bad, trolls, humans, goblins, wolves, eagles, Gollum, Beorn (unusual spelling of Bjorn) and of course Smaug the dragon. What's more, Tolkein did the few illustrations so we could see what he meant for some of this. If you're wondering why I am referring to those when I was listening to it, I did check a printed book as well. There is also magic, of course.

Gandalf gets Bilbo Baggins on a quest--as a Hobbit, he is opposed to adventures, but of course he is the star of this book and there is no way it would have been as delightful without him. The journey lasts a good deal longer than anticipated and there are all the trappings of a good yarn--adventure, great characters, danger with narrow escapes, new friends, scary places, etc.

[NancyJ]

Like Bilbo, I do not need a lot of adventure in my life, so I'm struggling through this. I've tried to get into this book since I was a teenager. I made it farther this time than I ever did before - I finally met the dragon! I'm enjoying parts of it, but it's hard to keep focused in between. My goal is to finish this by the 14th.

[Theresa]

NancyJ wrote: "Like Bilbo, I do not need a lot of adventure in my life, so I'm struggling through this. I've tried to get into this book since I was a teenager. I made it farther this time than I ever did before ..."

I am the same, Nancy! I have a copy on the nightstand. I adore LOTR, have read it 3 times at least, but I have never ever been able to get very far in The Hobbit, or There and Back Again. I did pick up a lovely reprint of the original publication (I'm a sucker for books like that) when I saw the marvelous Tolkien exhibit at The Morgan Library and Museum.

If Tolkien makes it through to the next level of WPF, my plan is to try again. I have yet to meet the trolls or Smaug in my previous many attempts --- since I was a teen actually.

[Karin]

It might be easier on audiobook, Nancy. Or if you'd read it when you were in your single digits. And also if you read it before LOTR. It is the story of how Bilbo got the ring as well as of Smaug the dragon, and not in the same caves, either :).

[KateNZ]

I love The Hobbit. It’s very much a children’s book and the plot is pretty basic but Smaug is brilliant … and the undercurrents of the dwarves and their relationship with the elves … and the Lake-Men … and Gollum … and the way Bilbo has to navigate and resolve the lot …

[Jemima]

I love this book. I found it much more accessible as a young reader than LOTR, although I do not like Golem!

[Karin]

Ann wrote: "Nice summary of the book, Karin. I am making my way through the entire series, listening to the audio versions narrated by Andy Serkis. He really does an outstanding job with all the ..."

Perhaps I'll try Serkis for LOTR--I'll see what my library network has in CDs so I can listen while driving. My CD player there is getting old, and sometimes I can't start the next CD until I turn off the engine, but I hope it lasts until I downsize to a smaller vehicle.