Fantasy Book Club discussion
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The Hobbit, or There and Back Again
2009 Group Read Discussions
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11/09-12/09: The Hobbit/ Anticipating our Group Read
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I'm enjoying my ?th reading of The Hobbit. Its great to re-read childhood favorites at different points in your life. You gain a richer perspective each time!
I've got to go get myself a copy of it soon. I heard the movie has been delayed again though. =(Do you think that this book would be a good introduction to the fantasy genre for my 11-year-old brother (who never reads any book twice unless forced to)? Or should I start him off with something simpler?
I'd read the Hobbit several times before the class read it in 6th grade, when I was 11 - 12. Different times, though. We didn't have much TV, no PC's, games, etc... Star Wars & Indiana Jones hadn't blown us away yet with pure action. Also, I was an only child out in the country on a farm. So, while I loved it at a young age, I'm not so sure an 11 year old today would like it. Depends on the kid, but my boys didn't like it until their mid teens.
I'd advise anybody who hasn't read The Hobbit to do so before the movie comes out, because after that starts getting shown every Christmas, year in year out, the thrill is going to be much diminished.
Love love The Hobbit. I agree that it should be read before seeing the movie. My 12 year old is reading it now. I don't think I read it myself until I was in college... and maybe I was therefore able to appreciate it more. But it has been a big influence on my life. AND, in fact, my writing. In fact, my last novel has been called a modern The Hobbit... which is very flattering and I can only hope that my book lives in its shadow.
But, if you've not read The Hobbit, do! As a matter of fact, do it now. Right now! Oh, and... AND look at The Wheel of Nuldoid.
Russ Woody
Looking forward to rereading it. I actually saw the cartoon version first before reading the book. It was my favorite movie when I was a kid, and I still enjoy it.
I also saw the cartoon version first. I think, at the time, I didn't even know it was a book. My dad showed it to me when I was pretty young, and I always liked it. I didn't read the book until high school, for a book report. I remember sort of being surprised at the things that weren't in the cartoon. I also recall that I did enjoy reading 'The Hobbit' more than I later enjoyed LotR. I might read it again, for a refresher, but only if my dad still has a copy somewhere.
I personally liked it but didnt love it. I too saw the cartoon when i was younger and loved it. i read the book when i was...eehhh about 6 then i reread it twice afterwards. when i was 10 and last year. I like it but i prefer LOTR.Was good though.
I read it quite young prompted by one of my teachers reading the 'What has it got in its pocketses?' scene complete with the teacher's special Gollum voice. I also adored the Jackanory presentation a few years later in 1979 with Bernard Cribbins voicing Bilbo.
Jess wrote: "I've got to go get myself a copy of it soon. I heard the movie has been delayed again though. =(Do you think that this book would be a good introduction to the fantasy genre for my 11-year-old br..."
I personally think it wold be a great introduction to the fantasy genre for an 11-year old - the story of The Hobbit has tons of heart, a fantastic adventure & cast of characters that is so entertaining... :)
Rai
strangely, I have yet to read The Hobbit. I just ordered it, and also The Silmarillion. Should make interesting reads for november.
Rai wrote: The Hobbit has tons of heart, a fantastic adventure & cast of characters that is so entertaining.It is definitely a wonderful story, but Tolkien's style of writing doesn't seem to be as accessible to kids as some other childrens' books nowadays. Old-fashioned, in a way.
Jim wrote: "I'd read the Hobbit several times before the class read it in 6th grade, when I was 11 - 12. Different times, though. We didn't have much TV, no PC's, games, etc... Star Wars & Indiana Jones had..."
Couldn't agree with you more. Though maybe I'm not one to talk, having been surrounded by computers and entertainment since I was five. Do you think maybe it's also because boys might be more interested in action (in the form of games and such) than reading? Especially because the story does start off a bit slowly...
Jess, I'm probably a special case. I had almost no access to a TV from 8 to 13. Radios were iffy - AM was pretty much it back then & we lived out in the country - so reading was my entertainment inside. 'The Hobbit' was one of my father's favorites. It was his Conan books, with the cover art by Frank Frazetta, that made me want to read. I think he suggested it or gave me a copy. It was the biggest, most adult book I'd ever read. IOW, special in a lot of ways.
I read it & discussed it with him while traveling, which we did a lot of. It was one of the best things we did together after my parents divorced & that includes visiting the World's Fair in San Antonio. He died when I was 10, so I read it & remembered him, too. It's just always had a very special place in my life.
Jess, I would disagree that the story starts off slowly. The first chapter introduces the characters and the quest, and in the second, they all nearly become breakfast for Bert, Tom and Bert (the three trolls).Also, the language is perfect to tell this story. It transports kids. I have read it aloud to my children, and they were both completely engrossed (my son was only 3 at the time), and the writing is perfectly cadenced for the book to be read aloud. If kids are read to, constantly, at an early age, they will take to reading, and especially books like The Hobbit. The disservice that we do is when we allow gaming, TV and the internet to usurp the place of storytime. I read to my kids every night, and it is my favourite time of day. We are on the last Harry Potter book right now. Next, it will be Lord of the Rings, though I might read The Hobbit to them again (I love doing the voices, especially of the trolls).
Jim, thanks for your story. It shows how important it is for parents to share that which we love with our children.
The Hobbit is one of my all time favorites. I remember checking a copy out at the library, reading and rereading. I remember watching the animated movie over and over again. This was one of the first, if not the first fantasy book I ever read.
I am so excited that this is the story of the month. My parents read me the Trilogy when I was twelve and I got so hooked that I read this one all by myself. My parents blame this book for my addiction to fantasy. I do look forward to re-reading it once I finish The Swarm.
To Lochaber my parents read to me when i was little and thats what got me hooked so therefore i agree with you. i myself cant wait to be able to read to my kids. If i ever get them being only 15 i no not yet.
Michael wrote: "strangely, I have yet to read The Hobbit. I just ordered it, and also The Silmarillion. Should make interesting reads for november. "Hi Michael,
Very cool that you will be reading 'The Silmarillion'. Being a huge Tolkien/Lord of the Rings fan, I had to read it. I bought the illustrated version, which I found very helpful because I found it to be a challenging read at times...
I'd love to hear back from you after you've read it & hear your thoughts on it...
Enjoy getting lost in these deep, complex worlds!
Rai
To Rai you said you had an illustrated version i did not lnow they had an illustrated version sounds cool. Loved silmarillion was very hard to follow or get into for a while but once i did was amazing. Rai did you read any of the histories?? I have read children of hurin and History of ME part one. they were really good i recommend them.
Rai wrote: "Michael wrote: "strangely, I have yet to read The Hobbit. I just ordered it, and also The Silmarillion. Should make interesting reads for november. "Hi Michael,
Very cool that you will be readin..."
Hi,
I ordered the plain version. I guess I'll have to pay close attention then. Should make an interesting read either way. I'll let you know what I think when I finish it. :)
edit:
by the way, should Tolkiens books be read in this order? The Silmarillion -> The Hobbit - > LOTR. I have only read LOTR books before, unfortunately.
Actually read LOTR then hobbit then Silmarillion. It may seem wier but it is the best way to read it at least i found it tto be that way.
As for order of Tolkien's books, I suggest in order of publication: The Hobbit, LOTR, then The Silmarillion. I originally read The Silmarillion first, then The Hobbit, then LOTR. There are major spoilers in The Silmarillion for both The Hobbit and LOTR. The Silmarillion is the logical prequel to the other books.The story in The Hobbit sets up LOTR, as it explains how Bilbo got the ring. However, it doesn't really matter all that much. You won't be lost if you read LOTR first. LOTR is definitely a read for an older audience.
Okay, thanks for the advice. I might skip re-reading LOTR altogether then. After all, I have read it before. I'll begin with The Hobbit and then read The Silmarillion
Good haah but still reread it later its too good not too. Also In publication LOTR came out first then hobbit. Also to the other thing its not true that its for an older audience alone its good for people young as I am. Im only 15 and i first read it when i was 9.
Actually, The Hobbit was published first, in 1937. LOTR was published in 1954-55. The Silmarillion was released in 1977, gathered from pieces and notes that Tolkien had compiled over the years.
O wow i was misinformed. Thanks i never new that thank you for the information.
My parents read it to me for the first time when I was 4! I'm sure I missed some things but I still loved it! I read it to all my younger siblings, and even my book-hating youngest brother enjoyed it.
Chris wrote: "Actually, The Hobbit was published first, in 1937. LOTR was published in 1954-55. The Silmarillion was released in 1977, gathered from pieces and notes that Tolkien had compiled over the years."Chris, can you imagine the volume of whining, if fantasy readers today had to wait out that release schedule??? Raises a bit of a snort, doesn't it, to imagine impatient the dialogue. Well, it gave me a laugh, anyway.
Yeah, Tolkien might have been fortunate not to have his own web blog......
Christopher Tolkien has published his father's works much faster than the old Master did. The Silmarillion in 1977, Unfinished Tales in the mid-1980's, The History of Middle Earth (12 volumes) between 1985 and 1995, and the The Children of Hurin 2 years ago. In comparison, JRRT was 18 years between publications.That should give George R.R. Martin fans pause. Good snort indeed, Janny!
Janny wrote: "Chris wrote: "Actually, The Hobbit was published first, in 1937. LOTR was published in 1954-55. The Silmarillion was released in 1977, gathered from pieces and notes that Tolkien had compiled over ..."I know. I was just thinking that. I can imagine it. Fans being angrier with Tolkien than they are with Martin.
The Hobbit is great! I read the LOTR first, and then the Hobbit. I read it night after night, over and over at times when I can't sleep.
Agree with the reading order most have suggested: For me The Hobbit was a light-hearted, easy introduction into his work. If I had picked up, say, The Silmarillion instead at the age of 10 I don't think I would be anywhere near the Tolkien fan I am today. LOTR then continues the story quite neatly from where The Hobbit left off and adds even more beauty and richness to Middle-earth in the reader's mind. By the time you're done with LOTR your interest will probably have been well and thoroughly piqued, so then you can settle down and start wading through The Silmarillion.Lochaber wrote: "The disservice that we do is when we allow gaming, TV and the internet to usurp the place of storytime."
The sad thing is it's already happened with my brother...
I read the Hobbit 1st, as I was going through a list of 100 books everyone should read - about 1972. At the end it said if you want to know more about Hobbits read LOTR and I did. Wow! The same story told on an adult level. But the Hobbit, as my 1st fantasy, holds a special place in my heart and I always read it before reading LOTR again.
I too read Hobbit first and thankfully didn't see the silly cartoon until years later - I really did not like it. I really enjoyed LOTR and its depth and sweeping tale is still one of my favorites - but Hobbit is a great thing to get you started into fantasy when you are young -- that's how it happened with me.Robin - The Crown Conspiracy | Avempartha | Nyphron Rising
Jess wrote: "I've got to go get myself a copy of it soon. I heard the movie has been delayed again though. =(Do you think that this book would be a good introduction to the fantasy genre for my 11-year-old br..."
Personally, I think this is the best fantasy introduction for an eleven year old. Most simpler fantasy will only give him a skewed version of what it could be. If not though, might I suggest The Inheritance Series by Paolini or Sabriel by Garth Nix. Obviously Harry Potter is a decent choice as well
I am happy to announce that Maria Arena shall be leading our December discussion for The Hobbit. Maria is a University Lecturer, Tutor and Course Co-ordinator for Creative Writing. Her third novel is soon to be published.
So a warm thanks in advance to Maria for leading this discussion.
So a warm thanks in advance to Maria for leading this discussion.
tutor for creative writing? Sweet i need one of those to help with my work haha yes!
O sweet!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry but somewhat excited at that prospect!
Fantasy Book Club
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The Hobbit, or There and Back Again (other topics)The Hobbit (other topics)
Avempartha (other topics)
Nyphron Rising (other topics)
Rai