When does it start to be interesting.

[Micaela]

Well some of us may just have something wrong in our brains that make it hard to spell. But yet they aren't dyslexic.

[Dana]

It is laziness, pure and simple. Spelling is auto-checked and can be easily corrected. I also think some have the feeling that it is cool to not be concerned about your spelling on "teh interwebs"...

[Micaela]

But it is not auto-checked when you are typing a comment yes you could copy and past it into a word document but that would take some time and I useually will type it into my phone because it will check for me and some people type so fast that they make spelling errors.

[Liv]

Welllll - it's never really edge-of-your-seat fast-paced excitement. If you don't have the appreciation for the WAY Tolkien tells the tale, then you're never going to like the book. The strength of The Hobbit is not really in the plot so much as the characters and the narrative. However, as with any book, I would recommend getting at least halfway through it before deciding you dislike it.

Also, just as a thought - please don't dislike the Hobbit and then assume that Lord of the Rings is going to be the same. The styles are completely different and I myself like LotR much better.

[Larry]

Summer wrote: "That's really not true. I never consciously tried to learn spelling, grammar, or vocabulary. My voracious reading is the ONLY teacher I needed. I knew what words meant and how to spell them before ..."

I agree. I learned to spell from reading library books in much of my free time. At least 10 years (7th grade) before I started writing, I was already getting straight A's in spelling. Saying they concentrate on reading is a rationalization. Anyone in our society who can't read, write or spell at high school level is doomed in their careers except, perhaps, for McDonald's level jobs. If student can't perform those functions at grade level they can't handle any of their other work.

[Larry]

Micaela wrote: "But it is not auto-checked when you are typing a comment yes you could copy and past it into a word document but that would take some time and I useually will type it into my phone because it will ..."

My entries are auto-checked for spelling. You must have an incorrect setting.

[Sara]

Micaela wrote: "But it is not auto-checked when you are typing a comment yes you could copy and past it into a word document but that would take some time and I useually will type it into my phone because it will ..."

Firefox auto-checks spelling as you type it anywhere on the internet. If you're having problems with that (and for many other reasons!), I highly recommend that browser.

Spelling well is vital in written communication. Misspellings are a significant factor in poor presentation of yourself in written media by making you look inarticulate and foolish. If one presents oneself as an idiot, then how is it possible to expect others to see anything else?

[[deleted user]]

Yeahright wrote: "I have red 25% of the book but I'm still not hooked! WHen does it sarts to be interesting?"

Never...

[Heather]

Coming from someone whom it took a couple of years to actually read the whole book(which I now regret because I love it), it gets interesting once they leave to go on their adventure. When I tried reading this in middle school I just couldn't get past the parts where they were still at Bilbo's home. Once you get over that and read the rest of the book, you'll see how wonderful it is and want to read it over and over.

[Brandie]

My eleven year old son saw this discussion and he said it finally gets interesting when Bilbo meets Gollum. He is now quoting "My Precious" and wants to read The Lord of the Ring trilogy. I tried to get him to read this book for three years!

[[deleted user]]

Brandie wrote: "My eleven year old son saw this discussion and he said it finally gets interesting when Bilbo meets Gollum. He is now quoting "My Precious" and wants to read The Lord of the Ring trilogy. I tried t..."

Even that part wasn't interesting to me. I had to read each page multiple times just to understand it...

[Summer]

Then obviously you aren't very smart. Go watch some reality TV or something. Books aren't for you.

[[deleted user]]

Lorenzo wrote: "Never! I read 2/3 of it."

I definitely agree.

[Brandie]

Country Music Lover wrote: "Brandie wrote: "My eleven year old son saw this discussion and he said it finally gets interesting when Bilbo meets Gollum. He is now quoting "My Precious" and wants to read The Lord of the Ring tr..."
Aw, perhaps a different genre? I had to set aside Atlas Shrugged...

[[deleted user]]

Brandie wrote: "Country Music Lover wrote: "Brandie wrote: "My eleven year old son saw this discussion and he said it finally gets interesting when Bilbo meets Gollum. He is now quoting "My Precious" and wants to ..."

Yeah, I enjoy mystery more than fantasy.

[Brandie]

@Country Music Lover, sometimes we choose a book because it's a classic or it's something that everyone is gaga over, but that doesn't mean we have to like what everyone else reads. My son will only read fantasy, Star Wars type books. I love almost anything but love mystery and use to love supernatural until all its about lately is vampires. I wrote a christian suspense novel about an angel with the power of persuasion who is angry at God and is hounded by Satan for his gift, my son won't read it! Haha, says it doesn't have the right supernatural that he likes to read because angels are real.

It took me four tries to get through the first chapter of Wuthering Heights and it is now one of my top fave books.

[Chris]

Try reading the book while following Karn Wynn Fonstadt's atlas of each story. It's amazing how just charting their progress on the maps helps to keep a sense of perspective. It also helps to visualize certain buildings and rooms.

[Annie]

Yeahright wrote: "Well, now Bilbo met Gollum, and I started loving it =P I love the musicality of Tolkien's writing! I think it's more a book to be read out loud."

so true, my mother read it out loud to me as child before I read it for myself

[John]

This book might be one of my favorites of all time. I did however read it as an adolescent. I also loved reading the LOTR trilogy as well.

Tolkien is not for everyone, but if you like fantasy even a "little" you should love this book.

Plus the movie is coming out this December. I recommend you read the book first.

[Debbie]

If you're not enjoying the book don't finish it.

We could be here until all eternity and start quoting specific sentences as to where we got hooked into the story, because the thing with every reading experience is that it's an individual one and if you're not enjoying your reading experience. END IT. END IT NOW. Go read something that is to your tastes.

[Lisa]

I know a lot of other people said never...and I have to concure. : )

Because of this book I developed a prejudice against all fantasy things with big bare feet.

[Haley]

Badgerlord wrote: "As soon as when Gandalf started examining the many meanings of 'Good morning', I was hooked."

Haha same here. Though the introductory paragraph alone told me I would end up liking it eventually.

[Trekscribbler]

Sorry, but I don't believe THE HOBBIT ever really gets all that interesting. It's essentially a fairy tale and not a particularly riveting one, in any regard. Much of the action takes place at a distance from the narrator, and, outside of the basic introduction of Gandalf and Gollum/Smeagol, there's just not a whole lot there to get excited about, in my humble opinion. And I say this having read it three times.

[April]

Trekscribbler wrote: "Sorry, but I don't believe THE HOBBIT ever really gets all that interesting. It's essentially a fairy tale and not a particularly riveting one, in any regard. Much of the action takes place at a ..."

If it's not that excting, may I ask why you read it three times? ;)

[Heather]

April wrote: "Trekscribbler wrote: "Sorry, but I don't believe THE HOBBIT ever really gets all that interesting. It's essentially a fairy tale and not a particularly riveting one, in any regard. Much of the ac..."

You should also add that they gave it 4 stars. haha.

[Trekscribbler]

April wrote: "Trekscribbler wrote: "Sorry, but I don't believe THE HOBBIT ever really gets all that interesting. It's essentially a fairy tale and not a particularly riveting one, in any regard. Much of the ac..."

Because I love it!

[Trekscribbler]

Heather wrote: "April wrote: "Trekscribbler wrote: "Sorry, but I don't believe THE HOBBIT ever really gets all that interesting. It's essentially a fairy tale and not a particularly riveting one, in any regard. ..."

Doesn't mean it isn't a great book, does it? You mean to tell me that you've never read a book that you had some problems with but still enjoyed tremendously? What a sad life ...

[Kathy]

Tolkein NEVER is interesting -- these works are sloooow moving, predictable drivel. To slog through this garbage for the sake of having read Tolkein's classics is the equivalent of a prison solitary confinement. Horrible experience!

[Heather]

Trekscribbler wrote: "April wrote: "Trekscribbler wrote: "Sorry, but I don't believe THE HOBBIT ever really gets all that interesting. It's essentially a fairy tale and not a particularly riveting one, in any regard. ..."

Woah now, I was just adding on to her comment saying that you obviously liked the book. You obviously misread what I was trying to say. You said,"Sorry, but I don't believe THE HOBBIT ever really gets all that interesting" but you gave it 4 stars, so obviously you enjoyed it. I have problems with tons of books I enjoy; don't go assuming things.

[April]

Kathy wrote: "Tolkein NEVER is interesting -- these works are sloooow moving, predictable drivel. To slog through this garbage for the sake of having read Tolkein's classics is the equivalent of a prison solitar..."

What is wrong with this world?!? To call such a beautiful literary work garbage? I am saddened to hear this! I mean no disrespect, but you must have no appreciation of a true classic.

[[deleted user]]

I loved the whole book, but I was determined to like it because I've been obsessed with Peter Jackson's LOTR films for years now. I may be biased. Once it got past Concerning Hobbits, I enjoyed it.

[Sandra]

It's one of my favourites. I "read" it as an audiobook, so maybe the actor reading it influenced my liking for it. But I felt the book felt more interesting after Bilbo's encounter with the trolls.

[Anna Marie]

Brandon wrote: "Jackmccullough wrote: "When does it start to get interesting? At "In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.""

Amen!"
I agree!

[Zeara]

I liked the book well enough I suppose, though it did take a while for me to get into it. I thought it was better than The Lord of the Rings which I never could get into.
To be honest I am not a big fan of Tolkien.

[Marius]

From the first time you set eyes on the cover, to the moment you see the map of middle earth and start to realise that this is more than just a book, it has a rich history and mythology. It remains my favourite book of all time, undimmed until the breaking of the world.

[Ron]

The Hobbit is, subjectively speaking, interesting from the first line to the last. The modern novel format and modern anti-heroes, and the expectations and limitations they engender in readers, discourages the kind of fantasy Tolkien essentially created. World-building is impossible if people expect a car-chase, effectively, every five pages. And if anti-heroes have become the norm, where does that leave humble heroes like Bilbo or Frodo? Expecting to be on a literary version of a crack binge while you're reading does not mean all writers will want to adjust their styles to your tastes.

[Don]

It's interesting from page one. Was for me anyway. If you're not into it, you're not into it. There are billions of books out there -- read something you love.

[Joanne]

I like the two breakfasts. I adopted that.

[[deleted user]]

I totally agree with Ron. As a teacher, I've seen a huge erosion of imagination under the assault of media (TV, computer games, Internet), where anything that develops slowly, and isn't directly connected to modern experience or pace of life, is "boring." Boredom is not a cosmic quality that comes from without - we create it in ourselves. Some people like to watch golf on TV. I would rather extract my own brain with a crochet hook, but that's MY problem, not golf's. Sadly, there never are any car chases or vampires in The Hobbit. What was Tolkien thinking?

[Jessica]

I loved it right from page one. Sometimes a book just isn't for you I'm afraid!

[Joanne]

Thoughtful post, Karl. I worry about people being always "connected."

[[deleted user]]

Joanne, read The Shallows by Nicholas Carr. Whatever you fear will be multiplied ten-fold. However, it's the best non-fiction read I've encountered in several decades. Couldn't put it down.

[Ron]

Thanks for the agreement, Karl. I was worried maybe I overstated it, or that my comments came from my own frustration about story expectations.

I'll restate my view in another way: If a person, at least one that purports to like fantasy fiction, cannot sit and soak up The Hobbit and appreciate what it is, the genre as I understand it is doomed. And probably literature too.

[Scott]

I read it age ten for the first time and fell in love with Tolkien's mythology. Since then I've read it twice and while purely for nostalgia's sake I still enjoy it and hope to one day read the story to my heirs, should I have any.

A phenomenally simple story and yet it resonates through the ages with its beauty. If you didn't like it then I feel sorry for you.

[Re]

from the very first word. i guess it's enough to see J.R.R Tolkien written on the cover of the novel to make a reader intrested.

[[deleted user]]

I still find myself perplexed by the question. "When does it get interesting?" How about the first sentence? What should happen to make it "interesting?" I probably first read The Hobbit when I was 14, but I had also read Dickens' Tale of Two Cities and enjoyed it. Maybe we are talking about the imaginative difference between the beginning of a James Bond movie, and the beginning of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Bond films always start with a hot action sequence. If that's what you expect from anything you read, you are doomed to a whole lot of disappointment, and, from my antiquarian perspective, it means you don't really like to read.

[Sara]

Karl wrote: "I still find myself perplexed by the question. "When does it get interesting?" How about the first sentence? What should happen to make it "interesting?" I probably first read The Hobbit when I..."

In order to graduate with honors in my undergrad, I had to make significant progress on the first draft of a novel. To be frank, the novel itself was horrible. But the first couple chapters were fantastic and rather ethereal in nature(and, when published, actually won an award). But, when it came time to critique the novel, one of the criticisms I got was that it didn't start with a bang, but a whisper (to borrow from Eliot). For better or worse, it's definitely out of vogue these days, even in the literary world, to have the reflective, quiet openings that were so eloquently executed in prior generations.

[[deleted user]]

Sara, a sad but true reflection. Does this mean that, in service of the new paradigm, we will throw out all the "classics" as being "uninteresting," or will we have the wisdom to wait out the fad? The Internet makes us more and more creatures of the moment. Are we, in fact, debating aspects of a dying art form?

[Sara]

Karl wrote: "Sara, a sad but true reflection. Does this mean that, in service of the new paradigm, we will throw out all the "classics" as being "uninteresting," or will we have the wisdom to wait out the fad?..."

There have been literary fads since Euripides (and before!), so I don't see this as being something that's going to hurt the "classics." Most people (at least most academics) have a tolerance for the styles of earlier eras and an understanding that though certain things are "in vogue" these days, those styles will fade and new ones will eventually rise. I think students of the form are more tolerant and aware of that fact than anyone, but there is a consciousness to it that I've seen in a great number of lay readers as well. I've already begun to see trends toward a new Romanticism in some emerging lit as an almost reactionary movement against this more popular measure. The pendulum always swings. The quiet opening will return again someday.

In the meantime, it is a new challenge to pursue this idea of the "quick hit." While I'm still skeptical about the style to some degree, I've seen this method accomplish amazing things, especially in the super-short story (flash fiction). Some breathtaking flash fiction executed recently that really blurs the line between poetry and prose. Claire Light, for example, has a few pieces in her book Slightly Behind and to the Left that left me with that breathless and assaulted feeling you get when you step from a heated house into a -17F degree wind. Her mastery of flash fiction is splendid. And she's certainly not alone. As any poet will tell you, sometimes a part of writing is the sculpture of it--the space left blank on the page. I think flash is a good writer's opportunity to cross that boundary between poetry and prose. EVERY SENTENCE must be a perfect capsule of expression. The craft of a really well-done piece floors me.

I've read enough to know that there is potential in almost all manifestations of lit. It's not entirely worthwhile to bemoan the present style because it doesn't conform to the past standards. I'm not a fan of the impatience of some modern readers, but at the same time, I think the style has potential, and I'd hate to bemoan the style as a whole because of the myopic nature of some readers.

[Janet]

Yeahright wrote: "I have red 25% of the book but I'm still not hooked! WHen does it sarts to be interesting?"

Page 1. Guess it ain't for you.