The Hobbit
discussion
When does it start to be interesting.
Windy wrote: "My Grand Mother grew up in a one room dugout that's a home dug into the side of a hill for all you unfamiliar to the term. She lived their whit her parents 3 brothers and her grandmother and grandf..."Was your grandmother Laura Ingalls ;)
Joanne wrote: "I like the two breakfasts. I adopted that."Two little breakfasts are technically healthier than one big one. Keeps your metabolism even.
Those smart little hobbits! ^_^
Kasi wrote: "Never. It's awful."Did you read the whole book? If so, what did you dislike about it? It seems a bit unfair to say that it never gets interesting if you haven't read the entire book. But if you have, I'm sorry you didn't enjoy it.
Oops, Sara, the breakfasts are supposed to be little ??
I'm on my second breakfast right now ;)
I tried to read the book in 5th grade and only got in a couple chapters. When the LOTR movies were coming out I read them and loved them so much I decided to retry Hobbit. I had to force myself to read it. Overall I love the story but reading it was torture. Its funny how different it is reading it from LOTR.
I highly recommend the version with Alan Lee's illustrations. Amazing artist! But then I always opt for the illustrated version of any book, which, sadly is so rare now.
Jason wrote: "Kasi wrote: "Never. It's awful."
Did you read the whole book? If so, what did you dislike about it? It seems a bit unfair to say that it never gets interesting if you haven't read the entire boo..."
Yeah. I read the whole book (reading it for my next set of classes). I also wrote a review on it which can be found here... http://amoonbeamfromlightning.tumblr....
Generally, I disliked the writing, I disliked the lack of suitable detail, the needless repetitive nature and the way he seems to skim parts of the adventure. Also the use of 'cliffhanger' between the chapters just annoyed me.
I also happen to think that you're right. I would never make a comment like that about a book that I had not actually read, and if I didn't finish because i disliked it so much i'd make it clear. I hate those who debate and have opinions about books that they've never actually read.
Did you read the whole book? If so, what did you dislike about it? It seems a bit unfair to say that it never gets interesting if you haven't read the entire boo..."
Yeah. I read the whole book (reading it for my next set of classes). I also wrote a review on it which can be found here... http://amoonbeamfromlightning.tumblr....
Generally, I disliked the writing, I disliked the lack of suitable detail, the needless repetitive nature and the way he seems to skim parts of the adventure. Also the use of 'cliffhanger' between the chapters just annoyed me.
I also happen to think that you're right. I would never make a comment like that about a book that I had not actually read, and if I didn't finish because i disliked it so much i'd make it clear. I hate those who debate and have opinions about books that they've never actually read.
It was a tough start for me too, but in retrospect, I think that the detailed setup of Tolkien's Hobbit world ultimately drew me more deeply into the story. Once I 'got' that world, I was deeply and deliciously immersed in the story. I absolutely loved this book.
Re the structure, it's important to remember that The Hobbit was written as a children's book, and as such, repetitive structure is a standard part of the genre.
(As a totally irrelevant side note, I still find it amusing that The Hobbit was initially published as a personal favor to Tolkien, with a print run of a couple of thousand, which the publish thought "might sell.")
(As a totally irrelevant side note, I still find it amusing that The Hobbit was initially published as a personal favor to Tolkien, with a print run of a couple of thousand, which the publish thought "might sell.")
Karl wrote: "Re the structure, it's important to remember that The Hobbit was written as a children's book, and as such, repetitive structure is a standard part of the genre.
(As a totally irrelevant side note..."
There are many much better written children's books.
(As a totally irrelevant side note..."
There are many much better written children's books.
Kasi wrote: "Karl wrote: "Re the structure, it's important to remember that The Hobbit was written as a children's book, and as such, repetitive structure is a standard part of the genre.(As a totally irreleva..."
There are many much better written children's books.
Like...?
Ron wrote: "Kasi wrote: "Karl wrote: "Re the structure, it's important to remember that The Hobbit was written as a children's book, and as such, repetitive structure is a standard part of the genre.
(As a tot..."
Garth Nix is a fantastic Children's writer and his Across the Wall series is great. I also enjoy Derek Landy, the Skullduggery Plesant series among others. Of course children's literature is a little bit more repetitive, but it can be done with incredible skill. The Hobbit wasn't the worst example i've seen, but I wouldn't class it as good.
(As a tot..."
Garth Nix is a fantastic Children's writer and his Across the Wall series is great. I also enjoy Derek Landy, the Skullduggery Plesant series among others. Of course children's literature is a little bit more repetitive, but it can be done with incredible skill. The Hobbit wasn't the worst example i've seen, but I wouldn't class it as good.
I, too, wouldn't class The Hobbit as "good." I'd class it as excellent.
Karl wrote: "I, too, wouldn't class The Hobbit as "good." I'd class it as excellent."Exactly! :)
I agree, the beginning is a little slow but it really is a fantastic book! Around the middle when they're nearing the intense part of their quest is where it starts picking up. Remember, it's an older book and isn't written quite like today's fast-pace books. There's a ton of detail and it just builds an epic story. I've read it a few times and am STOKED from the movie.
Vampire lead in "Being Human" is playing Fili. Looking forward to it.
It starts being interesting from the beginning.So maybe you should just stop and read something else,
it might just not fit your taste.
You have to be kidding me? This is one of the best books ever written, from page one.
It starts to get interesting when you move from the Hobbit to Fellowship of the ring :)))
I liked the hobbit better than the first book of the lotr. The story that unfolds in the lord of the rings is superior though, only the first book is somewhat slow.
I think the Lord of the Rings books are better. No offense J. R. R. Tolkien.
Sara wrote: It's not entirely worthwhile to bemoan the present style because it doesn't conform to the past standards.I would not bemoan a certain style because it does not conform to past standards unless new expectations, demonstrably not driven by literary values, discourage the slower, world-building and story-telling quality of literature in favor of styles more attuned to the shortsightedness of a struggling publishing industry and the baser instincts of Hollywood.
Agreeing with Ron, I worry that popular changes in style are a result of perceptions about the decreased ability of current readers to process more complex, gradually-developed story lines. (See The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains) It's worth asking if Austin, Dickens, or even Hemingway would see the light of day today unless they self-published.
Which brings me to why I love
, which assumes that readers who love to read will allow the storyline to take its own route, and develop at an appropriate pace, without explosions and pitched battles in the first chapter.
Which brings me to why I love
, which assumes that readers who love to read will allow the storyline to take its own route, and develop at an appropriate pace, without explosions and pitched battles in the first chapter.
im agree about the book being interesting since page one, there's always something happening, not like the fellowship of the ring. and i must say that the part i have most enjoyed its being in the black forest, i just loved reading that part.
At first reading this book, forgive me Hobbit fans, is like swallowing large amounts of dry chalk. You have to read up until the trolls- some action- from there keep reading until you hit Gollum and then your home free, rest of the book goes down easy as water.
I tried The Hobbit in grammer school and didn't like it. A friend in High School recommended it so I tried again. For me it started to get good around the trolls and I think it is a good book. It led me to TLOR and those are my favorite Tolkien books,.
Well, when I first read it, it was when I was 9. I didnt understand it then and I gave my reviews for it as a stupid book. I read this book again at the age of 11 and I just loved it. The whole part is adventure and I liked all the exciting parts especially the troll part, but what I loved most was how the dwarves behaved. How they came in for the first meeting and how did they eat the breakfast and stuff and after Bilbo got up, he thought that they had left him but Gandalf came and told him he should be on his way. I loved the way Tolkien describes Bilbo's dissapointment.
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."I think it was written more of like it is a Hobbit's folklore. It has the feeling of a story being told by a Hobbit (which is kind of what it is as it is Bilbo's tale). I think it was written with the idea of being the way that Hobbits will pass it on to their children and grandchildren.
You've got to be kidding! You've gotta love this book from beginning to end!
Brenda wrote: "You've got to be kidding! You've gotta love this book from beginning to end!"You're absolutely right!!!!!
Jackmccullough wrote: "When does it start to get interesting? At "In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.""Well said!
Right from the classic design of the cover, at least on my edition. This is one of the books which nurtured my love of reading. Did I appreciate the nuances and writing style when my younger self first read it? No! As I enter my fifty second year it is probably about time I re-read it for the incalculable time again.
I agree this book is much better as a read aloud which we do a lot in our family. My husband read this aloud to all of us 2 yrs ago and our then 6 yr old son loved it! I like listening to it much better than reading it myself. Have never been able to make it through the LotR trilogy but enjoyed the movies. I really don't like fantasy literature at all which is why I have not tried to hard with these books.
The book is interisting from the very first chapter to the very last. As a matter of fact, its one of the least boring books I've ever read. If you want a boring book, try the first chapter of Divergent.
Tolkein has a terrible habit of being overly descriptive to the point of upsetting the flow of the story.
When Bilboa has the party of dwarfves and Gandolf we are introduced to multi-dimensional characters who are thrown into company with each other. On an ordinary day this would not have happened. This book is more intriguing to people who are reflective.
If the style of writing isn't your thing, then move to another book. For me the prologue describing hobbits is where it starts getting interesting. Action isn't really the point in Tolkien books. Similar to Tolstoy, action is the crucible where character is formed. The lulls are where you either fall in love with the world, or fall asleep, if you only care about blood and glory.
From the very beginning... and it just gets better
Brandon wrote: "Benjamin wrote: "Tolkein has a terrible habit of being overly descriptive to the point of upsetting the flow of the story."In The Hobbit? I can understand people saying that about Lord of the Rin..."
You're right, this is more true of Lord of the Rings, however the fact that there are so many characters with similar sounding names makes it hard to follow.
Sara wrote: "Yeahright wrote: "I have red 25% of the book but I'm still not hooked! WHen does it sarts to be interesting?"I would say once the characters start really suffering it gets very good. My favorite ..."
I totally agree with Sara here. Those are my favorite parts, too.
Karlie wrote: "I loved The Hobbit from the very beginning. It may just not be your kind of book...just a theory."me too! Love this book!
As most everyone has said, this book is interesting from the beginning. (By the way, I love your profile pic, Paul!!)
Jackmccullough wrote: "When does it start to get interesting? At "In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.""Same here.
Liv wrote: "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..."I read The Hobbit and part of the first book of the LOTR and lost interest. I love fantasy, but the writing style didn't hook me. Although, my friend coerced me into a LOTR movie marathon last summer and I really enjoyed it.
April wrote: "As most everyone has said, this book is interesting from the beginning. (By the way, I love your profile pic, Paul!!)"Thanks, April!
I was already hooked when Gandalf made his first appearance and questioned Bilbo about his greeting.Then again, I'm already 23 and read this in a language that is not my native one. The Hobbit is written in an easy to understand kind of style, unlike other books.
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Very interesting.