The Hobbit
Ratings3,206
Average rating4.3
I think I need to read this book at least 5 more times to truly get every detail. There is so much. But not to the point that it drags out, just so much depth. I feel like I'm on an adventure.
Executive Summary: This book really is a classic. When our book club decided to read it this month before the release of the first movie, I was surprised at just how many people hadn't read it before.This is one of the first fantasy books I ever read, and it's still great as an adult as it was as a child. This is also a great book to read to/with your kids to hopefully pass along a love of fantasy, adventure and reading.Full ReviewI first read this book for my 9th grade English class, and I don't have fond memories of that first read, largely due to my teacher. I rediscovered this book in college when it came in a box set with the Lord of the Rings books that I wanted to read before Fellowship of the Ring came out in theaters. I found that read through a wholly different experience.I believe this was only my 3rd read-through of this book, though I may have read it a few times in college with each movie. I was happy it lived up to my 5 star rating.Since last reading this book, I've gone on to discover many great authors like [a:Robert Jordan 6252 Robert Jordan http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1175475715p2/6252.jpg], [a:George R.R. Martin 346732 George R.R. Martin http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1351944410p2/346732.jpg], and [a:Brandon Sanderson 38550 Brandon Sanderson http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1201547425p2/38550.jpg] (among others). All of these gentlemen are quite descriptive in their writings and I greatly enjoy them.Even [a:J.R.R. Tolkien 656983 J.R.R. Tolkien http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1329870573p2/656983.jpg] is much more detailed in his later books. It makes a book like this a bit of light interlude between heavier novels. Great events occur and pass in only a few pages, and the pace of this book is breakneck.Mr. Bilbo Baggins goes from lazy days in the Shire to encounters with Dwarves, Wizards, Trolls, Goblins, Worgs, Eagles, Elves, Humans and of course a Dragon. All in the span of 300 pages!He journey from scared Hobbit to brave thief who saves his friends from trouble on more than one occasion, brokers a peace and is present for one of Middle Earth's great battles.And none of that even mentions his finding of the Ring of Power, which went on to be inspire the basis for one of the greatest fantasy series of all time.A lot is left to the imagination, which makes this a great book for kids, who imaginations need little prompting to run wild. This is a book every parent should share with their children.
Best book ever! My friends told me I wouldn't like, that Tolkien books are somehow boring because he is too attached to details, but in fact I liked it a lot, the details help us to visualize the scene and feel what the characters are feeling. A must read!
It took me years to get around to reading this even though the story has been a part of me my entire life - thanks to my mother's infuences. I really enjoyed it but I think imagining the actors chosen for the now-filming movie helped a lot. It's one of the reasons I finally picked it up to read in my 27th year. I'm even more excited for the film!
First read in ... er, 1989 or so, I guess?
The Hobbit wasn't the first fantasy novel I read - as far as I can recall, that honour goes to Lloyd Alexander's The Book of Three. The Hobbit was, however, the book that made me a fantasy fan, so it's fair to say that this book helped shape my life when I read it; as a result, that 5 star rating I gave it can in no way be objective.
Still, it's a good, classic read, one that serves as a nice introduction to Tolkien's legendarium, and which tells a fairly straightforward but exciting story about dragons, dwarves, goblins, and gold. What made it even better was that I read along with the Tolkien Professor's podcast series - he's a university professor who specializes in Tolkien and records his lectures. It really helped me appreciate The Hobbit on a deeper level, especially as he made sure to show a lot of the subtle links between this book and both Lord of the Rings but also the Silmarillion.
Tolkien's writing style made this book an easy read - although, when I say “easy” I do not mean that to imply a simplistic or immature writing style. The characters are intriguing (especially Gandalf and Bilbo Baggins) and the fact that Tolkien developed such a complex world with its own language, creatures and long withstanding good, evil, legends and lore is impressive in and of itself. I laughed out loud a lot throughout the novel as well, especially at the many witticisms (i.e. “Never laugh at live dragons, Bilbo you fool!” or “May the hair on your toes never fall out!”). It is interesting to see the foundation for the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and I look forward to seeing how the story unfolds (although I've seen the movie adaptations, the novels are better I'm sure). Definitely would recommend, didn't want to put this book down until I finished!
I read this book a while back and what an amazing fantastic High Fantasy adventure this is. Frodo has my heart and all the hobbits within the shire. I wish I could be physically transported there but i'll accept through my book for now <3. Hands down a five star review. Hoping to reread it again soon in 2021. Hands down my all time favorite.
This is the book that probably gave birth to the whole fantasy genre. It's more of a fun-filled adventure littered with humour and interesting situations when compared to the very serious and epic the Lord of the Rings trilogy. An entertaining read in its own right. Just try not to compare its overall tone with that of the Lord of the Rings.
I read this classic for the first time in May, 2002 and Peter Jackson's movie adaptations practically made me cringe on the whole idea of reading this again. I'm glad that I actually decided to give it a go. This BBC dramatised version was absolutely lovely, a somewhat theatrical play adaptation of the beloved story about Bilbo Baggins and his dwarf companions on a journey to the Lone Mountain.
Posso affermare che questo libro mi diede la spinta definitiva verso il baratro. Ero in prima media e a scuola allestivano una serie di bancarelle con i libri per noi ragazzi, mi ricordo ancora il momento in cui guardai quella copertina (non questa che vedete purtroppo non ho trovato quella mia originale), c'era un drago che sputava fiamme su una sala piena di tesori... in alto campeggiava il titolo “Lo Hobbit”, caspita e cosa sarà mai stato uno Hobbit? Segnai il libro su un foglietto di carta e la sera chiesi i soldi per poterlo comperare l'indomani. Andai a letto pensando a quelle fiamme e a tutti quei tesori. L'indomani presi il libro e cominciai a leggerlo già lì a scuola durante le lezioni. Capii cos'era un hobbit, capì che il drago sulla copertina si chiamava Smaug e capii che i miei soldi in futuro sarebbero stati spesi per tanti libri come questo. Questo è quello che mi fece Bilbo.
I first heard the story of The Hobbit when I was in fifth grade. One of my neighbors, Greg, was also in fifth grade, and his teacher was reading The Hobbit aloud to the class. Every day, while we waited for our bus, Greg would share the events of the story to a crowd of eager listeners. I was captivated by the story.
I got a copy of the book when I was in junior high and I read it for myself. It immediately went on the list of my favorite books.
I've read it again and again over the years.
The Hobbit has everything a person could want in a story...warm, interesting main characters...an inviting world...a noble cause...a challenging quest...