The Hobbit

Rating:
Summary: What can I say? It was difficult to put this one down!
Review: A friend of mine had told me about the coming of the movies for the LOTR series about six months ago. I had always wanted to read the series, but just never found the time to do so. This announcement came as a wonderful way to get me to start it though, and I have to say that once I started reading, I just could not put the book down.

I like a decent story just as much as anyone else, but this one had me positively hooked! I read this book, just as I later read "Fellowship of the Ring" and was constantly finding myself gritting my teeth, correcting my posture, and feeling my heart beat faster and faster and faster. There is just no way to accurately describe just how gripping this book really is. The only thing that could have brought me any closer to the story was actually being there and witnessing these things happen firsthand, for through much of the book, that is how I felt anyway.

Traditionally, I have found my niche within the realm of contemporary fiction, but this may lead me away from that path. If you are not one who likes books about fantasy, magic, or even science fiction, you probably aren't here to read this review anyway. But if for some reason you are here reading this review and you still don't like those things, have no fear. Tolkien's mastery of detail in this truly dramatic and suspensful precursor to the Lord of the Rings trilogy will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Further, if you enjoy this book, let me just add that the Lord of the Rings trilogy itself offers ten times as much excitement as is packed into "The Hobbit." It is without a doubt, a book that should not be missed by anyone!!!

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Summary: Review of the comic book version. Its worth your money
Review: [...]There are enough adjatives already said on the book (maybe I'll write a full review of it later) but for now lets talk about the comic (or as it is refered to the paperback version, click the link below, you'll like what you see.)

It's a collection of three part comic book adaption of The Hobbit put out in three issues back in 1989. I considered it the best comic book adaption of anything I ever read and the passing of a decade, and a new cover for the trade paperback has done nothing to change my opinion.

It should be said up front that 134 pages are just not enough to give the entire book its due. If you want the actual novel then read it. This is a comic book, it is a GREAT comic book and on my list of best ever, but it is a comic book.

That doesn't mean avoid this this is a great adaption. The artwork is supurb, colorful, and "takes" you into the story quickly. David Wenzel does his job well. When I think of the characters in my mind. The faces I see are these drawings. And I've seen every cartoon adaption and the movie. He also did some very nice prints from this book.

Charles Dixon adapts the story well. This was version I read to my children when they were six and eight and it was kept by my youngest son near his bed for easy access over the last two years.

This will definately get your brood especially the younger members of it into the story and into reading as a consequence.

A great addition to any person's collection of Hobbit or Tolklen stuff. Buy it.

Rating:
Summary: The Best Fantasy Novel Ever Written
Review: Only C. S. Lewis can come close to J. R. R. Tolkien in creating exciting mythincal worlds and believable characters and still have room for plot. Of the four "Lord of the the Rings" books, "The Hobbit" is truly the best, and is, in my opinion, the greatest fantasy tale ever told. The Trilogy is splendid, but Tolkien is able to put all of the adventure and granduer from the other three books into this one, outstanding novel. This book is the paramount novel of fantasy epics and it shall be remembered throughout history as one of the greatest stories ever told.

Rating:
Summary: Alright...
Review: With The Lord of the Rings comming out I picked up The Hobbit about three weeks ago and tried to read it. I thought I would be able to at least get to The Fellowship of the Ring so I could try to go see the movie this Christmas break (I'm a pretty fast reader for a fourteen year old girl). However I'm just reaching page 250 in this book and though everyone promised me it would get interesting I'm still waiting.

I find Bilbo an interesting character but quite frankly he didn't pull at me like characters such as Harry Potter and Novalee Nation. And Gandalf annoyed me more than I can express. Though I'm not finished with the book, I must say I hope that The Fellowship of the Ring is plenty better.

Rating:
Summary: Charming.
Review: If you are going to shell out heavy coin for a hardcover edition of this wonderful book I recommend you go with the version illustrated by Alan Lee. It is a beautiful book with wonderful illustrations and very readable print (no 7 pt grainy characters smeared across porous paper will be found here).

As to content, little can be said that has not already been said. Be aware that much of the charm of The Hobbit is derived from the cheerful homeliness of hobbits. They sing songs, smoke pipes and tell stories. They are hardly candidates for action-adventure heroes, but when duty calls they rally to the challenge.

So if your reading palate leans toward episodic Harry Potter tales where each chapter calls the characters to brave the gaping maw of death, or Steven King-esque cliff-hanger chapter endings that propel the reader into the next daring adventure, then this book will put a little needed variety into your diet. It contains action and adventure, but these things are tempered by a comfortable quietude.

So give it a shot and I think you will find the slower parts of the book are as, if not more, enjoyable than those more adventurous portions.

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Summary: The Hobbit: Collector's Edition review
Review: My first memory of my father is him reading me the first page "The Hobbit" when I was a small boy. The book has remained a favorite of mine over the years, and I've read it and re-read it again and again. Finally, I decided to buy this handsome collector's edition, bound in green leather, slip-cased and containing JRRT's full color and two tone illustrations.

The high quality book -- the paper it's printed on is THICK -- and illustrations just add to the story, and make it easy to slip into the fantasy world he's created.

Not cheap, but definitely worth it for lovers of hobbits and "The Hobbit."

Rating:
Summary: The Hobbit
Review: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien is a book meant for those who have an imagination, or those who whish to enter the world of dragons, magic, treasure, goblins, gloomy figures, but most of all adventure.
I thought a big reason that the book is great is that it's so great, is that its so vivid it feels like you are in the book, that you are seeing the characters right there, facing danger. The whole story of going to take back what is theirs even though they must face impossible odds, they themselves spoke that they wouldn't make it, the book is also written in some old English to make the characters seem older and mature. Though the book does a good job in letting one know what the characters are thinking and feeling, one cannot get a good grasp of what the characters are like. I believe the book lacks in this, because the characters are in such extreme emotional and physical conditions. I liked the message of I got from the book which was the underdog taking a stand, and not going out without a fight no matter the odds.
This book makes you feel what the characters are because like I said it feels like you are right there in the middle of it all. It also does a good job of guessing you do not know whether something is going to pop out or where the must go next. It left me impressed with the way it was written; the vividness of the book is something one must read.

Rating:
Summary: The Hobbit Review
Review: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien was an excellent book. I really like all imagination and creativity the author put into it. It is a book about a creature called a hobbit. The hobbit is named Bilbo Baggins. Bilbo goes on an adventure with some elves to reclaim a stolen treasure. They must retrieve the treasure from the dragon namd Smaug who gaurds it. Along the way there are many adventures and exciting things the travelers encounter.
This book is for young teens to young adults. It has a good theme that kids can relate to. Bilbo is different than everyone else and he doesn't think he is much of an adventuror or hero. In the end though he realizes that even though he may be small an different he can use those things to his advantage. All he needs is to believe he can do it and then he can. Kids can relate to that and realize that if they believe in themselves they can achieve anything.
This book stirred many self motivating emotions. It made me feel courageous. If there was something I needed to do and I was scared of it, I should just be brave and face it. I'm sure it would make many younger kids feel the same way.
I thought this book was a very interesting book. Some parts were less interesting and exciting than others but there were really exciting moments which made up for the dull ones. I would definetly recommend reading this book if you are looking for some action and adventure. I would also recommend it if you are looking for a book with a good plot, lots of fantasy, and a good message in it.

Rating:
Summary: Hear me out...
Review: Okay, I know I'm setting myself up for a lot of flack by giving "The Hobbit" only three stars, but I don't think these reviews are worth much unless you're willing to be perfectly honest about your opinions...even if those opinions happen to be different than those of everyone else on the planet, or in the solar system. So here goes.

I'm twenty-eight, and I've been a huge fan of horror and sci-fi books and movies since I was about 12. I haven't read much in the way of fantasy fiction, however, even though it's such a closely related sibling to the two genres I love so dearly. As a kid, I loved the Narnia books, and I recently enjoyed the Harry Potter series quite a bit. So with the new movies based on Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy coming out, I decided it was time to dig into these pillars of the fantasy genre.

I decided to start with "The Hobbit," since I'm the kind of person who always reads forewords and afterwards. I had heard so many people talk about it over the years, that I felt like I had already inhaled most of the characters and plot points like second hand smoke.

Okay, let me start with some of what I liked: I think "The Hobbit" is an original, often charming and fun-to-read story with some great thematic floorboards holding it all up. I like that Bilbo Baggins has some roguish family blood in his veins causing him to crave adventure in a most unhobbit-like manner. It is inspiring that Bilbo is unafraid to follow his own path. His actions and his unbending courage to be himself make him a role model for anyone. In addition to Bilbo, most of the other hobbits, dwarves, and elves that inhabit this book are also quite likable.

It's generally a fun quest story that appeals to the imaginations of all ages. There's a dragon guarding some stolen treasure, and a series of fortunes and misfortunes along the way that keep the reader vested in the group's concerns.

But there were also a couple of major shortcomings to "The Hobbit" that, in my view, kept it from being a great book. Now here's the part where my opinion will probably veer off from most anyone else's. But like Bilbo, I feel compelled to be my own self.

I felt that the style of the narration was overly intrusive; it made me feel less than involved in the story most of the time. I've read the complaints that "The Hobbit" reads too much like a kids' book. I didn't feel that exactly, but rather, that the point of view was just too off-putting. There's an omniscient narrator who sweeps in on invisible wings from time to time, taking you away from characters and events you've invested large chunks of pages following.

Also, despite a pretty decent set up and first half, I felt that the book's ending just wasn't very well constructed. The writing isn't actually bad, but the dramatic momentum is often lacking. With less than a hundred pages left to go, a huge inter-race war breaks out, taking you away from the story you've spent most of the book following. When you finally get back to the end of the original quest, the role of hero and dragonslayer is unceremoniously taken from Bilbo by a character that we hardly know.

I just felt that there was way too much narrative gear-shifting throughout this book. It felt like I was taking a ride with someone who's just learning to drive a stick.

I don't mean to offend anyone with this review. I just felt it was best to be honest. I know lots of people who love this book, people whose opinions I greatly respect. I'll just have to live with a differing opinion on this. In my view, "The Hobbit" is a pretty good story with some major structural flaws that detract from the pleasure of reading it.

If you grew up with "The Hobbit" as I did with "Star Wars" or the stories of Ray Bradbury, you probably have the urge at this moment to poke my eye out with a key or to do something equally terrible. So I'd like to extend a peace offering of some kind. I don't think "The Hobbit" is a bad book, and I think if I had first read it as a young kid, I might have loved it. The same way that if I hadn't seen "Star Wars" until I was an adult, I might have only criticized its bad acting and been blind to the bottomless ocean of magic that swells hypnotically under its surface.

Rating:
Summary: Good vocal performance
Review: My 11-year-old daughter liked this performance. She and I listened to it together once a week over a month or so. The actor's performance is very good. The elements of the story are terrific--it's quite an adventure that Bilbo goes on. The prose itself is rather plodding, I thought, especially since we just finished the Harry Potter books. At times, Tolkien's narrative reads like a legal brief. But overall, it was mostly entertaining.