The Hobbit

Rating:
Summary: The great children's book
Review: What some people don't seem to realize is that The Hobbit predates The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien didn't anticipate just what his larger work would be about, but he worked it around a lot of the elements in The Hobbit.

This first book was not written as a prequel, but as a story in itself. It lacks the epic scale, being more of a children's bedtime story, and an incredible one at that. If you've read it after reading The Lord of the Rings, expecting something in the same vein, you're not going to find it. You'll get a rich tale with no peer in children's fiction, written for the sheer enjoyment. The complexities of Middle-Earth are absent, and the excitement of the quest is the focus.

Growing up I had the good fortune of having The Hobbit read to me over and over. When I was old enough to take on the Ring trilogy, it was a joy to see the mysterious land of Tolkien's imagination grow into a whole history. I suppose this is the ideal way to experience The Hobbit.

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Summary: Chronicles of Middle Earth
Review: Tolkien intended "The Hobbit" to be a children's story, and the matter-of-fact writing style in which it was written makes this rather apparent. Nevertheless, the prelude to "The Lord of the Rings" is endowed with its own special magic that captures the attention and imagination of its readers and takes them to a place that is as real as it is fantasy: a place of hobbits and dwarves, a place of trolls and elves, of spiders and dragons, of heroes and goats. In fact, Middle Earth can be likened to the whereabouts of our own subconsciousness and its function as the battleground for competing human emotions and values.

As the story opens, we are introduced to a hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, a creature not unlike a munchkin in appearance but perhaps less squeaky in voice. Passive and gentle, he is recruited by the mysterious wizard Gandalf to contrast the abrasive nature of Thorin and Co. (a group of dwarves on a quest to recapture their stolen treasure from the clutches of Smaug the Dragon). How can this unassuming and timid little being possibly be the protagonist? Indeed, he is of little value early in the dwarves' quest. Yet Bilbo's latent desires for adventure (attributed to his Took side, as we are so informed) are slowly awakened, and soon we are taken aback by his ability to manipulate enemies and rescue his friends time and time again. Still, it's hard to root for the dwarves, controlled as they are by their greed and selfishness, and eventually they have to pay for their sins. It may be too late before Thorin and Co. come to value the hobbit's appreciation for cheer and brotherhood over gold and other material possessions. Is not unity and charity better than suspicion and avarice?

Some may bicker that Tolkien's approach is too straightforward. And granted, "The Hobbit" isn't very Dickensian when it comes to names. Heck, one of the huge, ugly trolls the dwarves encounter is called William. With a name like that, I had trouble picturing a troll at all and thought he might start up a conversation with, "Excuse me my dear Thomas, but it appears you have some mutton on your face. Care for some more tea and crumpets?" Irrespective of a handful of critics, however, most readers will come to love "The Hobbit" for its enchanting scenic representation of Middle Earth, its memorable characters (especially Gollum and Beorn) and its original storytelling. Best of all is it's wonderful simplicity and an opening that's as a portal to escapism: "In the hole in the ground there lived a hobbit..."

Rating:
Summary: One of the best books ever written...
Review: After waiting for seven months and not finding "The Hobbit" in the library, though they had a copy, I read the Harry Potter series seventy-two times. When I had finally memorized every sentence of every book including book four, I got sick and went out and bought "The Hobbit," and the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy set. After reading the splendid and spectacular "Hobbit," Harry Potter was forgotten for a while. The book is the one of the most breath taking books I have ever read in my entire life. It is about a creature called a hobbit. The hobbits are a little people, smaller than dwarves, and were a peaceful and lovable people. "The Hobbit" concerns a hobbit called Bilbo Baggins who embarks on many adventures when a band of homeless dwarves turn up at his hobbit-hole with the famous wizard Gandalf. The dwarves are in search of the east where the dragon Smaug took their gold and ruined their city. They go on so many adventures, it is hard to count. This is one of the most amzing books ver written. And if you liked the Hobbit, you will most certainly love The Golden Compass. J.R.R. Tolkien creates a magnificient world.

Rating:
Summary: A book that explores your imagination
Review: When I first read The Hobbit I was 13 and although I did not fully understand everything and the language was not easy I loved it and finished it in a day. I could not put it down. Now I am older and I see and read books deferently. I judge them and try to be more critical about them, but THE HOBBIT is still one of my favourite books. I admire the author because of his imagination that has no limits. The language is rich and colourfull and the characters very interesting. It is something everybody who want to escape the everyday life and spend at least a couple of hours in a magical world, should read.

Rating:
Summary: greatest single novel ever written
Review: I have read this great play of literature so many times it is hard to tell where to begin, I only can say that it was the perfic classic. Well developed mythical characters, many of them based upon figures throughout mythology. This book should be read aloud to every child or read by the child. The sooner one reads it the quicker they may become enlighted with its imagination.

Rating:
Summary: This Book is Excellent!
Review: This is a must-read. This book appeals to a wide range of readers, whether they like a good cultural work, a story with lots of poetry, an action-packed novel, or even a novel that pays exclusive attention to details and character personalities! "The Hobbit" is all of those things, and much, much more. Whatever you pay for this book, it will still be a good buy!

Rating:
Summary: Nowhere near the quality of Lord of the Rings
Review: Having just re-read these back to back, The Hobbitt is a much simpler read compared to the trilogy. Having been written for children, that very much comes across in the writing style. However, it serves as a good introduction to the Lord of the Rings trilogy and affords you a look into hobbitts prior to delving deeper into the epic saga. Overall, a bit disappointing.

Rating:
Summary: What a Book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: Maybe 1 star is a little low for this book...should have given it like...2, but there are just better books. how can this be the best if there is better? i reccomend a better book like Harry Potter(1-4).

Rating:
Summary: Timeless Story with Surreal Art
Review: Anyone viewing this review is probably familer with JRR Tolkien's "The Hobbit." In this special addition, all our favorite characters are here. They come alive in this battle between good and evil. The story alone is worth five stars and therefore, this rating system doesn't do this book justice.

It is by far one of the most superior achievements in fantasy art: mixed in with a magical story. The art work is surreal and absorbing. Alan Lee did a wonderful job and the art vividly portrays a magical world. It comes to life and the pages jump out at the reader in wonderful splender.

An absolute must collecters item.

Rating:
Summary: The Hobbit, A Wonderful Tale About Bilbo Baggins
Review: The Hobbit is a wonderful book. Although it may be slow between action-packed spots, it is beatifuly written. The Hobbit is about Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit (you are probably wondering what a hobbit is. A hobbit is a little person about half our size, and no beard. They grow leathery thick soles on the bottom of there feet, and grow curly hair on top. Being fat in the stomach, they dress in bright colors, have deep laughs, and enjoy meals very much)who wanted nothing more than to sit at home and enjoy his pipe. When, Gandalf comes by and chooses him for a dangerous adventure. 13 dwarves come by his house for tea, and the next thing poor Bilbo knows, he is being swept out of his comfotable hobbit-hole! He encounters Goblins, Trolls, Giant Spiders, a dangerous dragon, and too much more for a hobbit to handle!