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Summary: An bedtime story that will stand the test of time.
Review: The Hobbit is and always will be a classic adventure appealing to children and adults alike. It's just plain wonderful and if you haven't read it or had it read to you, you've missed out. It's that simple. Read it, listen to it or bribe someone into reading it to you. Buy it and save it for your grand kids. If you only own one book, this is the one to own. (of course after you've read it you'll realize that now you have to run out and get the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Sorry!)
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Summary: bad sound effects, bad editing...bad CD
Review: The Hobbit is one of my favorite novels, but I found this 5-disk set unlistenable. The abridgement is poorly done, and takes unnecessary liberties with the book, the diction is unclear and muddy, the transfer from tape was botched so that everything streams by at a too-rapid clip, with unnaturally squeaky voices and sounds, and the special effects are laughable (the Trolls speak through vocoders ("Were you in D'Nang?"). I bought this and couldn't listen to even the first disc of five; I returned it.
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Summary: A classic story of pure genius & imagination
Review: The Hobbit is, and always will be, a classic adventure appealing to children and adults alike. It's just plain wonderful and if you haven't read it or had it read to you, you've missed out. It's that simple. Read it, listen to it or bribe someone into reading it to you. Buy it and save it for your grand kids. If you only own one book, this is the one to own. (of course after you've read it you'll realize that now you have to run out and get the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy) Sorry!
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Summary: Worthwhile listening to
Review: The story itself is on four CDs, the fifth CD contains several songs. This audio production won't replace reading the book, but may serve as an overview of the book. The sound effects at times seem a bit overdone - you'll hear a lot of huffing and puffing. As a previous reviewer noted, children may enjoy this set of CDs more than adults and the sound effects can help to hold their attention. Gollum sounds rather spooky, and Bilbo sounds as if he were out of breath most of the time.
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Summary: Tolkien is The Master Story-Teller....he created the genre
Review: The writings of Professor Tolkien are absolutely Timeless. These books are the gauge by-which all Fantasy books are measured. The Hobbit and The Trilogy have been the Inspiration for decades of works by other authors, yet I have not ever seen these works surpassed by anyone. Terry Brooks is the only author I have read who even compares to J.R.R. Tolkien and his epic style. I became fascinated with The Hobbit and Trilogy when I was in the seventh grade. I borrowed them from a friend and snuck them home. I was completely enthralled with the world Tolkien created. I was not allowed to read anything that was even remotely related to Wizards, Witches, Astrology, D&D, etc., so these books were like nothing I had ever seen, before. I was captivated and felt the call to become a Writer. Previously, the poetry and such that we were studying in school BORED me to tears. I found my schooling to be mind-numbingly BORING and Tolkien became my Inspiration to Learn, create Poetry, Write stories, Study, become an Anthropologist, delve into Masonic Lore and so much more.... Throughout High-School, I had pictures of Prof. Tolkien on my wall and I desired to be like him. Not-only was he the Greatest Fantasy Writer the world has known, but he was "Professor of Anglo-Saxon, at Oxford University, from 1925 to 1945....and professor of English Language and Literature....and a Fellow of Merton College from '45 to his retirement in '59." Check out his translations of (book title:)"Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl, and Sir Orfeo" (J.R.R. Tolkien) Also, Prof. Tolkien wrote wonderful stories like "Smith of Wooten Major (&) Farmer Giles of Ham" for children. Pop those titles into the search box! I can honestly say that reading Tolkien changed my life...for the Better! Tolkien created the highest standards of writing for generations of authors....I am quite sure he would be deeply disappointed with the majority of books published today, with numerous spelling errors and pathetic grammar. I believe Tolkien is a god-send to English teachers. Perhaps, he can still inspire young people to elevate their Writing and English skills, from beyond. I would fight to keep his works on the shelves. I was not allowed to do my Senior Thesis about this author, despite the fact that he is such an amazing author and advocate of Literature. I lost interest in doing my thesis and threw something together at the last minute. Perhaps teachers should Recognize the potential for inspiring youth, via the works of J.R.R. Tolkien.
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Summary: Audio Version
Review: This audio version is loud and shrill and often hard to understand. The 5th cd is only some music. I am certain I would prefer the unabridged reading of this novel. This does not deliver the real drama and excitement of the book.
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Summary: How could anyone NOT love this book?
Review: This book is simply wonderful. An aquaintance of mine said she hated it. She must have some sort of a problem. This book is GREAT! I read and finished this book in the second grade and that was just the 1st time! The only book I consider better than this is Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell.LUV the part when Bilbo meets Golem. Golem Luvvers rule! Go Golem! You Rock, Golem! And go Bilbo, too. Ah well. And I like the elves, too. Get the picture? Read it now.
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Summary: the hobbit review by ben
Review: this book is very good especially for the type who love action thrillers and i would suggest it for the young and old alike
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Summary: BBC Radio Presents The Hobbit
Review: This is a disappointing offering from the usually stellar BBC Radio Presents series. The sound effects are so overbearing that they interfere with the dialogue. There is not enough distinction among the voices of the characters - thereby making the story tough to follow. Our family (ages 40 + and 6 and 9 ) were displeased by this present from "Santa." NOTE: This is a review of the BBC audio version only and not the always-wonderful classic story.
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Summary: The beginning of an epic saga
Review: This is a true fantasy classic-the beginning of THE fantasy classic of all time. If I were stranded on an island with only a few books, this would be one choice. Pleasant but dull Bilbo Baggins is disturbed from his pleasant but dull life by the mysterious wizard Gandalf, who recruits him to go on a bizarre and adventure-filled mission: accompany thirteen dwarves on a trip "under the mountains in the moon" to reclaim the gold of the leader's grandfather from a greedy dragon. Along the way, they are captured by the hideous goblins and waylaid by the feisty wood-elves. Slightly more terrifying is Bilbo's encounter with the huge, monstrous spiders, his near-death at the hands of Cockney-speaking trolls and his riddling duel with the deformed, withered creature Gollum. Some minor differences between this and LOTR is the elves and the goblins. The goblins (later called orcs) are portrayed as completely evil, and less intelligent than later on. The elves do not have the majesty of the future stories, seeming fluffier and impressive. However, these rarely detract from the overall enjoyment of the book. The main thread to the following trilogy is the Ring of Invisibility, a plain gold ring that Bilbo finds in Gollum's cave. This book is a must-see for Tolkien enthusiasts.
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