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Summary: Good writing, screwy plot.
Review: I admit, Tolkien can write. Very well, by the way. But I didn't like the story. Tolkien is praised in every way, but he didn't catch my attention long enough. His plot is scrambled to the point which I have no clue where they are going and what they are doing. He hasn't made himself someone I admire. I would much rather read Shakespeare.
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Summary: Tolkein was the master of the genre
Review: Excellent read. Have been trying to find other authors who I like as much. Terry Goodkind is one but that is all so far.
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Summary: Great version of the Hobbit for younger kids
Review: My six and nine year old kids were fascinated as I read this illustrated (and abridged) version of the Hobbit. The younger boy is not interested in books without pictures yet, but thoroughly enjoyed hearing the story with the beautiful drawings. The pictures provided a focus and context which were very helpful.
This should be a good introduction before the Fellowship of the Ring movie this fall (2001), and I'm looking forward to the illustrated version of the Lord of the Rings in the near future, I hope.
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Summary: Michael Hague's Illustration
Review: Michael Hague is one of the most wonderous children's illustrators, and wonderful at book signings if you have the chance to meet him. This edition of 'The Hobbit' makes a lovely family volume, perfect for reading aloud to children.
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Summary: In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit
Review: Our family book club read The Hobbit for our August selection; we didn't have our meeting until early September. Afterward, our son wrote the following essay:Since The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien was offered as an option for our family book club, I've been asking for it each month. In August, my pleas were granted, and we started the book well before The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring arrives in theaters. A quick summary of "the enchanting prelude to The Lord of the Rings": The comfortable hobbit Bilbo Baggins smokes his pipe, relaxes in his easy chair, watches the stars. He leads a peaceful life until Gandalf, an old white wizard, comes along and changes it forever. In spite of his Tookish ancestors, Mr. Baggins is a "lazy" hobbit who doesn't want adventures: "Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner! I can't think what anybody sees in them." (p. 4) Of course, then, he is quite suprised when he is called to serve as a professional burglar for a band of thirteen dwarves. Later, he's even called upon to kill Smaug, a dragon with a diabolical appearance and a mammoth appetite. Of the thirteen dwarves, Thorin is the most eager to see Smaug die, for a few of the villages Smaug has destroyed were part of the kingdom of Thorin's fathers and forefathers, making Thorin the King Under the Mountain - not Smuag! With no choice but to join them, the hobbit has no idea of the dangers he must face to reach his goal, no idea how to kill a dragon (let alone a dragon who has been the glorious victor of who knows how many battles). My favorite part of their adventure takes place in the Elvenking's palace, when Bilbo is devising a plan to save the dwarves. He decides to put them all in barrels to be rafted off with the other empty barrels sent to "the Long Lake... a town of Men still throve there." This plan gets them out of the castle without being seen. But, as Tolkien points out, "It was just at this moment that Bilbo suddenly discovered the weak point in his plan. Most likely you saw it some time ago and have been laughing at him; but I don't suppose you would have done half as well as him yourselves in his place. Of course he was not in a barrel himself, nor was there any one to pack him in, even if there had been a chance!" (p.182)
The mastermind of this journey, J.R.R. Tolkien, and C.S. Lewis (Chronicles of Narnia) were friends, colleagues, and masters of fantasy. We can see the influence of the Chronicles on the many series written for younger readers today. Tolkien's influence can be seen in series that appeal to more advanced readers; The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are the "granddaddy" of the sci-fi/fantasy genre.
In The Hobbit, Tolkien relies on the power of the mythological "hero's journey." Bilbo has a lot in common with Odysseus of Homer's Odyssey (perhaps the original hero) and Luke Skywalker of the Star Wars epic, a hero whose story was told four decades after Bilbo's. Hero stories teach us about our own potential. Heroes are called to journey and adventure for their heart's desire (Bilbo and Odysseus both want to return home, for example), but they must fight evil and learn about themselves before they can achieve their goals. Each of the heroes I mentioned are guided by mentors or wise guides: Odysseus by Athene, Luke by Obi-Won, and Bilbo by Gandalf. They each benefit from a magical talisman or sacred object: Odysseus has his magical bow and quiver of arrows and assorted amulets Athene and others provide during his twenty-year journey home; Luke Skywalker wields his father's lightsaber; and Bilbo has Sting, a short sword made by Elves, and the invisibility ring. In each of their stories, the hero must enter the "underworld," a classic mythological detail. They are also encounter ugly, horrible beasts on land and in water, adding chilling action and, in some cases, humor to the stories. The heroes also, I might add, eventually achieve their goals.
The Fellowship of the Rings is our next book club selection. I look forward to more of the same exciting and enchanting elements that made The Hobbit so memorable.
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Summary: A Good First Epic For a Pre-Teen (or Anyone)
Review: If you're child is ready to tackle an epic or saga, this is it. If you're ready to tackle an epic or saga, this is it! "The Hobbit" is an enchanting, fast-paced, whimsical epic fantasy set in a very elaborate and detailed world ("MiddleEarth"). Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit (think of a cross between a leprechaun, a dwarf, and a human) who dislikes adventures (or does he?) but gets caught up in one of the most memorable adventure tales ever written. Bilbo, the wizard Gandalf, and a band of dwarves set off to slay a dragon and reclaim a hoard of stolen gold, silver, and jewels. But, watch out for Smeagol, or Gollum! The writing is fast-paced, flawless, and highly descriptive. The story is moderately complex, and hints at a deeper complexity that shows up in Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy (for which "The Hobbit" is a necessary prequel). The characters are three-dimensional and people you'd want to know (except for Gollum, Smaug, and a few others). This is a classic in the fantasy genre. Some people think this is an allegory for World War II, World War I, or some other real-life event. It might be, but that is irrelevant to me. For me, it's just a great story!
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Summary: Soberb!
Review: This is not only a book, but a key to open our imagination and let it flow freely. It is a modern fairy-tale, with no known fairies. They are there, but with changed names and concepts.
It is a very orignal piece of art, however for as original as the story be it contains great influence of Nordic Mythology, which is never mentioned as a source for more information. Mr. Tolkien wrote a soberb story, giving room for the child everyone carries inside. Wasn't Bilbo quite persuaded to go by his "dad" Gandalf? And as problems appeared wasn't Gandalf the 1st to be thought of... Bilbo learnt all out the hard (and maybe best) way and that's why he became a hero!
It's a book which brought a whole new Universe, continued on other ones, The Lord of the Rings (great), the Simallarion (I personally didn't read it, but I don't expect much either. The characters I'm interestd in are far out from the tale there...) and even games, which knows no bounds (Middle Eart Role Playing Game, D&D...) . And now, finally one trilogy to rule them all!!!
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Summary: The Hobbits Review
Review: Although this book starts off pretty slow it has an amazing story behind it. The book is based on a character named Mr. Baggins and as you can tell he is a hobbit. This little hobbit is on an adventure with goblins to regain stolen treasure from a ferocious dragon. Little does he know that he is also up against a heartless demon under the mountains and more. I think that all fiction lovers should read this book and the rest of the series that follows. I hope this review has helped, have fun.
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Summary: The Little Hobbit
Review: I enjoyed this book. The stories of Biblo Baggin's adventures away from his safe Hobbit hole and into the dark underworld were riveting. I would have given it five stars if the plot had a few more interesting twists.
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Summary: A Great story for people age 7-130
Review: Anybody can read this book and love it.It's just a story about Bilbo Baggins-the hobbit with no adventure in his life who one day gets into an adventure with Gandalf the wizard and 12 dwarves or is it 13 dwarves.Anyway, it's an awesome book you should read.
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