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Summary: The best book on my shelves from looks to story
Review: I got it on Christmas, and it took me about a week to read it, I've read the story twice, and I still love showing off its snazzy cover and maps. The story made me feel like I was really there, and the cover made it seem like the book was from that time and age. There is not a flaw in it, and I can only say that it is a superb buy for the dedicated reader.
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Summary: Read if you are considering the world of The Hobbit
Review: I approached The Hobbit at the age of 25. Never having read anything by Tolkien and being recently uninspired by the overrated trilogy, I decided to read for myself--what's the big deal here?The Hobbit is not a comfort book for me. Since I didn't read it as a child, I don't have fond memories to draw me back. I can, however, somewhat empathize with those who do read and re-read this charming tale. The Hobbit takes the reader on a trip over wide landscapes, mostly from the perspective of a gentle nobody, Bilbo Baggins. Tolkien works hard to reveal characters as different types of people. Hobbits, Dwarves, Wizards, Dragons, Trolls, Goblins, Eagles, Wolves, Elves, Spiders, and Humans all represent some type of human condition. The young reader of The Hobbit will not realize that he or she is quite possibly being exposed to every type of person he or she will ever meet. Let us thank Tolkien. Tolkien gives the same breadth to the landscapes of adjacent but strange lands and the inhabitants therein. The land fits into Tolkien's environmentalist sensibility very pointedly. That is, this isn't a purely fantastical story--neither is the Lord of the Rings Trilogy--and that's what makes Tolkien's work so wonderful. Like C.S. Lewis--they were friends, in fact--Tolkien is able to pour morality, politics, philosophy, and spirituality into his works without mocking or tricking the reader. If you have not read The Hobbit, please do. You'll enjoy the trip.
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Summary: The Hobbit HOOWAA
Review: The legendary book The Hobbit is well known through out the US . I would recomend this book to all who enjoy a good adventure. This easy read tells the story of a hobbit and forteen dwarven companions. Young Bilbo Baggins a quiet and peacefull creature by nature challanged by ruthless goblens, and vicious dragons proves his courage. Questing for the stolen dwarven wealth this book will have you cheering on Bilbo Baggins. This book is loads of fun. JRR. Tolkien not just a master of languages but a master of the written word.
Reading this book made me think I was there. Either in the mountains with goblins, or in the caves with the great Smauge the dragon. These books are always a classic to read and one of my favorites. The copywrite date is 1937 but the newest copy is the best.
This classic book is a wonderful adventure story. Thrilling and always exciting for the reader. I would reccomend this easy to read book to all ages. So you will need to read it to find out more!
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Summary: The Hobbit: A Great Read For Any Age.
Review: Garrett Hanson
Mr. Fiske's
Honors English
The Hobbit Review The Hobbit was J.R.R. Tolkien's first claim to fame, but it is better known as the precursor to the famed Lord of the Rings series. It is a story of struggles, adventures, and unlikely heroes in a land called "Middle Earth". Hobbits do not like adventures, as the famed Bilbo Baggins once said of adventures, "Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner!" With the help of the far more important, but less noted wizard Gandalf, Bilbo Baggins (the hobbit) does in fact set out upon an adventure with thirteen Dwarves to return to Lonely Mountain and regain their treasure, in so defeating the cruel dragon, Smaug. They out wit orcs and goblins, battle spiders and evade elves, Bilbo finds the Ring, yes the Ring, and out riddles the morose Gollum to keep it. They achieve many things, making many friends and even more enemies before reaching old Smaug and the Lonely Mountain, and still they know not what to do about it's treachery. The Hobbit was definitely not a stroke of genius, but a work of genius after years and years of writing lore on goblins, elves, dragons, dwarves, and such, such is all the great things you may have or may yet come to love in Tolkien's writing. The Hobbit however, is a first in Tolkiens lore, and The Hobbit was the first taste of Tolkien much of the world got. Although over shadowed my the trilogy of the Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit is important in understanding Middle Earth, and it does it in a fun way. It is something you could teach you kids to read with, while still enjoying it yourself. The Hobbit was originally intended to be a before bedtime kids book, and it sends a very potent message to it's intended victim...it doesn't matter who you are, where you come from, or how big you are, even the smallest can change the world. To more extent, hopefully we are, in the end, better off, but that is a matter of opinion, for greed is the bleeder of wealth, and happiness can be found in small things, even after big adventures. I did find Tolkien's style rather youthful and informative allowing me to see far in advance the come of events...nonetheless he did an excellent job in portraying the turn of events that was and is The Hobbit. His imagery and imagination are unrivalled, yes, even to those of us who saw the movie first. For those of you who don't like Old English, don't worry, it's hardly used in The Hobbit. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about the Lord of the Rings, or simple wants a good book to read to the young ones before the lights are turned out. Further more I expect you'll get hooked on Middle Earth, so I suggest finding a copy of the Lord of the Rings, because lets face it, for those of us with an imagination, the books are way better.
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Summary: My Book Review
Review: The Hobbit.J.R.R.Tolkien.United States- New York.Ballantine Books.1937, 1938, and 1966.287 pages. My attention was grabbed, my mind was stretched, and my thoughts were taken to amazing enchanting places. Reading "The Hobbit" was not only and intriguing experience, but kept me wanting more and more. When a timid, respectable creature called a hobbit is talked into going on a wild, dangerous quest by a wizard by the name of Gandalf, Bilbo's cozy, quiet lifestyle is drastically changed. J.R.R. Tolkien is an incredible story teller, and his studies of ancient languages and his life in Britain influenced and enhanced the ideas and characters in the book. The fictional land of Middle-Earth in which the story takes place is magical and sometimes evil. Bilbo Baggins leaves the comfortable, beautiful shire to embark on a journey in the midst of danger and evil, and along the way he is transformed into a hero.
By the author showing Bilbo's development into a hero, he proves that ordinary people can overcome obstacles and also develop into heroes. Bilbo started off as a weakling. He was surrounded by luxury and a wide array of foods, but after he got over the shocking news, he accepted Gandalf's request for him to be the "burglar" of the quest, and from then on he got increasingly courageous. By the end of the journey, he had accomplished so much. He had confronted the trolls, escaped from Gollum and stolen his ring, slaying a giant spider, rescuing the dwarves from Mirkwood, and even coming face to face with a treacherous, gold-stealing dragon named Smaug. All of these things molded him into a hero, not to mention helping the dwarves regain their stolen wealth, and making the area surrounding Lonely Mountain safe again.
When the author wrote this book, he was looking past its enchanting tale to the trilogy to come known as "The Lord of the Rings." This book is the solid foundation of which all of those books follow. This book really emphasizes the character development of the main character, Bilbo. It is interesting the way the author created the creatures of middle earth in that all hobbits are good, but all goblins are evil, and the personality of someone differed according to their family. Bilbo Baggins is heir to the Tooks, who are more adventurous, and the Baggins's, who are very respectable and would never take part in such radical happenings. Throughout the story he sometimes switches back and forth between each family's point of view, but for him to reach his full potential he must be like the Tooks so he can be courageous and unafraid to partake in the great quest for the dwarves stolen gold. In the book I also noticed that there is a constant struggle between good and evil. The magic ring that Bilbo acquires from a hideous creature named Gollum in the darkness of a deep tunneling cave, affects him in a powerful way. The ring he found allows him to disappear instantly when he puts it on his finger. Although he thinks this is very useful, the ring is evil and Bilbo becomes addicted to it and always keeps it with him.
"The Hobbit" is a good, original read, but it obviously lacks realism because of it's out of this world setting and characters. That's not so bad though because it is fun reading about something that is completely made up, so you can leave your present state of mind and just relax and enjoy the book. J.R.R. Tolkien had a very smart way of writing which is shown in the elaborate details he put into each creature and the way he made everything come together in a complete way at the end but at the same time made you want to read "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. I did not detect any flaws in the plot, but then again I wasn't really looking for them because I was so caught up in the story. I have never read a book that has a similar subject as "The Hobbit" because it is so unique, so it makes it difficult to compare it to other books in that way. Relating to the book can be done only by the underlying tones, not the actual events since it is a fantasy. The forces of good and evil is something that I can relate to because we all know what right and wrong is, and the consequences of each kind of action. I thought the book was well-written and very amusing and fun to read and I would recommend it to anyone.
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Summary: The best
Review: Probably one ofthe best books a child can read at an early age. Tolkien is such an neat author.
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Summary: You really WILL go there and back again!
Review: (...) I got the Boxed Set for Christmas, and let's just say that I was impressed! J.R.R. Tolkien actually takes you to Middle Earth, and you can almost hear everything that Bilbo hears, see everything he sees. If there are any Harry Potter fans reading this, I encourage you to read this book!
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Summary: The Hobbit
Review: The Hobbit
The prelude to The Lord of the Rings trilogy begins with a descriptive insight into what a hobbit is. In this epic about a little, non-adventurous person, J. R. R. Tolkien introduces Bilbo Baggins to his first adventure. The Hobbit starts off with Gandalf, the wizard, paying Bilbo an unexpected visit, not only bringing along thirteen guests, but bringing Bilbo the news that would change his life, forever. I enjoyed reading this adventure-filled epic, as it took me on countless journeys and introduced me to goblins, wild wolves, orcs, eagles, elves, and many, many more creatures found throughout the novel. The adventures never ended, and when I thought I was safe to conclude a happy ending, another villain was at hand. The twist and turns take readers out of their reading places and into the dungeons and caves along with Bilbo and his companions.
I would recommend this epic to open-minded people who can let their minds wander once and awhile. People should not begin reading this novel if they are not imaginative and cannot picture weird creatures never before seen. Also, if you enjoyed The Lord of the Rings trilogy, you will definitely love this prelude. This epic will interest those adventure-fantasy lovers out there!
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Summary: not just for children
Review: This book, though written well enough to be digested by kids, is certainly a sophisticated and thought-provoking classic of western literature. Many very "adult" and timeless themes run through the book, highlighting the best and worst of humanity. It's a frightening tale when taken in light of the allegorical nature of Tolkien's work. Evil lurks everywhere, not only in the hearts of goblins, trolls, or giant spiders. Some of the themes: The greed of the Dwarves. They weren't out to liberate Lake Town from the big, bad dragon Smaug, they were there for revenge and riches, plain and simple. Their actions lead to much destruction and war. The Dwarves' lust for wealth is also touched upon in the latter Trilogy. The racism of the Elves. Sure, they're "good" folk, but they are so aloof, mistrustful and arrogant, as well. Anyone who isn't an Elf is a lesser form of creature to them, and it usually leads to ill feelings at best, war at worst. Tolkien used the word "estrangement" to describe the gulf between men and elves; we might use the word "bigotry" today. Bibo's job title. THIEF. It's why the Dwarves needed another person on their journey, and how Bilbo gets drafted. Sure, he stinks at it at first, but with a little practice (and some help from the evil ring) he becomes much better at it. Witness his transformation during the course of his journey; he isn't quite so merry and carefree when it is over. His attitude towards the thrush is very enlightening in this regard, as is his behaviour once returning home. Granted, he was forced to steal from Thranduil to survive, but what NEED did he have of the Arkenstone? (Gollum attests to Bilbo's calling at the mouth of the cave: "Thief! Baggins! We hates it forever!!!") War. What is it good for? Well, obviously it's the only way to get satisfaction sometimes. Every character in the book seems intent on getting into a fight except Bilbo, and he's ridiculed and shamed for being a peacemaker -- by his own friends. Loneliness. Bilbo experiences a very solitary existence in the middle of his travels. Even when in company of the dwarves, he is still an outsider and is far away from his comfortable home in the Shire. Everyone is bigger, fiercer, and stronger than him, but he manages to make out fine overall. So many dark and disturbing things about our existence are laid bare in this book, but they are not without hope. There is deliverance for Bilbo, and there is reconciliation, honor, and true friendship which springs from the worst of circumstances. Again, a very thought-provoking text that will be enjoyed by adults and children, for very different reasons.
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Summary: The Hobbit
Review: "The Hobbit" takes place before the Lord of the Rings series. It is centered on a Hobbit named Bilbo Baggins, who is the Uncle of the Hero in the Lord of the Rings, Frodo. "The Hobbit" is about a group of traveling dwarves, the leader of which goes by the name of Thorin. Him and his band of 12 Dwarfs are on a quest to get back the treasure that belongs to them. Thorin's ansester by the name of Thror was known as the king of the mountains because him and his people discovered a great whealth in a mountain range that was thought unexplorable. One day an evil dragon by the name of Smaug came to Thror's kingdom and recklessly destroys all of Thror's people and steals the treasures that he worked so hard to obtain. Thorin and his men are looking for a Hobbit to join them on their quest to use him as a burglar since he has "Took" blood in him. (The Tooks were notoriously known for their spirit of adventure that most Hobbits lacked.) After some convincing from the Dwarves and his Wizzard friend Gandalf, he accepts the invitation. He must endure many hardships as he travles the monster infested land, fight off massive spiders, escape a 500 year old Hobbit that is deformed by the power of the "Ring", and slay an ancient Dragon that not a kingdom of men were powerless to stop!
"The Hobbit" by J.R.R Tolkien is a national classic and a book that has inspired all of those who read it. It is a book that combines the excitment of a fantasy adventure with a massive amount of suspending events to keep one occupied. Add the touch of comedy and you get one of the finest books ever written.
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