Now a major motion picture.A great modern classic and the prelude to THE LORD OF THE RINGS. Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely traveling any farther than his pantry or cellar. But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard Gandalf and a company of dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day to whisk him away on an adventure. They have launched a plot to raid … plot to raid the treasure hoard guarded by Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon. Bilbo reluctantly joins their quest, unaware that on his journey to the Lonely Mountain he will encounter both a magic ring and a frightening creature known as Gollum.
A glorious account of a magnificent adventure, filled with suspense and seasoned with a quiet humor that is irresistible . . . All those, young or old, who love a fine adventurous tale, beautifully told, will take The Hobbit to their hearts. -New York Times Book Review
more
What can one say about this time honored classic
For me this was a slow-going book. However, I re-read it after watching the movies and found it to be a much better read the second time.
Thank you Mr. Tolkien for giving me my love of fantasy books !
great book great movie
I can’t imagine a story being more tale-like than The Hobbit. My imagination takes me back to the stories told around the fireplace of my summer cabin in the middle of nowhere in Sweden. The tales of Swedish folklore often contained trolls, wolves and sirens to keep children from getting lost by wondering in the forest or getting too close to the lake in the fear of them falling in and drowning. In this tale it is obviously Gandalf who barges into Bilbo’s life and expects him to pack up and quest on this big adventure. Thirteen dwarves soon join him and a plan is forged to start their journey, the dwarves are promised wealth and the hobbit is enticed by the adventure. The Epic Fantasy then follows the company through the land of dense forest, various kingdoms and through territories inhabited by nasty creatures, such as spiders and the famous Gollum. This story has many encounters and mesmerising scenes to fall in love with and as such, is one of my favourite tales. I wish that the story would have had females in it, which would colour the emotional spectra as well as a few less dwarfs so that I would become more attached to them instead of just feeling confused with who is who.
It is so awesome you need to read this to see it to believe it
where every fantasy fan should or does start
Tolkien is the master so much better than the movies!
This book is one that every person on the planet should own and treasure.
R.I.P. Smaug. Still a good book! 😀
What more can I add with regard to this story? If you haven’t read it, do so. If you watched the movies before reading the book, you may be disappointed in the book, but unjustifiably so. Both were great. But as a Tolkien “purest” I appreciate the book for what it meant to the Fantasy genre, more than what the movies did for it. This story is simple, it’s written for everyone, and has no real literary flaws. “The Hobbit” and “LoTR” may not have the brilliance of “The Wheel of Time”, or the maturity level of “Game of Thrones”, but Tolkien has stood the test of time, and while readers will often criticize the “competition”, very few have anything negative to say about his writing.
The book that started it all. Copycats and role playing games
This book is so entertainment! The characters are amazing!!!! Love it!
Loved it
beautiful book
Tolkien wanted to reinstate a history that was lost when the Romans conquered the Celts and burned out their long, long oral history. There is a grandeur and a poetic sweep to this story and those after it that will keep this book and the Ring it introduces as a cultural icon that grounds and frames a whole genre. There is a great deal of genius in these stories, more than many realize. It is much more than a fairy tale.
I’ve always classed this book as my go to book. J.R.R.Tolkien was and is a literary genius. His work inspires me to want to write. The characters are engaging, fierce and unforgettable. I highly recommend this book and any work by Tolkien if you like a feel good novel that brings you on an epic adventure.The Lord of the Rings
I don’t know why I’m writing this review. Everyone knows The Hobbit is one of the best fantasies ever written. Well there. I’ve said it. It’s true, at least in my opinion. Bilbo Baggins starts out as a mild mannered tea-and-cake loving creature of hobbit habit, but by the end of the book, he has been forced into a new mold, that of a hero. This is his wonderful, wonderful, story.
Overrated.
All time favorite