The Hobbit

by J. R. R. Tolkien

Paperback

English language

Published Aug. 15, 2002 by Houghton Mifflin.

ISBN:: 978-0-345-36858-4

In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort. Written for J.R.R. Tolkien’s own children, The Hobbit met with instant critical acclaim when it was first published in 1937. Now recognized as a timeless classic, this introduction to the hobbit Bilbo Baggins, the wizard Gandalf, Gollum, and the spectacular world of Middle-earth recounts of the adventures of a reluctant hero, a powerful and dangerous ring, and the cruel dragon Smaug the Magnificent. The text in this 372-page paperback edition is based on that first published in Great Britain by Collins Modern Classics (1998), and includes a note on the text by Douglas A. Anderson (2001).

6 editions

tofusean reviewed The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien (The Lord of the Rings)

A lovely adventure

5 stars

This book is so fantastic, and the narrator Andy Serkis knocked it out of the park.

minor spoilers below

I read this for the first time several years ago, it was the start of my love of reading as an adult.

This time around, I listened to the audiobook and it was even better than the ebook I read.

The story is simple but amazing. Each chapter flows into the next with excitement lurking around every corner. Watching Bilbo become the hobbit he is destined to be is so enjoyable. Some of it is a little silly and a little dated, but it is a midgrade book from the 1930’s so it gets a big pass.

I forgot how many songs there were in the book, but thankfully the narrator did them justice and made them really enjoyable.

My favorite scene is still the …

This book is so fantastic, and the narrator Andy Serkis knocked it out of the park.

minor spoilers below

I read this for the first time several years ago, it was the start of my love of reading as an adult.

This time around, I listened to the audiobook and it was even better than the ebook I read.

I forgot how many songs there were in the book, but thankfully the narrator did them justice and made them really enjoyable.

My favorite scene is still the spider fight in the forest.

cjhubbs reviewed The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien (The Lord of the Rings)

Review of 'The Hobbit' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Read this one out loud to the family. Such a delight.

Kadomi reviewed The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien (The Lord of the Rings)

Review of 'The Hobbit' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

This is definitely a classic. I think it was my first real fantasy book when I was a child, but I had not read it again since then, while I have read Lord of the Rings multiple times. It's definitely written for a much younger audience, but very entertaining.

What surprised me is how many hints of the bigger Tolkien world are already in there. As I read the Silmarillion just recently, I was pleased to find that Glamdring and Orcrist are swords from Gondolin. Also, several hints at Moria and such. I really enjoyed those parts the most, to find out how the Hobbit fits into the larger picture.

I highly recommend reading this book first before you move on to Lord of the Rings, it will make it more enjoyable.