I recently reread The Hobbit (after having read The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion). My first impulse was to check to what extent Peter Jackson’s adaptation to the screen was faithful to the original novel. In the process, I was surprised by the scope and length of this book, one of the first of Tolkien’s attempts at describing his imaginary world of Middle Earth.

It is said that he wrote this book as a nursery rhyme for his children. But I have the feeling that, in so doing, much of the outlines of his later novels were already in progress: the narratives, the myths, the geography, the races, the speeches and songs that Tolkien would later develop. In other words, The Hobbit feels like an elaborate sketch of what would later be The Lord of the Rings. Bilbo and the thirteen dwarves being but forerunners of The Fellowship of the Ring; Smaug and the mountain of Erebor heralding Sauron and the volcano of Orodruin (note the similarities of these names); the One Ring itself (just a magic invisibility ring in The Hobbit) still being in the shade of the Arkenstone: it seems that Tolkien hadn’t yet devised what it would become in later developments of his fantasy. But in the end, all the seeds are already there for the greater epic trilogy.

Jemima Catlin’s illustrations in this edition have a very naive quality that feels refreshing, a sort of comeback to Tolkien’s original paintings, after the elaborate lush of Alan Lee and John Howe’s artwork. As for Peter Jackson: it appears that the first movie doesn’t stray much from the book. The second film, however, takes liberties with Tolkien’s narrative (especially towards the end), which seem quite unnecessary. The third instalment is an utter disgrace.

Some books are almost impossible to review. If a book is bad, how easily can we dwell on its flaws! But if the book is good, how do you give any recommendation that is equal the book? Unless you are an author of equal worth to the one whose work you review, what powers of prose and observation are you likely to have to fitly adorn the work?

'The Hobbit' is at one level simply a charming adventure story, perhaps one of the most charming and most adventurous ever told. There, see how simple that was? If you haven't read it, you should, because it is quite enjoyable. At some level, there is little more to say. Enjoy the story as the simple entertainment it was meant to be. Read it to your children and luxuriate in the excitement and joy that shines from their faces. That's enough.

But if it was only simple entertainment, I do not think that it would be anything more than just a good book. Instead, this simple children's story resonates and fascinates. It teases and hints at something larger and grander, and it instructs and lectures as from one of the most subtle intellects without ever feeling like it is instructing, lecturing or being condescending.

At its heart, the complaint I opened the review with is just a variation on one of the many nuanced observations Tolkien makes in 'The Hobbit' when he complains that a story of a good time is always too quickly told, but a story of evil times often requires a great many words to cover the events thereof. How often has that idea fascinated me.

Consider also how the story opens, with Bilbo's breezy unreflective manners which are polite in form but not in spirit, and Gandalf's continual meditation on the meaning of 'Good morning.’ How much insight is concealed within Gandalf's gentle humor! How often do we find ourselves, like Bilbo, saying something we don't really mean and using words to mean something very unlike their plain meaning! How often do we find ourselves saying, "I don't mean to be rude, but...", when in fact we mean, "I very much mean to be rude, and here it comes!" If we did not mean to be rude, surely we wouldn't say what we say. Instead we mean, "I'm going to be rude but I don't want you to think I'm someone who is normally rude...", or "I'm going to put myself forward, but I don't want you to think of me as someone who is normally so arrogant...", or even, "I'm going to be rude, but I don't want to think of myself as someone who is rude, so I'm going to pretend I'm not being rude..."

I think that is what makes this more than just a good book, but a great one. Tolkien is able to gently skewer us for our all too human failings, and he does so without adopting any of the cynicism or self-loathing so common with those that seek out to skewer humanity for its so evident failings.

We fantasize about heroes which are strong and comely of form, and we have for as long as we've had recorded literature. Our comic books are filled with those neo-pagan mythic heroes whose exaggerated human virtues always amount to, whatever else may be true of them, 'beats people up good'. These modern Ajaxs, Helens and Achilles dominate the box office, and I would imagine dominate our internal most private fantasy lives as well. Oh sure, the superhero of our fantasy might have superhuman ethics to go along with his superhuman ability to kick butt, attract the opposite sex, and enforce their will upon others, but it is always attached to and ultimately secondary to our fantasy of power and virility. How different is Tolkien's protagonist from Heracles, Lancelot, Beowulf, or Batman - short, small, mundane, and weak. Of all the principal characters of the story, he possesses probably the least of that quintessential heroic attribute - martial prowess.

And yet, he is not actually merely an 'average Joe'. Bilbo is just as much an exaggerated idealized hero as Heracles, it's just that those attributes in which Bilbo is almost transcendently inhuman isn't the sort of attributes we normally fantasize about having ourselves. Bilbo is gentle. He is simple. He is humble. Power and wealth have little attraction for him. He is kind. He takes less than his share, and that that he takes he gives away. He is a peacemaker. Though wrongly imprisoned, he bears no grudge and desires no vengeance for the wrongs done to him. Rather he apologizes for stealing food, and offers to repay in recompense far more than he took. Though mistreated, he harbors no enmity. He never puts himself forward, but he never shirks when others do.

How often do we fantasize about being this different sort of hero, and yet how much better we would be if we did? How much better off would we be if we, like Thorin could declare in our hearts, "There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West. Some courage and some wisdom, blended in measure. If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." How often is it that we hunger after all the wrong things? What profit would we really have if we had in great measure the power to 'beat people up good'? What real use could we put it too? How much better off would we be individually and as a people if we most desired to be graced with Bilbo's virtues, rather than Achilles speed, strength, and skill with arms? How much less mature does this mere children's book of a well lit-world cause our darker fantasies to seem?

Now, I admit I am biased in my review. I read this book 36 times before the age of 16. I broke the spines of three copies of it with continual reading. Yet in my defense I will say that I'm considered only a moderate fan of the book by many. I've known several devotees of the book who, like the protagonist of Bradbury's 'Fahrenheit 451', can recite whole chapters from memory - ensuring that this would be one of the few books that would survive the sudden destruction of all the world's technology if only the world's story tellers survived. If you are inclined to think no book can be that good, and that my review overhypes it, so much the better. Go in with low expectations so as to be certain that they will be met or exceeded. Forget all I have said save that, "If you haven't read it, you should, because it is quite enjoyable."

♾️✨
« If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world. »

Tolkien is my all time favourite author and no author of our time would ever compare to his art. I had chills from beginning to end. It felt like he was telling me the tale of something that happened so long ago. I listened to LOTR soundtrack while reading and it added to the perfect vibes so very much.

I do believe I’d be a Hobbit if I was of this world. Because I do love being home above everything else and obsessively think about home when I’m elsewhere.

« Now it is a strange thing, but things that are good to have and days that are good to spend are soon told about, and not much to listen to ; while things that are uncomfortable, palpitating and even gruesome, may make a good tale, and take a deal of telling anyway. »

2.5/5 stars

The Hobbit probably would’ve been more enjoyable if I were reading it at least 15 years ago.

I have an odd relationship with The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings due to my feelings of the movie adaptations. For Lord of the Rings, I haven’t been able to finish Fellowship of the Ring because I loved the movies so much and I ended up finding the book incredibly boring; I will try again next year. As for The Hobbit, I was reluctant to read the book because I disliked the movie adaptation. After finally reading this for the first time, I can safely say that I still dislike the movies, and I felt more or less indifferent about the book.

This will be a short review; I have nothing new to offer. The Hobbit is a book targeted for kids and, in my opinion, it certainly read like one. As I said, I most likely would’ve enjoyed this book so much more if I were younger and weren’t acquainted with other modern high-fantasy yet. Reading this for the first time, it felt like there was a complete lack of tension throughout the entire book. I also immensely disliked the storytelling voice implemented into the narration; it’s so distracting to my immersion and rather than reading it felt to me like Tolkien was telling the story to me. I prefer seeing events unfolds from the character’s perspective. That being said, I will also admit that I wasn’t bored with it because the accessible prose made the book very easy to read.

The Hobbit is a classic and I can totally understand why it became one. I will definitely consider reading this to my kids one day. I have no idea whether the decrease in enjoyment of the book was caused because of me watching the movies first or not, it might be. But overall, I just felt more or less indifferent about The Hobbit, which I guess is arguably even worse than disliking it. Honestly speaking, around 30% through the book, I ended up reading through it just for the sake of completing my bingo challenge rather than because I was having a good time with it. Thankfully, this was a short read.

You can order the book from: Book Depository (Free shipping)

You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions

UPDATE ON THE MAY/JUNE 2021 RE-READ: Introducing my 5 y/o to this world may be one of the most wonderful things I’ve ever had the pleasure of doing.

Re-read for the Umpteenth time:

Still inconsistent, gee-willicky, and perfectly magical.



Art Credit: Good Morning by Araniart

From a hole in the ground came one of my favorite characters of all time, the very reluctant and unassuming hero, Bilbo Baggins.

As a child, The Hobbit sparked my young imagination, causing wonderful daydreams and horrible nightmares. As a teen, the book made me want to become a writer of fantastical tales...or go shoeless, live in a hole and smoke a pipe. As an adult, Tolkien's novel maintains within me a link to my childhood, safekeeping cherished memories and evoking everlasting emotions.

The troubles with trolls, those slinking spiders, the finding of treasure, cave exploration, riddles in the dark...it all added up in me a love for adventure. I would make many an ornate wooden sword in my father's basement workshop, because of Sting. Funny I didn't take to wearing rings though...

Being pint-sized, Mr. Baggins makes the perfect magnetic character for a young person. He is about a child's size, yet he is mature. Similar, yet something to aspire to. His diminutive stature made his implausible escapes and victories that much more satisfying. Nothing bores me more than muscle-bound killing machines wielding swords the size of windmill blades.

I have read this fantastic tale a number of times, watched the 70s cartoon movie version countless times and was counting down the days with unabashed eagerness until Peter Jackson's new live action film came out. I will continue to read The Hobbit again and again, for the road goes ever, ever on...


Appendix-ish type reviews

The Hobbit, the 1977 animated film version by Rankin & Bass
This may be the movie I've watched the most in my life. This is the one I can quote from start to finish and annoy the fuck out of my friends. I try to refrain, but when John Huston bellows out, "I am Gandalf and Gandalf means ME!!!"...well, I just can't help myself. Crazy-off-his-rocker Brother Theodore as Gollum still astounds me with the sheer depth of his guttural growl. Sorry voice-straining Serkis, but this is the real Gollum, the creepy muthah that kept me up nights. Though Rankin & Bass's version skips over the whole Beorn scene entirely, coming in at 90 minutes, they actually managed to pack in quite a bit of story. Certainly it is truncated (to absurdity during The Battle of Five Armies), but at least it's not overblown, as appears to be happening with Peter Jackson's unnecessarily long trilogy of this single book.

The Hobbit, or There And Back Again (An illustrated book by Rankin & Bass)
Though it's a few pages shorter than the regular paperback version, this marvelous part-text, part-illustrated version seems to be unabridged. It includes screenshots taken directly from the 70s cartoon, plus where the movie skipped over parts of the book they've included extra illustrations, admittedly of mixed quality. It's a little strange to see the same characters rendered differently sitting side by side...

...but nonetheless, it's always fun to see how artists interpret the work, especially when it's a work dear to your heart.

The Hobbit, a film version by Peter Jackson
It's never fun to see an artist tear the heart out of a work. Peter Jackson was given too long a leash when New Line stretched this one book out to three separate movies. Instead of one movie packed with awesome, we get three that, so far (I've yet to see the third and I'm not eager to), have been watered down and dragged out. Extra scenes are added and add nothing: Really, a sleigh ride chase scene with an incredibly minor character? And honestly, can Richard Armitage (as Thorin Oakenshield) act with any other part of his body besides his eyebrows?

Gosh, that last chapter. Sigh.
And you can start celebrating the updates are over. Now let's start LotR :)

Buddy read with Jen the unexpected party
Get it? the unexpected party, as in chapter one's title. Oh I'm hilarious.


----------------------------------------------------
OK let’s do this.
But first let’s talk about something totally unrelated but totally is.

So I don’t know about you guys but when I watch a sporting event, no matter what it is, and I see these world class athletes doing their thing, all I think about is I couldn’t possibly do this. That’s why they are the ones doing it and I’m the one watching it, but once in a while comes these, well there’s only one word for it, Legends.

These legends when predictable, still unstoppable, they do the hardest things the easiest way, they don’t do things to show you they can, they do it so you know you can.
Mr. Tolkien is a legend, The Hobbit is a legend and Bilbo Baggins is a legend.

There’s so much I want to say but above and beyond all, If somehow you haven’t read this book and you stumbled upon this review please do yourself a favor and go read it instead of this, because it’ll be devastating to know that I cost you precious time you could and should spend reading The Hobbit.

It’s rare to read a fantasy novel and relate to its protagonist us much us I did.
Hero, or as I said legend are words associated in our minds with pictures of smart strong characters, with someone who spent a life in training or maybe a chosen one destined to change the world. Although technically Bilbo is chosen, the way the story address it and develops around it you don’t think of him as a hero, at least I didn’t, not more than I would think of myself if I were in his position, and here where the story gets me, because I do feel I’m in his position from the very beginning. I think Bilbo managed to be this unusual yet relatable hero, because of how human he was in this inhumanly world, how nice he was or at least tried to be to Gandalf and the Dwarves even when they made him uncomfortable and how he saved them even when they needed saving from themselves.

I can see myself reading this for my kids one day, and it won’t be boring, it’s still going to be an enjoyable and fun journey, because it’s gold and gold does not rust with time. This story is associated with only beautiful things in my mind, in fact the whole time writing this review I can’t help but think of sunny spring fields and cold breezes.

I loved the world in this book and I mean this book, because I haven’t read the other Middle Earth books but I still love it, it was so vast and beautiful, it wouldn’t be the same journey if it was set in a different world.

I feel I’m not doing the other characters justice because so far I only talked about Bilbo but the truth is I love them all. Gandalf is probably my favorite besides Bilbo but I also love Dwalin, Balin, Kili, Fili, Dori, Nori, Ori, Oin, Gloin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, and Thorin. The other character I loved is Beorn, I don’t know why but I just did and the whole thing with him and Gandalf and how the Dwarves didn’t come all at once, I really loved that part.

I watched the movies and I enjoyed them but they didn’t reflect the joy I had reading this book. The movies were darker, they were more about war but the book was more about the journey. This is probably the only time a movie has been bigger than the book but to be fair the movies built the story to be a prequel to The Lord of the Rings and they had a lot more than what was in this book to build upon. The movies hold the main story of the book and I’ll be happy if every movie adaptation was like this, they all should. I have to say that the cinematography and all the landscapes were exceptional and it reflects the beautiful world in the book.

The other thing I loved about the movies is the soundtracks, I cannot express how much I loved that, it was one of the best things about the movies, because I loved the poems in the book and the movies didn’t disappoint on that account, the best one has got to be The Misty Mountains Cold, it was one of my favorite parts in the book, and the music in the movie made it perfect, I only wish they made a bit longer. Every time I hear it, I want to grow a beard and go on an adventure.

This is the beginning, the genesis of what many consider the greatest fantasy story ever told. This story, the story of Bilbo, the story of the Ring, is so simple, so like a children’s fairytale that it’s difficult to imagine the magnitude and complexity of the story it spawned, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. I read the Hobbit first and I fell in love with Bilbo, so much so that it took me awhile to warm up to Frodo. This is a reread for me and the story is just as appealing, just as lovable as the first time I read it. This is surely a story that will be read and loved for generations to come.

Reread January 2018

2021 update re podcast - see section below image of two rings.

This is a book I cast aside, unfinished, as a child, and learned to love through the enraptured passion of my own child, nestled in my lap. It’s a much cosier introduction to Middle Earth than the Lord of the Rings.

n
“Good Morning!" said Bilbo, and he meant it. The sun was shining, and the grass was very green. But Gandalf looked at him from under long bushy eyebrows that stuck out further than the brim of his shady hat.
"What do you mean?" he said. "Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?"
"All of them at once," said Bilbo.
n

In some ways it's a simple quest for treasure, with hobbits, dwarves, elves, and a wizard as heroes. You get a taste of the full breadth and darker depth of Tolkien's Middle Earth, but the dragon, Smaug, is not especially fearsome - certainly less so than Gollum, goblins, and wargs - and anyway, fear is counterbalanced by a scattering of rhymes and riddles.


Image: Original illustration of Smaug, Tolkien Estate© (Source.)

Finding (the) Love

“Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away ere break of day
To seek the pale enchanted gold.”

I was fortunate to have parents who were readers - to themselves, and aloud to their children. However, neither were Tolkien fans, and I picked this up around age 9, at the urging of an uncle. I forget why I disliked it: perhaps I’ve erased the details because I was ashamed of abandoning it part way through.

My child is also fortunate to have parents who are readers. Aged 6, after Letters from Father Christmas (see my review HERE), and perhaps aware of the building hype for Peter Jackson’s first LotR film, my child requested The Hobbit as a bedtime story. I agreed with eagerness that veiled my heavy heart.

But what joy! My child’s passionate wonder started from the first few pages and was infectious. It became a deep bond, and it was one of the first "proper" books my child pushed themself to read alone - waking up early to go beyond where I'd finished the night before.

Soon after, we cemented our new love with The Lord of the Rings, eventually followed by The Silmarillion (see my review HERE), which was much harder to read aloud!

At 25, my child has read various Middle Earth books many times, and next year, will marry a fellow member of the uni Tolkien society. EDIT: Postponed for a year because of Covid pandemic. Fingers crossed!


Image: Two rings, in the light will bind them. (Source.)


Excellent podcast discussion

The Teaching My Cat to Read podcast team have just done a really good episode on The Hobbit, and I commend it to you, and indeed their others. Links are in their GR review of the book, HERE.

Quotes

•t“Trolls simply detest the sight of dwarves (uncooked).”

•t“It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him. Dragons may not have much real use for all their wealth, but they know it to an ounce as a rule, especially after long possession; and Smaug was no exception.”

•t“No dragon can resist the fascination of riddling talk and of wasting time trying to understand it.”

•t“When the heart of a dwarf, even the most respectable, is wakened by gold and by jewels, he grows suddenly bold, and he may become fierce.”

•t“This thing all things devours:
Birds, beasts, trees, flowers;
Gnaws iron, bites steel;
Grinds hard stones to meal;
Slays king, ruins town,
And beats high mountain down.” (A Whovian riddle from Gollum)

•t“Your lullaby would waken a drunken goblin!”

•t“May the wind under your wings bear you where the sun sails and the moon walks.”

Reading Order

Although Lord of the Rings stands on its own, it makes far more sense to read The Hobbit first. However, a child who enjoys The Hobbit is not necessarily ready to tackle LotR on their own - not just because this is shorter and simpler, but also because it is describing a gentler world. Side-stories, and the mythology of Middle Earth are best read after first reading The Hobbit and LotR, but before rereading them.

Thanks

It was chatting in comments on Alfred’s delightful review (HERE) that made me resolve to write a proper review of this at long last, as well as of The Silmarillion. Hence, this review, and my Silmarillion one, are totally new, August 2019.

Always excellent!

Some quick scattered thoughts on re-reading this classic:

It's strange how generic this story can feel, since so much that's followed in its wake has adapted and used little parts for its own. LotR is more influential yet, but reading this, I could feel the Hobbit's influence everywhere. Even subtle details and throwaway lines turned into major Dungeons and Dragons tropes.

The dwarves are terrible adventurers, always getting into trouble. They lose their food and adventuring equipment over and over and over. Like, the incompetence of the characters is actually this major driving force in the book. I think that idea is still incredibly fresh.

Also, there were just so many dwarves. 13 dwarves and a hobbit? It's easy to lose track of all of them, but they somehow all feel like complete characters, and they know each other well enough that their interactions show it. And even Bilbo can tell them apart in one way or another. There's something refreshing about a giant party of too-many dwarves here. None of that Fellowship party of specialists that turned into 6-member Dungeons and Dragons parties. No way. For intrigue, just add more dwarves and make them all uniquely bad at the things they do.

The little character interactions are fantastic. There's a tense point where Bilbo is breaking all of the dwarves out of prison and they have to run for it before they're caught, but one of the dwarves stops and starts asking a lot of questions because he wants to brainstorm the plan.

The songs are actually kind of good, and the world is always singing. Even the bad guys have songs. At this point, I've read a LOT of bad songs and rhymes in fantasy books, but the ones here are lovely, accessible, and worth reading.

The language in general is wonderful? The world feels vivid because of how it's described. Though some of that is a little dated, with giant chunky paragraphs describing the woods over and over. Petty point: for all of Tolkien's powerful use of language, the Great Goblin straight-up has some of the worst lines in fantasy literature. Dude speaks in giant boring paragraphs. But mostly, the language is the reason I came back to these, to take a dip in the source and get a better feeling for how to write fantasy.

Anyway, if you love fantasy but haven't read the Hobbit or LotR, they're a lot better than you might think if you've only seen the movies. The language, in particular, is everything.

Can someone write a feminist retelling through Smaug's perspective? Thanks

Gran aventura narrada con excelencia.

En realidad 4,5.

Antes de El Hobbit, lo único que había leído de Tolkien fue una obra llamada «Cartas de Papá Noel» que presentaba las cartas que él, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, escribía a sus hijos cuando eran pequeños. Cartas donde simulaba que Santa Claus, o Papá Noel como lo llamamos en algunos países, mantenía una correspondencia fidedigna y confidencial con cada uno de los niños. Aunque aquel libro fue muy corto, el contenido de las cartas me ayudó a comprender y percibir el don que poseía Tolkien para transmitir magia con sus palabras. Ese libro no lo leí siguiendo la recomendación de nadie, solo fue porque buscaba una lectura para navidad, pero aquella casualidad fue muy beneficiosa para conocer la prosa de Tolkien y estar preparado para el día en que por fin me atreviera a dar el gran paso y leer su saga maestra. Y sí, al igual que muchas personas, tampoco tenía la más remota idea de cuál era el nombre completo de Tolkien.

No es un secreto que todos tenemos cientos de libros pendientes por leer, y la lista sigue aumentando gracias a esta preciosa comunidad, por lo que elegir una nueva lectura no siempre es fácil. En esta ocasión me enfrenté a una dura decisión: Comenzar a conocer el Cosmere de Sanderson, o enfrentarme al mundo fantástico de Tolkien. Difícil decisión, pero esta vez me incliné por la segunda opción teniendo en cuenta la extensión de las sagas. Ya habrá ocasión más adelante para leer al querido Brandon Sanderson.

No leí este libro por obligación, aunque siento que es un paso casi imprescindible para todo amante de la fantasía. Tolkien es considerado el padre de la literatura fantástica moderna, y muchos escritores se han basado en sus obras para crear sus universos e historias. Así no nos guste su obra después de intentarlo, o su prosa —puede ocurrir—, considero que en nuestro rol de lectores debemos darle la oportunidad a este tipo de libros que se volvieron tan icónicos con el paso del tiempo: Algo interesante deben tener. No es casualidad ni su popularidad, ni la pasión que despiertan en sus seguidores. Antes de juzgar estas obras, o descartarlas, debemos intentar conocerlas y comprenderlas. Quizás el destino nos tiene la bonita sorpresa de enamorarnos también de la historia.

Para quienes no conocen la historia, El Hobbit nos cuenta las aventuras de un hobbit —valga la redundancia— llamado Bilbo Bolsón, quien un día es visitado por un mago llamado Gandalf que lo compromete en la peligrosa misión de ayudar a trece enanos a recuperar las tierras y los tesoros que fueron robados por su enemigo, el dragón Smaug. Desde ese momento, Bilbo emprenderá una aventura atiborrada de retos, peligros, magia, y heroísmo. Conocerá sus límites, sus verdaderas aptitudes, y reconocerá lo diferente que es la vida fuera de su zona de confort. Una aventura que cambiará su vida para siempre.

Sin embargo, y para mi sorpresa, el inicio de la novela no me gustó. Si bien es cierto que es una situación que me ocurre frecuentemente con muchas lecturas, en esta ocasión no me gustó porque sentí forzada la forma como Gandalf compromete a Bilbo en la aventura más peligrosa de su vida. Sí, el autor da aclaraciones y explicaciones que ofrecen lógica a la situación, pero personalmente percibí cierto matiz de incredulidad en el comportamiento de Bilbo. Es como si Tolkien tras finalizar de escribir su novela no hubiera tenido preparado el comienzo, y para solucionar su problema, hubiera escrito dichas páginas intentando correlacionar su contenido. Afortunadamente, el libro cambia radicalmente cuando comienza la aventura de Bilbo y es arrancado de su zona de confort: Allí comienza la magia y la aventura. Es tal y como sucede en las Crónicas de Narnia cuando los Pevensie entran al ropero. Antes de entrar no hay mucho que admirar, pero cuando cruzan al otro mundo tanto la atmósfera, como los personajes se transforman, y allí comienza la magia.

En El Hobbit descubrí una historia bastante entretenida cargada netamente de fantasía y magia, y que va mejorando progresivamente cuando los personajes se cruzan o enfrentan con sus enemigos. Cada peligro le da a esta historia la adrenalina necesaria para enganchar al lector hasta el final. Así me ocurrió, y me siento satisfecho porque disfrute de las tensiones que se iban presentando en cada escena. Si bien es cierto que hay un patrón que se repite en toda la novela convirtiendo en predecible las escenas que ocurren (calma—sorpresa—peligro—salvación), y que no existen verdaderos giros inesperados, la verdad es que esta es una de esas lecturas que disfrutas a pesar de los defectos.

Lo que más me ha gustado del libro han sido las canciones, las adivinanzas de Gollum, y la forma tan sagaz como Bilbo usa sus capacidades para sobrevivir o salvar a sus compañeros. Sin embargo, también me ha impresionado la forma como Tolkien describe el escenario por donde transitan sus personajes. Muchos autores cuando realizan su narración descriptiva aburren al lector con detalles innecesarios o porque simplemente lo cuentan con un estilo plano, pero Tolkien lo hace extraordinariamente porque narra solo lo necesario, y además atrapa al lector al hacerle imaginar al lector que realmente se encuentra allí. Con Tolkien me sentí como si estuviera caminando al lado de los personajes por montañas y laderas, por cavernas y fortalezas. La prosa de Tolkien me dejo más que satisfecho.


La batalla final me la imaginé tal y como en las películas de El señor de los anillos, con peleas aquí y allá, golpes, hachazos, muertos y gritos de batalla intensos por doquier. Sin embargo, me pareció muy facilista que, en ambas batallas en las que se vio involucrado Bilbo (contra los trasgos y la batalla final), casualmente, recibiera un golpe en la cabeza, perdiera el conocimiento, y justo despertara cuando todo acababa. Creo que al autor le pareció más práctico narrar la batalla como un hecho pasado, pero me hubiera gustado una narración presente que me permitiera disfrutar mejor de cada enfrentamiento, caídos en batalla, etc. Eso hubiera sido genial.


El mejor personaje sin dudas es el protagonista, Bilbo Bolsón, que no solo es agradable, sino que también crece como personaje. Al finalizar la novela podemos comprobar que Bilbo ya no es el mismo del comienzo porque ha madurado y tiene la valentía de un guerrero. Es un personaje honorable y humilde que se gana tu cariño, y el cual da gusto acompañar en cada aventura. Además su sagacidad le da un toque pintoresco a su personalidad volviéndolo más respetable y fascinante. Desafortunadamente no puedo decir lo mismo de Gandalf, que a pesar de ser «el gran mago», por lo que concierne a esta obra me quedó la imagen de un hechicero inteligente, pero algo simple: incluso en algunos fragmentos del libro me lo imaginé como un curandero o algo así, no entiendo muy bien el porqué. De los demás personajes, los enanos, no encontré mucha diferencia entre unos y otros, pero de Thorin, que claramente tiene más protagonismo, puedo destacar que me gustó el rol que el autor le brindó para dar una gran moraleja sobre la avaricia. Los otros personajes que también me gustaron fue Smaug, el dragón, y por supuesto el conocidísimo Gollum. Ellos han estado muy bien desarrollados; de hecho, todas las criaturas no humanas en general han estado a la altura, muy bien trabajadas. Gran trabajo de Tolkien en este aspecto.

Un libro que me deja importantes enseñanzas sobre el trabajo en equipo, el compañerismo, la inteligencia, la lealtad, y la necesidad que tenemos de enfrentar nuestros miedos. Nuestra vida también es como una batalla, como una gran aventura que debemos enfrentar, y nosotros elegimos la forma de librarla, ya sea huyendo o luchando por lo que nos corresponde, por nuestros ideales y sueños.

Un libro que me he devorado placenteramente, que me deja contento por el contenido encontrado, y que me motiva a leer con entusiasmo los siguientes libros de esta saga. Un libro muy recomendado, no lo dudo un segundo. Próximo destino, La comunidad del anillo.

3/5

I'm definitely glad I gave this a fourth chance (lol). There's no way this is a 1 star novel like I previously rated it; however, there's no way it's five stars either.

When I started my fourth "re-read," I could immediately tell I was going to enjoy the story more this time than I had previously. The writing grabbed me and I wanted to know where the journey would go... It was all great.

Somewhere in the middle I started getting tired of the whole "journey" thing. The writing never wavered, but I suppose I got bored of reading about their travels. I don't know. I felt as though I wanted more to happen, but not in an adventurous way.

So, am I glad I finally enjoyed this? YES. Am I upset it wasn't a four or five star rating? Not really. I don't think I ever expected to like it that much. Especially since it took me four times to get into it.

Now, it's off to giving the actual series a chance!
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Original Review:
1 Star
Guess I'm going to be one of those few people who hate this book. Oh well. In my defense, I didn't enjoy The Lord of the Ring's either, so I didn't really expect to like this...