This is only a review of the dramatization.
The Hobbit was not an easy book for me to get through and I ended up going back over and over again, relistening to parts of the audiobook that I zoned out on.
Certain writers, certain styles, and certain stories just don't work with my brain. Doesn't make them bad, it just means they are harder for me to pay attention to.
If I'm interested, I'll block out everything else and completely become immersed in whatever it is. If I'm not, my mind wanders off to other things. Whether I'm reading a line or listening to a narrator, the result is the same.



So.
After I finished The Hobbit, I listened to the BBC Audio full cast dramatization to kind of shore up any rough spots and make sure I'd gotten the full gist of the story. And I've had great luck with BBC Radio's other dramatizations in the past.
I highly recommend their Agatha Christie stuff.
In other words, picking BBC was a no-brainer for me.



Unfortunately, I would not recommend this to anyone who has the opportunity to listen to a different dramatization. There were several glaring drawbacks to this one for me.

First, the narrator telling the story pronounced Gollum's name weirdly. Maybe this is just a me thing, but I've heard it pronounced Gō-lum and Gă-lum but never Gō-loom.
1:05:35 <--if you want to google THE HOBBIT - 1937 J.R.R Tolkien - BBC RADIO DRAMA
I'd love to know if I'm the only one that was thrown by this or if this is normal and I'm just an idiot.



The music was AWFUL. I mean, really off-putting.
They had that fantasy flute going in the background of a lot of the scenes. Normally, that's fine. The audiobook I listened to also had flute and drums and whatnot every now and then. But this director took his job to a whole new goddamn level.
Okay, you know that off-key flutes playing My Heart Will Go On in the background of funny videos?
I love those! They make me laugh so hard.
THAT.
I swear to god, that was the flute (and off-key horns) playing in the background.
I was convinced by the end that the production had run out of money and it was one of the voice actor's kids on a recorder or something.



I do love dramatizations but this ain't it, sis.
I'm so glad I didn't pay money for this, and I probably need to write a letter of thanks to my library for taking that bullet for me.

Amazing.

-----------------
The above was my first review of this and really summed things up quite succinctly. Below is actually a review of the first of the trilogy of movies following The Hobbit (kinda).
-----------------



There have been lots of thoughts on this movie already, but I felt I needed to add my two cents, because, well, lots of people are just plain wrong.

Okay, maybe people have good reason to be disappointed with The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, but I wanted to tell you why you shouldn't be.

I think we all had a bit of an inkling that the film version of our beloved book, The Hobbit, wasn't quite going to follow the book precisely when we learned it was going to be two movies. I mean, each of the books in the Lord of the Rings trilogy got one movie and they're all longer than The Hobbit...so logic already started us down this path.

Then we found out it was going to be three movies.

Slight doubt was replaced with actual knowledge. The movie version(s) of The Hobbit was NOT GOING TO FOLLOW THE BOOK exactly.

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So, why are so many people coming out of this movie utterly disappointed the movie didn't follow the book? You already knew this going in! There were no expectations to dash in this regard and if you had any expectations, they should have rightfully been dashed weeks if not months before the viewing of this movie.

The Hobbit delivers with orc-slaying, adventure-having, rock-throwing, breath-taking goodness. What's wrong with that?

Now there are few books I reread, there are just too many to go through once, but The Hobbit is one of the rare books I've read twice. It will always have a special place in my heart and I still loved this movie.

I'm not going to say it was completely devoid of fault. Two things irritated me for a time and they were the handling of the troll scene, which was good in its own right, but COMPLETELY different when it could have been kept the same. The other thing was the use of CGI was a bit (okay really) heavy at times especially for the main big baddie.

If you could only have seen my face as I watched The Hobbit. There was literally a smile ear to ear the entire time. I loved it.

I'm pleading with you, manage your expectations. Think of this as Peter Jackson goes to Middle Earth (with possibly the only goal of staying consistent with his earlier films). You'll be much happier.

--------------------------------
Because I can't help myself, here's yet another review, but from a recent reread ... so it's different OKAY:

Finished this with my twins. I think they loved it, but it might have just been my reflected joy. I loved every second of reading it to them and I think they liked it.

My 4-year-old would come in every now and then and she's the only one I've ever heard of who loves the songs. We sing the kids songs every night and she would request The Hobbit songs (to whichever tune I came up with). She especially loved the spider-taunting songs. Old Tomnoddy!

I absolutely loved this book on my third time through. Still feels like coming home. Still has all the charm and beauty I remember falling in love with.

5 out of 5 stars (Just the best)

I love the feeling of connectedness you get when you've wondered about something for a long time, and finally discover the answer. I had a great example of that yesterday. As I said in my review of The Lord of the Rings, for me Tolkien is all about language. I must have read The Hobbit when I was about 8, and even at that age I was fascinated by his made-up names. They sort of made sense, but not quite.

Then, when I was 21, I learned Swedish, and suddenly there were many things in Middle Earth that came into focus! Of course, the Wargs get their name from the Swedish varg, wolf. And "Beorn" is like björn, bear.

But I never figured out why Bilbo was teasing the spiders in Mirkwood by calling them "attercop". Now I know. It's an archaic English word related to the modern Norwegian word for spider, edderkopp. The Swedish word, spindel, comes from a different root. I've thought about that for over 40 years. See how much fun it is to acquire a new language?
__________________________________

If you want to know what I think of Peter Jackson's three Hobbit movies, look here, here and here.

(Book 610 From 1001 Books) - The Hobbit = There and Back Again, J.R.R. Tolkien

The Hobbit, or There and Back Again is a fantasy novel by English author J. R. R. Tolkien. It was published on 21 September 1937 to wide critical acclaim, being nominated for the Carnegie Medal and awarded a prize from the New York Herald Tribune for best juvenile fiction. The book remains popular and is recognized as a classic in children's literature.

Gandalf tricks Bilbo Baggins into hosting a party for Thorin Oakenshield and his band of dwarves, who sing of reclaiming the Lonely Mountain and its vast treasure from the dragon Smaug.

When the music ends, Gandalf unveils Thrór's map showing a secret door into the Mountain and proposes that the dumbfounded Bilbo serve as the expedition's "burglar".

The dwarves ridicule the idea, but Bilbo, indignant, joins despite himself.

The group travels into the wild, where Gandalf saves the company from trolls and leads them to Rivendell, where Elrond reveals more secrets from the map. When they attempt to cross the Misty Mountains they are caught by goblins and driven deep underground.

Although Gandalf rescues them, Bilbo gets separated from the others as they flee the goblins. Lost in the goblin tunnels, he stumbles across a mysterious ring and then encounters Gollum, who engages him in a game of riddles.

As a reward for solving all riddles Gollum will show him the path out of the tunnels, but if Bilbo fails, his life will be forfeit.

With the help of the ring, which confers invisibility, Bilbo escapes and rejoins the dwarves, improving his reputation with them. The goblins and Wargs give chase, but the company are saved by eagles before resting in the house of Beorn. ...

تاریخ نخستین خوانش: ماه نوامبر سال 2004میلادی

عنوان: هابیت - آنجا و بازگشت دوباره؛ جی.آر.آر تالکین؛ موضوع: ادبیات فانتزی از نویسندگان بریتانیا - سده 20م

مترجمهای هابیت، خانمها و آقایان: (رضا علیزاده؛ نازنین پوریان؛ سپیده حبیبی؛ فرزاد فرید؛ شاهده سعیدی؛ پریا آقاسی بیگ؛ ماه منیر فتحی؛ و ...)؛ هستند

نمیدانم چندبار این «هابیت» را خوانده ام، همیشه تا نام «بیلبو» را میشنوم، پرواز میکنم، لابد شمایان هم فیلمش را دیده اید؛ «هابیت»‌ها گونه‌ ای از موجودات خیالی، در رمان‌های «تالکین» هستند، که در سرزمین میانه و «شایر» زندگی می‌کنند؛ «هابیت‌»ها نخستین بار در کتاب «هابیت تالکین» مطرح شدند؛ شخصیت اصلی این داستان، «بیلبو بگینز»، هابیتی است که ماجراهایی دارد؛ شخصیت اصلی مجموعه ی «ارباب حلقه‌ ها»، «فرودو بگینز» نیز یک «هابیت» است؛ در «کتاب هابیت»، «تالکین»، «هابیت»‌ها را موجوداتی کوچک، توصیف می‌کند، که نصف قد انسانها را دارند، لباس‌هایی به رنگ روشن می‌پوشند، کفش به پا نمی‌کنند (کف پاهایشان به طور طبیعی پوستی همچون چرم دارد) و پاهایشان پوشیده از موهای ضخیم، و مجعد است؛ از نظر اخلاقی، «تالکین»، «هابیت»‌ها را، موجوداتی «خوشرو»، «خوش خوراک»، و به دور از ماجراجویی، توصیف می‌کند

داستان «هابیت» بازگویی کم‌رنگ شدن دنیای موجودات افسانه‌ ای، و زمان حکومت انسان‌هاست؛ داستان درباره ی یک «هابیت» به نام «بیلبو بگینز» است، که او برای گرفتن یافتن، و بازپس گیری گنجی گرانبها، که توسط «اسماگ» اژدها، به غنیمت گرفته شده، به سفر می‌رود؛

سفر «بیلبو»، او را از سرزمین آرام خویش، به جایگاهی شیطانی می‌برد؛ همراهان وی، در آن سفر «گندالف جادوگر»، «تورین سپر بلوط» نوه ی پادشاه پیشین «دورف‌»ها، عموزادگانش، و دیگر «دورف‌»هایی هستند، که برای آزادسازی «تنها کوه»، یا همان «اِرِبور»، شاهزاده‌ ی خودشان را همراهی می‌کنند؛ کوه «اربور» در چنگال «اسماگ» اژدهاست؛ «دورف‌»ها و «بیلبو» برای رسیدن به آنجا، دشواری‌های بسیاری را از سر می‌گذرانند؛

در آن سفر «بیلبو»، در غاری که از آن «گابلین‌»هاست؛ حلقه ای گرانبها که داستان «ارباب حلقه‌ها» درباره ی آن حلقه است را، از «گالوم» میدزدد، و به این ترتیب، چگونگی رسیدن حلقه به دست «بیلبو»، در همین داستان «هابیت» است، که فاش می‌شود؛

گروه همسفر سرانجام پس از پشت سر گذاشتن خانه ی «بئورن» سیاه بیشه، و قلمرو «الف‌های جنگلی»، با بدرقه ی مردمان «شهر دریاچه»، به «اره بور» میرسند، و با یاری «بیلبو» در پنهان را باز میکنند، سپس «هابیت» را، برای یافتن گوهر فرمانروای پیشین خویش (فرمانروا با آن می‌توانست هفت سپاه «کوتوله‌»ها را زیر فرمان خود درآورد) به داخل کوه میفرستند، اما هنگامی که «بیلبو» آن را مییابد گوهر را برای خود برمیدارد، و آن را از «تورین» پنهان میکند؛

اژدها میفهمد که از او دزدی شده، و حدس میزند که دزدها از «شهر دریاچه» آمده‌ اند، او به «شهر دریاچه» یورش میبرد؛ و پس از کشته شدن «اسماگ» به دست «بارد کماندار»، در «شهر دریاچه یا اسکاروث»، بازماندگان از یورش اژدها، به همراه شاه «الف‌های جنگل»، و سپاهشان به سوی «تنها کوه» میروند، تا سهم خود از گنج را از «تورین»، که با کشته شدن «اسماگ»، شاه زیر کوه شده، درخواست کنند؛ با اینکه «تورین اوکن شیلد» پیشتر این وعده را به آنها داده بود، و خواسته ی آنها نیز برحق بود، اما پس از کشته شدن اژدها، او از پرداخت سهم به «بارد - از نوادگان گیریون فرمانروای پیشین دیل»، و به «تراندوئیل شاه الف‌های جنگلی» سر باز میزند؛

اما شبی «بیلبو»، یواشکی از دیوار قلعه پایین میرود، و «آرکنستون یا همان گوهر پادشاه پیشین دورف ها» را به «بارد» میدهد، تا آن گوهر را با سهمشان از طلا با «تورین» معامله کنند، اینکار او برای جلوگیری از جنگ بین «دورف»ها و «الف»هاست؛

روز دیگر، سپاه «الف‌»ها و «انسان‌»ها جلوی دروازه صف میکشند، هنگامی که «بارد» گوهر را به سیزده «دورف» مسلح روی دروازه نشان میدهد، «دورف»ها میاندیشند گوهری قلابی است، ولی «بیلبو» به آنها میگوید، که او گوهر را به آنها داده، و «تورین» دلش می‌خواهد «بیلبو» را از روی دروازه به پایین پرت کند، اما دیگران مانع از انجام آن کار میشوند؛

آنگاه «بارد» برای آخرین بار به «تورین» میگوید که آیا او با آنها معامله میکند یا اعلان جنگ میدهد؟، «تورین» با ناباوری میگوید «من اعلان جنگ میکنم»؛ برای اینکه از پیش یکی از زاغهای «اره بور»، بنام «روآک» را، به تپه‌ های آهنی فرستاده بود، تا «داین - پسر عموی تورین» را خبر کند، و اکنون او با بیش از پانصد تن از «دورف»های تا دندان مسلح، رسیده بودند؛

جنگ «الف‌»ها و انسان در برابر کوتوله‌ها داشت آغاز میشد، تیرهای الف‌ها چندین بار پرتاب میشوند، در همان زمان ابری از لاشخوارهای پرنده که جلوی تابش آفتاب را می‌گرفتند، توجه آنها را جلب میکند، و سپس ارتشی بزرگ از «گابلین‌»ها و «وارگ‌ها - گرگ‌های بزرگ سرزمین میانی» از راه میرسند؛ جنگ بزرگی درمیگرد، که در یک سو «الف‌ها، دورف‌ها و انسان‌»، و در سوی دیگر «گابلین‌»ها و «وارگ‌»ها هستند، و آن جنگ را نبرد پنج سپاه نامیدند؛

یورش «گابلین‌»ها از یکسو برای کشته شدن «گابلین اعظم» آنها به دست «تورین» و یارانش، و از سوی دیگر، برای کشته شدن «اسماگ» و تصاحب گنج عظیم «تنها کوه» بود؛ «گابلین‌»ها به فرماندهی «بولگ» به کوه هجوم میآورند، شمارشان بسیار است، ولی با بیرون جستن «تورین» و یارانش از قلعه، و آمدن عقابهای «مانوه» و «بئورن»، اوضاع باز هم دیگر میشود، و «گابلین‌»ها شکست میخورند؛ بسیاری از آن‌ها فرار، اما در کوهستان‌های مه آلود، و سیاه بیشه، به دام افتاده، و کشته میشوند؛

پیش از آن که عقاب‌ها برسند، «تورین» در حلقه ی محاصره گرفتار شده، و زخم‌های ژرف برمیدارد، «فیلی و کیلی - از گروه سیزده نفر» نیز هنگام دفاع از «تورین» کشته میشوند، خود «تورین» هم پس از اینکه از «بیلبو»، برای رفتار خویش در جلوی دروازه عذرخواهی میکند، درمیگذرد، و به جایش، «داین»، شاه «تنها کوه» میشود،

بدینگونه ماجراجویی «بیلبو بگینز» به پایان میرسد، و باید به خانه باز گردد؛ او به جای سهم یک چهاردهم از گنج بزرگ «دورف‌»ها، تنها دو صندوقچهٔ کوچک با خود به خانه میبرد؛ شصت سال پس از آن روز است، که ماجرای «ارباب حلقه‌ها» آغاز میشود

نقل برگردان شعری از کتاب هابیت تالکی��: (باد در خلنگ زار ِ پژمرده میوزید
اما در جنگل هیچ برگی بر درخت نمیجنبید
شب و روز، سایه آنجا را گرفته بود
و موجودات اهریمنی، خاموش به زیر درختان خزیدند

باد از کوهستان سرد وزیدن گرفت
و همچون موج غرید و غلطید
شاخه ها آه کشیدند و جنگل نالید
و برگ درختان بر روی خاک ریخت

باد از غرب، راه شرق در پیش گرفت
و هر جنبشی در جنگل فرومرد
اما رها شد صدای زوزه اش
خشن و گوشخراش، در سرتاسر مرداب

هیس هیس علفها برخاست، و منگوله هاشان خم شد
جگنها به خش خش درآمدند
بر روی آبگیر پر موج، و زیر آسمان سرد
آنجا که ابرهای پرشتاب، پاره پاره شکافتند

بر تنها کوه برهنه گذر کرد
و برفراز کنام اژدها وزید
آنجا، سیاه و تاریک، افتاده بود، تخته سنگهای بی روح
و دودی به هوا برخاست

جهان را وداع گفت، و به آسمان پرگشود
از فراز دریاهای پهناور شبانه
ماه برفراز تندباد بادبان کشید
و اخگر ستاره ها، در برابر دم آن برافروخت)؛ پایان نقل از ص 190، و 191، کتاب

تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 28/05/1399هجری خورشیدی؛ 07/05/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی

I absolutely loved this. I wish I read this when I was younger. I would have LOVED it and probably would have rated it 5 stars and been super nostalgic about it. Alas, I read it for the first time at 23, but it's definitely still magical!

“In a city, in an English university town, there lived a don. Not a sprawling, grimy slum of a city, full of the stench of neglect and despair, nor yet a soulless prosperous city, fueled by commercial enterprise: it was an Oxford professor's hometown, and that means intellectual satisfaction.”

If this rather feeble skit is instantly recognisable to you, just pause for a moment, to marvel at how much impact the original opening lines of The Hobbit have had. They have been incredibly successful at seeping their way into the general consciousness. In fact it could be said that this simple children's novel is responsible for triggering an entire canon of modern English Fantasy - quite an accomplishment for a quiet professor of Anglo-Saxon.

Without Tolkien's The Hobbit, we would not have such well-formed and specific ideas of elves, dwarves, goblins, wizards, dragons and trolls. Plus, of course, his invented orcs (goblins), hobbits and wargs, and also the wonderful prehistoric era of Middle-earth (a Middle English name) which he invented for our world, would simply not exist. And even this is not the whole of it. Tolkien was responsible not only for our current ideas of many creatures of fantasy, and a whole other world. He created more than a hundred drawings to support the story. In addition he created a new "Elvish" language with an invented script, and also made a few changes to our own. Tolkien felt that "dwarfs", the plural of dwarf (a plural which had formerly been drummed into every English schoolchild of the last century) was not logical. He insisted on using an incorrect form, "dwarves", rather than treating it as an irregular plural. His persistence succeeded. Nowadays it is common to find the plural written Tolkien's way.

For the last few decades one of the highest accolades given to a new fantasy novel has been that it is Tolkien-esque. Scores of novels apparently have born comparison with the master, even more so if they are trilogies, and about a quest. Potential readers routinely used to look in the front "to see if it had a map in it". It could be said that this one novel kick-started, defined and inspired an entire tradition of modern fantasy. Yet it is a simple children's adventure story - isn't it?

J.R.R. Tolkien was not an average children's writer. Nor was he given to writing blockbusters. On the contrary, he was a shy academic, who lived quietly with his wife and four children in North Oxford. He had an impressive record of scholarly achievements, and was a Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford University. He specialised in Old and Middle English, teaching undergraduates. The only indication of Tolkien's story-telling abilities was that he told them bedtime stories, and more unusually, he wrote illustrated letters to them "from Santa Claus" every Christmas. (These were later published in 1976 as "The Father Christmas Letters", along with other early children's books he wrote specifically for his own children.)

Tolkien had long been fascinated by both language and mythology. His first job had been as a lexicographer, in the course of which he helped to draft the Oxford English Dictionary. During this time he began to invent languages based on Finnish and Welsh, which he imagined might have been spoken by elves. He also began writing stories which incorporated this "Elvish" language, inventing a whole new mythology. He called his stories "Lost Tales".

The other part of the jigsaw comes in the form of Tolkien's social life. He became a founding member of a group of Oxford friends who had similar interests. They called themselves, "The Inklings", a name which suggesting writing, and sounded vaguely Anglo-Saxon. "The Inklings" met for conversation and drinks, discussing religion and reading to each other from their works in progress. Tolkien was a devout Catholic, and he felt that mythology had an important role in conveying both moral and spiritual values. Incidentally, C. S. Lewis was another prominent member. He was one of Tolkien's closest friends, and an agnostic at the time. He argued against this idea, dismissing myths and fairy tales. The scene was set.

By Tolkien's own account, he was routinely marking his students' exam papers, his mind possibly wandering elsewhere, and he came across a page of an answer-book which one student had left blank. In a frivolous moment, bored and feeling whimsical, he wrote,

"In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit."

Tolkien then became intrigued by his own daydream of an idea, deciding that he needed to find out what a hobbit was, and what sort of a hole it might live in, and so on. He began to write a story which he told to his younger children, and began to pass around his friends at "The Inklings" gatherings. It eventually found its way to a publishing house, "George Allen and Unwin", and was pronounced as a good read by the Chairman's 10 year old son, who wrote a report about it for his father. It was then published in 1937, was immediately successful, and has been popular ever since.

Not surprisingly, the publishers asked Tolkien if he had anything similar to publish. Tolkien offered them what we now know as "The Silmarillion", but of course this was not at all similar, and the publishers' readers decided that it would not be a commercial success. The publishers therefore declined the material, but asked Tolkien if he could write a sequel. And the rest, as they say, is history, for the "sequel" was the magnificent trilogy, "The Lord of the Rings". The course of the next few years - the development of a mammoth opus inspired by ancient European myths, with its own maps, mythology, languages and lore - was neither easy not straightforward. Tolkien often interrupted the writing of his story to iron out a linguistic problem or an historical inconsistency. However, eventually, "The Lord of the Rings" was published in three parts, "The Fellowship of the Ring" during 1954 and "The Two Towers" and "The Return of the King" in 1955. The story follows on from The Hobbit, including many of the original characters such as Gandalf the Wizard, but also inventing and introducing dozens of new ones, and a new "hero" hobbit, a distant younger cousin (and heir) of Bilbo's, Frodo. Its tone is also very different. Although it is said that Tolkien protested that The Hobbit was not meant to be a children's book, it has the light jokey feel of one, whereas "The Lord of the Rings" is darker throughout.

So what is it exactly in a simple children's story which so captured the public's imagination, leading to the phenomenon we know as "The Lord of the Rings"? First The Hobbit is a story of a quest, one of the most ancient traditional stories in history. It is a story of a journey involving travel, in which the hero returns home with the object of his quest. The theme would have been a well-loved one to Tolkien, who was steeped in Old and Middle English poetry, and in Greek and Norse myth. Shortly before writing The Hobbit he had published a scholarly essay on the Old English epic poem, "Beowulf". In 1925 he had edited the Middle English poem "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight", the Arthurian legend of the Holy Grail. And of course readers of The Hobbit will remember that it is a cup which Bilbo steals from the dragon Smaug's hoard. Bilbo the hobbit's journey is through lands strange to him, and very distant from The Shire, through Mirkwood and the Misty Mountains to the Lonely Mountain. It is a perilous journey, with plenty of suspense and threat. He forms close friendships with the dwarves, and all of them suffer along the way, and risk death in the culminating Battle of the Five Armies on the Lonely Mountain.

Of course such a quest is a test of character and inner strength, and so this one proves to be. Bilbo grows both in courage and - by using his brain - in his personal integrity. We see that for much of the journey, he regrets his decision to join the dwarves, daydreaming about the comforts of his own home,

“It was a hobbit hole, and that means comfort”

He misses his solitary pleasures, such as his traditional breakfast of bacon and eggs, and he misses his pipe full of tobacco. The dramatic adventures they are all having are not at all attractive to him. As he had said to Gandalf earlier,

“We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner!” and,

“We don't want any adventures here! You might try over the Hill or Across the Water.”

In this way the quest is a metaphor for the fulfilment of both Bilbo's personal growth and his destiny. Each episode and encounter allow him different ways of responding; they serve as trials and lessons to him, in his own journey through life. As the story develops, Bilbo learns to use his intelligence, imagination, resourcefulness and courage. He increases in confidence, wisdom and power, developing personal authority. For instance he kills the spiders, and rescues the dwarves from the dungeon of the Elvenking. Later, on his own initiative, he makes the bold and risky decision to take the Arkenstone to Bard, in an attempt to prevent a war over the treasure which the dragon Smaug is holding. The reader of any age likes to identify with the hero, an ordinary character in an extraordinary situation. Bilbo is keen to do good, for instance when he does not kill Gollum, even though he could easily use the advantage of his invisibility, and his sword, to help him.

And it has to be said that the Bilbo of the novels is very childlike, in the way he is viewed, both by the other characters and by the reader. We have an impression of a short, small, young (for a hobbit) only partly developed character. One whose behaviour has many similarities with a child's. At any rate, a child would have no difficulty about empathising with Bilbo, yet at the same time appreciating that he is a funny sort of old-fashioned, eccentric and pompous personage,

“Already he was a very different hobbit from the one that had run out without a pocket-handkerchief from Bag-End long ago. He had not had a pocket-handkerchief for ages.”

Bilbo has a strong sense of right and wrong. He is indignant that the dwarves have had their gold stolen, and saddened that the town of Dale is in ruins. The novel describes many stretches of bleak landscape on the way to the Lonely Mountain; desolate places where nothing can grow. Part of Bilbo's quest is to somehow put this right. His enemies are Smaug and to a lesser extent Gollum, although he sees that Gollum is also to be pitied. Both of them would rather kill than share what they are in possession of. There are echoes throughout The Hobbit of this disapproval of acquisitiveness; a clear message that overconcern for material wealth is corrupting. The Master of Lake-town will not use his wealth to rebuild the town devastated by Smaug, so eventually he loses power to be replaced by the fairer man, Bard, who earlier had killed Smaug. The dwarves seem at their weakest and least clear-thinking when they are greedy for gold. Even Thorin's death could be understood in a sense to be a consequence of him being the most prone to the "dragon-sickness" or in other words, the lust for gold, in starting off the revenge journey in the first place.

By the end of the novel Bilbo has changed, because of what he has experienced and whom he has encountered. As we expect from a children's tale, though, it has not been a truly life-changing experience for him. He has merely discovered a new and individual side to his character, in that he is more like his adventurous Took relatives on his mother's side, than the rather staid Baggins side whom he resembled at the start of the novel,

“The Bagginses had lived in the neighbourhood of The Hill for time out of mind, and people considered them very respectable, not only because most of them were rich, but also because they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected: you could tell what a Baggins would say on any question without the bother of asking him.”

The reader can see that a humorous attitude such as this, from near the beginning of the novel,

“The washing-up was so dismally real that Bilbo was forced to believe the party of the night before had not been part of his bad dreams, as he had rather hoped”

could equally well be held by the Bilbo of the end of the novel.

The Hobbit is an extraordinary creation. Tolkien combined the ancient heroic Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian epics he knew so well, with the middle-class rural England in which he lived. He himself admitted that Bilbo Baggins was based on the rural Englishmen of his own time. To transpose a rural Englishman of the 1930's into an heroic setting, describing the ensuing adventures with gentle comedy and whimsical charm, made for an immediate success. The way it is told is, strangely, even now not particularly dated. Tolkien gives us a lot of information about the lifestyle of hobbits, the ancient history of dwarves and elves, and even about runes. It is clear that the narrator knows everything, knows what will happen in the future of the story. The narrator frequently hints at - or even refers to - other episodes in the story, and what will happen to the characters. But all this information is imparted in an entertaining rather than a boring instructive way. The novel’s playful jocular tone and imagery continues to appeal both to children and adults. Tolkien uses a chatty voice throughout in The Hobbit, sounding as if he is sitting next to you telling you the story personally. For instance when he states Bilbo's greeting,

“I am just about to take tea; pray come and have some with me”

he then goes on to comment on it chattily,

“A little stiff perhaps, but he meant it kindly. And what would you do, if an uninvited dwarf came and hung his things up in your hall without a word of explanation?”

Later on in identifying the wood-elves, he comments that “of course” that is what they are. He talks directly to the reader, using the word “you” in the manner of much earlier novelists. He also treads a very fine line between what might be regarded as “twee” or cosy, and what comes across as merely comic and amusing. The dwarves are clearly figures of fun,

“there was a very old-looking dwarf on the step with a white beard and a scarlet hood; and he too hopped inside as soon as the door was open, just as if he had been invited. “I see they have begun to arrive already,” he said when he caught sight of Dwalin’s green hood hanging up. He hung his red one next to it, and “Balin at your service!” he said with his hand on his breast.”

Yet oddly the reader can believe totally in their strength, loyalty and courage. Not only do elves, dwarves, goblins and trolls differ from one another in their physical and psychological attributes, but Tolkien represents all these different types of fantasy characters as each having an inherent morality. For instance, all the elves are good, and all the goblins are bad. The good fantasy creatures are portrayed as being in harmony with nature, while the evil ones are depicted as being at odds with it. So the eagles decide to side with the elves, who are on the side of nature, and help them to defeat the evil goblins or orcs.

Tolkien reveals many of his own personal attitudes and opinions in The Hobbit, and one example is clearly indicated in Thorin's final words. One might expect an heroic or pompous statement, as Thorin throughout has been depicted as one who has a rather pompous and self-important streak in him. Yet his final words to Bilbo are not heroic or grand. They are wise, but not epic. They are not ancient, but modern. They echo the simplicity of the hobbits' own values,

“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”

J.R.R. Tolkien has never been fully accepted by the English Literary establishment, some of whom have condemned both his books and all the following influenced fiction. But Tolkien remains loved by millions of readers worldwide. His books are global best sellers, and adaptations abound. Fans form Tolkien clubs, learning his fictional languages, and indulging in all thing Tolkienian.

Perhaps it is necessary, as a final word, to say a little about the recent famous adaptation of The Hobbit into a trio of films by the director Peter Jackson. They too are astounding achievements, clearly a loving tribute by a talented admirer of Tolkien's works. Many people may now come to the novel after seeing these films. Out all the adaptations I know, they stand alone. I went to see the first part, for instance, five times in the cinema, despite not usually watching any film there more than once. But ...

All three films are really only loosely based on The Hobbit. Much of the dialogue is there, but also there are many discrepancies. Jackson's humour is not Tolkien's. His vision of the characters - especially the comic dwarves - differs. He takes liberties with the plot, changing both histories and current events. He adds characters. He amplifies both from other parts of Tolkien's works and also from his own imagination. My personal opinion is that the films are excellent, but different. And if you have such a respect for Tolkien's vision that you cannot bear for it to be altered in any way, then you may not enjoy them.

The original novel however, is in a class of its own. It is unique and groundbreaking. And still remains a lot of fun to read.

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.

“I suppose hobbits need some description nowadays, since they have become rare and shy of the Big People, as they call us. They are (or were) a little people, about half our height, and smaller than the bearded dwarves. Hobbit have no beards. There is little or no magic about them, except the ordinary everyday sort which helps them to disappear quickly when large stupid folk like you and me come blundering along, making a noise like elephants which they can hear a mile off. They are inclined to be fat in the stomach; they dress in bright colours (chiefly green and yellow) wear no shoes because their feet grow natural leathery soles and thick warm brown hair like the stuff on their heads (which is curly); have long clever brown fingers, good-natured faces, and laugh deep fruity laughs (especially after dinner, which they have twice a day when they can get it.)”

First read this/heard this in the fifth grade when the teacher read it to the class. It was one of the books that started me on the road to reading. Loved the characterization, the story and the setting. Can't believe what a great book it is. I read it to my kids.

d.

This is where everything begins. We’re introduced to younger wizard Gandalf, Frodo’s uncle Bilbo Baggins who is a talented thief, already crossed his path with Gollum and his preciooouss ring!

A short, fascinating, riveting, magical story and introduction to the hobbit world which shouldn’t be turned into a trilogy on big screen! ( Peter Jackson followed the same way as he did with Lord of the rings series but at least there were three books! In my opinion it was not necessary to watch more movies with so many elaborated scenes even though I enjoyed to hear velvet voice of Cumberbatch as the voice of Dragon Smaug. It was awkward reunion of Sherlock &Watson)

So I’d better reread this journey for celebrating 84th year of its publishing.

The story starts with Bilbo Baggins’ finding himself host a tea party for a party of dwarves ( Gandalf is also a skillful trickster and it would be hard to say no to him. He’s my favorite all time favorite fantasy character after Harry Potter’s Dumbledore) Those dwarves song of reclaiming Lonely Mountain and its treasure from the dragon Smaug. As soon as the song ends Bilbo also finds himself accepting the offer becoming a part of their journey as a thief, and Gandalf maps out a secret door to Lonely Mountain which help them to reach their unique destination.

We follow their heart throbbing adventure from Shire to Misty Mountains,Mirkwood Forest, introduced to wood-elves till they reach to the Lost Kingdom which is located under Lonely Mountain where the dangerous Dragon Smaug resides.

In my opinion this classic is my all time favorite reads which is better than its three movie long adaptations.

Here are my favorite quotes of this book:

“There is nothing like looking, if you want to find something. You certainly usually find something, if you look, but it is not always quite the something you were after.”

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

“Where there's life there's hope.”

“It cannot be seen, cannot be felt,
Cannot be heard, cannot be smelt,
It lies behind stars and under hills,
And empty holes it fills,
It comes first and follows after,
Ends life, kills laughter.”

“This is a story of how a Baggins had an adventure, and found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected.”

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

♾️✨
« 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. »

Maybe one day soon I'll write a proper review of The Hobbit.

In the meantime, I want to say this:
If you are a child, you need to read this for Gollum's riddles.

If you are an adult, you need to read this book to children (if you don't have children, rent borrow some) for at least one opportunity to roleplay Gollum.

Becuz n  GOLLUM ROOOLZ!!!!!n




n  See here, he even won an award!!n
(PS. Since Gollum features so strongly in this review, n  heren is an interesting video on the acting and CGI genius that went into the making of the screen Gollum.)

Of course the most compelling reason to add this to your reading list in haste is that it's coming to the MOOVIEZZZ!! (Update: commentary on the moviez below).

Btw, if you like kickass fighting elves, not to mention pretty kickass she-elves and some sizzling elf/dwarf romance--well, then you might like the second Hobbit movie more than the book... ahem!


Part 3 coming to a cinema house near you soon(-ish). My PRECCIOOOUUSSSSS!
...and soon I'll have a copy of the all the moviez, and they will be me MINE, all mine, just like my precciousss illustrated copies of the novel.

Ha, you didn't think one copy would be enough did you??


If you get around used bookstores a lot, do look out for an illustrated version of the book!








Update: About the 3 films by Peter Jackson: I didn't find the first 2 films very memorable. He seemed to draw it out almost unbearably, and it also felt to me as if he was embellishing the original story a bit.

The whole thing seemed like actiony rubbish, though I personally actually quite enjoyed the swinging, shooting, swordfighting ninja elves and the bit of romance.

But the THIRD film, The Battle of the Five Armies , now -that- was a good one. I almost missed it on the big screen because of the mediocrity of the first two films. But I was glad, oh so glad that I actually did go and see it. The cinematics, acting and editing was all very well done, but it was the screenwriting and directing that really shone.

Here we saw a story of courage and cowardice; of generosity; of greed and avarice; of greatness of soul and of smallness of soul; of love; of selflessness; of brotherhood; of hatred; of humanity; of pain; of sacrifice; of struggle; of moral and spiritual victories; of sadness and loss, but above all, of triumph of the soul.

Yes, The Battle of the Five Armies is certainly something that does Tolkien justice at the very least, and what a joy it was to behold on the big screen. :)

PS. The movies also taught us that dwarves CAN be hot!

We loved Alan Lee's illustrations in this one and also the larger size of the book. This is our favorite edition yet.

5*****