Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Back to the beginning..., 23 Jun 2006
"The Hobbit or There and Back Again" is the first story of Middle-Earth that was ever read by the masses, after a pre. And to this day it remains a beloved favorite due to Tolkien's exceptional writing, realistic and lovable characters, and the fantastic, complicated world with its unlikely hero: a fuzzy-footed hobbit.
Bilbo Baggins lives a pleasantly stodgy and dull life in the Shire, in a luxurious hole under a hill ("It was a hobbit hole, and that means comfort"). But his life is completely turned upside-down by the arrival of the wizard Gandalf and thirteen dwarves. The dwarves, led by the exiled king-in-waiting Thorin Oakenshield, want to regain the Lonely Mountain (and a lot of treasure) from the dragon Smaug, who drove out the dwarves long ago. Why do they want Bilbo? Because Gandalf has told them that he'd make a good burglar (even though Bilbo has never burgled in his life).
So before Bilbo is entirely sure what is going on, he is being swept off on a very unrespectable -- and dangerous -- adventure. Bilbo and the Dwarves battle goblins and spiders, are nearly eaten twice, are captured and Bilbo is forced to riddle with the treacherous, withered Gollum, and ends up escaping with a magical Ring. But even after these obstacles, the dragon Smaug is still in the Lonely Mountain, and Bilbo is not entirely sure what to do to deal with this enemy.
Author J.R.R. Tolkien had been crafting his mythos of Elves, Dwarves, Wizards and Men for years before writing "The Hobbit," but "The Hobbit" is the first story that people had the opportunity to read. It began as a line scrawled on a sheet of blank paper, and then into a bedtime story for his children.
And even though it's overshadowed by "Lord of the Rings" and "Silmarillion," this book is an essential link. It's definitely sillier and lighter, but it provides the springboard for a lot of the stuff in "Lord of the Rings" -- especially the magical Ring that Bilbo finds in Gollum's cavern.
It's definitely not the same as his later works -- Tolkien's Elves are goofier and less dignified, and his dwarves are more unintentionally comical. But Elrond hints at the full majesty of the Elves, and Thorin Oakenshield is still the most dignified, proud and impressively flawed dwarf there is. The last chapters of the book hint at the epic majesty of "Lord of the Rings," and some of the same victory/loss themes. And of course, the idea that even little people -- like a hobbit or a bird -- can change the world.
Tolkien's writing is quick and light, while providing sufficient detail to let you picture what's going on, but also letting his words paint the landscapes, the atmosphre of Mirkwood and Laketown, and the menace of the goblins. The dialogue is less influenced by Old English, and the pace is a lot faster (not surprising, since it was originally read to his kids before bedtime).
Bilbo is a likable little guy -- he seems to be the last person whom you'd expect to be a courageous hero, but he shows incredibly strength and smarts when he's under pressure. Supporting characters like Thorin, Bard the Guardsman-turned-King, the king of the wood-elves, and even Smaug himself are never cookie-cutter -- each is given his own quirks and strengths.
With the "Lord of the Rings" movie trilogy solidly entrenched in pop culture, J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit" is now receiving a well-deserved boost of attention. Rarely has a bedtime story for children become such a beloved story.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A masterpiece of story-telling!, 28 Jan 2001
What do dwarves and elves, wizards, magic rings, glowing swords, bear-men, giant eagles, vicious wolves, evil goblins, a fearsome dragon and a gigantic battle have in common? They are just some of the joys that are contained in the late professor J. R. R. Tolkien's ' The Hobbit'. Originally written for Tolkien's children, the book tells the story of Bilbo Baggins (the Hobbit of the title) and his adventures with Thorin Oakenshield and his band of dwarves in their quest to regain their gold from the dragon, Smaug the Magnificent. With them travels the mysterious but friendly wizard, Gandalf, who becomes a close friend of Bilbo's. This has been a firm favourite of mine since I first read it at the age of 10. From the opening words, "In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit", to the closing pages depicting the change in Bilbo due to his adventures, this book is pure joy. Although obviously written with a younger readership in mind, this in no way detracts from the enjoyment that one receives from this classic. As 'The Times' put it, this book is 'one of the most influential books of our generation'.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A brilliant and most exciting masterpiece, 24 Jan 2001
By A Customer
Tolkien has been able to create the most amazing story that I have ever read. This book was of quality beyond my first expectations, it is a most interesting and well written book and I would advise those who have not read to read it.
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