The Hobbit
by J.R.R. Tolkien
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Book Reviews of The Hobbit
Book Review: The Perfect Children's Book
Summary: 5 Stars
In light of the previous critics words on Tolkien, I have this to share:
To say that "The Hobbit" is flawed is like saying the The Mona Lisa is imperfect. To cite an "omniscient narrator who sweeps in on invisible wings from time to time" is to misunderstand one of the most important narrative styles of all time. To complain about leaving main characters in the dark for too many chapters is to ignore what Tolkien did for suspense in the world of literature. To criticize Tolkien for the descriptive style that, for the most of us, puts him miles above all other fantasy writers, is to be incapable of objectivity. And to find fault with putting the glory in the hands of Bard instead of Bilbo is to fail to grasp the meaning of the tale altogether. And if you think that the struggle between four armies does not begin until the last 100 pages of the book, then you just aren't a very good reader. The battle of four armies starts in chapter one.
Every child I've read it to was completely fascinated by it and seems to have understood its worth above lesser fantasy.
"The Hobbit" is quite possibly the greatest work of fantasy fiction ever written, and the one all comers will continue to be judged by.
Maybe one day there will be another children's story as good as this.
J. Lyon Layden
The Other Side of Yore
Book Review: the hobbit
Summary: 3 Stars
The story starts out with a little hobbit named Bilbo Baggins, who lives at Bag End in a little hole. A knock on the door signals about 13 dwarves, Oin, Gloin, Bombur Bofur, Nori, Ori, Dori, but most importantly, Thorin the king under the Lonely mountains. The dwarves wish for Bilbo to go on a quest to get back the dwarves sacred gold from Smaug, the Dragon. On the way the group encounters goblins, and is trapped by a hungry group of spiders. Bilbo cuts the group free by putting on the ring he found when faced with Gollum, the bad. The ring allows Bilbo to become invisible. Also escaping three very dimwitted trolls by lighting the ends of ripped out trees and shoving the fire at the hungry trolls. On the way the group must pass through the Mirkwood forest, which holds halloucinations, and horrible creatures. The forest is pitch black, and the water can make you instantly fall asleep is drank. Held hostage by Elves, bilbo retrives the keys to the groups cell house, then stuffs them in seprate barrels, allowing them to escape. One night Bilbo talks to Smaug, realizing the only weak spot of the dragon is his left chest. At the end of this incredible story, there is a great war, including eagles, dwarves, elves, and goblins. How the story ends, you must find out but i will tell you Bilbo can now tell great storys, far and wide.Book Review: Sets the Standard for Children's Fantasy Literature
Summary: 5 Stars
The Hobbit, like The Chronicles of Narnia, defines the standard for children's fantasy literature. Bilbo is one of the endearing hobbit-folk who populate Tolkien's imaginative world of Middle Earth. One day he is compelled by the wizard Gandalf to leave his comfortable home and set out with thirteen dwarves on quest whose ramifications he does not fully understand but in which he will play a crucial role as the group faces monstrous orcs, giant spiders, wolves, and worse, until finally Bilbo comes face to face with the dread dragon Smaug. Throughout his adventures, Bilbo's true character emerges and the reader comes to understand that underneath his soft exterior there is a steely center of courage and the will to do what is right.
Tolkien's works have attained classic status through their excellent story quality, deeply coherent story world, and a perceptive eye toward human nature. Christian thinkers especially appreciate that Tolkien's stories, while not allegorical, are firmly rooted in a Christian view of the world.
The Hobbit forms an important prelude to the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, but is written for a younger audience and is a better choice for reading aloud, since its prose is simpler and includes enjoyable repetitive elements in its storytelling style.
Book Review: Tolkien at his best!
Summary: 5 Stars
As the prelude to the Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit or There and Back Again, is a magnificent tale of magic, fantasy, and adventure. I found that I could not set this book down. With each page, I was that much more drawn into the realm of Middle Earth, and I made myself put the book down for a little bit in order to enjoy it.
The characterization in this book is phenomenal. Both the protagonists and antagonists throughout the novel help creat the landscape of the book, as well as set the foundation for Middle Earth. Bilbo Baggins, the hobbit, displays the ideal character in that he is forced into a world of adventure of magic. As an innocent creature unaware of the outside world, Bilbo matures throughout the book, and is a classic example of a character who, by the end of the book, has developed into a great intellectual character. Bilbo continues to display this intellect throughout the Lord of the Rings.
I have experienced many a conflict with other readers who did not enjoy the Hobbit, and I'm not saying that this book is in everyone's favor, but any reader of fantasy, magic, and adventure will love this book. I recommend the Hobbit to every person no matter what age. As a timeless tale of Tolkien, I give this book five stars (although, it probably deserves more).
Book Review: A fascinating look into Tolkien's creative process
Summary: 5 Stars
What a fascinating look into the creative process for "Middle Earth" this book provides! It's the first of Tolkien's works set in that realm, and it introduces characters he later tweaked to suit his needs in writing The Lord of the Rings. The first look at Gollum is a real treat, and so is the overall setup for the universe of the later trilogy. Dwarves, elves, trolls, goblins and hobbits...oh, my!
Compared to the complex "Rings" books, this one tells a simple and straightforward tale. Its violence and general scariness level is about the same as most traditional fairy tales, making it suitable for most children although decidedly unsuitable for kids who get nightmares easily (I was one of those myself - "Hansel and Gretel" absolutely freaked me out). Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who lives contentedly in a very comfortable hobbit hole, welcomes first a wizard named Gandalf and then a band of noisy, hungry, demanding dwarves into his home. Before he knows it, he's been swept up in their quest to reclaim an ancestral treasure - a quest that takes him far away, on a journey from which he may never return.
My well-meaning friend who suggested giving this book a miss, "Because it's just for children," apparently has far different tastes than I do. What fun!