the hobbit book review essay

A Summary and Analysis of J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

The Hobbit is one of the biggest-selling books of all time. An estimated 100 million people have read Tolkien’s classic children’s novel since it was first published in 1937. The story of its origins, and Tolkien’s supposed invention of the word ‘hobbit’ (of which more below), are well-known. But how should we ‘read’ The Hobbit ? What does the story mean?

Before we offer a textual analysis of Tolkien’s novel, it might be worth briefly summarising the plot.

The Hobbit : plot summary

Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit (a species of small creature which Tolkien invented) who lives in Bag End, in the rural loveliness of The Shire. The wizard Gandalf turns up one day, accompanied by thirteen dwarves, who are on a mission to reclaim their gold, as well as their kingdom, from beneath the Lonely Mountain. This land, which was once theirs, has been taken over by a fearsome dragon named Smaug.

Bilbo has been approached because they need a burglar: someone to break into Smaug’s cave so they can go in and defeat the dragon and recover their gold. Bilbo reluctantly agrees to accompany them. However, the leader of the dwarves, Thorin Oakenshield, is even more reluctantly than Bilbo to have the hobbit come along with them, because Bilbo is not a fighter as the dwarves are. However, the others persuade him, and they all set off together.

They travel to Rivendell, the home of the Elves, where Elrond gives them help with their map. But the gang are then caught by goblins while attempting to cross the Misty Mountains, and Gandalf has to rescue them. Bilbo, however, gets lost deep in the underground tunnels, and encounters Gollum, a mysterious creature whose magic ring Bilbo accidentally acquires.

The ring confers invisibility upon whoever wears it, and – to escape Gollum, having played a game of riddles with him – Bilbo uses the ring and finds his way out of the tunnels. He rejoins the dwarves and they once again have to flee the pursuing goblins. They are assisted by eagles and find their way safely to the house of Beorn, who can transform into a fearsome bear.

In the enchanted forest of Mirkwood, Bilbo uses his sword, Sting, to fight off giant spiders which attack them and ensnare the dwarves in webs. Nearing their destination, the gang are helped by the inhabitants of nearby Laketown, who want Smaug defeated as much as they do. Entering the mountain via a secret door, Bilbo finds Smaug’s lair and identifies a weakness in the dragon’s armour.

When Smaug notices him, he flies into a rage, realising that Laketown has helped Bilbo to find his cave; the dragon flies off to burn Laketown to the ground. Thanks to a thrush overhearing Bilbo’s account of Smaug’s weakness, and then flying to the town to tell them, a man named Bard is able to find Smaug’s weak spot and shoot and kill the dragon with an arrow, halting the destruction.

The dwarves are now able to regain their mountain, and Bilbo finds the Arkenstone, a stone precious to Thorin’s family. But he hides it rather than handing it over to Thorin. When the men of Laketown demand a cut of Smaug’s treasure to help repair their town, Thorin refuses, drawing on the surrounding armies of dwarves to defend his position.

Bilbo attempts to intercede, using the Arkenstone to bribe the Laketowners, but when Thorin finds out he sends Bilbo away, angered at having been betrayed by the hobbit.

With the help of the eagles and Beorn, the dwarves win the Battle of Five Armies. However, in the battle Thorin is mortally wounded. Before he dies, he forgives Bilbo. Bilbo returns home to his hobbit-hole, with a small cut of the treasure.

The Hobbit : analysis

We should, according to Tolkien, resist the urge to analyse The Hobbit as an allegory of any kind. Tolkien disliked allegory, and for this reason he wasn’t keen on his friend C. S. Lewis’s Narnia books (although Lewis denied that these were allegory, too).

In his preface to the second edition of the vast sequel to The Hobbit , The Lord of the Rings , Tolkien wrote that many people confuse ‘applicability’ with ‘allegory’, and this distinction is worth pondering. ‘Applicability’, to use Tolkien’s phrase, gives the reader freedom in how they interpret and analyse the story, whereas ‘allegory’ involves a very top-down ‘you should read X here as representing Y’ instruction from the author.

So if we read one of the most famous allegories in twentieth-century literature, George Orwell’s Animal Farm (which appeared just eight years after The Hobbit : we have analysed Orwell’s book here ), as simply a tale about animals and their relationships with their human masters, we are missing something vital from the story.

With The Hobbit , we may detect possible meanings beneath the leafy Shire, the dragon guarding his gold, the novel’s quest motif, and many other details, but Tolkien refuses to prescribe one meaning that we’re meant to follow.

So it was with the great Anglo-Saxon and Middle-English epics which he admired and wrote about as part of his day job as Professor of Anglo-Saxon at the University of Oxford. Grendel and the dragon in Beowulf may mean any number of things: their meaning is in the eye, and mind’s eye, of the reader or listener.

Of course, it helps with old epic poems like Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight that the identity of the author remains unknown to us, so even if they were intended as allegory, we have lost the ‘key’ that supposedly unlocks them.

But even though we know The Hobbit was written by someone who had first-hand experience of war (like many men of his generation, Tolkien had fought in the First World War) as the inevitability of another war was growing even more urgent, we should refuse to draw any clear line between real-world events and the work of imaginative fantasy which Tolkien wrote.

So, if not as allegory, how should we interpret this quest tale for a modern readership, which is clearly indebted to Germanic and Norse myths of the Middle and ‘Dark’ Ages? On a structural level we can be more confident. In his vast and brilliant study of plot structures, The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories , Christopher Booker gives us two pointers which we might apply to The Hobbit : Tolkien’s tale is an example of both the ‘quest’ story and the ‘voyage and return’ narrative.

Indeed, Tolkien’s subtitle for The Hobbit , There and Back Again , even spells this out for us. Bilbo is the reluctant hero who must leave home – as in countless fairy tales – and go out on an adventure which will make him a wiser (and certainly richer) person.

In this connection, it’s worth stopping to analyse both the similarities between The Hobbit and many earlier folk tales and myths and the crucial ways in which Tolkien departs from these tropes and conventions. Vladimir Propp, in his influential work on the ‘ morphology of the folk tale ’, identified a number of plot details and character types which we find in various European fairy stories: a hero has to leave home, a hero is challenged to prove his heroic qualities, a hero is tricked by the villain, and so on; ending, of course, with the hero returning home and order being restored to the world.

Identifying many of Propp’s features in Tolkien’s novel helps to explain (or partly explain at least) why The Hobbit has become such a favourite novel among both young and old readers alike. There is something primal and mythic about its plot elements, as well as its local detail (dragons, treasure, giant eight-legged foes, shape-shifting bears, and the rest of it). Tolkien taps into the need for fireside tales told by travelling mythmongers and local bards which seems hard-wired into our brains.

With The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion it’s clear that Tolkien set out to create a full-blown mythology for England, drawing on its Germanic and Norse heritage, complete with fully developed languages like Elvish (Tolkien’s speciality was philology, or the study of languages). But with The Hobbit he was doing something less ambitious but no less mythic: creating a sort of modern-day fairy story.

And it is those elements of The Hobbit which depart from the traditional folk tale that make the novel something recognisably modern. The hero is not some wet-behind-the-ears youngster who needs to go out and find his way in the world: he is a middle-aged and perfectly settled creature of habit who has his life all sorted and only agrees to leave his comfortable hobbit-hole with the greatest reluctance.

He is not tricked by the villain but turns out to be the arch-trickster himself, outwitting Gollum and winning, for his efforts, the fated magic ring (another well-worn idea even when Tolkien used it: see the Ring of Gyges ) that would become the centrepiece of The Lord of the Rings .

And, of course, Bilbo is knocked unconscious soon after the climactic Battle of the Five Armies begins. Here, perhaps, we might be permitted a smidgen of biographical analysis: Tolkien, having fought in and survived a mass industrial war which afforded little opportunity for old-fashioned heroism, seems to be commenting on the unheroic nature of war and adventure. You’re more likely to be the fellow zonked out on the ground during the battle than you are the warrior wielding the sword and winning the day.

Indeed, even the story’s other main hero, Thorin, doesn’t survive the battle. The Hobbit offers a very cautious and critical account of war, with the costs often outweighing any perceived benefits.

However, this is not to say that Bilbo fails as a ‘hero’: merely that Tolkien is at pains to highlight a quieter, more diplomatic kind of hero whose work goes on behind the scenes (Bilbo’s role as burglar scouting out Smaug’s lair). He tries to prevent the final battle by bargaining with the Laketown residents and Wood-Elves. Thorin is enraged by this, but he ends up paying an even higher price than his family’s precious Arkenstone, giving his own life in the course of the battle.

Contrary to popular belief, the word ‘hobbit’ did exist before The Hobbit . The famous story is that Tolkien, while marking some of his students’ exam papers in Oxford one day, came to a blank sheet which had not a single word written on it. Out of nowhere – or so it seemed – he had a flash of inspiration, and hastily scribbled down the sentence, ‘In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.’

For all that Tolkien’s origin-story offers a delightful ‘Eureka’ moment for the novel’s (and word’s) conception, it should be taken with a pinch of salt. And ultimately, the strength of Tolkien’s novel lies not in its originality but in its superlative assembling of existing tropes and ideas into a story that offers a quiet commentary on the meaning of ‘heroism’ in the modern age.

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Literary Review of The Book 'The Hobbit': Personal Views and Recommendations

Categories: Book Report Book Review The Hobbit

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Words: 691 |

Published: Aug 30, 2022

Words: 691 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

Works Cited

Carpenter, H. (2002). J.R.R. Tolkien: A biography. HarperCollins.
Chance, J. (2004). Tolkien's art: A mythology for England. University Press of Kentucky.
Day, D. (2017). Tolkien: A dictionary. Skyhorse Publishing.
Flieger, V. (2014). Splintered light: Logos and language in Tolkien's world. Kent State University Press.
Fonstad, K. W. (1991). The atlas of Middle-Earth. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Foster, R. (2012). The complete guide to Middle-Earth: From The Hobbit to The Silmarillion. HarperCollins.
Shippey, T. A. (2005). The road to Middle-Earth: How J.R.R. Tolkien created a new mythology. HarperCollins.
Tolkien, J. R. R. (1937). The Hobbit. George Allen and Unwin.
Tolkien, J. R. R. (1954). The fellowship of the ring. George Allen and Unwin.
Tolkien, J. R. R. (1955). The return of the king. George Allen and Unwin.

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The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien

J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit is one of the best known and best loved fantasy books. First published by George Allen & Unwin in 1937, The Hobbit has been translated into over 50 different languages and sold well over 100 million copies.

The Hobbit was written by Professor Tolkien for the reading pleasure of his own children, of whom Christopher became the editor of Tolkien's posthumous work such as The Silmarillion and The Book of Lost Tales.

This is a far more light-hearted tale than the Lord of the Rings and introduces to the world the unforgettable Bilbo, Gandalf and Gollum. The Hobbit is a book that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike and authors from J.K. Rowling to David Gemmell class it as an inspiration upon their own work.

A book full of adventure, heroism, song and laughter, featuring landscapes that are quintessentially English - the Shire the Hobbits inhabit could easily be an England of yesteryear. But soon the Shire is left behind and Bilbo, our reluctant hero, encounters Dwarves, Elves, Goblins, Eagles and Wizards as the party passes through Rivendell, The Misty Mountains and Mirkwood on their way to the Lonely Mountain, in order to take back treasure stolen by the great dragon Smaug.

One of the most appealing aspects of The Hobbit is that we can all find our inner-Hobbit; the part of us that wants nothing by an easy and comfortable life. But there is still something inside all of us that perks up at the thought of adventure and a journey into the unknown and I think this is why The Hobbit is such a firm favourite and fondly remembered by all who read it.

I would suggest reading the illustrated version if you have the choice, the artwork by Alan Lee* is so good that it manages to improve a story that is already fabulous.

The Hobbit is quite simply a must read, a real delight.

* Alan Lee is an English artist, he has studied Celtic and Norse myths and remains fascinated by mythology. He was inspired by The Lord of the Rings and as well as providing the artwork for the Hobbit he also illustrated the centenary edition of The Lord of the Rings.

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Review by Floresiensis

137 positive reader review(s) for The Hobbit

JRR Tolkien biography

Nat from United States

Short chapters and wonderful characters make The Hobbit a real page-turner. It is by turns funny and scary.

Anita from India

This book is awsome!!!

Krste from Croatia

While it lacks the sheer epicness of Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit is definitely a much easier and better paced read. Not only is it a perfect intro to Middle Earth, but its also a great and thrilling story itself and one of my personal favourites.

The Gladiator from Aherad

This book really grabbed my attention and it conveys the message perfectly! I'll never forget first reading this book, only bested by Chris Colfer.

Undisclosed from US

This was such a good book! I'm an eleven-year-old from America and I read it shortly after watching the movie. Definitely good for people who like fantasy.

Jacob from US

Amazing book, hands down the best one I've ever read in my 18 years of life. Excited to read the Lord of the Rings next.

Emma Grantham from England

This book is amazing. I don’t like reading and I read every single page and every single word all the way to the end.

Eoin from England

This book is fantastic🖕🏿🖕🏾🖕🏽🖕🏼🖕🏻🖕

Evie from England

I am young and will not say my age as anyway this is gooooooooooooooood the best

Georgia from Ireland

It is a very good book. There are very good characters and it's a brilliant story. I am nine years old and I have read many books including the hobbit. It is by far one of my favourite books.

Victor from Italy

One of the greatest books ever written.

Suzie from New Zealand

At first this book was dull and boring but it took me some time to appreciate The Hobbit. Once they reach Smaug things start to get a lot more interesting. I do not regret reading this book at all! Just try to hang in there at the first bits.

Mayank from India

Best book I have ever read !!!!!!

Joppe from Belgium

The Hobbit is a great book in the marvellous world of Tolkien's best-recieved trilogy, it tends, however, to be a slow read due to the language used. Professor Tolkien has a passion for languages, real or not, and this tends to be shown in his work. This is however a minor flaw, as well as an advantage: sometimes passages feel too stretched while others are a masterful wordplay.

Chodra from Bhutan

This book was really interesting and fascinating. I must say this is the best book that we have in our Earth or world. Thank you.

Andrei from Sapin

Bob from Bobland Place of Bobness

Love it. Read it more than once.

Misty from America

It's a GREAT book I thought it was boring at first but turns out it's awesome!!!

Belle from America

To read this book, you'll need patience and time, and if you have patience and time, it is a waste of both not to read this book. It is worth it beyond measure.

Saujan from Nepal

The book is good and interesting to read. Though some lines are difficult to understand but it is interesting.

Marinette from France

All in all, it was a good book. I read in my literature class once and I loved it! And to all the haters who gave it one star, PUT DOWN YOU STUPID PHONES.

J from Bermuda Triangle

Really good book. I recommend it to people who love the Harry Potter and Eragon books. Beautifully written with little to no confusing words. I read this book in the 7th grade like some of you.

Mikolaj from Poland

Simply amazing!

Alan from UK

It is a great story - a fantastic example of great English literature, even though I was made to read this book. I don't really understand why people would dislike it - or more, hate it. Maybe it is just me. Honestly, I have to admit that at times, it may get boring, but if you have the guts to finish it, you will, without doubt, enjoy it.

Jonah from Canada

Very good. Much wow.

Kate from USA

I loved the book but it is a little slow in some parts.

Gavin from North Carolina

I don't understand all these sad little 12 year olds, I read the book when I was ten and I loved it.

Jimjoe from UK

I notice there are a lot of one star reviews here from people who were made to read this at school. Personally I am a fan of The Hobbit and Tolkien, however I would never choose it as a book to study with a class. At a young age I was behind my peers when it came literacy, reading and writing as little as I could get away with. One day I picked up The Hobbit from the reading corner, the teacher quietly asked me if I was sure about my choice, as it was two bands above my recommended level (the books had a colour system to give an indication of reading difficulty) she seemed pleased enough when I said yes. The book had appealed to me for a while, I had heard a friend talk of it and had read the blurb on the back, however at that young age the size of the book and the grey sticker on its side were daunting. That night I took it home and spent what seemed like hours reading, many paragraphs I read twice trying to process the information (all those dwarfs with similar names.. which ones where related.. all those Hobbit surnames). Those early chapters were hard going and my bookmark showed I’d hardly made a dent in the story. Something happened when the company left the shire, suddenly the pace of my reading quickened, I wasn’t worrying trying to understand who was who or what was happening, I could immediately visualise the landscapes that were being described to me, was gripped by each new character that was introduced. It took me ages to finish that book and when I did I was buzzing.. then I realised I wanted more. The following autumn I picked up The Lord of The Rings, pleased to see it was even longer and even more pleased when I started reading and quickly decided that this was going to be even better than The Hobbit. This book was the first to capture me emotionally, taking me from reluctant reader to avid consumer of fiction. (However I would never choose this as a book to study with a class. It’s not going to appeal to all and forcing young readers to slug through something that for a children’s book is pretty long and slightly niche is likely to have the opposite effect to the one it had on me) I realise that this has to a certain extent been an anecdote more than a review, so.. I thought this was a brilliant book, deserving of it’s place as the godfather of modern fantasy. My advice to anyone who isn’t immediately hooked or immediately put off (particularly those who tend to enjoy fantasy and adventure) is stick with it till the journey really gets going, then make a decision.

Emmy from U.S.

"The Hobbit" was a brilliant written book with a great sense of adventure. The book made me realize that I am too a very home person (as Bilbo at first is) but, I know inside me I want a little adventure. I love the way Tolkien had made the English language. The English really made an impact on the vibe of "The Hobbit". I was given this assignment for a summer reading project but, even without the assignment I would have read the book anyway because, it was just calling my name!!!

Palwasha Atif from Pakistan

This book is so good. I love this book because it has many things in this. I love all of them except why would you think I hate this one dragon Smaug so I recommend this book to read it. Thank you.

Gaurav from India

I have watched the movie and also read the book. It is a great trilogy written by J. R. R. Tolkien. It is an adventurous book, filled with stories about the dwarves, elves, orcs and the history of Middle Earth.

Priyam from India

In this book we get to know that it is only under uncomfortable situations we develop to become the best. As our protagonist, the hobbit Bilbo Baggins finds himself in an unexpected adventure, we see his growth as he makes his way out of many tough situations thrown at him with his intellect and courage, which he thought didn't have in him. The book has many great characters, especially Gandalf and Gollum and many others, a lot of funny situations and a great story, the best u can get out of this genre. So overall a great book and a must read.

Annie from USA

This is one of my favorite books of all time. I have read it several times, and it never gets old! A classic, must-read for all ages. Even younger kids can enjoy it when it is read aloud to them! The story is captivating and set the foundation for many other amazing stories, and the character development is superior. Tolkien is one of the greatest word smiths of all time. Most of the people who gave it one star are in middle school reading it because they have to. But I am in sixth grade and can enjoy this book outside of school! I know from experience that over analyzing a book at school can kind of ruin it for you, so I would recommend reading it outside of school so you can appreciate it and read at your own pace and not have to do work on it. In short, this book is a masterpiece.

Yeet boi from Yeet land

Really good book, enjoyed it a lot.

Dadddi from Antartica

This books explores so much of the english language and history as it incorporates Anglo-Saxon style epics with medieval ideologies all while representing middle-class English. WIth great representation of identity and love of home. <3 dadddi

Pranav from India

It is a very nice and adventurous book.

Mia from US

It's sooooooooooooooo gooooood.

Carter from Minnesota

In my opinion this book report is very good. The reason I say this is because It doesn’t just say a summary or just say the summary and the theme. I tells you a lot more stuff such as life lessons, Questions that we might ask, and the answers to those questions. The summary is for the whole story and has lots of imagery and details. The theme tells us specifically that we all have an “inner hobbit” which means don’t be scared of something just because you were scared last time. If you want to go on an adventure or do something that your scared of but on the inside you want to do it, Listen to your inside. The question that stuck out to me the most was “what is a hobbit”. Nobody has truly seen a “hobbit” but nowadays we refer to short or small people as hobbits. I hope you like my “Book Review Review”.

Bronadh from Ireland

This is the BEST book I have EVER read it's AMAZING ❤ I love it

Stan from York

This is a very good book, from what I’ve noticed reading the reviews most of the people that rated it low are saying that because they had to read it at school and had to do loads of tests on it now I’m just saying but maybe if these people tried to read it again then they would enjoy it more. I’m 13 and have read it 2 times and the LOTR series once.

Euan from England

The more I read the more I love it, such a good book👍

FireKitten from Kitten Landia

I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH EVEN THOUGH IT TAKES A WHILE TO GET IN ACTION IT IS WELL PLACED AND IS A GREAT INTRO TO LORD OF THE RINGS.

Bob from Bob land

Very interesting and easy to follow. Definitely recommend this book to all ages

Shankar from India

It is an amazing book. The language is pretty good and the storyline is amazing though it can be slow-paced at times.

Carol from California

It's a wonderful read. The pages literally turn themselves! A must-read book.

Me from Somewhere

It was a very interesting book. Very slow at first but once you got into the book it was was hard to put down. It was a “Tolkien” of excellence... sorry bad pun.

Kristian from Denmark

A great introduction to the Lord of the Rings universe. It's well written and super exciting.

Charlotte from United Kingdom

I love this book, it has so much excitement and imagination and it was hard to put the book down!

Nathan from Australia

Amazing book. Never forgot the storyline because I read it too much!!

Anson from Hong Kong

This book was totally AWESOME. It’s plot is pretty nice and the story flows. How could people not like this? Bilbo Baggins was an amazing character and he ROCKS!!! A few months ago, I had a hard time finding a classical book to read, so I asked my parents and my friends what I should read. A few of them told me to read Harry Potter, but I got tired of those books. Others told me to check out the Hunger Games series, but I thought it was meaningless. The remaining few told me to take a look at Tolkien’s work, so I checked out The Hobbit. I spent 2 hours reading it and it was awesome. Best book ever.

Jasmine from USA

LOVED the book. My classmates had a hard time understanding and so did I.

Allen from Philippines

I watched the movie of this and I think the book was okay, but it was so simple and straight forwards! There were no deeper meanings and it didn't make you think, excluding the part of the riddles. But I would expect this book to have made a bunch of metaphors and stuff like in the movie. I like LOTR better than this so far. After Bilbo left Gollum, it got really really boring. (But I'm imagining the movie part while I reading the book because it's awesome while imagining it).

Izzy from England

AMAZING BOOK LOVE IT SO MUCH BETTER THEN THE FILMS!!!!!!

Evelyn from USA

I liked this book ok, but it was really hard to read, and almost impossible to fully understand what was going on without having to re-reading the chapter.

Max from Aus

I am 11yo and have already read this book 7 times. I have also read the whole of the Lord of the Rings twice and the Silmarillion once and loved them all. The Hobbit is my favorite book in the whole world.

El from Australia

Great, went bit slow sometimes but when it got into the exciting books I couldn't stop reading!!

Emily from USA

If I could rate it an eleven out of ten, I would. A beautifully written book. It makes me want to live there!

Juliet from England

I am a twelve year old reading the book for homework given to me by school. I am currentley on the fourth chapter of the book and I can't stop reading it! Each chapter is beautifully written and the storyline is amazing! This is a book that when you get to the end you will remember all the characters and the story and it will leave you wanting more! I highley recommend this book to anyone willing for an exciting adventure with some of Tolkien's best work!

Jonah from South Africa

It was an awesome book to read. I watched the movie first and I prefer the book over the movie! It's also full of adventure and one of the best books I've read.

Someone from The Netherlands

I'm a fourteen year old learning English as a second language. I had to pick and read a book for my English class. Our teacher said that we had to pick something not too hard, like The Hobbit or Lord of the Rings. As you might guess I didn't really listen to her and decided to prove her wrong with reading The Hobbit. I really enjoyed the story and the use of words didn't really bother me at all. This book totally deserves a 10 out of 10. (Sorry for bad grammar)

Trenton from America

Really inspiring book.

Anon from UK

This book was truly amazing. The first chapter was a little hard to understand, but once I got going I was hooked. The classic writing style was kind of hard to comprehend for me at some points. But overall, great story, great characters, and great details. *Please note that I am only in the fifth grade

Angel from Australia

It's a really good book with so much detail and mystery! We have to read it for a school assignment and all of my friends say it is dull and confusing. Personally i don't agree. Love it!

Anisio from long Island

THE BOOK IS WAY BETTER THAN ANY OTHER!!!

Taylor from Australia

It is a great book.

Alex from America

You can tell that a linguistic professor wrote it.

Amber from Australia

I believe that this is a very well written and inspiring novel. I am in 8th grade and are reading it as the class novel. While it can be a slow read at times it is overall a brilliant read. just as a side note, I don't understand why people giving this a 1/10 are even here, like if you hate the book so much and are to dumb to even slightly understand the quite simple storyline, then why waste more time leaving a review??? just saying XD

Jeff from England

A brilliant book.

Steve from America

I'm by no means a literary critic or an avid reader, but it is quite a good book, very mystical and exciting, though it can be boring at times, although this is the case with any book. If you're looking for a good classic then this would be a good book to pick up.

Seth from Canada

MnM from UK

This book is amazing!!!!!! Love it!!!!!! :)

Paul from Australia

Lol the only people that didn't like the book were because they were in year 7 or something. I'm still pretty young, and I'll admit the vocabulary, etc. is a bit old-fashioned and hard to understand, but otherwise 10/10. The movies are great too.

Car from Hong Kong

Those who rated 1 is total **** who knows nothing of literature.

Rob from Round the roundabout

Great book and all but a little confusing at times as well.

Ashley from North America

This book is a great introduction (and standalone) for anyone interested in reading the Lord of the Rings! I've seen a lot of complaints about the book being too "complicated," but I had this book read aloud to me at 8 years of age and I understood it just fine. This book is narrated beautifully with dark and light themes of heroism and with characters that you don't easily forget. Tolkien is a magnificent writer and this is a book that you don't want to pass up.

It is a good book.

Jackson from United States

A Fantastic Journey Through Middle Earth. Are you craving an extremely immersive book that you just can’t stop reading? The Hobbit is one of the few books that has ever done this to me, being the beginning of a series of books that is probably my favorite of all time. The Hobbit is a fictional fantasy book appropriate for 10+ ages. The Hobbit follows the story of Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit, who is on a journey to steal back the magnificent treasures of the dragon Smaug. The book managed to cover many things that I wanted to see whilst reading. I was immersed in the world, the characters, and the storyline. The plot never failed me. I always felt like I was in a productive part of the book, rather than a slow, unimaginative, and boring section. It is fun to read, and the series of books that it continues into, the Lord of the Rings, is an addition to it all, and provides nothing but more content to explore. The Hobbit has the power to draw in any reader, and keep them for the entire ride. It has an amazing story, colorful characters, and an unforgettable adventure. The only problem was that it didn’t last very long, I just couldn’t stop reading!

allaboutBooks from United States

Loved this book! Have been a fan of Lord of the Rings and Tolkien since I was four years old. The author never lets down. It's an intriguing story as well as fun read; a great prelude to a great trilogy. If you liked this book like I did, you'll probably like the book Some Must Fall. There's a cool website at: thecomingcrown.com

Jet from United States

This is an amazing book full of adventure and even thrilling at times, I have read it multiple times and always have enjoyed it. If you like a book about adventure then i highly recommend this one.

Tanya from India

Its an amazing book. I think everyone should read it.

Alex from Williams

One of my first books that I read (and some of you can relate yes?). The story is fairly linear, and no real character progression. Black and white stuff here. But saying that, it still has that great fantasy feel. Strongly believe its best to read this at a younger age and might seem to simple for an adult reader.

Micah from Illinois

#greatest book ever# blessed

Bilbo Baggins from The Shire

Very good. But harder to read then your average Harry Potter book.

Tommy from W.V.

I love it!!!

Barin from India

It is the one of the best books I ever read. It is quite a simple language and is easy to read.

Agrima from Nepal

Liked it very much. Great work J R R Tolkien.

Luna from Denmark

Bilbo Baggins became my - and I am sure many other readers - favourite fantasy character of all time. The Hobbit has everything a fantasy lover could want: hobbits, dwarves, trolls, goblins, wargs, giant eagles, wizards, shape-shifters, elves, giant-spiders and of course, a dragon. Add to this a mythology that feels authentic and a love that shines out in all the locations and characters and you have a masterpiece of children's literature, Read it to your kids. Read it your yourself.

P****t from Canada

In class we're reading this, and nobody thought it would be good, because the majority of the class only ever read either books about romance (the girls), comics or celebrity magazines. Whenever we read short stories in English class, we would be sooo bored, but this book was actually good (well so far it's good; we haven't finished it yet). It also helped, that we didn't read it all in a couple of days, we spent time with each chapter, really taking the time to understand it, and that helped the class to fall in love with the book. I never thought I would be searching up this book and now actually writing a review for it, especially since I was one of the people who wanted to read The Hobbit the least, but here I am. I really like this book. I'm a teen in grade 9 right now, and this book really isn't bad, you just have to take time to really understand it and eventually (or hopefully) you'll start liking it too!

BANTERMAN from Over the hill and round the bend

I read this book a few years ago and loved it. I own the Xbox game and the box set of movies. By the end of the book you really start to "feel" for all the main characters. I also love the LOTR trilogy.

Dhisana from India

Hobbit!!!!! It's so great!! Even if it's a classic it's very interesting to read! And Bilbo will always remain close to my heart! Great work JRR Tolkien.!!

Fili and Kili of the dead from Dwarf Heaven

I found it amazing. I read it while in my last year of primary school and found it amazing. It was interesting to say the least. But all in all, I loved it in every way. I can't wait until I read the Lord Of The Rings series.

Daniel from Australia

This is a brilliant book. I first read it when I was 11 and I love it. I am doing it for a project right now because of how good it is. A brilliant modern classic recommended to all.

Me from Here

This is a really good book, the language too is pretty good. I did this for my drama exam and there are a lot of good excerpts and there is good scope for improvement... if you can imitate Gollum's voice its even better. :)

Ian Phares from US

THE BEST BOOK EVER!!!

Tracy from England

I love this book immensely!!!

Kaylee from New Zealand

The book is amazing! It's such an interesting read and seeing what Peter Jackson has done with the book is interesting. I would totally suggest this book to other readers if they haven't read it already.

Petwa from Murica

Well Julia you should go back to reading Twilight!

Himika from India

A fitting prequel to Tolkien's epic!! I liked LOTR better but The Hobbit is also a wonderful book!! Bilbo is simply adorable! The only thing I did not like was the lack of females (which is why I am giving it a 9), but that does not reduce the book's charm. While LOTR is a more dark novel, The Hobbit captures every young readers' imagination. I read the book when I was thirteen, and two years later my heart still lingers in the green fields of the Shire, the dark forest of Mirkwood and the steep slopes of the lonely mountain. A definite masterpiece!

Bilbo from The Shire

I love this book, it is literally my life and Frodo's in a little trilogy.

Jasmine from Slovenia

The only reason that I have given it a one, is because there are no zeros or N/A options and I have not actually read the book yet. I plan to check it out of the library tomorrow, because I feel as if I owe it to a good friend of mine to read at least one of his favorite books, because he's read two of my favorites already. Truthfully, I haven't had a lot of exposure to the fantasy genre, being more of a realistic fiction person, but I suppose that there's a first time for everything:) Thanks for letting on-the-fence readers such as myself your opinions. It always helps:):):):)

Christine from The United States

The Hobbit is one of my favorite books. It's a great story, full of adventure and laughter and sadness. My favorite part is when they go to Mirkwood. I've always been fascinated by elves, especially Legolas and was happy when I got to read about where he was from and meet his father. I absolutely adore this book and really enjoy the movies as well!

Rakshit from India

I felt bad when this story ended, I was lost in story. And Bilbo, my friend, I felt like I was with him throughout the story, doing adventures... Love this book.

Aasim from India

Awesome book. Love it.

Aniya from US

This was an amzing fairytale. It left me wanting more and feeling like Fili, Kili and Throin at the battle of the five armies. Tolkien to me is an amazing author that created a fantasy land where it doesn't end with happily ever after. He shows that fantasy isn't necessarily a happy thing. He showed me this. Thank you J.R.R. Tolkien.

Ridz from India

Oh gosh!!!!!!!! Love dis book ;) Dis can't be compared to Harry Potter or Percy Jackson n stuff coz this falls in a different league..... the descriptions r so vivid I really think I am ready to meet d Hobbit n party n go for an adventure. Book is better dan d movie.

Navid from Bangladesh

The book was just spectacular . The story was amazing, awesome, astounding, fantastic and mindblowing.

Jen from US

The Hobbit is a children's book that fully deserves the tag classic. I have read it twice now and each time have found myself completely lost in the world that Tolkien has created. The book is definitely better than the film.

Max from USA

Although this book is slightly hard to read, once you get into the story it is interesting and exciting. J.R.R. Tolkien conveys a great message that there is more to a person than meets the eye. Through all of the adversity that Bilbo has to endure, he uses his wits to be the unlikely hero in every situation. Although he is not the ideal hero, Gandalf sees that Bilbo is a courageous person inside. This book is appealing to all ages and to both men and women. Just as there is more to Bilbo Baggins than meets the eye, this book is much deeper than just an adventure story.

Everybody from Everywhere

This book is the Jesus of fantasy novels!

RJ from Philippines

BEST BOOK EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Henry from Not telling

I LOVE THIS PIECE OF LEGEND BY DR.LEGEND HIMSELF J.R.R.TOLKIEN

Levi from America

It's a great book that deserves more than just my mere praise. I applaud Tolkien not only for his brilliant series, but his vast imagination and contribution to the world of writing.

Pelle from Sweden

Fantastic! I have read The Hobbit several times, and it is one of my favorite books of all time.

Ignacio from United States

This is the best book ever, the description was so vivid, it was like I was in the book, and the adventure thrilled me with every word.

Classified from Australia

Awesome book, I think everyone should get it. I can't wait until the move comes out, so exited!

Kevan from India

I am surprised that The Hobbit is as low as the 18th in your list. It is an outstanding novel with few peers.

Darin from USA

Amazing book, I love how it describes everything, it feels like I could envision being there. A must read.

Nobody from Nowhere

I love this book, it's full of adventure danger, and self conflict.

Joshua from England

I gave the hobbit a 10 because it is dynamic and so well written and so detailed that I could never possibly vote it lower then a 10, never. For those of you who have read the brilliant The Lord of the Rings would realise the structure of the book and how diffrently it is written. So to the point, The Hobbit is a classic and Tolkien is the king of all fantasy and as a 13 year old school-nerd would like to become an author so in a word I will describe The Hobbit as brilliant. Thanks for reading.

Luffy from One Piece

It was a really epic book but some of the words were kind of hard...

Tom from UK

Great for ages 14+ if you love fantasy. Not as complicated as The Lord of the Rings, so it's a great taster for the fantasy genre and Tolkien's books meaning a younger audience will enjoy it just as much as the older audience.

Henry Pickup from Leeds

I think the book is gripping because when I read the first page I went on and read a 100 pages in one night and then the next day I finished it!

A.R. Fallaha from Syria

This is the best book I've ever read.

Jonathon from Glasgow

A great read, just finished reading it for the first time and I'm sure I'll read it many more times. It chronicles the quests of the hobbit Bilbo Baggins on his journey to the Lonely Mountain and his adventures when he finally arrives. It is a deceptively large adventure in a deceptively small book.

Mariah from Arizona

I really enjoyed reading The Hobbit. I like fantasy in general, and I like seeing the backstory to Lord of the Rings, which I am currently reading. Both are good stories, but The Hobbit is faster-moving, more lighthearted, and somewhat easier to get through.

Je from Banbry

I love The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings is just as good. I love them both!

JOJO from Miami

The Hobbit will have any reader lying on the couch for hours not wanting it to end.

SIMPLE SPLENDID IMAGINATION AND BRILLIANT ADVENTURE Simple - splendid imagination and brilliant adventure.

Mimi from Manila

Would love to read it over and over. Tolkien could bring the stuff in children's dreams and nightmares to life.

Peter from Canada

The Hobbit is a recital of events, expressing divinity abroad an air of nothingness, an otherwise logical mind will find it will be able to start an unquenchable, superabounding desire to know more about Tolkien and his works of secondary identity.

Anthony from Cardiff

This book is brilliant and a must read! I preferred it to the Lord of the Rings.

Rob from Huddersfield

Thank you to my year 1 high school english teacher (sorry, I forget your name). This was the first book he assigned me to read, and I have loved it ever since. What else is there to say but perfection and when my son is old enough to appreciate it, I will read it to him too.

Aaron from USA

This book was recommended to me by my freshman English teacher in high school. It is one of my, if not my favorite book of all times. I will keep reading this book until the day I die, and I will also have it berried with me. :)

Nicolau from USA

This is the best book I've ever read and I believe it is his best work, much better than LOTR.

Likkamatti from Finland

It was so much fun reading The Hobbit. It wasn`t better than LOTR but it`s still one of my favourite fantasy books. It was happier than LOTR and it`s more comfortable for younger readers. A very good book.

My favorite fantasy book. Tolkien is simply amazing when it comes to writing. Bilbo is such a good and solid character!

Unknown from Coolsville

I love all the Tolkien books but this one is my favourite!

Lara from Stoke

This book is now over 70 years old and reads as well today as it did back then. The label "Timeless classic" is given to too many books but in the case of The Hobbit it is fully deserved. Bilbo Baggins is the best character ever and even without the Lord of the Rings this book would still be around today. What can I say? A timeless classic!

Jane from England

The Hobbit is a lovely book, I must have read it at least 15 times between the ages of 12 and 30 and it gets better each time. I think you have the rating spot on with 9 out of 10.

9.7 /10 from 140 reviews

All JRR Tolkien Reviews

The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún
The Lord of the Rings
The Children Of Hurin
The Silmarillion
Tales from the Perilous Realm
The Art of the Hobbit
The Story of Kullervo
The Lay of Aotrou and Itroun
Beren and Luthien
The Fall of Arthur
The Fall of Gondolin
Sauron Defeated (The History of The Lord of the Rings: Part 4)

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Home » All Posts » The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien: Book Review

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien: Book Review

My Rating: 5/5

SPOILER FREE

The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien is the greatest introduction to a fantasy world. Rereading this felt like going back home and slipping under the duvet with a warm hot chocolate in the winter. I fell in love with the story all over again.

Bilbo’s adventure in The Hobbit is quite extraordinary for he not only survives the dangers that threatened him and is company on their travels, but he also had a hand in their success.

J. R. R. Tolkien works hard at twisting the hero’s journey so that rather than the heroic figure being an all-powerful warrior, he is instead a small hobbit. Bilbo’s strength comes from his intelligence and morality. He cares deeply for his friends and overcomes his fears, growing into a fiercely brave hero, despite his disadvantages.

The introduction of the ring and Gollum is by far my favourite chapter in The Hobbit . It’s clever a witty, and this is where we see Bilbo’s intelligence and bravery begin to take control of the plot.

Riverrun is not described enough for my liking as it’s an incredible setting, but there is so much more to see. The stories we hear told through song and dialogue do a lot to add to the lore and history of the world, however, and they’re a pleasure to explore.

The the chapters with Beorn were wonderful too, as another fantasy creature is introduced which adds to the complexity of the world.

This book is a classic of the fantasy genre, and the perfect introduction to The Lord of the Rings , as well as the rest of Tolkien’s Legendarium . Don’t skip over this when diving into Tolkien’s work – it’s one his best.

Book Reviews for J. R. R. Tolkien’s Legendarium

The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings #1)

The Two Towers (The Lord of the Rings #2)

The Return of the King (The Lord of the Rings #3)

The Silmarillion

Latest Fantasy Blog Posts

Exploring the Elven Languages of Middle-Earth

The Ultimate Middle-Earth Reading Guide

The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy Review • Harriet’s Book Reviews

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Essay Topics and Study Questions on The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (08.01.14 by Robert Morris) - var disqus_shortname = 'tolkienlibrary'; (function () { var s = document.createElement('script'); s.async = true; s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.src = 'https://' + disqus_shortname + '.disqus.com/count.js'; var dsq = document.createElement('script'); dsq.type = 'text/javascript'; dsq.async = true; dsq.src = 'https://tolkienlibrary.disqus.com/embed.js'; (document.getElementsByTagName('HEAD')[0] || document.getElementsByTagName('BODY')[0]).appendChild(s); }()); Comments

Study questions

1. Does Thorin fall under the definition of a ‘hero’? Is the death of this character expected and justified after his actions throughout the novel?

Thorin is a complex individual that shows both lovable and repulsive characteristics. By the start of the Battle of the Five Armies, Thorin Oakenshield deserves disrespect and antipathy by most readers and many of the characters in the book. However, his personality also has aspects worthy of respect, especially when he shows exceptional bravery and determination while reclaiming the treasure of his ancestors from Smaug. He rises and falls throughout the book, and his failings are mostly associated to the common characteristics of all dwarves – imperious ego and greed for gold. Thorin’s greatest sin is the ingratitude he shows to the characters that support him, such as the lake men who gave their lives for the victory over Smaug. Thorin is so adamant about the legitimate right to that gold, that he is dishonorable to his benefactors. However, to his credit, he does regret his mistakes in the end and admits his wrongs to Bilbo. However, it is nearly impossible to list this character under the ‘heroic’ category. The main thing he lacks is the ability to think of plans and execute them. Bilbo is the one who gets him through the difficulties that come at his way.

2. Bilbo seems to be completely happy in the hobbit community, but he is not entirely accepted there. At the end of the novel, does he belong in Hobbiton? How can the relation between simple life and heroism be balanced? How does Tolkien approach this issue?

Heroism seems contradictory to the simple life at the beginning of the novel, but these two concepts become complementary at the end of the novel. Bilbo’s resumption of the simple life after proving his courage and wisdom is part of his heroic characteristics. As Thorin says, if all proud warriors learned from the way hobbits live, the world would be a much happier place. When Bilbo returns to Hobbiton and embraces simple life at the end, he proves that evil is obsolete. Even though Bilbo doesn’t belong in the community as far as the hobbits are concerned, there is no other place he belongs to more to than Hobbiton.

3. Are humans portrayed as a good race? Where do they fit in between the races of Middle-Earth?

All races of Middle-Earth possess very distinguishing, constant characteristics. Humans have goodness in them, but this aspect of their personality varies. Tolkien presents humans as creatures capable of determining their own graciousness. Bard, as a great example, is grim, but a kind man that can easily be dubbed as a hero. The old Master of Lake Town, on the other hand, is devious, calculating, and selfish in a way that is almost pitiful when he dies seizing the stolen gold out in the desert. Although the good in humans often prevails, they are somewhere in the middle between the goblins, who are the really evil ones, and elves, who are the true good race.

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The post is written by Robert Morris. Robert is a great fan of Hobbit, crafting essays on Hobbit topics is his favorite. Follow Ninjaessays on Twitter !

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Themes and Analysis

By j.r.r. tolkien.

Within 'The Hobbit,' J.R.R. Tolkien taps into a number of interesting themes, uses powerful symbols of courage and history, and makes use of figurative language in new and memorable ways.

Article written by Emma Baldwin

B.A. in English, B.F.A. in Fine Art, and B.A. in Art Histories from East Carolina University.

The Hobbit , although geared towards younger readers, is a literary masterpiece that every lover of fantasy should take the time to analyze.

The Hobbit Themes

Greed .

Greed for power, wealth, and influence comes up several times in the novel. It is in part greed that drives the dwarves back to their home and certainly greed that inspires Smaug to lord over their treasure. The leader of the party, Thorin , is at the center of this theme. Towards the end of the novel, before he loses his life in the Battle of the Five Armies, he exhibits manic greed about acquiring the Arkenstone and his belief that it’ll make him the rightful king under the mountain.

Bilbo is usually, although not always, at the opposite end of the spectrum. While he values home above almost everything else, he does pocket Gollum’s ring in the caves and is determined to keep it. There are other examples of characters’ greed, such as the scenes of the group eating ravenously and the wood-elves imprisonment of the dwarves in order to try to claim some of their treasure.

Heroism

When the novel begins, Bilbo is undoubtedly cowardly . He has no desire to step outside his comfort zone. But, as the story progresses, he starts to discover that he’s braver than he thought. He can be defined as a “reluctant hero,” someone who has been forced into the role of hero and taken it on because he had to. He’s not a character who sought out the chance to prove his bravery. It is interesting to consider while reading the novel how exactly Tolkien defines heroism. What does it take to describe a character as a hero in Tolkien’s world?

Home is one of the most important themes in all of J.R.R. Tolkien’s novels . For the main character of The Hobbit, home is even more crucial. At the start of the novel, Bilbo has no desire to leave his home and travel into danger’s path. He’s content where he is. On the other side of the equation are the dwarves who are embarking on this quest in order to take back their home. It’s their courage that finally convinces Bilbo that he supports their quest and is willing to help them.

By the time readers get to the end of the novel, Tolkien has defined home as a place one has to love, but not so much they never want to leave it.

Analysis of Key Moments in The Hobbit

Gandalf selects Bilbo Baggins to accompany an expedition of dwarves as a “burglar.”
The group encounters three trolls who try to eat them.
They are saved by Gandalf who distracts the trolls until the sun turns them into stone.
They discover a cache of swords they take with them on their journey.
The group goes to Rivendell to speak with Elrond.
Elrond translates Thorin’s map.
The dwarves and Bilbo are kidnapped by Goblins in the Misty Mountains.
Gandalf again rescues them but Bilbo is separated from the group.
He meets Gollum and acquires the One Ring.
The dwarves and Bilbo escape the goblins with the help of the eagles.
They meet Beorn, travel through Lake-town, and Bilbo enters the Lonely Mountain.
He encounters Smaug, steals the Arkenstone, and Smaug destroys Lake-town.
Bard kills Smaug.
The Battle of the Five Armies occurs and Thorin dies.
Bilbo returns home to find his possessions are being auctioned off.

Style, Tone, and Figurative Language

J.R.R. Tolkien used a light and fun tone to tell the story of Bilbo’s adventures. It’s structured as a children’s story, one that alludes to the darkness at the heart of the story but doesn’t go into detail about it. The text is meant to be fun to read and not too disturbing for young audience members. There are several great examples of this in Tolkien’s depiction of scenes that could otherwise be quite disturbing. For example, these lines from Chapter 2 when the dwarves have been kidnapped by the trolls:

there were lots of clothes, too, hanging on the walls – too small for trolls, I am afraid they belonged to victims – and among them were several swords of various makes, shapes, and sizes.

Tolkien is alluding to the many victims that the trolls have eaten without doing so in a way that would scare children. The gruesomeness of the scene is masked by his light tone and the style he uses while writing. He uses words like “I am afraid” in this passage to make the revelation that “the dwarves might be eaten by trolls” easier to digest.

Throughout The Hobbit, Tolkien uses examples of figurative languages, such as metaphors and similes, in order to depict various scenes. Some other devices that can be found in the poem are flashbacks, examples of foreshadowing, onomatopoeia, and personification, among others. The latter can be seen in the first chapter when Tolkien describes the “winds…moaning in the night.” There are good examples of similes throughout the novel, such as “quick as lightning” also found in Chapter 1. There is a great example of foreshadowing in the first chapter as well. Gandalf, when speaking about Bilbo, says:

he is a Burglar, then a Burglar he is, or will be when the time comes. There is a lot more in him than you guess, a deal more than he has any idea of himself.

Analysis of Symbols

Swords .

The two swords the dwarves and Bilbo find in the trolls’ hoard, Orcrist and Glamdring, are symbols of the past and heroism. The swords embody the histories they were a part of and inspire those who wield them. It should also be noted that swords are an important part of many examples of heroic literature. With his sword, Bilbo starts to turn into the courageous hobbit he is at the end of The Hobbit .

The Ring

The Ring is one of the most important symbols throughout Tolkien’s best-known novels . It symbolizes power and the ability to make the impossible possible. With the ring, one can turn invisible. Its power is easily felt and it inspires greed in even the kindest and most open people. Once Bilbo takes possession of it, he’s braver and far more confident than he was before.

The Arkenstone

The Arkenstone, the prize of the treasure in the Lonely Mountain, is a symbol of a different time. One in which the dwarves ruled peacefully over the land. For Thorin, it is also a symbol of his power and what his heritage means he’s due. He hoards it greedily, not wanting to share it with anyone. He’s eventually buried with it after he dies. This final act symbolizes Thorin’s peaceful return to a time before greed and death were so much a part of their lives.

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About Emma Baldwin

Emma Baldwin, a graduate of East Carolina University, has a deep-rooted passion for literature. She serves as a key contributor to the Book Analysis team with years of experience.

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C. s. lewis reviews the hobbit , 1937, arts & culture.

The art and life of Mark di Suvero

A world for children: J. R. R. Tolkien,

The Hobbit: or There and Back Again

(London: Allen and Unwin, 1937)

The publishers claim that The Hobbit , though very unlike Alice , resembles it in being the work of a professor at play. A more important truth is that both belong to a very small class of books which have nothing in common save that each admits us to a world of its own—a world that seems to have been going on long before we stumbled into it but which, once found by the right reader, becomes indispensable to him. Its place is with Alice , Flatland , Phantastes , The Wind in the Willows . [1]

To define the world of The Hobbit is, of course, impossible, because it is new. You cannot anticipate it before you go there, as you cannot forget it once you have gone. The author’s admirable illustrations and maps of Mirkwood and Goblingate and Esgaroth give one an inkling—and so do the names of the dwarf and dragon that catch our eyes as we first ruffle the pages. But there are dwarfs and dwarfs, and no common recipe for children’s stories will give you creatures so rooted in their own soil and history as those of Professor Tolkien—who obviously knows much more about them than he needs for this tale. Still less will the common recipe prepare us for the curious shift from the matter-of-fact beginnings of his story (“hobbits are small people, smaller than dwarfs—and they have no beards—but very much larger than Lilliputians”) [2] to the saga-like tone of the later chapters (“It is in my mind to ask what share of their inheritance you would have paid to our kindred had you found the hoard unguarded and us slain”). [3] You must read for yourself to find out how inevitable the change is and how it keeps pace with the hero’s journey. Though all is marvellous, nothing is arbitrary: all the inhabitants of Wilderland seem to have the same unquestionable right to their existence as those of our own world, though the fortunate child who meets them will have no notion—and his unlearned elders not much more—of the deep sources in our blood and tradition from which they spring.

For it must be understood that this is a children’s book only in the sense that the first of many readings can be undertaken in the nursery. Alice is read gravely by children and with laughter by grown ups; The Hobbit , on the other hand, will be funnier to its youngest readers, and only years later, at a tenth or a twentieth reading, will they begin to realise what deft scholarship and profound reflection have gone to make everything in it so ripe, so friendly, and in its own way so true. Prediction is dangerous: but The Hobbit may well prove a classic.

Review published in the Times Literary Supplement (2 October 1937), 714.

1. Flatland (1884) is by Edwin A. Abbott, Phantastes by George MacDonald (1858).

2. The Hobbit: or There and Back Again (1937), chapter 1.

3. Ibid ., chapter 15.

This article originally appeared in the Times Literary Supplement. Click here to read it on the TLS site.

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by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Hobbit Summary

The Hobbit is the story of Bilbo Baggins , a hobbit who lives in Hobbiton. He enjoys a peaceful and pastoral life but his life is interrupted by a surprise visit by the wizard Gandalf . Before Bilbo is really able to improve upon the situation, Gandalf has invited himself to tea and when he arrives, he comes with a company of dwarves led by Thorin. They are embarking on a journey to recover lost treasure that is guarded by the dragon Smaug , at the Lonely Mountain. Gandalf has decided, much to Bilbo's chagrin, that the hobbit will make an excellent addition to the team and Bilbo is going to play the role of a burglar. As they start on their way, Bilbo has serious misgivings.

On the journey, Bilbo and the dwarves encounter all sorts of villains and obstacles. They have not traveled very far when they stumble upon a group of trolls. A combination of Gandalf's wizardry and Bilbo's burglary land the group out of harm's way. They are able to replenish their supplies with the food that they find in the trolls' lodging place and they soon move on, pensive and fearful.

Gandalf leads the group to a place where they can get a short rest and they pass through the country of the elves. It is June and all of the joys and songs of midsummer are on display. Bilbo and the dwarves stay at the house of Elrond , an old friend of Gandalf. As they continue on their journey, Bilbo is depressed and nostalgic. The group passes through a mountain chain and two of the dwarves, Fili and Kili , locate a cave for the group to sleep for the nightbut the cave turns out to be inhabited by Goblins. Bilbo's startled yell helps to save the group.

And after these difficulties, there is trouble with giant spiders and with elves before the group actually arrives at Smaug's mountain. In these travels though, Bilbo has outwitted a creature called Gollum , and gained a ring that makes him invisible. This is certainly helpful in battling the Giant Spiders and getting the dwarves out of the Elvenking's prison. But the ring is especially needed when the group arrives at Smaug's mountain. Once there, the dwarves argue about who will enter Smaug's cave and since Bilbo is the burglar, Bilbo must go ahead and face the challenge. He follows the treacherous course into the heart of the cave and though he is sure he is in danger, he is attracted by a red glow that compels him to approach. This is the glow of Smaug. Bilbo manages to steal a cup and hurriedly exits but Smaug awakens and begins to rage. The lake-town of Esgaroth is the victim of Smaug's terror, for the information that he learns from Bilbo gives him reason to believe that they are involved in the theft of his cup. Bard , the grim-voiced, grim-faced man, is willing to challenge Snaug and he has help from a messenger bird, called a thrush. The thrush relays information that Bilbo discovered while in Smaug's lair: the hollow of Smaug's left breast is not plated with his red-gold armor. When Bard strikes this spot, Smaug falls dead, his massive body crushing the city of Esgaroth. The survivors seek Bard as their new king but Bard provisionally declines the offer, though he intends to establish his own city. As the news of Smaug's death spreads, various groups advance towards the mountainfor there is treasure to be had.

Thorin continues to speak of the Arkenstone because it means so much to him, as it is an heirloom and he threatens to take revenge on whoever has prevented him from getting it. In spite of this warning, Bilbo decides that he will leave the mountain and offer the Arkenstone to Bard; then, Bard can offer the Arkenstone to Thorin in exchange for a fair portion of the treasure. Thorin is thinking of ways to avoid a fair bargain and when battle erupts, it includes men, elves and dwarves. They are ready to attack one another until Gandalf announces the approach of the Goblins, bats, wolves and Wargs. The armies re-align themselves and conduct what became known as the "Battle of Five Armies." The Goblins and Wild Wolves battle against the Elves, Men and Dwarves. Gandalf has expected some sort of assault but it did come swifter than he had expected. The Goblins are initially repelled and ambushed by the Elves, but a reinforcement of Goblin troops tilts the balance of the battle. It is only with the final arrival of the Eagles, that the forces of good are sustained. Unfortunately, Bilbo is "smote" with a "stone hurtling from above...and he fell with a crash and knew no more."

When Bilbo regains consciousness, he finds that he is alone and he has to take his ring off so that the individuals who were sent for him can find him. After recovering in the company of Gandalf, Bilbo makes his way back home and their journeythough covering the same perilous terrainis far more pleasant and mild than it was the first time. As Bilbo says, "So comes snow after fire, and even dragons have their ending." Gandalf and Bilbo pass through Rivendell and eventually make their way to Hobbiton. It is summer and Bilbo is disappointed to learn that he is legally dead. Greedy cousins, the Sackville-Bagginses are auctioning his property because he is "Presumed Dead." They are more than a little displeased at his arrival and it takes several years for Bilbo to sort out the legalisms. In fact, Bilbo had to buy back a good deal of his own furniturehis reputation, for better or worse, was harder to reclaim. But as for Bilbo, son of Belladonna Took , "for ever after he remained an elf-friend, and had the honour of dwarves, wizards, and all such folk as ever passed that way.

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The Hobbit Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for The Hobbit is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Suggest two reasons why the spiders didn’t hear or see bilbo coming

I need answer

find one sentence on pages 175, 186, and 187 which demonstrates a narration that speaks directly on the reader.

"Poor Mr. Baggins - it was a weary long time that he lived in that place all alone, and always in hiding, never daring to take off his ring, hardly daring to sleep, even tucked away in the darkest and remotest comers he could find."

Chapter 16 A Thief in the Night

Gandalf is proud of Bilbo's problem solving skills. Bilbo knew his actions would have consequences, and yet, he did what he believed to be right anyway.

Study Guide for The Hobbit

The Hobbit study guide contains a biography of J.R.R. Tolkien, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

About The Hobbit
Character List
Chapters 1-4 Summary and Analysis

Essays for The Hobbit

The Hobbit essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Tolkien's Hobbit: From Children's Story to Mythic Creation
Heroes and the Hobbit
Sting and Bilbo: Significance of the Small in The Hobbit
Archetypes of Englishness in The Hobbit and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
The Impact of Setting in The Hobbit

Lesson Plan for The Hobbit

About the Author
Study Objectives
Common Core Standards
Introduction to The Hobbit
Relationship to Other Books
Bringing in Technology
Notes to the Teacher
Related Links
The Hobbit Bibliography

Wikipedia Entries for The Hobbit

Introduction

A Journey of Words

Book review: the hobbit, the hobbit by j.r.r. tolkien my rating: 5 / 5 genre: classic fantasy.

This is not going to be a structured review with a recommendation or warning to stay away. It’s really just going to be my musings on my first foray into written Tolkien. First, let me give a reference point–as I said, I’ve never read any Tolkien before this. I have seen all of the movies, though. I love the LoTR movies, though have only watched the Hobbit movies once. Going into each of these 6 movies as they came out, I knew absolutely nothing about the stories. I know that having seen the movies, though, and fallen in love with some of the characters will taint the reading of the books for the first time. I’m okay with that.

So now, about this book. I decided some time last year to start with The Hobbit , because it’s written for a younger audience. I figured it’d give me an idea of what the LoTR books were like and of whether I even thought I’d be able to read them. Besides, The Hobbit precedes the other books, even if the movies came out in the opposite order. I am so very glad I did it this way. I enjoyed reading The Hobbit , even as I felt that the story meandered more than I would normally prefer. It was really interesting to get more depth on the story, on the world, on some of the characters.

I knew about some of the things that had been made up for the movie, like the female elf and her romance with one of the dwarves (Kili, I think?) or the fact that Legolas was there at all. But I had thought that the Necromancer was created by the movie makers as well, and it was interesting to see that Sauron was, in fact, a background menace in the book after all. No, we don’t follow Gandalf to see him, but he does speak of ousting him from Mirkwood.

I was surprised by how long the party tended to stay places. Days or even weeks on end, before they moved on. And I’ll tell you, Elrond does not seem to be portrayed well in the movies. I like Hugo Weaving, but I remember his Elrond as aloof, even haughty. He’s so much warmer in The Hobbit . But to be fair, I haven’t watched any of the movies for a few years now, so I wouldn’t be surprised to find out I’m remembering many things wrong. For all I know, I’m mashing Elrond together with Agent Smith.

So now that I’ve read this book, I have decided that I must move on to the LoTR books. I know they’ll be longer and probably harder to read, which is why I’m listening to audiobooks instead of reading physical copies (as I did with The Hobbit ). I won’t become a lifelong Tolkien fan, I’m sure, but I’m already glad I’ve embarked on this quest.

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The hobbit: book review.

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John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1892-1973), a former professor of English at the University of Oxford, was one of the great authors of his day. Though he did not receive very much recognition in his lifetime, Tolkien is now being recognized due to the success of a trilogy of books he authored, The Lord of the Rings. In The Hobbit, a prequel to The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Tolkien introduces to the reader a fictional world with vividly described creatures and places. The Hobbit starts when a wizard named Gandalf summons a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins to go on an adventure with a troop of dwarves. Their ultimate goal is to retrieve a large sum of money in the form of gold and jewelry which should belong to the dwarves, but was stolen by a mighty dragon before it could be passed down. In their quest to find this dragon, Bilbo Baggins and the dwarves must pass through forests frequented by troll, caves used by goblins, and other perilous places. All that they have to help them are Gandolf's old friends, a bit of luck, and Bilbo's cleverness and ingenuity. Bilbo Baggins is the main character of The Hobbit. Although Bilbo starts as a timid fellow, he turns into a capable leader of sorts as the book progresses. Along the way to reaching their goal, Bilbo finds a magic ring, which when worn will turn the bearer invisible to the eye (This is very important in the trilogy). In the first part of the book, he uses this ring to get the group out of many difficult situations, such as capture by giant spiders and imprisonment by elves, and thereby earns the respect of the dwarves. . The second part of the book begins when the troop finally finds the home of the dragon they seek. They manage to awaken the dragon, which then goes on a rampage on a local town of humans. The dragon is killed, but not before it burns the entire town to the ground. Here, the plot thickens as people begin to claim the dragon's treasure for themselves.

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Essays Related to The Hobbit: Book Review

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The novel, The Hobbit is about the adventures and journeys of a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins. ... The book, with no doubt, can be classified as an adventure/fantasy. ... The Hobbit is almost entirely from Bilbo's point of view. ... The Hobbit has a strong plot and delivers numerous surprises and odd occurrences throughout the book. ... Overall, The Hobbit is a great book and would be recommended to anybody, regardless of age and interest, who is looking for a good solid book. ...

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70 pages • 2 hours read

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Chapters 8-13

Chapters 14-19

Character Analysis

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Important Quotes

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Discussion Questions

Does Bilbo’s character develop new principles and virtues over the course of the narrative , or do the events of the journey simply bring out the virtue that was dormant within Bilbo the whole time? Use at least three examples from the text to support your answer.

Is Gandalf a wise and prudent friend, or a manipulative puppet master directing Bilbo and the dwarves however he sees fit? Discuss at least three instances of Gandalf’s stratagems.

Is Thorin a good leader, or is he simply the leader by default based on his ancestry?

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The Hobbit Book Review Essay

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien is a book that tells the story of Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who sets out on an adventure with Gandalf and a company of dwarves. The story follows their journey as they travel to The Lonely Mountain to reclaim the dwarves’ treasure from the dragon Smaug. The book is written in a style that is easy for children to read, but also includes many complex themes and ideas.

The Hobbit is one of J.R.R. Tolkien’s most famous works, and it has been adapted into a movie trilogy by Peter Jackson. The first movie was released in 2012, and the final movie will be released in December 2014. The Hobbit has become popular all over the world, and it is considered to be one of the greatest fantasy stories ever written.

Bilbo is enjoying a pipe after breakfast in The Hobbit. This is one of his favorite activities, and he feels quite comfortable doing it. He is in his fifties, and lives in a clean, warm burrow in the ground. Gandalf, a wizard, comes by to see Bilbo that morning. He tells him that he’s looking for someone to go on an adventure with him. Despite being tempted, Bilbo refuses before inviting Gandalf over for tea the next day.

The next day, after much deliberation, Bilbo decides to go on the adventure for the promise of wealth and treasure. The group sets off, and encounters a few obstacles along the way but eventually make it to their destination: The Lonely Mountain. The dwarves who live there were forced to flee when Smaug, a dragon took over the mountain and killed their king.

The group comes up with a plan to take back the mountain from Smaug, and they all set out to do just that. Bilbo is able to use his skills as a burglar to help them get closer to the dragon. They are successful in taking back the mountain, and Bilbo returns home with treasures beyond his wildest dreams.

The Hobbit is an exciting adventure story that is sure to please readers of all ages. The characters are well-developed and the plot is fast-paced. The writing is beautiful and descriptive, making it easy to get lost in the story. J.R.R. Tolkien was a master of fantasy, and The Hobbit is a perfect example of his talent. If you are looking for a good book to read, I highly recommend The Hobbit. You won’t be disappointed.

The most prominent theme in The Hobbit is bravery, and Bilbo Baggins’ journey from a meek homebody to a brave hero as he leads a perilous quest. It was an act of bravery for Bilbo to leave his house in the first place.

He is thrust into a situation where he is surrounded by creatures that are physically much larger and more powerful than he is, and yet Bilbo does not give up. He displays remarkable courage in the face of danger, repeatedly risking his life to help his friends.

Another theme in The Hobbit is the power of friendship. The characters are all drawn together by their shared desire to defeat the dragon Smaug and reclaim the dwarves’ home from him. They rely on each other for strength and support during difficult times, and ultimately they are successful because they work together as a team. The bonds of friendship are tested many times throughout the story, but they always prove to be stronger than any obstacle.

Tolkien also explores the nature of evil in The Hobbit. The main villain, Smaug, is a dragon who was cursed by the elves for his greed and evil ways. He represents the ultimate force of destruction and chaos, and it is up to the heroes to stop him. The other villains in the story are not as overtly evil as Smaug, but they are still motivated by selfish desires that lead to harm for others. Tolkien’s portrayal of evil is complex and nuanced, and it provides readers with a thoughtful exploration of this important topic.

Ultimately, The Hobbit is a story about courage, friendship, and the fight against evil. It is a classic tale that has been enjoyed by generations of readers and remains one of Tolkien’s most popular works. If you haven’t read it yet, I highly recommend that you do. It’s a great adventure story with something for everyone.

The next morning, Bilbo wakes up to the sound of his doorbell and remembers inviting Gandalf over for tea. Instead of Gandalf on the doorstep, however, there are a group of dwarves… thirteen in all. Thorin son of the dwarf king begins to explain how to recover the lost treasure taken by Smaug’s dragon.

Bilbo is shocked to discover that these plans include him! He then understands that Gandalf has misled him by writing on his door that he was a burglar looking for employment with plenty of action. After hearing all about quests and glory, Bilbo decides to join the fun anyway.

The dwarves are overjoyed and set off the next morning. The first leg of their journey takes them to Rivendell, where they rest and meet Elrond, an elf lord.

Elrond tells them that a great danger lies ahead and that they should take the hidden path through the Misty Mountains. The party sets off, but is soon attacked by goblins. Bilbo uses his newly aquired ring to become invisible and saves the dwarves’ lives. The group makes it safely to the other side of the mountains, but they are now in Troll Country. The trolls capture them, but again Bilbo comes to the rescue using his invisibility ring. The group makes it to Lake-town and finally to Lonely Mountain, where they face their final danger: the dragon Smaug.

Bilbo uses his ring to sneak into the dragon’s lair and steals a gem from his treasure. The enraged dragon flies into a rage, destroying Lake-town in the process, but Bilbo and the dwarves manage to escape. Thorin is mortally wounded in the battle, but Bilbo finds the Arkenstone and uses it to convince Thorin to give up his claim on the treasure. The dwarves divide up the treasure and return home, while Bilbo remains behind to live in Rivendell with Elrond.

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Lisa Kudrow Brings Her Daffy Charm to ‘Time Bandits’

The actress dialed up the zaniness in the TV reboot of a Terry Gilliam fantasy classic, created by the team behind “What We Do in the Shadows.”

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A woman with long blonde hair closes her eyes and tosses her head back in a laugh in this black-and-white outdoor portrait.

By Esther Zuckerman

Lisa Kudrow doesn’t particularly like to travel. Raised and based in Los Angeles, she mostly hasn’t had to. Even the quintessential New York sitcom “Friends” was shot in Burbank.

“I like L.A.,” she said in a video call from her home there. “I guess vacations are nice, but I feel like I live in a vacation spot so, where am I going? I can watch a video.”

But when the filmmaker Taika Waititi sent her a message on Instagram asking if she would come to New Zealand to star in a series-length adaptation of the 1981 Terry Gilliam movie “Time Bandits,” she said yes. It was a six-month commitment, but in one of the few places on Earth Kudrow had always wanted to visit.

And, as she said with a laugh, “No one’s putting me in a Hobbit movie.”

Fair enough, though there are bigger departures from Middle-earth than “Time Bandits,” a 10-part adventure-fantasy based on a movie about time traveling dwarfs. The series, which debuted Wednesday on Apple TV+, puts a new spin on the beloved film — an ambitious task, given the movie’s bona fides and cult status. The original was written by Gilliam and his fellow Monty Python player Michael Palin, and it starred the likes of John Cleese, Sean Connery, Shelley Duvall and Ian Holm.

The new version, created by Waititi and his frequent collaborators Jemaine Clement and Iain Morris, stars Kudrow as the makeshift leader of the bandits, Penelope, who is perturbed by the arrival of a new member, a history-obsessed boy named Kevin (Kal-El Tuck) who accidentally joins them after a portal opens up in his bedroom. Kudrow leads an ensemble cast; Waititi plays the ostensibly benevolent Supreme Being, from whom the bandits have stolen a map of the time portals, and Clement plays Pure Evil, who can’t even say his cosmic nemesis’ name without gagging.

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The Hobbit Review: An Exciting Fantasy Story
Book Title: The Hobbit Book Description: The Hobbit is an exciting and lighthearted novel in which the reader follows reluctant hero Bilbo Baggins and a group of dwarves on an incredible adventure. Book Author: J.R.R. Tolkien Book Edition: First Edition Book Format: Hardcover Publisher - Organization: George Allen & Unwin Date published: September 21, 1937 ISBN: -684-12826-1
A Summary and Analysis of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit
By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University) The Hobbit is one of the biggest-selling books of all time. An estimated 100 million people have read Tolkien's classic children's novel since it was first published in 1937. The story of its origins, and Tolkien's supposed invention of the word 'hobbit' (of which more below), are well-known.
Literary Review of the Book 'The Hobbit': Personal Views and
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, or as he is better known, JRR Tolkien was an English writer wrote 27 books, with his most famous being 'The Hobbit' and 'The... read full [Essay Sample] for free
The Hobbit Critical Evaluation
Although it was written for J. R. R. Tolkien's children, when The Hobbit: Or, There and Back Again was published in 1937 by George Allen & Unwin, it immediately attracted an adult audience and ...
The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien book review
10/10. J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit is one of the best known and best loved fantasy books. First published by George Allen & Unwin in 1937, The Hobbit has been translated into over 50 different languages and sold well over 100 million copies.
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien: Book Review
My Review. My Rating: 5/5. SPOILER FREE. The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien is the greatest introduction to a fantasy world. Rereading this felt like going back home and slipping under the duvet with a warm hot chocolate in the winter.
Essay Topics and Study Questions on The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Suggested topics for essay. 1. Describe how Tolkien relies on humor to portray the adventures in The Hobbit.Which authorial techniques does he use to bring a light element to the most serious parts of the plot?
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Hobbit, Or There and Back Again, is a children's fantasy novel that has been enjoyed by a wide variety of readers of all ages.It was published in 1937 to wide acclaim and was nominated for the Carnegie Medal. It was also awarded a prize from the New York Herald Tribune for the best new juvenile fiction.The book is a classic, one that's read in middle and high schools, universities, and ...
The Hobbit Themes and Analysis
Within The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien taps into a number of interesting themes, uses powerful symbols of courage and history, and makes use of figurative language in new and memorable ways.
The Hobbit Critical Essays
Although many people read The Hobbit only as a precursor to Tolkien's masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings (1968 as omnibus; original volumes The Fellowship of the Ring, 1954; The Two Towers, 1955 ...
The Hobbit Essays and Criticism
J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit is sometimes dismissed as a mere children's story by critics and readers, especially when compared to his Lord of the Rings. Obviously, The Lord of the Rings is a ...
The Hobbit Essays
Join Now Log in Home Literature Essays The Hobbit The Hobbit Essays Tolkien's Hobbit: From Children's Story to Mythic Creation Elsje E. Fourie The Hobbit <i>"Mr. Baggins began as a comic tale among conventional and inconsistent fairy-tale dwarves, and got drawn into the edge of it - so that even Sauron the terrible peeped over the edge."
The Hobbit Essays for College Students
The Hobbit: a Review. The Hobbit: A Review Introduction The book I read and analyzed was "The Hobbit" by J. R. R. Tolkien . I shall discuss the plot and character development, setting, author's style and my opinions about it.
The Paris Review
A world for children: J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit: or There and Back Again (London: Allen and Unwin, 1937) The publishers claim that The Hobbit, though very unlike Alice, resembles it in being the work of a professor at play.A more important truth is that both belong to a very small class of books which have nothing in common save that each admits us to a world of its own—a world that seems ...
Book Summary
Chapter 1 opens as the wizard Gandalf visits the hobbit Bilbo Baggins and invites him to join in an adventure. Bilbo declines, reluctant to leave the safety and comfort of his hobbit-hole.
The Hobbit Study Guide
The Hobbit study guide contains a biography of J.R.R. Tolkien, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.
The Hobbit Summary
The Hobbit is the story of Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who lives in Hobbiton.He enjoys a peaceful and pastoral life but his life is interrupted by a surprise visit by the wizard Gandalf.Before Bilbo is really able to improve upon the situation, Gandalf has invited himself to tea and when he arrives, he comes with a company of dwarves led by Thorin.
Book Review: The Hobbit
That does make sense, since The Hobbit was written first. Sometimes I have to remind myself of that fact, though, since I didn't read these books when I was younger, and thus my first real exposure to the overall stories came from the movies, of which the LOTR series was made before the movies based on The Hobbit.I always appreciate an author who can taking something they made as a minor ...
FREE The Hobbit: Book Review Essay
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1892-1973), a former professor of English at the University of Oxford, was one of the great authors of his day. Though he did not receive very much recognition in his lifetime, Tolkien is now being recognized due to the success of a trilogy of books he authored, The Lord of the Rings.
The Hobbit Essay Topics
Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Study Guide of "The Hobbit" by J. R. R. Tolkien. A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
The Hobbit Book Review Essay Essay
The Hobbit is one of J.R.R. Tolkien's most famous works, and it has been adapted into a movie trilogy by Peter Jackson. The first movie was released in 2012, and the final movie will be released in December 2014.
The Hobbit: 20 Differences Between The Book & The Movies
The Dwarven Contract Peter Jackson Made The Paperwork Longer For Comic Effect . Another one of the biggest differences between The Hobbit book and movie is the dwarven contract.The dwarves play a ...
Lisa Kudrow Brings Her Daffy Charm to 'Time Bandits'
For those who still associate Kudrow, 60, with her most famous role, the daffy Phoebe Buffay of "Friends," "Time Bandits" sees the actress reprise her well-honed comedic talents — she ...