So this is my second review. I have read so many books in the past, didn’t know which one to write about. I am huge fan of sci-fi and fantasy books and movies since I was may be around 13. As a kid, I loved reading Narnia books and now I am in love with the Harry Potter series. I have heard about Lord of the Ring’s triology but never ventured into reading the book. So when there was a buzz about the movie in making, I felt I should check out the book before watching the movie.
So, I started of with ” The Hobbit”, since I like to always read the forewords and afterwards. Most of my friends have read the book and have been raveing about it, so I did have a good idea what the book was all about. ( But reading is different).
So not bugging you guys further what I enjoyed reading about the book. I have never read anything like The Hobbit in my 25 years of life. It is really an original concept. The book is a fun-to-read story. Its about the adventures of a hobbit, Bilbo Baggins. Bilbo Baggins unlike all the other hobbits has a quest for adventure. And this book is about his adventures. Its motivating to read that Bilbo wasn’t afraid to follow his own paths. His actions and unbending courage to be himself makes him a role model for everybody. Also, you will like all the characters in the book even if they are dwarves and elves.
But then again, I didn’t like certain aspects of the book. Like I felt the style of the narration was overly prenominal; it made me less involved in the story. I really felt that the books ending wasn’t very well constructed. I really liked Tolkien’s writing style but the dramatic momentum is often lacking. The inter-race war took the reader away from the story, with just about a hundred pages to go. I felt there was too much narrative gear-shifting throughout the book. No offense to anyone, but I felt there were some serious structural flaws in the book.
All in all, its not a bad book, and I would have loved it if I were still in my younger days. On the contrary, if I had seen “Planet of the Apes” or “Star Wars” when I was young, I would have just mused at the monkey-faces, or criticized its bad acting. “The Hobbit” is a book for young readers, and an excellent book in its kind and genre. If you’re still young at heart, it’s a must-read.
Book Description
“If you care for journeys there and back, out of the comfortable Western world, over the edge of the Wild, and home again, and can take an interest in a humble hero (blessed with a little wisdom and a little courage and considerable good luck), here is a record of such a journey and such a traveler. The period is the ancient time between the age of Faerie and the dominion of men, when the famous forest of Mirkwood was still standing, and the mountains were full of danger. In following the path of this humble adventurer, you will learn by the way (as he did) — if you do not already know all about these things — much about trolls, goblins, dwarves, and elves, and get some glimpses into t.he history and politics of a neglected but important period. For Mr. Bilbo Baggins visited various notable persons; conversed with the dragon, Smaug the Magnificent; and was present, rather unwillingly, at the Battle of the Five Armies. This is all the more remarkable, since he was a hobbit. Hobbits have hitherto been passed over in history and legend, perhaps because they as a rule preferred comfort to excitement. But this account, based on his personal memoirs, of the one exciting year in the otherwise quiet life of Mr. Baggins will give you a fair idea of the estimable people now (it is said) becoming rather rare. They do not like noise.”
Card catalog description
The adventures of the well-to-do hobbit, Bilbo, Baggins, who lived happily in his comfortable home until a wandering wizard granted his wish.
Inside Flap Copy
THE GREATEST FANTASY EPIC OF OUR TIME
Bilbo Baggins was a hobbit who wanted to be left alone in quiet comfort. But the wizard Gandalf came along with a band of homeless dwarves. Soon Bilbo was drawn into their quest, facing evil orcs, savage wolves, giant spiders, and worse unknown dangers. Finally, it was Bilbo?alone and unaided?who had to confront the great dragon Smaug, the terror of an entire countryside . . .
This stirring adventure fantasy begins the tale of the hobbits that was continued by J.R.R. Tolkien in his bestselling epic The Lord of the Rings.
–This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.
About the Author
J.R.R. Tolkien (1892–1973), beloved throughout the world as the creator of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, was a professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford, a fellow of Pembroke College, and a fellow of Merton College until his retirement in 1959. His chief interest was the linguistic aspects of the early English written tradition, but even as he studied these classics he was creating a set of his own.