The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien

TolkienWhisked from his comfortable hobbit-hole by Gandalf the wizard and a band of dwarves, Bilbo Baggins finds himself caught up in a plot to raid the treasure hoard of Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon…

Blurb from the 2013 edition published by HarperCollins

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27 thoughts on “The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien

  1. I’ve just read this book for the second time and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Tolkien describes the characters very well and I like the way he makes them change throughout the book – the hobbit becoming braver and bolder as the story goes on and Thorin becoming greedy for gold and gems. The author describes Mirkwood well with its winding path and enchanted stream and makes you empathize with the Hobbit and the dwarves.

  2. I really liked the hobbit because it gives a really nice explanation of how Bilbo ended up knowing Gandalf and getting the ring and makes you understand lord of the rings more. I think there should be a bit more explanation of creatures and maybe a fact file about the creatures in the book but other than that I loved it. I think others will too it is some of Tolkiens best work.

  3. This classic is one of the best I’ve read in a long time. While not as descriptive or complicated as its sequels (which I am reading now), it provides a wonderful and simple insight into how the adventure of the Ring started- and that’s before you even get to Smaug, by far my favourite literary villain of all time. The ideal prequel to The Lord Of The Rings saga, it isn’t for everyone, but as long as you stay with it you are guaranteed the read of a lifetime.

  4. The Hobbit
    J.R.R Tolkien
    The Hobbit, a tale of ancient glories with a seemingly insignificant and unlikely hero. Bilbo Baggins is a respectable member of the race of Hobbits, little people who are shorter than dwarves and have large, hairy feet. They do not wear shoes and do not like anything out of the ordinary (such as adventures). Having been persuaded by the wizard, Gandalf to take up with a band of dwarves for an adventure, he heads to the Lost Kingdom of the Lonely Mountain. Long ago this kingdom had been invaded by a foe with a great love for treasure hoards, in which the Mountain held plenty. When I was reading this book, many times I thought, ‘Oh, we are not going to see that character again, what a shame’, and then when I read on that character returns to play an unexpected part, which makes it feel like every character has their share of the action. The story is crammed full of suspense and perfectly illustrates what greed can do to you. It is a story filled with daring battles and energy fuelled escapes. It is a true masterpiece and a great sequel to the Lost Tales (and other books) and a brilliant prequel to Lord of the Rings. I would highly recommend this book as it is entirely irresistible, and when you get absorbed you will not want to put it down!

  5. I have always wanted to read the Hobbit, and this gave me the perfect opportunity to get my book nerd on and cross something off my bucket list. The first few pages were not as engaging as others may boast, but once I had read a few chapters in I found it quite captivating. Being unfamiliar with the series I followed the tale of Bilbo Baggins being torn from his comfortable life and thrown into a quest with people he doesn’t know who expect a lot from him. At the start of the journey they don’t think much of the useless hobbit, but by the end of the book the hobbit has gained the respect of the company…until he gives the arkenstone which is the majority of the reason they went to retrieve the treasure from the dragon, to the villagers in order to resolve an argument. Though I haven’t quite finished the book yet, I think it is quite a good read (probably because I like dragons a lot ((like a lot))).

  6. The Hobbit is based in a fantasy world and is about Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf and thirteen dwarves’ journey to the lair of Smaug, a very dangerous dragon. I have mixed feelings about the Hobbit. When there was action it was exciting, but a lot of the book was too slow moving for me. There are other fantasy books that I would recommend ahead of the Hobbit

  7. The first couple of pages of the hobbit wher gripping and interesting.in the book it explains that a hobbit lives in a hole and it goes into detail about the surroundings and the inside of the hole

  8. I have always been a big fan of J.R.R. Tolkien, and having read the Hobbit, I would definitely say that it is one of the best books I have ever read. Right from the start it grips you, and you can not put it down. It makes you desperate to follow the story of Bilbo Baggins, a Hobbit who is whisked away from his peaceful home of the Shire by the Wizard Gandalf and a pack of Dwarves, and taken on a dangerous and thrilling adventure. J.R.R. Tolkien’s incredible imagination fills this book with incredible places and creatures, it makes you fall in love with the characters and, at times, makes you feel very upset. A brilliant book, my first recommendation.

  9. I have found the first few chapters of the hobbit to be very exciting. I really like the way that it is written. Although keeping track on which dwarf is which can be a challenge at some points, the detail in the description is spectacular! I really like the part when Bilbo is having to cater to all of the dwarfs and is getting extremely stressed out!

  10. I think that The hobbit was a good book to read but at the start I feel that it went bit slow so it quite boring and I’m the type of people who don’t really like to read some thing long but as it reach middle part it start to be quicker and more interesting. The hobbit is very nice reading book I would like to finish reading it! 🙂

  11. I really like The Hobbit at the moment, It is very interesting and its exciting when you get past the first chapter or two which is quite boring and slow, but when you get more into the book, it is very good. I really like J R R Tolkien’s work with the Lord of The Rings trilogy and I like the lead up to the Lord of the Rings with The Hobbit and that the story of the ring carries on and how Gollum is in both books. I think my favorite part of the book is its creativeness and its setting and the mystical creatures within.
    I would highly recommend this book and other J R R Tolkien’s books to anybody, because they are so interesting and creative

  12. I found that The Hobbit was a great book based around a thrilling adventure. I love the way Tolkien creates a calm sensible Hobbit (Bilbo) to go on a trek to find some hidden treasure guarded by a dragon- this was completely insane. Tolkein’s description of Bilbo’s emotions and dreams of being somewhere else is very realistic so you can sympathise easily with him. This helps to make the book more captivating. I would rate The Hobbit four and a half out of five as some parts seemed un-necessary and get in the way of the action. However I would definitely recommend it to readers who like a challenge.

  13. Molly from Royal Russell says :

    I am reading ‘The Hobbit’ by J.R.R Tolkien. I have found this book very interesting so far. Its very imaginative, and the characters are really quite relatable despite the fact that they are dwarves, elves, goblins etc etc. It’s a tale of small people achieving big things, so its very inspirational. I particularly love the scene where the dwarves are attacked by goblins because Gandolf saves them and Bilbo Baggins, although he’s terrified, somehow turns invisible and saves the day. Its also a great introduction to the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy because it introduces the reader to middle earth and teaches them the background of all characters.

  14. I thought the book was slightly detached from the reader. I did not connect with it, it was very detailed and I still enjoyed it, since I love action and adventure books.

  15. This is an epic story set in a world full of amazing characters, of which my favourites are the dwarves. The best thing about it is that the majority of the action is seen through the eyes of a respectable little hobbit- a race so popular that DND tried to steal it, along with ents, and managed by changing the names. But thats another story. The riddles that were told were extremely clever, and realy lent an atmosphere of excitement to the encounter with Golem. I never pass up an opportunity to re-re-re…read this fantastic tale.

  16. Velican says:
    This thrilling book is about a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins swept up from his neat little hole into an adventure with Goblin tunnels, forgotten once-great kingdoms and a mighty evil dragon that goes by the name of Smaug. This is J.R.R Tolkien’s breathtaking prequel to the Lord of The Rings trilogy I rate it 10/10.

  17. I find this book awesome because it is all about the most extraordinary journey that begins in a very ordinary hobbit hole. this book seems to have it own magic, almost as if Gandalf cast a spell on it. Things that I enjoyed most were the Battle of five armies and the riddles in the misty mopuntains. Hamish (Y6)

  18. The Hobbit is a mystical amazing adventure, it captures you right at the start and doesn’t let go. there isn’t a part in this story without any action. Brilliantly thought through and a complete masterpiece. J.R.R Tolkien is probably one of the best writers in the world and his work is truly amazing.

  19. This thrilling book will take you too deep down in the goblin tunnels to up high in the mountains it is an awe inspiring bock that will be remembered for decades. I definitely rate this five stars it is the best most capturing book that I have ever read if you like thrilling daring quests this book is for you.

  20. This book is really adventures and fun for children. No wonder why it is the best selling novel. J.R.R Tolkien does have a trick up his sleeve. WRITING GREAT BOOKS!!!

  21. The Hobbit is a thrilling book, it made me fill like on was the journey with Bilbo. It was a good build up to the lord of the rings, and I couldn’t stop reading it!

  22. Due to the fact that the book is packed full of adventure, fear and combat my first action is to recommend this to anybody that likes a fast-pace thriller. As the story starts of in a little warm and cosy hobbit hole you have no idea that ahead is a rollercoaster of twists, action and beautiful literature.
    Although anyone who prefers a nice calm story about a pony or a dog might not like this at first glance, the story is a hooking journey through the beautiful fields, mires and mountains of Middle Earth and J.J.R Tolkien really creates a beautiful page-turner.

  23. At first I found it a bit slow but during the middle it went a bit faster.
    I wouldn’t recommend it to slow readers as they might get infuriated and give up.
    I would read it again but would not choose to read it again…

  24. The book is a thrilling read and is full of adventure and excitement. I would definitely recommend it to others.

  25. I have just finished reading The Hobbit: I enjoyed this book although I felt at times that it was very dragged out. But once I was hooked, I was hooked! It is very tense and interesting, I enjoyed the way it was written; it was almost from the author’s point of view.

  26. The start of the book was very slow so I wasn’t enjoying it that much to start with… However, after a while the tension started to build up and the story got better and better. I think J.R.R. Tolkien was very clever with when the story was set.
    The Hobbit probably isn’t the best book written by Tolkien as it is more of a build up to Lord of the Rings.
    J.R.R. Tolkien is a great writer though and I would love to read more of his work.

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