The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien
Review by Floresiensis
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 confortable 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.
The mother of our particular hobbit - what is a hobbit? I suppose hobbits need some description nowadays, since they have become rare and shy of the Big People, as they call us. They are (or were) a little people, about half our height, and smaller than the bearded dwarves. Hobbits have no beards. There is little or no magic about them, except the ordinary everyday sort which helps them to disappear quietly and quickly when large stupid folk like you and me come blundering along, making a noise like elephants which they can hear a mile off. They are inclined to be fat in the stomach; they dress in bright colour's (chiefly green and yellow); wear no shoes, because their feet grow natural leather soles and thick brown hair like the stuff on their heads (which is curly); have long clever brown fingers, good-natured faces, and laugh deep fruity laughs (especially after dinner which they have twice a day when they can get 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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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!
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.
Finlay

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.
Angie

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.
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