The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien

Rating 9.6/10

The Hobbit is fondly remembered by all who read it, a real delight.

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).

From: The Hobbit - Chapter: An Unexpected Party

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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Everybody from Everywhere

10-stars

This book is the Jesus of fantasy novels!

2013-04-19 | Have Your Say

RJ from Philippines

10-stars

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

2013-01-11 | Have Your Say

Henry from Not telling

10-stars

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

2012-12-19 | Have Your Say

Levi from America

9-stars

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.

2012-10-30 | Have Your Say

Pelle from Sweden

10-stars

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

2012-10-25 | Have Your Say

Nick from Canada

5-stars

its O.K.

2012-10-20 | Have Your Say

Ignacio from United States

10-stars

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.

2012-09-14 | Have Your Say

Classified from Australia

10-stars

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

2012-08-28 | Have Your Say

Julia from USA

1-stars

Worst book ever written. I hated it.

2012-08-26 | Have Your Say

Kevan from India

10-stars

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

2012-08-18 | Have Your Say

Darin from USA

10-stars

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

2012-08-12 | Have Your Say

Nobody from Nowhere

10-stars

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

2012-08-01 | Have Your Say

Joshua from England

10-stars

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.

2012-07-30 | Have Your Say

Luffy from One Piece

10-stars

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

2012-06-25 | Have Your Say

Tom from UK

10-stars

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.

2012-04-23 | Have Your Say

Henry Pickup from Leeds

10-stars

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!

2012-03-14 | Have Your Say

A.R. Fallaha from Syria

10-stars

This is the best book I've ever read.

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The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien

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