The Hobbit, or There and Back Again
Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
Pub Date: 1937
Pub Deets: My edition was from 1999, Houghton Mifflin
Source: Bought
Amazon | Goodreads
In a sentence or so: Bilbo Baggins, a clan of dwarves and Gandalf go on an adventure to score some treasure from a dragon.
Bilbo is just a chill little hobbit who likes hanging out in the Shire. He’s more into the tea and biscuits than grand adventures. Although even the most reclusive of hobbits can’t say no to a journey with 14 dwarves and his favorite wizard Gandalf when there’s a potential to cash out huge in the end. So Bilbo takes a risk, albeit very reluctantly, and joins the dwarves on their quest.
Crazy things happen! Bilbo proves useful! But he also remains fussy that he’s not at home with a cup of tea! They have to rely on teamwork and wit! Dragons are super rad!
Friends, you know how I feel about Lord of the Rings. I watch the extended edition movies about once every 2-3 months. Andrew and I own at least 3 LOTR themed board games*. Yeah. I’m serious about it. BUT I’ve never read the books. I KNOW. Shame me and take my nerd card or whatever but I’m just trying to keep it real here.
I read The Hobbit to try and begin fixing this glaring absence in my nerd repertoire. I loved the adventure and the characters and Bilbo’s inner monologue. I loved the wit and narrative asides from Tolkien to the reader. I completely understand why this book is an adored classic.
However, if you’re not familiar with the world of fantasy, there are lots of descriptions and stories and songs that aren’t directly plot related. Hell, even if you do know the world of fantasy, this one still strays off the path more than most. However, those asides DO add to the overall warmth of the book. Just be warned that this adventure is a bit winding.
If you haven’t already read The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien and classic literature, fantasy, and/or adventure are your thing, DO IT. You will regret nothing.
*If my nerdiness is too much for you after this, I totally understand.
Fave quote: "So they laughed and sang in the trees; and pretty fair nonsense I daresay you think it. Not that they would care; they would only laugh all the more if you told them so. They were elves of course." (46)
Fix er up: Some of the descriptions were a titch much for me.
Pairs well with: The Hobbit movie that is sure to be ALL sorts of epic! Peep the trailer below.
ReplyDeleteGah! Can't wait for The Hobbit to release:)
So I did it all backwards too. I watched the movies first and then MADE myself buy The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings Series and sat down to read them in order. They aren't easy reads, LOTS of very descriptive details, but I appreciate the films so much more now having read the books.
Truth. I am looking forward to watching the movies again after reading the books one day!
DeleteAnd the truth is, you've just read the best of middle earth. Not that LOTR trilogy is bad, just extra meandering when it comes to plot and description.
ReplyDeleteGood to know. I know you struggled, friend.
DeleteI haven't seen the trailer and I think this will one of those cases where I go into it without having seen it, knowing it will be amazing. Sometimes I torture myself like that and it is so hard but WOW the payoff at the theater. With those AWESOME GLASSES. I'm nerding out right now.
ReplyDeleteOh my love, my love for Middle Earth. And second breakfast!
THOSE GLASSES!
DeleteAlso, tomorrow is national hobbit day or some such so be sure to have elevensies as well!
I've never read The Lord of the Rings series either. I've always told myself that I will read them but then something else comes along, and well...you know what happens. Your review of The Hobbit reminds me of why I need to pick all of them up and indulge myself in some wonderful fantasy! Perhaps I will do that soon? :)
ReplyDeleteI do know! The Hobbit was a great launching point.
DeleteYeah, I'm gonna snatch up your nerd card right now.
ReplyDeleteI freakin' love all of the little extras including the songs and the descriptions.
So glad you finally read this noise ;-)
I know. For shame.
DeleteWait. "BUT I’ve never read the books."
ReplyDeleteWAIT. WAIT!!!!!!!!!!! I DID NOT KNOW THIS OMGGGGGGGGGGGG I NEED A MOMENT.
SOBBING.
DeleteIt gets even "windier" during the trilogy -- but seriously -- you need to read them. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI will! I swears it.
DeleteSo I totally tried reading this book when I had the attention span of a 5-year old (I was actually about 16) and didn't quite make it all the way through. I've definitely been wanting to give it another go though and the movie rendition has me all sorts of excited!
ReplyDeleteGive it a go, but be prepared that it will give your attention a work out! I left and came back a few times and it was fine. :)
Deleteum...I LOVE that you guys own LOTR games. We might have one plus we own at least two Star Wars games. I love being a nerd.
ReplyDeleteNerds, unite!
DeleteSo psyched for the movie! I also own many, many LOTR themed boardgames and books and such haha. It is fabulous. Of all of Tolkien's books, I liked The Hobbit the best. I think Lord of the Rings is a better story, but those books took a bit of willpower and dedication to get through. I hope you manage to read those as well though - definitely something you should read at least once!
ReplyDeleteYay for LOTR board games!
DeleteI hope I find the dedication to get through those books one day!
LISA. You seriously need to read LOTR. The movies are outstanding but I swear the books...there's lots of great stuff in them that the movies are missing. I totally read this whole series backwards: I read LOTR first and have yet to get through The Hobbit. I keep trying and I keep getting distracted! We failed so hard at our readalong. Well, YOU didn't. I did. I need to read it before the movie comes out, because I'm STOKED for it. :-)
ReplyDeleteI will read them. I SWEAR. On the precious.
DeleteLisa, your description of the plot line is how I will now officially blurb this book. Also, I so hope you go on to read LotR. They're actually incredibly different, despite taking place in the same world. I actually didn't like The Hobbit in book form all that much (please don't take my nerd card away--I do have a Hobbit tote bag and a LotR subway shirt I rock), but I loved LotR. I think maybe my enjoyment of this book was hindered by the sheer awesomeness of the old cartoon (which I also own). Proud of you for reading this one before the movie though!
ReplyDeleteBahaha - it's a pretty silly blurb.
DeleteI promise I will actually read LOTR one day.
Oh man, that old cartoon is so rad. I can't hate you for that!
I had a hard time getting in to this one the first time I read it. Once I did though I FLEW through all the LOTR books! I actually did a re-read of The Hobbit this summer via audiobook and it was amazing! If you can get the Rob Inglis audios of any of the LOTR books I highly recommend them. He does different voices, sings the songs, and is all around awesome. So glad you're reading these :)
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought to do the audio version of these. So smart!
DeleteThis is one of the movies that I'm DEFINITELY looking forward to. The Hobbit was (and still is!) one of my favorite books EVER. As a fantasy fan, I absolutely ADORED it. The adventures, the characters, the world - SO AMAZING. I'm so happy you got the chance to read it and that you liked it. I'm going to assume you're reading the rest? I can't wait to see what you've got to say.
ReplyDeleteOne day I will read the rest. I promise!
Delete