Reviews

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

hunziker's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

garrett_adams14's review against another edition

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adventurous funny inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

5.0

angie333's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted tense slow-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

stephanieelyse's review against another edition

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adventurous funny slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

Things that are evident after finishing The Hobbit:
-it’s a product of its time
-it is a story designed to be read aloud 

I have tried a few times in my life to get into The Lord of the Rings but struggled with the writing style so thought this time, in my 30s, I will start with The Hobbit.
Tolkien was certainly a creative man with a lot of ideas.
That this was a story he came up with and told his children is very clear as it is something I think I would have enjoyed being read to me as a child but alas, I am adult, and did not think to borrow the audio from Libby.
I read a few passages aloud to my partner and it flows well when spoken but internal voice did not love reading in my head. I think I’m just a product of my generation and I enjoy a lot more characterisation rather than a story that is very much episodic plot (though some parts happen off page anyway and Bilbo is even knocked out during the final battle). 

I may one day borrow the audio and have a new experience with the story but for now there is a lot my I have waiting to come off hold and soon I will have 45hours of Robin Hobb to listen to.

hotpapajohns's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Read to my baby 

alicebme's review against another edition

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4.0

All in all quite lovely. I enjoy this world. The reading is superb.

The wood elves are not so nice and then war makes them friends. The dwarves are friendly, but then adventure and treasure make them not so nice. War makes them nice again. Gandalf isn’t in this as much as I thought.

mikeyw's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

syllu's review against another edition

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adventurous fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

aschuler's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

arrk33's review against another edition

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3.0

I enjoyed this much more now than when I read this at 13 years old. I still think the pacing is a little off and missing the majority of the battle and major characters’ deaths because Bilbo was unconscious feels like a cop out. Very glad I gave this book another chance and also happy I saved it to read after the other trilogy.