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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
slow-paced
Bilbo Baggins. Happy in his Hobbit Hole. Torn from his comfortable chair by Gandalf the Wizard, who has convinced a group of dwarves that Bilbo is an impressive burglar and that Bilbo is the PERFECT thief to have on their quest to get back the gold that was stolen from them.
And Bilbo DOES go, though he's not happy about it, and his adventures with the dwarves, the friends and enemies they make, the scrapes he gets into and back out of, THAT is the story of "there and back again" that started it all. Yes, there are battles big and small and there is a ferocious dragon and many songs sung by the campfire. And Bilbo is there for it all, unassuming and mildly cowardly and surprisingly clever Hobbit that he is.
Okay. My twelve year old son wanted me to read this out loud to him. I wasn't as daunted as I should have been. I remembered reading it long ago (I just looked it up, it was in 2001) but I didn't remember how slow it was. It was SLOW going. Even with this illustrated version and even as interested as my son was, it was a bit of a slog. One twin gave up halfway through but the other one and I snuggled through many an hour with Bilbo and his companions. I get why it has stuck around, I can imagine why it absolutely enthralled everyone. It just took us like eight months to power through. NOT sorry I did this with my boy because HE enjoyed it and by the end, he was actually really tender about it. And that means it's still three stars for me.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was a delightful time. I don't even think comparing the movies to the book is fair because they are so different. Bilbo was hilarious, Thorin was much nicer, and Gandalf felt more like a mysterious wizard. Such a good time.
Read for the 2024 Fantasy Bingo
Quotes:
"The poor little hobbit sat down in the hall and put his head in his hands, and wondered what had happened, and what was going to happen, and whether they would all stay to supper."
"though they usually have a good notion of the current market value"
“Why, O why did I ever leave my hobbit-hole!” said poor Mr. Baggins bumping up and down on Bombur’s back.
“Why, O why did I ever bring a wretched little hobbit on a treasure hunt!” said poor Bombur, who was fat, and staggered along with the sweat dripping down his nose in his heat and terror.
“Why did you and your folk three times try to attack my people at their merrymaking?” asked the king.
“We did not attack them,” answered Thorin; “we came to beg, because we were starving.”
“Where are your friends now, and what are they doing?”
“I don’t know, but I expect starving in the forest.”
“What were you doing in the forest?”
“Looking for food and drink, because we were starving.”
“But what brought you into the forest at all?” asked the king angrily.
At that Thorin shut his mouth and would not say another word."
"A magic ring of that sort is not a complete protection in a goblin charge, nor does it stop flying arrows and wild spears; but it does help in getting out of the way, and it prevents your head from being specially chosen for a sweeping stroke by a goblin swordsman."
Read for the 2024 Fantasy Bingo
Quotes:
"The poor little hobbit sat down in the hall and put his head in his hands, and wondered what had happened, and what was going to happen, and whether they would all stay to supper."
"though they usually have a good notion of the current market value"
“Why, O why did I ever leave my hobbit-hole!” said poor Mr. Baggins bumping up and down on Bombur’s back.
“Why, O why did I ever bring a wretched little hobbit on a treasure hunt!” said poor Bombur, who was fat, and staggered along with the sweat dripping down his nose in his heat and terror.
“Why did you and your folk three times try to attack my people at their merrymaking?” asked the king.
“We did not attack them,” answered Thorin; “we came to beg, because we were starving.”
“Where are your friends now, and what are they doing?”
“I don’t know, but I expect starving in the forest.”
“What were you doing in the forest?”
“Looking for food and drink, because we were starving.”
“But what brought you into the forest at all?” asked the king angrily.
At that Thorin shut his mouth and would not say another word."
"A magic ring of that sort is not a complete protection in a goblin charge, nor does it stop flying arrows and wild spears; but it does help in getting out of the way, and it prevents your head from being specially chosen for a sweeping stroke by a goblin swordsman."
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Honestly prefer the movie...
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No