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willrefuge's review against another edition
5.0
9.5 / 10 ✪
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2023/06/04/the-hobbit-by-j-r-r-tolkien/
And what is a Hobbit?
Hobbits are a little people, smaller than dwarves. They love peace and quiet and good tilled earth. They dislike machines, but they are handy with tools. They are nimble but don’t like to hurry. They have sharp ears and eyes. They are inclined to be fat. They wear bright colors but seldom wear shoes. They like to laugh and eat (six meals a day) and drink. They like parties and they like to give and receive presents. They inhabit a land they call The Shire, a place between the River Brandywine and the Far Downs.
The Hobbit is a story of these delightful creatures—a story complete in itself yet full of portent. For this is the book that tells of Bilbo Baggins, the far-wandering hobbit who discovered (some say stole) the One Ring of Power and brought it back to The Shire.
The original audio recording of the Hobbit by Rob Inglis took place in 1991. I heard it for the first time in the early 90’s, and then countless times over the following decade on family road-trips. While I hated most of those trips—you can only spend some many hours in the car (around 26? each way) before it starts to get old—I still adore the Hobbit. That classic first paragraph:
’ In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort. ‘
I’ve read the actual text a fair few times over the years as well, but when it was recommended I return to the world, it was obvious to choose the audio version. Specifically, the original, Rob Inglis version. Don’t get me wrong: I’ve nothing against Andy Serkis, he’s just not what I’m used to. Thus, I recently enjoyed the audio version, accompanied by occasional use of the written word
If you’ve never read the Hobbit—it’s not like the movies. I mean it IS, but it’s also not. The original Hobbit: There and Back Again, was invented as a story for Tolkien’s children. Therefore while there’s still action, intrigue, and dragons, this tale of hobbits is a lot more cozy and comfortable; an armchair fantasy, complete with great feasts, pipe tobacco, puzzles and riddles, and lots of singing. There are still daring deeds, heroes, villains, and everything in between; men, dwarves, elves, hobbits, shapeshifters, goblins, wolves, trolls, eagles, and more; death, adventure, and fierce battles—but the Hobbit is so much more than all of that. It’s an idea. An idea that really gave birth to a genre: a genre of adventure and imagination, of dreams and fancy, of fantasy and reality combined.
If you’ve never read the Hobbit, seen the movies, OR heard tell of it, let me paint you a picture. In the hole in the ground, there lived a hobbit. Bilbo Baggins, a quiet if industrious chap, that was well-thought of and never had any adventures. But all that was about to change. For along came adventure and whisked him away with it.
There were also quite a lot of dwarves—thirteen to be exact—ponies, and a wizard, Gandalf the Grey. Their aim was the Lonely Mountain, once home of Thorin’s father, King Under the Mountain, but now the lair of the red dragon, Smaug. The dwarves sought a way to unseat the dragon and reinstall themselves as the rightful rulers, or, failing that, to remove the treasure from the dragon’s clutches. To this end, they required a burglar—and that’s where Bilbo came in.
But it was a long road to the Lonely Mountain, and there were many adventures upon the way. It’s truly a tale of adventure and imagination—a great return to the classic fantasy of old—and one I would recommend everyone experience at least once. Where the following Lord of the Rings might be more of an epic, grand adventure, the Hobbit is undeniable a cozier quest, one to be enjoyed by all ages, particularly when it’s dark or rainy outside.
And to the person that suggested I reread the Hobbit, if for some reason you’re reading this: I’m sorry I don’t always listen, and never seem to learn, but I will always remember to bring snacks for the road—and a handkerchief—if you bring the pipe tobacco.
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2023/06/04/the-hobbit-by-j-r-r-tolkien/
And what is a Hobbit?
Hobbits are a little people, smaller than dwarves. They love peace and quiet and good tilled earth. They dislike machines, but they are handy with tools. They are nimble but don’t like to hurry. They have sharp ears and eyes. They are inclined to be fat. They wear bright colors but seldom wear shoes. They like to laugh and eat (six meals a day) and drink. They like parties and they like to give and receive presents. They inhabit a land they call The Shire, a place between the River Brandywine and the Far Downs.
The Hobbit is a story of these delightful creatures—a story complete in itself yet full of portent. For this is the book that tells of Bilbo Baggins, the far-wandering hobbit who discovered (some say stole) the One Ring of Power and brought it back to The Shire.
The original audio recording of the Hobbit by Rob Inglis took place in 1991. I heard it for the first time in the early 90’s, and then countless times over the following decade on family road-trips. While I hated most of those trips—you can only spend some many hours in the car (around 26? each way) before it starts to get old—I still adore the Hobbit. That classic first paragraph:
’ In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort. ‘
I’ve read the actual text a fair few times over the years as well, but when it was recommended I return to the world, it was obvious to choose the audio version. Specifically, the original, Rob Inglis version. Don’t get me wrong: I’ve nothing against Andy Serkis, he’s just not what I’m used to. Thus, I recently enjoyed the audio version, accompanied by occasional use of the written word
If you’ve never read the Hobbit—it’s not like the movies. I mean it IS, but it’s also not. The original Hobbit: There and Back Again, was invented as a story for Tolkien’s children. Therefore while there’s still action, intrigue, and dragons, this tale of hobbits is a lot more cozy and comfortable; an armchair fantasy, complete with great feasts, pipe tobacco, puzzles and riddles, and lots of singing. There are still daring deeds, heroes, villains, and everything in between; men, dwarves, elves, hobbits, shapeshifters, goblins, wolves, trolls, eagles, and more; death, adventure, and fierce battles—but the Hobbit is so much more than all of that. It’s an idea. An idea that really gave birth to a genre: a genre of adventure and imagination, of dreams and fancy, of fantasy and reality combined.
If you’ve never read the Hobbit, seen the movies, OR heard tell of it, let me paint you a picture. In the hole in the ground, there lived a hobbit. Bilbo Baggins, a quiet if industrious chap, that was well-thought of and never had any adventures. But all that was about to change. For along came adventure and whisked him away with it.
There were also quite a lot of dwarves—thirteen to be exact—ponies, and a wizard, Gandalf the Grey. Their aim was the Lonely Mountain, once home of Thorin’s father, King Under the Mountain, but now the lair of the red dragon, Smaug. The dwarves sought a way to unseat the dragon and reinstall themselves as the rightful rulers, or, failing that, to remove the treasure from the dragon’s clutches. To this end, they required a burglar—and that’s where Bilbo came in.
But it was a long road to the Lonely Mountain, and there were many adventures upon the way. It’s truly a tale of adventure and imagination—a great return to the classic fantasy of old—and one I would recommend everyone experience at least once. Where the following Lord of the Rings might be more of an epic, grand adventure, the Hobbit is undeniable a cozier quest, one to be enjoyed by all ages, particularly when it’s dark or rainy outside.
And to the person that suggested I reread the Hobbit, if for some reason you’re reading this: I’m sorry I don’t always listen, and never seem to learn, but I will always remember to bring snacks for the road—and a handkerchief—if you bring the pipe tobacco.
jayluke92's review against another edition
5.0
It has been about twenty years since the first time (and till now, the last time) I read this book. It was a 5 then and it's sure as hell a 5 now.
nobrainer's review against another edition
4.0
A great introduction to the world of Tolkien. This book is written in a way that is different than the Lord of the Rings but it still is something to let people get a taste for this world.
k8thi25's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
gonk0droid's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
oprah_wimpy's review against another edition
4.0
Listening to the BBC production audiobooks during a road trip for the holidays. Love all the extra music and sounds of horses etc. Very fun.
christofd's review against another edition
4.0
4.00/5 The Hobbit is a charming tale of 13 dwarves and an especially Took-ish hobbit embarking on an adventure in search of gold and a lost kingdom.
Each setting of The Hobbit evokes a certain emotion; the coziness of Hobbiton and Bilbo’s Hobbit-hole, the eerie atmosphere of the Mirkwood, and mysterious splendour on Rivendell. Each setting felt like its own adventure.
Overall, The Hobbit was a fun and cozy little adventure I tremendously enjoyed. On to The Lord of The Rings now…
Each setting of The Hobbit evokes a certain emotion; the coziness of Hobbiton and Bilbo’s Hobbit-hole, the eerie atmosphere of the Mirkwood, and mysterious splendour on Rivendell. Each setting felt like its own adventure.
Overall, The Hobbit was a fun and cozy little adventure I tremendously enjoyed. On to The Lord of The Rings now…
cassanreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
angie_98's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
3.5