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daisythebrownie's review
funny
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
easolinas's review
3.0
I think everyone who has read "Lord of the Rings" (or seen the movies) envies the lives of one of Tolkien's fantastical races, whether it's the ethereal Elves or the down-to-earth Hobbits.
And "The Unofficial Hobbit Handbook: Everything I Need to Know about Life I Learned from Tolkien" aspires to tell you how to improve your quality of life with Tolkien as your guide. It's a bit precious at times (and no, not in the Smeagol sense) but it is a fun little humorous book with some good tips.
Peter Archer explores the different aspects of life -- food, relationships, holidays, survival, homes, etc -- through the lens of what makes Hobbit life so pleasant and idyllic. No, it doesn't involve living underground -- instead, it's more about ways to give parts of your life the same charming quality as the hobbits'.
His style is pleasantly down-to-earth, with lots of little Tolkien in-jokes (according to the book, cram tastes "like compacted sawdust"). At times it feels a bit cutesy, but it's a harmless rather than cloying kind of cutesy. And it will elicit some chuckles as he grandly describes how a mischievous relative can liven up your party.
Also: expect recipes. No book about hobbit life is complete without one.
However, he does take some liberties with canon -- I'm pretty sure he got the depiction of hobbit weddings from the movies. And I'm not sure why he says Elves are vegetarian, since the canon makes it pretty clear they're not.
"The Unofficial Hobbit Handbook: Everything I Need to Know about Life I Learned from Tolkien" is a charming little addition for the Tolkien aficionado, if he doesn't take the great master's works too seriously.
And "The Unofficial Hobbit Handbook: Everything I Need to Know about Life I Learned from Tolkien" aspires to tell you how to improve your quality of life with Tolkien as your guide. It's a bit precious at times (and no, not in the Smeagol sense) but it is a fun little humorous book with some good tips.
Peter Archer explores the different aspects of life -- food, relationships, holidays, survival, homes, etc -- through the lens of what makes Hobbit life so pleasant and idyllic. No, it doesn't involve living underground -- instead, it's more about ways to give parts of your life the same charming quality as the hobbits'.
His style is pleasantly down-to-earth, with lots of little Tolkien in-jokes (according to the book, cram tastes "like compacted sawdust"). At times it feels a bit cutesy, but it's a harmless rather than cloying kind of cutesy. And it will elicit some chuckles as he grandly describes how a mischievous relative can liven up your party.
Also: expect recipes. No book about hobbit life is complete without one.
However, he does take some liberties with canon -- I'm pretty sure he got the depiction of hobbit weddings from the movies. And I'm not sure why he says Elves are vegetarian, since the canon makes it pretty clear they're not.
"The Unofficial Hobbit Handbook: Everything I Need to Know about Life I Learned from Tolkien" is a charming little addition for the Tolkien aficionado, if he doesn't take the great master's works too seriously.
catherine_t's review
4.0
This is an amusing, if occasionally repetitive, little book. It is fortunate for us Big People that living the life of a good hobbit is so similar to living the life of a good Man. The authors distill life lessons from Tolkien, giving advice on everything from good manners to how to confront a dragon and walk away with one's skin intact (and not crispy).
daphself's review
4.0
Quite amusing.
Plenty of insight into the Middle Earth realm and plenty to ponder about.
Loved this little book!
Plenty of insight into the Middle Earth realm and plenty to ponder about.
Loved this little book!
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