A review by justjacq
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

adventurous dark funny inspiring mysterious tense slow-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

5.0

There are a lot of "classics" that I always seem to keep in my TBR and just never pick them up - and half the time, when I do pick them up, I don't even enjoy them as much as I expected. That could not be further from the truth with The Hobbit. SHAME ON ME for taking so long to read this masterpiece. It's so much more than entertaining, but it's also entertaining as helllll... it's just so good. It has the most charming adventure vibes - full of highs and lows, of battles won and lost, of light and darkness. It has the most charming humor, which I really didn't expect, and it continually had me chuckling out loud. Also, being so late to the game with reading this made it so evident to me what an inspiration this novel had been for so many that came after it. Tolkien's world-building and writing are simply magical. I will absolutely be reading all of the LOTR books now, haha. I have always loved the movies, but as usual, the books are just always better! AND LISTEN TO THE VERSIONS NARRATED BY ANDY SERKIS. You will never again complain about one narrator doing multiple character voices - the man is a beast, and he should win an award for this narration! If The Hobbit is sitting in your TBR, and even if it's not, you should read it sooner rather than later and savor all its magic.