The Hobbit: Or There and Back Again (Lord of the Rings) (Pre-Lord of the Rings)

by J. R. R. Tolkien

Michael Hague (Illustrator)

IN this delightful and enthralling tale, J. R. R. Tolkien first created the imperishable world of fantasy called Middle-earth and those charming, lilliputian creatures—the Hobbits, whose adventures are continued in "The Lord of the Rings."
"The Hobbit belongs to a very small class of books which have nothing in common save that each admits us to a world of its own-a world that seems to have been going on before we stumbled into it but which, once found by the right reader, becomes indispensable to him. Its place is with 'Alice in Wonderland' and "The Wind in The Willows"... Prediction is dangerous but 'The Hobbit' may well prove a classic.' —London Times Literary Supplement *BALLANTINTE BOOKS IS THE PAPERBOUND PUBLISHER OF THE AUTHORIZED EDITION OF "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings".

• ISBN10: 0618002219
• ISBN13: 9780618002214
• Publish Date: 15 September 1999 (first published 1 January 1938)
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Houghton Mifflin
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 320
• Language: English

Reviews

I think I would have loved to read out loud a tale like this to children, but for myself, I wasn't excited or interested in the story at all. 

[chillywilly]

I understand now why so many people love this book and this author. Wish I had read it years ago. It starts off kind of slow, but gradually stays at a steady pace throughout the book. I watched the movies toward the end before finishing the book and the movies I feel for the most part sticks to the main points of the book. Yes there is more fighting in the movie, but the book depends more on wits, Bilbo's wits. I feel the book portrays the dwarfs as more of a cautious people and not willing to do more than they feel necessary than the movie. The movie shows them more boisterous and courageous. The movie also ties in things from I believe the Lord of the Rings and perhaps other books. Sometimes the author goes off on another storyline, sort of like a scatterbrained individual. Something a normal person would do if they had thought of something they had forgotten and wanted to remember before going back to the main storyline. Can't wait to read the rest of books.

[Danielle Renee Wallace]

My first time ever reading anything from J.R.R. Tolkien!

The Hobbit was a very interesting story, and well written. Some parts were a little hard to read through (because I prefer reading dialogue rather than detailed descriptions), but other scenes were quite intriguing, and others rather comical.

Bilbo Baggins is a Hobbit, a short creature with hairy feet. While not one for adventure, he embarks on a journey for gold after some interesting visitors arrive at his hobbit-hole.

Bilbo goes through some impressive character growth throughout the novel, learning to stand on his own two hairy feet and fend for himself, plus be there when his companions need him most. Personally, I enjoyed seeing him blossem into a better version of himself.

The ending of the book was touching in more ways then one, and makes you feel in a sense, as if you've ended the journey too. For fans of fantasy, you just may love this one!

[readingwithbecs]

The first time I read this book it was on audio, and I had such a hard time focusing on the narration that I really didn't store a lot of the story. For that reason I gave it two stars with the intention on rereading it physically later, so I could form a better opinion on the book.
I have now finished my physical reread and... It's still only two stars. I neither liked it or disliked it, it was just an okay reading experience. I can appreciate the fun and adventurous side of the story. But I think it's the writing style that killed it a bit for me. In some parts it was quite humorous, but mostly I felt the writing was slow and the chapters were dragged out.
I am still going to continue my J. R. R. Tolkien experience by reading the first of the Lord of the Ring books soon (hopefully)

[moraa]

3.5 stars

[leahrosereads]

While I enjoyed this since it was in graphic form and the art is wonderful, I felt like it was a bit disjointed at times. Which happens when you take a novel and condense it to fit this format. It's not a bad version if you haven't read The Hobbit and want to give it a go, or if you don't mind losing a bit of the story for art. Normally, I'm all for it, but I think since it's such a loved story from my childhood and The Hobbit may be one of the first books that got me into fantasy, the original text is a little too close to my heart.

Still enjoyed and would read again.

[thepunktheory]

Book vs. Movie:
Well, before I say anything more detailed, I'd like to point something out: LOR consisted of three books each 300 to 400 pages long which resulted in a trilogy of 3 hour-long movies. The Hobbit on the other hand is one 300 page book, but still they made 3 movies out of it.
I remember when seeing the films (especially the last one) the story felt lengthy and you could clearly tell they were in for the money. However, after I read the book, I changed my opinion (well, not about the money-making, but about the lengthy part).
The Hobbit is an interesting read and far easier to get through with than LOR but I guess this is the problem. Many parts of the novel seem a bit, well unrealistic. I am aware that dragons and Hobbits do not exist but some points annoyed me. Tolkien spends an entire book explaining how powerful and dangerous the dragon is. Then Smaug has a little chat with Bilbo, flies of and is killed by Bard. The whole killing thing takes exactly one paragraph. The battle of the fives armies is a similar problem. It only begins on the last 20 pages of the book but you don't really get a battle. After two pages Bilbo is knocked out and regains consciousness only after the fighting is over. Seriously Tolkien? That's not okay.
Moving on to the film I have many positives points on my list. First of all the fight with the dragon is far better than in the book. I mean, in the film the dwarves at least have a fight with the damn thing instead of simply a little chat.
Where the novel is rather one-dimensional, a few more plotlines were created for the movie. Laketown is briefly mentioned in the book whereas it gets quite a bit of screen time in the film. The people are also characterised far better than in the book. Due to not having their own plotline the characters remain totally pale and you can't bond with them at all.
It's also pretty cool that they brought Legolas back for the films (he doesn't appear in the books). Thus the elves also get their own storyline and more depth (the love story wasn't that necessary but whatever).
Also very important: he battle in was epic. In the film you get a real fight, not just "..and then he passed out." What I also appreciate is that Thorin has to overcome an inner conflict aswell, which is not so much depicted in the books.
Last but not least: the movie is way more fun. Better conversations and witty answers are guaranteed. Two of my favourite characters were solely created for the films: Alfrid - this guy was absolutely hilarious. (I'm pretty sure he wasn't supposed to be funny, but at least for me he was) - and Radagast - no idea what that wizard is smoking but he was extremely funny to watch.


Summing up I have to say that I prefer the movies. Although three parts may have been too much, the films have way more depth than the books. The story gets more interesting and the characters are simply depicted in a better way. Skip the book and take the time to watch the three films. Although some stuff is also unrealistic in the films, it will at least make you laugh!

[vagasker]

I love The Hobbit and LotR movies that's why I started to read this book. While I quite enjoyed it I didn't love it as much as I hoped I would. I know it's a children's book, but there was no character development or something and I didn't love the characters. And that's the thing I like when I read books, when it's like I made a new friend because I love the character so much. It was a great book but maybe my expectations were too high.

[Mercy]

ES tan boniiiiiito ♥

Reseña: http://thebooksaremylife.blogspot.com/2014/01/resena-el-hobbit-jrr-tolkien.html

[Chelsea]

There's really not much to write about this book. It's completely amazing of course and a classic. The characters are all fantastic and you love them all. The plot has lots of adventure and it's paced really well. It is a long book and you need to be patient reading it but its worth it 100%. I'm really happy with this book and can't wait to read more of the series.