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Fiction

The Hobbit

By J.R.R. Tolkien

★★★★★

5.0

HarperCollins

Description

J.R.R. Tolkien's classic prelude to his Lord of the Rings trilogy...

Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely traveling any farther than his pantry or cellar. But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard Gandalf and a company of dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day to whisk him away on an adventure. They have launched a plot to raid the treasure hoard guarded by Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon. Bilbo reluctantly joins their quest, unaware that on his journey to the Lonely Mountain he will encounter both a magic ring and a frightening creature known as Gollum.

Written for J.R.R. Tolkien's own children, The Hobbit has sold many millions of copies worldwide and established itself as a modern classic.

Summary by AI

Authors' Background

J.R.R. Tolkien was a renowned English writer, poet, philologist, and academic. He is best known as the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien was a professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford University and had a deep interest in mythology, languages, and folklore, which heavily influenced his writing.

Main Theme

The main theme of The Hobbit is a coming-of-age story and a quest for adventure. It explores themes of courage, friendship, greed, and the corrupting influence of power. The story follows Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who is thrust into an unexpected journey to help a company of dwarves reclaim their treasure from the dragon Smaug.

Key Points

The Unexpected Journey: Bilbo Baggins, a home-loving hobbit, is recruited by the wizard Gandalf and a company of dwarves to participate in a quest.
The Quest for Treasure: The dwarves aim to reclaim their ancestral treasure, which is guarded by the dragon Smaug in the Lonely Mountain.
Encounters and Challenges: The company faces numerous challenges, including goblins, trolls, giant spiders, and the dragon Smaug.
The Discovery of the Ring: Bilbo finds a magic ring that grants invisibility, which plays a crucial role in his survival and the success of the quest.
The Battle of Five Armies: The climax of the story involves a large-scale battle between various factions, including dwarves, elves, men, and goblins.
Return Home: Bilbo returns to the Shire, changed by his experiences, and wiser.

Reputation of the Book

Good: The Hobbit is widely praised for its engaging storytelling, imaginative world-building, and memorable characters. It is considered a classic of children's literature and a foundational work in the fantasy genre. It is loved for its humor, adventure, and the creation of a rich and detailed world.
Bad: Some criticisms include the pacing, which can be slow at times, and the simplistic nature of some of the characters compared to Tolkien's later works.

Who Should Read It

Readers of all ages, especially those who enjoy fantasy, adventure, and coming-of-age stories.
Fans of The Lord of the Rings who want to explore the world of Middle-earth further.
Anyone looking for an engaging and imaginative read.