Synopsis
Bilbo Baggins is a reasonably typical hobbit: fond of sleeping, eating, drinking, parties and presents. However, it is his destiny to travel to the dwarflands in the east, to help slay the dragon Smaug. His quest takes him through enchanted forests, spiders' lairs, and under the Misty Mountains, where he comes across the vile Gollum, and tricks him out of his 'Precious' - a ring that makes its bearer invisible, and wields a terrible power of its own.
J.R.R. Tolkien's own description for the original edition:
"If you care for journeys there and back, out of the comfortable Western world, over the edge of the Wild, and home again, and can take an interest in a humble hero (blessed with a little wisdom and a little courage and considerable good luck), here is a record of such a journey and such a traveler. The period is the ancient time between the age of Faerie and the dominion of men, when the famous forest of Mirkwood was still standing, and the mountains were full of danger. In following the path of this humble adventurer, you will learn by the way (as he did) - if you do not already know all about these things - much about trolls, goblins, dwarves, and elves, and get some glimpses into the history and politics of a neglected but important period."
"For Mr. Bilbo Baggins visited various notable persons; conversed with the dragon, Smaug the Magnificent; and was present, rather unwillingly, at the Battle of the Five Armies. This is all the more remarkable, since he was a hobbit. Hobbits have hitherto been passed over in history and legend, perhaps because they as a rule preferred comfort to excitement. But this account, based on his personal memoirs, of the one exciting year in the otherwise quiet life of Mr. Baggins will give you a fair idea of the estimable people now (it is said) becoming rather rare. They do not like noise."
J.R.R. Tolkien's own description for the original edition:
"If you care for journeys there and back, out of the comfortable Western world, over the edge of the Wild, and home again, and can take an interest in a humble hero (blessed with a little wisdom and a little courage and considerable good luck), here is a record of such a journey and such a traveler. The period is the ancient time between the age of Faerie and the dominion of men, when the famous forest of Mirkwood was still standing, and the mountains were full of danger. In following the path of this humble adventurer, you will learn by the way (as he did) - if you do not already know all about these things - much about trolls, goblins, dwarves, and elves, and get some glimpses into the history and politics of a neglected but important period."
"For Mr. Bilbo Baggins visited various notable persons; conversed with the dragon, Smaug the Magnificent; and was present, rather unwillingly, at the Battle of the Five Armies. This is all the more remarkable, since he was a hobbit. Hobbits have hitherto been passed over in history and legend, perhaps because they as a rule preferred comfort to excitement. But this account, based on his personal memoirs, of the one exciting year in the otherwise quiet life of Mr. Baggins will give you a fair idea of the estimable people now (it is said) becoming rather rare. They do not like noise."
My Thoughts
I think that by now, each person who dares to pick up a book from J. R. R. Tolkien has high standards of them, as each book by him became so successful. Also, it can be very frightening since he’s the master of the epic fantasy, with large and complicate books that, for those who aren’t brave enough, it can eat them alive. So, saying all these things, I was not so sure about getting into this story, but since it was part of my book club with my sister, The Coffee Book Shop, I have to read it, and when I have to agreed that wasn’t bad, it wasn’t that good either.
We got the illustrated digital version, which was cool because we could get more details about the world that Tolkien was giving us. I have to agreed that the world is very magnificent, all the creatures, landscape and characters connected together to create something magical but I never was too compelling to the story or connected to it. I can’t describe in words why I was bored about the book but I felt that I was left behind because all I wanted to do was get over with and finished it already.
I think that what I like the most about the book is the developing of the characters especially of Mr. Baggins. The fact that he was so judgmental and that the only thing that he thought about was his comfy house and plenty of food unnerving me because I want that he appreciates the opportunity of adventure and left behind those fools “respected” ways of how a Hobbit should act. At the end, I think that I like Bilbo, isn’t that crazy as how awesome my sister (@23waysofArle) thinks he is but I think he’s cool, really gentle, good friend, brave and honest with his principles.
What I don’t like for sure about this book is that I really don’t think this could be a good book for children, I think that is too macabre for kids. The creatures are really good in scaring even adults with horrible, hideous faces and cruel personalities, and even the “good” characters have an edge of a bloody nature. But also I don’t feel it could be a good adult book because the immature way the story is been told.
In conclusion, I think this is a good book to pass the time but we have to be patience with it because the action doesn’t start until really late. For those who likes epic fantasy because the building worlds, features dragons and castles, and lot of crazy people who get lost each time they set a way, I think it would be awesome.
About the Author
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, CBE, was an English writer, poet, WWI veteran (a First Lieutenant in the Lancashire Fusiliers, British Army), philologist, and university professor, best known as the author of the high fantasy classic works The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. While many other authors had published works of fantasy before Tolkien, the great success of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings led directly to a popular resurgence of the genre. This has caused Tolkien to be popularly identified as the "father" of modern fantasy literature—or more precisely, high fantasy. Tolkien's writings have inspired many other works of fantasy and have had a lasting effect on the entire field.
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