“The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien

This is the first novel I’ve read by J.R.R. Tolkien and I love it. This is the third time that I am reading the The Hobbit and it is just as exciting and entertaining as the first.

Quick summary:

The story opens with the main character, Bilbo Baggins, a lovable hobbit who resides in a warm, cozy hole in The Hill at Bag-End. By opening the story this way, Tolkien introduces the readers to hobbits, educating them on who and what hobbits are. Turns out that hobbits are just like us humans, though not noisy and ignorant of the beauty of nature. Also, hobbits are much more good natured. Though sometimes seen as silly and ignorant, from Bilbo it is learned that hobbits are tough and are surprisingly brave. Which is why Gandalf the Grey sends Bilbo on an adventure with Thorin Oakenshield (I love that name) and his band of dwarves to rescue their mountain from the dragon Smaug. Along the way, the group encounter various dangerous adventures and Bilbo makes new friends. He also happens to pick up a magic ring that turns him invisible and at the same time gained the enmity of a tortured creature called Gollum.

My reaction:

I believe Tolkien to be a master storyteller and an ingenious inventor. I’ve read some background on him and turns out that dude created his own universe, his own world, Middle-earth, and also created the language used there. Now that is someone with a great mind and a super-active imagination. Tolkien created this story from the ground up, laying the foundation for the world that his characters would reside in and the languages they would use.

This story of Bilbo’s adventure is easy to read and to follow. I especially like the tone that Tolkien uses to relate the story, it’s almost conversational. At times, it seems as if he was at my bedside relating it to me. I also liked that Bilbo is a relatable character. An adventure is thrust on him and he is unsure at first whether or not to go. When he does decide to go, he constantly wishes to return to the comfort of his home. Every time he laments about wanting to return to his hobbit hole, I recall those times when I’ve ventured on long, tiresome, uncomfortable trips from which I wish to return to the comforts of my home.

The Hobbit is a wonderful, easy to read story that should be read by all — for the story itself and also to admire the creativity of Tolkien. The story is thrilling and it is easy to get hooked to the point where you will be reluctant to put down the novel until you get to the last page.

The Fellowship of the Ring (book 1) ->