None
(not provided)
60th Anniversary Edition, 289 pages
English language
Published July 9, 1997 by Harpercollins Pub Ltd.
4 stars
(323 reviews)
This 1997 edition, illustrated by Alan Lee commemorates the 60th anniversary of "The Hobbit."
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 …
This 1997 edition, illustrated by Alan Lee commemorates the 60th anniversary of "The Hobbit."
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."
Christian Steiner reviewed Der Kleine Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
Review of 'Der Kleine Hobbit' on 'Goodreads'
Absolut gar nicht mein Genre und ich musste mich zwischendurch echt quälen weiterzulesen. Hat mir schlussendlich aber doch gefallen und der Nachwuchs ist jetzt schon an der Geschichte interessiert, die ich mit der Karte im Buch immer wieder nacherzählen soll. Vielleicht war das also der erste von vielen Durchläufen?
Ted reviewed The Hobbit: Or There and Back Again by J. R. R. Tolkien
Review of 'The Hobbit: Or There and Back Again' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
Y'all heard about this book? It's great minus maybe the political ending... I recommend the audio book read by Andy Serkis, and I recommend reading together with a kid.
John Best reviewed The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
Fantastic new audiobook edition
5 stars
It's been a couple of decades since I last read The Hobbit, but the story still holds up. This new audiobook edition is read by Andy Serkis (the actor who voiced and played Gollum, among many others). His voice acting is spectacular and really adds to the book. Highly recommended!
Eph (they, them) reviewed The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
Loved it years ago
5 stars
I read it years ago (70's) and I spent many of hours reading the trilogy in high school when I should have been doing other things. I do not regret it though.
jonn reviewed The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
Immersive adventures in the childhood
5 stars
When I was a kid, it was hard to read, but interesting at the same time. I think, it's a good book to help children learn that patience reaps rewards. Of a cool story in this particular case.
Shychipmunk reviewed The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
Review of 'The Hobbit' on 'Storygraph'
5 stars
While I already knew the gist of what happens from the movie, this was still enjoyable. It's a captivating story, and I rather enjoyed the various asides and commentary that comes through more in words than in movie. Also, I'm wondering how much of the movie was the <10 page battle at the end...
Frizz reviewed The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
Still the best
5 stars
A classic. I find new things every time I read it.
Tingenek reviewed The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
Best by far
5 stars
The absolute best of all his books. The LoTR may get all the attention, but this is a beautifully written and paced.
Dustywhite7 reviewed The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
Best with kids
4 stars
I like the book myself, but it was even more enjoyable when I read it with my daughter. Had to buy her a separate copy so she would stop stealing mine!
Gossamerchild reviewed The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
Review of 'The Hobbit' on 'Storygraph'
5 stars
Towards the end I started ignoring the annotations because I got so wrapped up in the story. For the 19th time. Thereabouts, anyway. I will never stop rereading this book.
Soh Kam Yung reviewed The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
A wonderful tale about a Hobbit.
5 stars
(Note: this review is about one of my many numerous re-reads of the book.)
"In a hole in the ground there lived ...", well, you probably know who.
A story that started out scribbled on the back of a piece of paper being marked by J.R.R. Tolkien has grown in the telling and now supports a whole mythology set out in the books "The Silmarillion" and "The Lord of the Rings" as well as a multi-billion dollar entertainment industry.
The story of Bilbo Baggins and how he got involved in a quest involving dwarves, a Wizard, elves, men, goblins, wargs (wolves) and, of course, a dragon, is set out in this tale that has been read multiple times by me.
The most important event in the book, almost trivial in its treatment (which it was, at the time) was the discovery of a seemingly innocuous magic ring by Bilbo deep …
(Note: this review is about one of my many numerous re-reads of the book.)
"In a hole in the ground there lived ...", well, you probably know who.
A story that started out scribbled on the back of a piece of paper being marked by J.R.R. Tolkien has grown in the telling and now supports a whole mythology set out in the books "The Silmarillion" and "The Lord of the Rings" as well as a multi-billion dollar entertainment industry.
The story of Bilbo Baggins and how he got involved in a quest involving dwarves, a Wizard, elves, men, goblins, wargs (wolves) and, of course, a dragon, is set out in this tale that has been read multiple times by me.
The most important event in the book, almost trivial in its treatment (which it was, at the time) was the discovery of a seemingly innocuous magic ring by Bilbo deep in the mountains which was to have an impact well after the telling of this tale.
Light-hearted in tone, the story skips gaily from Bilbo's home at Bag End to Rivendell, from the Misty Mountains to Mirkwood, from the Elven King's halls to its final destination; the Lonely Mountain far to the east. It is there that things turn grim as Bilbo finally performs the tasks he was hired to do; to be a burglar.
A good tale and best considered as a stand-alone tale, rather than a 'prequel' to Tolkien's major work, "The Lord of the Rings".
If you want to know more, also consider reading "The Annotated Hobbit" by Douglas A. Anderson and the two volume "The History of The Hobbit" by John D. Rateliff.
John Pettigrew reviewed The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
A classic for a reason
5 stars
It's hardly worth reviewing The Hobbit - it's been done so many times. But for those who only know it from the movies, prepare for a very different experience. This is more child-friendly but more epic, more philosophical but more realistic.
Madebypaul reviewed The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
Uh yah this one’s good
5 stars
I mean it’s a classic. How could you hate on it?
gabe. reviewed The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
Review of 'The Hobbit' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
A very nostalgic book for me, the one that first got me into reading Fantasy novels long long ago.
