Paperback
English language
Published Aug. 15, 2002 by Houghton Mifflin.
In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort. Written for J.R.R. Tolkien’s own children, The Hobbit met with instant critical acclaim when it was first published in 1937. Now recognized as a timeless classic, this introduction to the hobbit Bilbo Baggins, the wizard Gandalf, Gollum, and the spectacular world of Middle-earth recounts of the adventures of a reluctant hero, a powerful and dangerous ring, and the cruel dragon Smaug the Magnificent. The text in this 372-page paperback edition is based on that first published in Great Britain by Collins Modern Classics (1998), and includes a note on the text by Douglas A. Anderson (2001).
The Hobbit has always been my least favorite book about Middle Earth, and the story hasn't changed after this re-reading. The graphic novel might make it more approachable for certain people, but I'm not blown away by it, either.
Although not a part of his epic "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, J.R.R. Tolkien arguably wrote his finest work as a precursor to the 3-part opus, a prequel known as "The Hobbit." Tolkien narrows the scope of the "Lord of the Rings" series to specific individuals fifty or so years prior to the events surrounding the War of the Ring. This specific narrative focuses on a hobbit by the name of Bilbo Baggins and his absolutely ridiculous adventures with a dozen dwarves and the mysterious Gandalf the Grey. As usual, Tolkien's trademark details make an appearance, painting a beautiful picture of Middle-Earth, the setting for this magnificent prequel. Bilbo's story is just as engrossing as his nephew, Frodo's, and this novel's finest success is in its perfect wit, stunning detail, and captivating story. "The Hobbit" is a book that helped redefine the genre of fantasy and science fiction forever.
