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Bilbo Baggins, a respectable, well-to-do hobbit, lives comfortably in his hobbit-hole until the day the wandering wizard Gandalf chooses him to take part in an adventure from which he may never return.
ErisofDiscord: Written by J.R.R. Tolkien's friend, C.S. Lewis. Although their styles of writing are very different, I have found both of them to be highly enjoyable and the quality of both of the authors books are unmatched.
DCBlack: Another quest tale of the reluctant hero who would rather be sitting in a comfy chair by the fireplace than getting mixed up in all sorts of adventures. Full of humor and whimsical charm.
DavidGoldsteen: If you like a quest story, here's the real deal. A Chinese classic first that first appeared as a novel over 500 years ago. Monkey is a lively, funny, exciting story.
PitcherBooks: While I enjoyed The Hobbit a bit more than the Elven, I like The Elven much more than the LOTR. I have yet to read the sequels but Elven had the feel of a fantasy classic to it. Time will tell...
Pros: Great world-building and characters, mostly action, adventure and magic with only the last tenth or so devoted to the obligatory war. Since I'm not big on wars this was a major plus.
Con: The Hobbit was shorter, more endearing and faster moving. Elven is a lengthy tome but the characters and adventures held my interest even so.… (more)
ed.pendragon: Tolkien was very familiar with this work, certainly from the old translation by J Giles (which in turn probably influenced Tolkien's own Farmer Giles of Ham)
An unexpected adventure fell upon Bilbo Baggins. Bilbo because the fourteenth member of a party of thirteen dwarfs. The dwarfs needed a burglar, so the wizard Gandalf picked Bilbo. Bilbo himself is a hobbit and hobbits do not wear shoes as their feet have natural thick soles. That same attribute makes hobbits unheard when moving about the wild. But the silent quality is not the reason why Gandalf chose Bilbo, he was chosen simply because fate deemed it.
The dwarf’s quest was to regain control of The Lonely Mountain which was guarded by a dragon. Although Bilbo did not wish to go on the adventure, he was tricked into going. The adventure itself held many twists, turns, and vicissitudes. Goblins, wargs, trolls, big spiders, eagles, elves and other races and creatures make an appearance into this fantasy tail. Various cultures of the races are represented in song, gesture, and history. ( )
I read the Lord of the Rings before reading this book, and I think it ruined some of the experience for me. I thought I would enjoy this book more because it was shorter. I very much value the lesson I got out of Lord of the Rings, but I didn't get the same feeling from this book. I'd recommend reading this book first. I give it 3 movies out of 5 movies - but they should have only made 1 movie for this story. ( )
At first it was just a story with characters going on an adventure. Gradually I came to see themes that relate to us mortal humans. * Conflict between groups * Conflict within groups * Misunderstood motives * Greed * Deception, betrayal * Conflicting groups uniting against a common enemy It provides something to think about.
I have tried many times to read this book and never succeeded until now. Since Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf mentioned it in General conference my wife read it and then I read it. ( )
Rating a book that you have read many times is not easy, but in this case it only confirmed my view of the book. It's majestic. In all the times I read it I discovered new things. Beside a steadily growing exitement while reading the book, ending almost in disaster (no worry, all ends well) it is also entwined by humor that sometimes might go unnoticed. Though in many ways Bilbo seems to be the hero of the story, for me it is actually Balin, who in many ways opposes others and remains a close friend to Bilbo right up to the end of the book. Tolkien obviously wrote with his own children in mind, (his biggest critics), but managed to write a tale that captivates audiences from all ages ( )
Recuerdo leer cosas sueltas sobre la historia de El Hobbit en la primera versión del El Señor de los Anillos, pero no tan completa como esta edición. Libro increible que ayuda mucho a asentar las bases de la siguiente historia. ( )
A finely written saga of dwarves and elves, fearsome goblins and trolls ... an exciting epic of travel and magical adventure, all working up to a devastating climax
Far over the misty mountains cold To dungeons deep and caverns old We must away ere break of day To seek the pale enchanted gold.
This thing all things devours: Birds, beasts, trees, flowers; Gnaws iron, bites steel; Grinds hard stones to meal; Slays king, ruins town, And beats high mountain down.
It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him. Dragons may not have much real use for all their wealth, but they know it to an ounce as a rule, especially after long possession; and Smaug was no exception.
There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West. Some courage and some wisdom, blended in measure. If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world. But sad or merry, I must leave it now. Farewell!
"And why not? Surely you don't disbelieve the prophecies just because you helped them come about. You don't really suppose do you that all your adventures and escapes were managed by mere luck? Just for your sole benefit? You're a very fine person, Mr. Baggins, and I'm quite fond of you. But you are really just a little fellow, in a wide world after all."
His crown shall be upholden, His harp shall be restrung, His halls shall echo golden To songs of yore re-sung.
"What do you mean?" he said. "Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?"
A box without hinges, key, or lid, yet golden treasure inside is hid.
"What have I got in my pocket?"
"I am Gandalf, and Gandalf means me!"
"Who are these miserable persons?"
"What has it got in its nasty, little pocketses?"
Last words
"Thank goodness!" said Bilbo laughing, and handed him the tobacco-jar.
J.R.R. Tolkien's complete work The Lord of the Rings consists of six Books, frequently bound in three Volumes:
Volume 1: The Fellowship of the Ring, consisting of Book I, "The Ring Sets Out" and Book II, "The Ring Goes South";
Volume 2: The Two Towers, consisting of Book III, "The Treason of Isengard," and Book IV, "The Ring Goes East"; and
Volume 3: The Return of the King, consisting of Book V, "The War of the Ring," and Book VI, "The End of the Third Age," with Appendices.
This LT Work consists solely of The Hobbit, a prelude to The Lord of the Rings; please do not combine it with that complete work, or with any part(s) thereof, each of which have LT Works pages of their own. Thank you.
Bilbo Baggins, a respectable, well-to-do hobbit, lives comfortably in his hobbit-hole until the day the wandering wizard Gandalf chooses him to take part in an adventure from which he may never return.
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Book description
[R.L. 6.6] The story of hobbit Bilbo Baggins as he travels across middle earth with a group of dwarfs and a wizard. He faces trolls and dragons. Meets elves and shape shifters. And hopes to acquire great treasure as his adventure continues.
Haiku summary
So I'm a thief now. What I really should have took? Comfortable shoes.
The dwarves had a plan. They didn't say anything about hungry trolls.
(Carnophile)
Nasty Bagginses stole the Precious, yess, and we hates them forever! (ed.pendragon)
A ring in a cave? I’ll take it. I doubt that the owner will miss it.
(Carnophile)
Wizard at the door? Twelve dwarves too? You'll be telling me a dragon's next! (ed.pendragon)
The dwarf’s quest was to regain control of The Lonely Mountain which was guarded by a dragon. Although Bilbo did not wish to go on the adventure, he was tricked into going. The adventure itself held many twists, turns, and vicissitudes. Goblins, wargs, trolls, big spiders, eagles, elves and other races and creatures make an appearance into this fantasy tail. Various cultures of the races are represented in song, gesture, and history.
( )