The Hobbit

J.R.R. Tolkien's children's adventure story would later become the natural prequel to his masterpiece The Lord of The Rings and the two works have become some what intertwined. However, I will do my best to review it on it's own merit.

Bilbo, a Hobbit (who don't have adventures), is visited by the wizard Gandalf and thirteen dwarves who seek a fourteenth member (to avoid the unlucky number) for their journey to steal the treasure from the dragon Smaug. Though reluctant at first, Bilbo is convinced in part by the trickery of Gandalf to join the unexpected party. He is taken, literally from his comfort zone, off to discover things he knew of only from old tales.

Bilbo's adventure takes him face to face with trolls, goblins, a riddling creature named Gollum, elves and of course the dragon. He learns the value of adventuring and of course returns home the greater for having gone of this journey, bringing back with him, not only treasure but a magic ring of invisibility. Yes, the ring which will become the focal point of The Lord of The Rings.

Simple and elegantly told with splendid narration (you can almost hear Tolkien reading this to his children from an old book), The Hobbit is a timeless and jovial light read. Though older readers may find that the book steers toward safety; any situation of danger is short lived and the heroes undoubtedly get away in the nick of time, every time. The poetry, though beautifully written in its own right can at times seem out of place however these are all minor flaws (if flaws at all) and the book is rightly judged a classic of the Fantasy genre.