“The Hobbit” Review: There and Back Again…

“You certainly usually find something, if you look, but it is not always quite the something you were after.”
—  J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

Book Title: The Hobbit

Author: J.R.R Tolkien

Book Length: 374 pages

Genre: Fantasy, Children’s Literature, Classic Literature, Fiction

My Rating: 5/5 stars

Age Rating: 9+

Content Notes: No language or sexual content, violence and mild gore, abuse and captivity, animal/monster cruelty, death, emotional themes, grief

“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.”
— J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

Book Synopsis:

Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely traveling any farther than his pantry or cellar. But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard Gandalf and a company of dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day to whisk him away on an adventure. They have launched a plot to raid the treasure hoard guarded by Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon. Bilbo reluctantly joins their epic quest, unaware that on his journey to the Lonely Mountain he will encounter both a magic ring and a frightening creature known as Gollum.

My Review:

I’ve read “The Hobbit” more times than I can count, yet every time I pick it up, it never feels old. I always learn and notice new things. Whether it’s little details I hadn’t noticed the first time around, or background characters quietly doing something incredible.

Tolkien’s writing is rich and beautiful. His detailed descriptions of Bilbo’s world can make the story feel slow at times, but they also expand the setting and draw you deeper into it.

I love the beginning of the book, when Bilbo is still finding his courage. The fact that he didn’t jump at the opportunity but hesitated made him more relatable. He was just an ordinary guy who loved tea and books but was swept into an adventure that changed his life. And as the book progresses and Bilbo finds his courage, you might just feel like you’re finding yours right along with him. Bilbo doesn’t just grow in his bravery, he also gains confidence, independence, cleverness and compassion. He makes friendships that will last a lifetime, and he learns to appreciate the little things. Most importantly, he realizes that being brave doesn’t just mean killing a dragon or fighting in a great battle; bravery can be found in the little things, like helping a friend or staying even when you feel like leaving. 

I don’t have much to say that isn’t positive, but as someone who also loves the movie trilogy, I would have loved to read about the romance subplot between Kíli and Tauriel. 

I also wish that the book had been longer, which might seem like a funny thing to critique about a book, but saying goodbye to this book felt like saying goodbye to a good friend, and I felt that I wanted more time immersed in this incredible story.

“The Hobbit” holds a special place in my heart and I really do believe that you can love it just as much as I do if you give it a try. Trust me when I say Bilbo Baggins is a character that will stay with you long after you finish the final page.

Happy Reading, 

Ava

Buy the book through this link to get your own beautiful copy of “The Hobbit.”