The Hobbit

The Hobbit

By: J.R.R. Tolkien

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien is one of my top five favorite books ever written. Tolkien is an absolute genius and his writings gave birth to the modern-day epic fantasy genre. The use of simile, poetry, and language gives Tolkien a style that cannot be reproduced and will never be seen again.

Just like most classics, including The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit was made into a movie and honestly, I didn’t hate it. My initial reaction was one of absolute disgust. However, after having re-read the book this year, my mind has changed. I don’t think it needed three movies, but it needed at least two in order to capture the scope of the story. I have no problem with Peter Jackson (the director) using material from the larger canon. It filled out the story that was appropriate since the LOTR’s movies had already been released.

Bilbo Baggins is and will continue to be one of my favorite literary characters. Tolkien masterfully brings Bilbo from a hobbit who despaired over a forgotten handkerchief to a warrior who fought in the Battle of Five Armies. As the character goes on this journey of getting sucked into the wider world, so does the reader. Along with Bilbo, the reader is brought into this fantastic, colorful world of dwarfs, elves, magic, and monsters.

If you haven’t read The Hobbit in a while, I encourage you to pick it back up. As an adult reader, the story reveals layers of meaning that can be missed. Tolkien was not a fan of allegory, but his writings are layered with motifs and themes that give the story enhanced meaning. It is beautifully written and perfect for escaping the pressures and concerns of our modern society.

I picked up a wonderfully illustrated copy on Amazon that I highly recommend. Click below to check it out: