The Hobbit: The Enchanting Prelude to the Lord of the Rings

by J.R.R. Tolkien

Book Overview

The enchanting prequel to The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit is the classic fantasy that inspired Peter Jackson's major motion picture trilogy When Thorin Oakenshield and his band of dwarves embark upon a dangerous quest to reclaim the hoard of gold stolen from them by the evil dragon Smaug, Gandalf the wizard suggests an unlikely accomplice: Bilbo Baggins, an unassuming Hobbit dwelling in peaceful Hobbiton. Along the way, the company faces trolls, goblins, giant spiders, and worse. But as they journey from the wonders of Rivendell to the terrors of Mirkwood and beyond, Bilbo will find that there is more to him than anyone--himself included--ever dreamed. Unexpected qualities of courage and cunning, and a love of adventure, propel Bilbo toward his great destiny . . . a destiny that waits in the dark caverns beneath the Misty Mountains, where a twisted creature known as Gollum jealously guards a precious magic ring.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345339681
• ISBN13: 9780345339683
• Release Date: July 1986
• Publisher: Del Rey Books
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.1" x 6.8"
• Age Range: 12 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 7 to 12

Customer Reviews

Good book!

I got exactly what I asked for! I got a super random book cover though?? Besides that the book is exactly what it said it was. The pages arent crumbly or anything like that. And the book came on time!

I love this story!

I love, love, love "The Hobbit," and the other stories of Middle Earth by J.R.R. Tolkien! He has a nice writing style, easy for school-aged readers to enjoy as well as adults. This is the story of the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins (Frodo's uncle), and precedes the tales of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. This book introduces Gandalf, Gollum, and the ring, and informs the reader of other peoples and histories: the dwarves, the dragon, Smaug, and Wood-elves. The heroes in this book are varied and well written. The copy that I received is older and has maps, illustrations, and songs, which are all interesting and part of the story. If you liked the books or movies of "Lord of the Rings" or the movies of "The Hobbit" than this book is for you! You will not be disappointed!

Wonderfully written tale of adventure and finding oneself.

Great Book!!!

I absolutely enjoyed this book - a great world and beautiful characters. I would suggest reading it before the Lord of the Rings.

decent translation, still a great book.

I must admit at the outset that I haven't finished reading the German translation yet (I'm referring to the paperback here), but so far it's as fun a read as the English. I've had a couple minor issues with the translation so far, but they're fairly trivial and may be perfectly justified by parts farther on in the book. I really enjoy reading English-language books in translation (from Watership Down to Red Dragon) and have also read a good deal of German lit in English, and as translations go this seems to have lost little of the "feel" of Tolkien. That means it can be both dense and playful at once without being tiring. A masterful "Erzählung" in any language (that I can read, at least)!

the Hobbit

The book the Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien is an adventurous, fantasy tale that takes place in the land of the middle earth. However, even with many "nail-biting"/ action sequences, this story reveals tender and moving themes. Courage, trust, and friendship are the three most dominant themes projected in this tale of adventure. On their quest to restore the dwarves wealth and pride; Bilbo, Gandalf, and the 13 Dwarves encounter numerous challenges of both the emotional and physical nature. Bilbo's revelation from a timid, do-gooder hobbit to a daring thief is the most exciting transformation experienced. Though the story seems to take off at a slow pace, Tolkien's descriptions really pull the reader into the action. If you wish to read of battles with goblins, wargs, spiders, trolls, and the occasional dragon, then don't be turned off by what seems like unnecessary detail in the beginning. The Key, However, is to keep reading, it gets better.