The Hobbit

J.R.R. Tolkien is the greatest classical writer of the 20th century.  From his moving to England (although English by blood, he was actually born in Africa) as a young child and the soon followed death of his father.  To fighting in the trenches during the first world war as a young man and later marrying the love of his life and having several children of his own till death sadly parted them both.  He wrote the Lord of the Rings series which was a gigantic success and one of the most famous and beloved classical stories of all time, the Hobbit or there and back again (as J.R.R.Tolkien would so humorously phrase it). It is a thrilling story that, in my opinion, surpassed even his LOTR novel.

This 272 page fantasy fiction is a phenomenal yet unlikely journey across the plains of Middle-Earth.  A small creature known as a hobbit (hence the name) who goes by the name of Bilbo Baggins is living an ordinary day.  That all changes when he suddenly is addressed by a wizard and later thirteen dwarves. They all want the same thing (except for poor Bilbo) the death of Smaug and the spoils he has acquired from the civilizations he has decimated. Smaug though, is an infamous dragon known for burning Thorin Oakenshield’s (leader of those thirteen dwarves) kingdom to the ground.  Bilbo is asked to join the journey and share the spoils. Bilbo accepts their offer after quite a bit of thinking and a quick signature. Bilbo and his patrons set of towards their journey. And let me tell you, it is quite the journey. Before they all know it they run into trouble at every turn. From barely surviving cave trolls that had captured and planned to eat the drawves and our poor little hobbit. And hiking over misty mountains that just so happened to be inhabited by orcs that unknowingly dwelled within. To trudging through the forest of Mirkwood, a once beautiful but now vile forest crawling with unknown creatures and giant spiders that are willing to drain the blood of anything still alive and wood elves that end up imprisoning them. When they at last reach their destination they are greeted by a baron waist land and the almost impossible task they have taken upon themselves to complete. The one that would decide if their journey was worth the trip, Smaug. But they soon learn that Smaug is not the only problem they must face in the near future. More foes are approaching and soon, they will need everything they can muster to survive…              

Although the book requires a good deal of patience, it is a riveting tale told by one of the world’s best classical writers. It is a very well structured book with many unexpected twists and turns and it very descriptive which really helps you with your imagination. It is also a very poetic book with many little songs that are very nice. The book also has some comical aspects towards each of the characters. So, overall a great book and I would definitely read it if I have not already.

Book Review by Noah H.