The Hobbit       

Author: JRR Tolkien

Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers

American release date: January 1, 2011

Format/Genre/Length: Hardcover/Epic Fantasy/314 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who lives in a hole in the ground in a place called The Shire, along with a number of other hobbits, some of whom are related to Bilbo. He leads a rather peaceful existence there. He loves his meals, and he loves his pipe, and he loves the quiet pace of life in The Shire. Then one day he meets an old man with a staff, a pointy blue hat, a long gray cloak and a long white beard. The man identifies himself as Gandalf, a wizard, whom Bilbo vaguely remembers meeting some years before and recalls he shot off spectacular fireworks. Gandalf prophesies that Mr. Baggins will have great adventures. Bilbo politely scoffs and says no thank you, he is not that sort of hobbit, but little is he aware that the adventures are about to begin…

Later, an unexpected knock at his door reveals a dwarf named Dwalin, who makes himself at home in Bilbo’s hole upon admission, and apparently he is very hungry. What else is a good host to be but feed his guest, expected or not. Hmmm, dwarves do eat a lot, don’t they? Another knock and here comes Balin. His arrival is followed by that of Fili and Kili, and then others, last of whom announces himself as Thorin Oakenshield, King Under the Mountain. The presence of thirteen dwarves makes his hole seem much smaller than it is, and how quickly they eat their way through his food supplies that were meant to last for some time. Bilbo is beside himself. When he asks why they are there, they say they came to the door with the mark on it, as instructed, but Bilbo sees no such mark and demands to know who instructed them thus. And then Gandalf arrives and the gathering is complete as the wizard proceeds to tell them what’s up. Well, everyone else knows what’s going on, except for Bilbo. Apparently, the dwarves, being thirteen in number, can clearly not embark upon their task without gaining a fourteenth member, as everyone knows thirteen is unlucky, and Gandalf has been kind enough to recommend Mr. Baggins. As what, the confused hobbit asks. Why, as a burglar, they respond.

Now Bilbo, besides being a Baggins is also a Took, and the Tooks have been known to do some adventurous things at times. While the Baggins side of him says no, definitely not, the Took side stirs. Which is why the next morning finds him chasing after Gandalf and the dwarves, waving the contract they’d left for him, in order to join their numbers. And now the adventure begins…

The Hobbit is the first book in an adventure series which will lead to the three books that comprise The Lord of the Rings. As Shakespeare once said, “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.” I believe Bilbo is the last of those, for he was very reluctant to embark upon such an undertaking, not being a burglar at all. But as the adventure progresses, we see the qualities in him that made him the perfect choice for this role, as he rises to each and every occasion, although not without some missteps along the way.

Heroes come in all sizes, and Bilbo Baggins is no exception. While some people claim The Hobbit (and the Lord of the Rings for that matter) to be an allegory, Tolkien says absolutely not, and I have to go with the author rather than mere bystanders. It’s a beautifully written fantasy about hobbits and dwarves, elves and wizards, goblins and shifters, and all manner of creatures. I think it’s mostly about finding the courage within yourself to follow your dreams, to be the best you that you can be.  I love this book. This particular edition is part of a set of four hardcover books that came together in a box. They are compact and beautifully illustrated. I recommend this book for adults and young people alike. Parents can have fun reading this book to their kids.