I first read JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit in my teens in the 1970s, and I enjoyed it so much that I embarked on The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers. However, I did abandon the quest and never finished The Return of the King.
According to my GoodReads notes, I listened to The Hobbit with my son Noah when he was about 10, which was 21 years ago. I have zero recollection of this, but that is not surprising. I was working full-time, parenting full-time, writing part-time, etc.
Lately, I've been waxing nostalgic and decided to revisit The Hobbit this year. I listened to the marvelous Andy Serkis read the novel--he voices Gollum in The Lord of the Rings movies--and he was absolutely fantastic bringing nuance and character to each voice, from mild-mannered Bilbo, to Yorkshire-accented dwarves, to stately Gandalf, to chipper elves, and so on.
It had been so long since I read (and/or paid attention) to the story that most of the adventures beyond Gollum and Smaug were as fresh as the first time I left the Shire and headed to the Misty Mountains. I'm not really much of a fantasy reader, but I do love a good adventure story, and this had adventure to spare.
I particularly loved how Bilbo grew in confidence and cunning, rising to each occasion, and mustering the courage needed to do what needed to be done. In addition to adventure, The Hobbit delivers a strong message--greed and avarice can consume even the most fair-minded creatures. It takes strength of character like that of Bilbo and Bard (the bowman who slew Smaug--I had completely forgotten that part of the story) to walk away from the lure of riches and do what is right and just and fair.
The book and the way Serkis read it is quite funny--Bilbo's internal monologues in particular are very entertaining.
Tolkien is a terrific writer and paints vivid images. However, I really wanted illustrations, so I checked out a graphic YA version from the library after I finished the audio version just to get a good look at trolls, dwarves, Gollum, Smaug the dragon, giants, elves, goblins, and the men of Lake Town.
I'm toying with the idea of watching the movies--Jackson decided to expand Tolkien's book and present The Hobbit in a trilogy of movies. My LOTR-savvy daughter Sarah recommends that I just watch the first movie, where Gandalf and the dwarves visit Bilbo in the Shire and recruit him for the quest. We'll see. I would like to find a quality hardback version with first-rate illustrations. This wonderful book deserves a place on my shelves.
Here's the movie trailer. I have to admit. It does like good!
I've been wanting to reread The Hobbit. I've been rereading the Prydain Chronicles this month, which has been a lot of fun. And I never made it all the way through The Return of the King either. I got halfway, then saw the movie and counted it good. (Because that movie was long enough for two books.) ;D
ReplyDeleteI've never read any of the Prydain Chronicles, so I had to get the scoop on them from Wikipedia. I like that they are inspired by Welsh mythology, and they sound like so much fun.
DeleteYes, I think watching Return of the King counts!
Love the Prydain Chronicles. I need to reread them myself.
DeleteMy mother read The Hobbit to my sister and me when we were 7 and 4, we loved it. I still have that copy which a family friend gave us and I brought it to show her when we visited her a month or so ago (she did not remember but I think was touched). There are many occasions when one identifies with Bilbo's situations - when he wishes he were back in his hobbit hole or that awful moment when he realizes he's put all the dwarves into barrels and has nowhere to go himself. My nephew recently finished reading the LOTR and wanted to do a family movie night. We watched The Fellowship of the Ring but my mother and I thought there wasn't enough quest and too many orcs (some great actors but not the one playing Frodo, who is very wimpy). The books are better, as is so often the case.
ReplyDeleteI love the things you mention about identifying with Bilbo--the longing to be home is one that resonated deeply with me, and I definitely loved the part when he realized he couldn't be in a barrel and had to be a barrel-rider instead!
DeleteI only ever saw the Fellowship of the Ring movie, but I agree about too many orcs!
My most recent read of The Hobbit was during the Covid lockdown. It really is a great adventure but its focus on home comforts warms my heart.
ReplyDeleteI think The Hobbit would have been an excellent Covid book. Enough adventure to distract, but, as you said, focusing on heartwarming home comforts. I found it immensely satisfying to reread.
DeleteMy husband and I bith loved the books, from the Hobbitt to Return of the King. We reread them again about 15 years ago. Our son loved them as well.
ReplyDeleteThe LOTR books do seem to appeal across the generations.
DeleteGreat review and so glad to hear that you're rereading of The Hobbitt after many years did not disappoint. Fantasy is also not my thing but a good audio reader can change that and the Lord of The Rings is a classic series which I should read.
ReplyDeleteYes, a great reader can do wonders. LOTR is definitely in the classics category!
DeleteGlad you enjoyed The Hobbit again and that it still holds up. I read it as a teenager and enjoyed it but didn't read the other books. It seems a reread would be a good idea (my brother was huge into all things Tolkien). I have not seen the movies but Martin Freeman seems a good Bilbo. When you listen on audio are you walking or gardening ? I find those two good activities for it.
ReplyDeleteThe Hobbit definitely held up. In fact, it was an immensely satisfying read.
DeleteI mostly listen to books when I drive and walk (sans dog). I find I cannot concentrate when I am gardening. Sometimes when I am cooking, if no recipe is involved!
I love The Hobbit. I've read it twice. I enjoyed the movies, but not as much as the LOTR trilogy of movies. I recently started a rewatch with The Fellowship of the Ring. I will continue with the next two and will probably rewatch The Hobbit movies at some point as well.
ReplyDeleteI should have recognized you as a fan of Middle Earth!
DeleteI read The Hobbit when I was in high school in the 70s and loved it! I followed up with The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers, and finally The Return of the King... which was a real slog. As much as I loved The Hobbit, I've never had the desire to revisit these books, Kind of strange...
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