The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien

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	4.8

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31 of 31 Ciao users found the following review helpful

aakcat

Hobbits, Rings and Magical Things 27/03/2001

User recommends the product

Advantages Great in its own right and sets you up well for the follow up
Disadvantages the fact that you can't actually live in Middle Earth

With all the hype that currently surrounds the big screen adaptation of Lord of the Rings, I would like to recommend the book that started the entire Middle Earth phenomenon, namely "The Hobbit." I believe this book can be overlooked in the grander scheme of things but it is a classic in its own right. The Hobbit was read to me when I was in primary school and I have never forgotten the sense of wonder experienced by everyone in the class as the story unfolded chapter by chapter. It is in this book that we first meet Bilbo Baggins, a quiet, unassuming Hobbit. Hobbits are, we discover, smaller ... more
63 of 63 Ciao users found the following review helpful

sandemp

Member since 21/10/2002

Reviews written: 582

An Unlikely Hero, And The Start Of An Epic 19/05/2005

User recommends the product

Advantages Great Introduction To Middle Earth For Children And Adults Alike
Disadvantages Some Characters Are Not As Well Developed As They Could Be

I guess I was pretty lucky as a child, I had parents that actively encouraged my love of reading and regularly bought me books that would stretch my abilities. One of the first "adult" books that was given to me was The Hobbit*, which was one of my first forays into the realms of fantasy and a book that I still love and read regularly today. In fact I love this book so much there are three copies in the house, one an colour-illustrated hardback which was a special edition and bought for me along with The Lord of The Rings nearly fifteen years ago and is safely stored away until my children ... more
15 of 15 Ciao users found the following review helpful

Simoncook1

Great introduction into the world of Tolkien 02/02/2001

User recommends the product

Advantages Wonderful story for all the family.
Disadvantages May not be suitable for very young children

Millions of people around the world have read and enjoyed Tolkiens ‘The Hobbit’. In school, when I was just 11, we read a chapter of ‘The Hobbit’ weekly. I can honestly say that I actually could not wait to go to school on the day of the reading. The story is a fairytale in a foreign land revolving around a hobbit, twelve dwarves and a wizard. A hobbit is a small human like creature with furry feet that lives in a hole in a hillside. They normally do not travel far from home and have a love for food that goes far beyond their need for sustenance. Bilbo Baggins is the ... more
9 of 9 Ciao users found the following review helpful

LeighCook

A timeless classic 14/02/2001

User recommends the product

Advantages Wonderful book for all the family to enjoy.
Disadvantages Has some depictions of war.

Am enigmatic old wizard named Gandalf arranges a meeting at an unsuspecting Hobbit’s home. (A hobbit is a small human like creature with large furry feet and the appetite of four humans). Well Bilbo, the unsuspecting Hobbit, is very surprised when a dozen dwarves and his old friend Gandalf start appearing at his humble home in the Shire. It transpires that the Dwarves have lost their ancestral home to a vicious dragon called Smaug and they require the services of a ‘thief’ to help them regain their rightful home. Gandalf, perhaps the mastermind behind the whole quest suggests ... more
30 of 30 Ciao users found the following review helpful

piffles

Superstar Stories Smaller Sibling 28/02/2003

User recommends the product

Advantages Superbly written it whisks you away to world of magic, adventure and strange beings. Keeps both young and old readers enthralled.
Disadvantages May, and I do mean may, suffer in comparison to Lord of the Rings, but then what doesn't?

With approximately 15,000, often second rate, opinions on ‘Lord of the Rings – The Two Towers’ being published a day here on Ciao at the moment I felt it was time to take a few steps back. Back to a time before the first film, ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’, was released, before the books of LotR’s (yes they were books!!) were even in existence. Back to the time of The Hobbit and I'll give you a second rate opinion on that instead. Bilbo Baggins (the ‘hero’ of our tale) is happily living out his peaceful, adventure free life in The Shire. In fact this is the place where all of Hobbit-kind do ... more
42 of 43 Ciao users found the following review helpful

dave27

Sacrilege saith the hordes 06/06/2002

User recommends the product

Advantages Still above average
Disadvantages Suffers by comperison with LOTR

There is clearly an art to enjoying The Hobbit, with the obvious thing being not to have read the Lord of the Rings first, because when you do so you will soon find that the Hobbit is little more than a fanciful fairytale of little people, little adventures, great danger and little point. The Hobbit is always cited as being a classic novel, one of the very best of the sword and sorcery genre, but having just read it for the first time in almost 30 years, I can honestly say it was a sad disappointment, even at less than four quid from my local Tesco. I was surprised and overjoyed when I found ... more
24 of 24 Ciao users found the following review helpful

jpegington

One of the Best Books Ever! - Without a Doubt! 12/01/2006

User recommends the product

Advantages Excellent Story, Great characters, Leads into The Lord of the Rings
Disadvantages Too Short for me!

Technical Details: Paperback 400 pages (March 19, 2001 edition) Categories: Science Fiction & Fantasy , Fiction About the Author: J.R.R. Tolkien is the Author of The Hobbit and also the famous Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Please see my previous review on Lord of the Rings for further details on the Author so as not to duplicate here. About the Book: First this is in theory a pre runner in the Lord of the Rings story, but is completely seperate. It is more of a childrens book but is very good. The Hobbit is a tale of high adventure, undertaken by a company of dwarfs in search of dragon guarded ... more
36 of 36 Ciao users found the following review helpful

Rach_79

Bilbo Baggins mystery tour ALL ABOARD 17/01/2002

User recommends the product

Advantages Great story
Disadvantages None

This book, which i have now just read for the third time since i was brought into this world, is the predecessor to Tolkien's fabulous *The Lord of the Rings*, and though that trilogy can be thoroughly enjoyed without first reading The Hobbit, much that happens in the later novels is foreshadowed here. A word of caution, however: as Bilbo discovers early on, travel and adventure are addictive things; embark on this journey to the Lonely Mountain with this reluctant hero, and you might not be able to stop there, well i couldnt anyway i just had to keep reading on and on until i got to the end ... more
26 of 26 Ciao users found the following review helpful

steerpyke

Member since 13/02/2004

Reviews written: 413

Tolkien,a hard hobbit to break.. (sorry) 26/09/2004

User recommends the product

Advantages A Classic for all ages
Disadvantages dont expect a mini Lord of the Rings

In these days when Lord of the Rings has become a household name, many people will be turning to Tolkiens previous book to continue the adventure. Because of this Ill begin the review with a warning. Do not expect a prequel to Lord of the Rings. Yes, its about Hobbits and a ring and yes, its set in the same world but thats about where the similarity ends. The Hobbit is a work in its own right with its own flavour and charm. Its a smaller story, the opposite of the world shaking events that Tolkien was to tackle next. The story is the tale of Bilbo Baggins, a Hobbit of the Shire, who is ... more
14 of 14 Ciao users found the following review helpful

Excelle

Precursor to the best book ever 11/12/2000

User recommends the product

Advantages Wonderful story, wonderful fantasy world, easier for younger readers than Lord Of The Rings
Disadvantages May be a little too childish for older readers (but probably not!))

Everybody has heard of Tolkein’s Lord Of The Rings - voted best book numerous times. His ability to create a believable fantasy world is his strongest attribute, and it’s what won him the award. Equally - the Hobbit, the precursor to Lord Of The Rings, is just as acclaimed. It sets up the story for the Lord Of The Rings, and it does so excellently. Tolkein never meant to write The Lord Of The Rings, in fact when he wrote the Hobbit, he didn't even have any plans to write a follow-up. It was only after he was asked by the publishers that he started to formulate ideas for the epic sequel, taking ... more