I know this book is supposed to be for kids but I read it anyway. The idea was that I wanted to read Lord of The Rings before the film came out (got all year yet) so reading The Hobbit first was a good idea, don’t you think?
I remember reading this book at primary school and not really understanding what it was on about so when I started it wasn’t with much effort. After the first chapter though I couldn’t put it down, I’m a big kid I know.
The story is about a hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, who is quietly minding his own business in life until Gandalf the wizard comes along with some elves and tells him that he is going on an adventure with them as a thief to get the gold back from a dragon which was stolen from the elves years ago. Throughout the book they go through woods, over mountains, have run ins with the orcs etc. In the end they obviously get the gold but not without lots of hassle!
The book is written for the younger reader I think but I still enjoyed it, didn’t have to think so much. Tolkien is a very descriptive writer I think, you can easily imagine the places and people but it doesn’t go on forever – like Stephen King. He spends hours talking about what jumper someone is wearing and I get bored. Nothing against Stephen King but I don’t really care if it’s blue, red, woolly or not.
I’ve heard that they are also making a film of The Hobbit, good idea I think, would make a good movie.
If you enjoy fantasy and adventure stories this is a classic, if not, wait for the film which will only take you two hours to watch and not two days to read!