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parzivaltwilight's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 Stars
I have been told by many people that Tolkien is considered the "Father" of fantasy. So I finally decided to read it for the first time, because I have never read or watched the Hobbit or LoTR. And I will say that I consider this book to be a massive letdown. I can see how he became that and paved the way for the fantasy genre, but compared to fantasy, now this book doesn't hold a candle to it. Reading this back in the 30s, I think, would have been a lot better. I was hoping that there would be so much more to it, but it just didn't live up to the hype that it was described as. I still plan on reading LoTR and I do hope that those are more fantastical.
Because of the fantasy genre as it is now, this just felt like a very basic adventure through the woods, without much fantasy elements.
I teetered between 2.5 stars and 3 stars and ultimately decided on 2.5 because there are too many things I didn't like about it.
First, as previously mentioned, it lacks a lot of fantasy elements.
Second, for most of the story, Bilbo is just complaining about something. Whether this be food or wanting to be home.
Lastly, both of the fights that come about in the book are anticlimactic. When Smaug started to attack the town, I was hoping for like some epic stuff to go down, because Tolkien is the "Father" of fantasy, but NOPE!. Smaug was easily defeated. Then there is the final fight where Bilbo just pretty much gets knocked out and misses the whole thing, and it doesn't even get described.
I have been told by many people that Tolkien is considered the "Father" of fantasy. So I finally decided to read it for the first time, because I have never read or watched the Hobbit or LoTR. And I will say that I consider this book to be a massive letdown. I can see how he became that and paved the way for the fantasy genre, but compared to fantasy, now this book doesn't hold a candle to it. Reading this back in the 30s, I think, would have been a lot better. I was hoping that there would be so much more to it, but it just didn't live up to the hype that it was described as. I still plan on reading LoTR and I do hope that those are more fantastical.
Because of the fantasy genre as it is now, this just felt like a very basic adventure through the woods, without much fantasy elements.
I teetered between 2.5 stars and 3 stars and ultimately decided on 2.5 because there are too many things I didn't like about it.
First, as previously mentioned, it lacks a lot of fantasy elements.
Second, for most of the story, Bilbo is just complaining about something. Whether this be food or wanting to be home.
Lastly, both of the fights that come about in the book are anticlimactic. When Smaug started to attack the town, I was hoping for like some epic stuff to go down, because Tolkien is the "Father" of fantasy, but NOPE!. Smaug was easily defeated. Then there is the final fight where Bilbo just pretty much gets knocked out and misses the whole thing, and it doesn't even get described.
jesssbookstacks's review against another edition
5.0
I listened to the free audiobook on Spotify, “The Hobbit (Audiobook)”. Absolutely SPECTACULAR listen. The voices, the music, the background noise..all absolutely perfect! I had only watched the movies before and being introduced to the book through this beautiful listening experience was amazing!!!
not_janey's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
joujals's review against another edition
4.0
Can’t wait to watch the movies finally! And maybe read LOTR in the near future. Who knows ✌
clemslibrary's review against another edition
4.5
this was very much a slay?!?!! i 100% understand the love people have for tolkien’s writing and world, the way the story was written was so lovely and made me sympathise so much for the characters. it also somehow gives cozy vibes even though they’re on an epic quest. can’t wait to start lord of the rings!
ladyfives's review against another edition
cannot believe I was supposed to buy that these people had been traveling for months and never discussed what to do once they actually got the dragon and decided sitting around was the answer
kaitlynk33's review against another edition
5.0
It only gets better with each read; fun, intelligent, and filled with the pure magical genius of Tolkien. It is a lighthearted precursor to the Trilogy, making it interesting in how its tone differs from that of the Trilogy's. It also performs well as a stand-alone novel that can be enjoyed by readers of any age.
bellella's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
jordandeanbaker's review against another edition
5.0
First time reading this book since I was 10 or 11. Man, it’s so stinking good. It was cool to read this after recently reading all the Narnia books. You can see why these authors were friends, but you can also see how different they were.
mbates185's review against another edition
5.0
This book is an old favorite of mine. It was such a joy to read it out loud to my 4 year old and share it with her for the first time.