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A review by oofym
The Hobbit: Illustrated Edition by J.R.R. Tolkien
adventurous
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I liked this, this was my first reread of The Hobbit since I finished it several years ago. It was about what I expected; A lovely cosy feeling, Bilbo and Gandalf are heart-warming characters and the setting is almost nostalgic feeling.
What I must admit though is that I feel like this story suffers a pacing issue, a tendency to say nothing interesting and it has a letdown of a dragon fight which is a complete shame. The story begins to drag in my opinion after they escape Mirkwood, the ordeal with smaug was such a mood killer, like I don't want to be annoying but how do you stuff up a climatic dragon sequence so badly?? And yeah thirdly, I know this is supposed to be a children's book but I wish there was a little more going on, a little more seasoning in the sauce. We pass by so many characters, Unique races and monsters in this story and yet learn practically nothing about them that isn't very one note.
I think my problems will all be remedied In the Lord of the rings books, I've got high hopes for them since I do love the fantasy setting of Middle earth (Especially as a New Zealander) but I want more complexity, better use of language and more intricate themes, aswell as a better paced plot that has a proper pay off.
3.5 : Which is my rating for "I liked it but it could have done alot more".
What I must admit though is that I feel like this story suffers a pacing issue, a tendency to say nothing interesting and it has a letdown of a dragon fight which is a complete shame. The story begins to drag in my opinion after they escape Mirkwood, the ordeal with smaug was such a mood killer, like I don't want to be annoying but how do you stuff up a climatic dragon sequence so badly?? And yeah thirdly, I know this is supposed to be a children's book but I wish there was a little more going on, a little more seasoning in the sauce. We pass by so many characters, Unique races and monsters in this story and yet learn practically nothing about them that isn't very one note.
I think my problems will all be remedied In the Lord of the rings books, I've got high hopes for them since I do love the fantasy setting of Middle earth (Especially as a New Zealander) but I want more complexity, better use of language and more intricate themes, aswell as a better paced plot that has a proper pay off.
3.5 : Which is my rating for "I liked it but it could have done alot more".