The Hobbit

J.R.R. Tolkien Forum

The Hobbit was J.R.R. Tolkien's first book. It was written for his children. What were your favorite parts of the book?

I have to say that it's been so many years, I truly can't remember this book at all.
I did see the cartoon version of The Hobbit, but that's been at least 15 - 20 years, I believe.
I need a serious refresher on this one...

I have actually just finished reading it again and although it is a childrens book, I love it. I love the way Tolkein manages to bring everything to life so richly.

The beginning is my favourite part when the dawrves come to take Bilbo away on the adventure and is all confused and out of his depth, runnig around his little hole house fetching cakes and more cakes.

I also think it is such a powerful story for teaching children with the "underdog" coming out and saving everyone with just a little luck (and a magic ring) to help him.

Hey, hey..... how about that part when Bilbo tries to pickpocket one of the trolls and ends up getting all the dwarves, save one caught!! I love the way Gandalf plays the "I didnt say it" game with them until sunlight when they get turned into stone............. and this is a great children's book...... I read it to my daughters once and after that they come back to me to read it to them again... guess it inspires so much from their imaginations that they can't help but love to read it again and again..........

~Erika~

It was a wonderful book. Smaug, the terrible dragon! I like the way Bilbo grows in the book. He learns to be brave when he does not feel particularly brave. I liked when Gandalf introduced the Dwarves to Beorn. He would say oh my two companions, then the next part of his story it was 3 and so on.

i liked how Bilbo describes himself to Smaug. that and how he tries to negotiate a truce between the Dwarves and the Men and Elves, when they quarrel over ther treasure. I also like the Battle of Five Armies. that was cool! A good book, if a bit childish at times.

I think that the Hobbit is a great way to introduce Tolkein to children. If they read the Hobbit as children, they will naturally want to read Lord of the Rings. I think everyone should have the opportunity to read LOTR. It has a great message and it's a great story. It's really inspiring to read about the world, people, languages, cultures, and history that Tolkein created. I'll admit that I didn't like Hobbit and LOTR the first time I read them. I thought they were silly. However, I read through them very quickly (I read all four book in about a week) for a class project. I didn't let myself get involved in the story. I didn't let myself to get to really know the characters. I am ashamed to say that I actually skipped several major parts of the book. I just wanted enough information to write a short book report. I didn't think that a fantasy adventure book deserved my time and energy. Big mistake. Fortunately, I had to read the Hobbit 4 years later for a Children's Literature class in college. I had more time to read it and I liked it so I re read LOTR too. The second time I loved it. I am so thankful that I did.

We had to read the Hobbit in 7th grade. It was a class thing. Very strange, since it was such an easy book. The teacher was a huge Tolkien fan. We were required to do a book report on it and do a project. I must say, that my Biblo drawing was the best one in the class. I got an A.

I like the troll scene when Gandalf plays with their minds and I also love the Riddles In the Dark with Bilbo and Gollum. Who knew a simple ring would later cause so much pain?

I am currently rereading The Hobbit. After reading Lord of the Rings so many times and leafing through Silm.. a little bit, I am really disappointed with the elves in the Hobbit. They almost seem kind of silly. Like when they are teasing the company as they arrive in Rivendell. What do you guys think?

the fact that the mood of the book was so much different. it was so much more light hearted.

True, the book was written for children.

I have to say that my favorite parts of the book were the death of Smaug and the Battle of five armies...OK so riddles in the dark as well

I read it first when I was about 7 but I have read it since then. Personally I think that Gollum was better in this book than he was in the lord of the rings.