TITLE: The Hobbit
AUTHOR: J.R.R. Tolkien
RELEASED: September 21st, 1937; George Allen & Unwin Ltd.
GENRE: Fantasy
SYNOPSIS: Written for J.R.R. Tolkien’s own children, The Hobbit met with instant critical acclaim when it was first published in 1937. Now recognized as a timeless classic, this introduction to the hobbit Bilbo Baggins, the wizard Gandalf, Gollum, and the spectacular world of Middle-earth recounts of the adventures of a reluctant hero, a powerful and dangerous ring, and the cruel dragon Smaug the Magnificent.{GOODREADS}
This is a tough review to write. Let me go ahead and get this out there: I hate reading classics. I used to be really afraid to admit that, but I’ve accepted the inevitable judgment and have to be honest about it now. With very few exceptions, I do not enjoy them, and I find them to be boring and hard to trudge through.
Tolkien, however, was a writer who I have said many times I consider to be one of the single most influential and imaginative artists in all of literary history. He created a world that was so fleshed out, and impacted the world so strongly, I am truly convinced that the fantasy books we read today would be vastly different without his efforts having paved the way for so many creators. For that aspect alone, this book is worth 5 beaming, shining, solid stars.
On the other hand, it took me five tries to finish this damn book. I have been trying to read it my entire adult and teen life, and honestly thought I would DNF it again this time. While it’s a gorgeous world full of lovable, interesting characters and creatures, it’s an absolute chore to get through. If this were a story that had been published within the last decade or two, and hadn’t been so damn creative for its time, this would probably be a 2-star review for how utterly bored I was during most of it.
All of that said and done, I have to acknowledge the previous gushing I offered up on Tolkien as a creator, as well as the fact that I already know I hate reading classics, and my boredom was just as much my own fault as anyone else’s… so, I’m going to set this at 4 stars. I know my rating system for this review may not make a lot of sense to some of my friends and followers, but after a few days of deliberating, it’s the decision I felt most comfortable with.
{TWITTER . BOOKSTAGRAM . FACEBOOK . GOODREADS}
HeyGrace
April 9, 2018Same with me! It took so may tries to finish this book. I didn’t love it like I thought I would. I agree with the boring part and there were just way too many songs for my liking. lol
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
April 17, 2018I’m so glad it wasn’t just me, lmao! Oh man… the songs. Okay, so, I feel like I’m one of the rare people who LOVES the Peter Jackson film adaptations of The Hobbit, and I enjoyed the songs in the films, but I skimmed right over them in the books. They’re fun to listen to, but SO BORING to read!
Kelly | Another Book in the Wall
April 9, 2018I can definitely relate. It took me a while before I started to enjoy classics, and there are so many that bore me to death! Although I haven’t read the Hobbit yet, I read The Lord of the Rings before and it took me at least three weeks to finish! It’s a huge book, and while the world building is beautiful, it is descriptive and long to get through.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
April 17, 2018I’m glad it’s not just me! <3 I keep hoping I will start liking classics again someday. I enjoyed them a lot as a kid! I don't know why it changed. 🙁
Jenna @ Falling Letters
April 24, 2018This has been my favourite book since I was 12, so I forget that it’s technically a classic and shows some age. I’m glad that you can appreciate the significance of this work even if it was boring for you!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
April 29, 2018Awww, I love that it’s stayed with you for so long! I think that’s such an amazing testimony for how important of a story it is. ♥ Yes, even though I had a hard time staying interested, I could never deny Tolkien the respect he’s due for what an innovative and masterful writer he was!