The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien, which was written in 1937 and is still in use today, defined many elements of the fantasy genre. The epic landscapes of Anglo-Saxon myth were rediscovered by Tolkien, who then brought them to life and led us through them on foot so we could observe the intricacies up close and at a human scale. The New Yorker’s Adam Gopnik recently described The Hobbit as “an arranged marriage between the Elder Edda and The Wind in the Willows,” and I think that’s a perfectly apt description. The Hobbit is both legendary and approachable at the same time. Although I would give Tolkien’s imagination more credit for its abysmal depths and bass register. Never did Mole go as far as the Mines of Moria.
The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
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When describing the first edition, J.R.R. Tolkien said, “If you care for journeys there and back, out of the cozy Western world, over the edge of the Wild, and home again, and if you can take an interest in a humble hero (blessed with a little wisdom, a little courage, and considerable good luck), here is a record of such a journey and such a traveler. The time period is the prehistoric era that existed between the Faerie Age and the Age of Man, when the famed forest of Mirkwood was still standing and the mountains were filled with peril.
If you choose to follow in the footsteps of this lowly explorer, you will discover much about trolls, goblins, dwarves, and elves along the journey (like he did), and you will also get a glance into the politics and history of a little-known but significant time period. For Mr. Bilbo Baggins saw several famous people, had a conversation with the dragon Smaug the Magnificent, and attended the Battle of the Five Armies despite his better judgment. Due to the fact that he was a hobbit, this is all the more amazing. Perhaps because they typically preferred comfort to excitement, hobbits have historically been overlooked in history and legend.
However, this story, which is based on his own memoirs, of the one eventful year in Mr. Baggins’ otherwise tranquil life will give you a good picture of the admirable people who are reportedly now becoming fairly scarce. They dislike loud noises.
