Should I read the Hobbit?

[Anunia]

OK... You know what's this about... I'm a great fan of ME, but I know this book was written especially for children, so I'm afraid I'll get bored or somthing like that... Please, advise me.

[Aldagrim Proudfoot]

Ok, you should read the Hobbit. Not only does it give backqround into the War of the Ring (how Bilbo found it), but it's also exciting. There are good songs and some good battles. It's not exactly the same style as LOTR, being more toward children, but it's still great. The words boring and Tolkien shouldn't be in the same sentance together, unless the word "not" is in there.

[Anunia]

Thanks, Aldagrim Proudfoot. I guess I'll read it. It's about ME, it's written by Tolkien, so... it must have good (if not excellent) things in it.

[ August 01, 2002: Message edited by: Anunia ]

[Ithaeliel]

Oh no no no Anunia! It is not a question whether you should read it or not! Trust me, it's a very valuable prerequisite to the Lord of the Rings. It is also a great read, very fun. Enjoy it and muse over it, for it is a very good book to muse over at times.

[Galorme]

It gives you great insight into Bilbo, who is sort of skipped over in LoTR. It does this is two ways. Firstly it is about him, and secondly it was written by him. By reading it after you have read LoTR you see the lighter side of the hobbits, as Bilbo concentrates more on the lighter side of the Third Age, and Bagginsafies the Dwarfs, Men and Elves wonderfully. It is also the only book except the Lost Tales that shows Elves being happy and silly like they should be when they are not plagued by the horrors of War and Sorrow and the like.

Note that the Elves of Rivendel are happy and playful, but the Elves of Mirkwood, being at War, are serious and "YOU SHALT DIE DWARF" style types.

[Susan Delgado]

it must have good (if not excellent) things in it.

Even aside from the fact that The Hobbit is not exactly a pure children's book, why do you think that it wouldn't be excellent? There are many excellent children's books out there and your prejudice is not fair to them (or The Hobbit).

[Ruthwen]

My brainless comment for the day:

How can it be bad? Elves get drunk!

*Coughs* I only read it after Lord of the Rings, and I didn't like it as much, but it does have more humour in it. And sometimes it's nice to read a book aimed at children.

[Nevfeniel]

Why shouldn't you read The Hobbit? The only person I know who read it and didn't like it was my dad, but he doesn't seem to like the entire fantasy genre (except for Harry Potter).

[Lothiriel Silmarien]

Yeah, The Hobbit's a great book! Maybe not as good as LotR but it's reeally good! I loved it. That's my opinion, but I really think you should read it. You'll probably love it!

[Iargwath]

The Hobbit is a fantastic piece of literature. So why not read it. It was one of my faves b4 LotR but i still reccomend the book to u.

[Estel the Descender]

Anyone who wants to be immersed into the world of Middle-Earth should read The Hobbit. I also believe that just because The Hobbit is not as long or as complex as the LotR it is more 'for children' than the latter. The chapter 'Riddles in the Dark' gives a very good foreshadow of the events in the LotR and could probably appeal more to adults than to children. And the battles described are just as good as the ones in The Silmarillion and the LotR. The Battle of the Five Armies is one splendid account. smilies/biggrin.gif

[Anunia]

Thank you all. You convinced me! I'll read The Hobbit and enjoy every part of Middle-Earth I find in the libraries...

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[Dimaldaeon]

Nobody should ever dismiss the Hobbit as being too childish. Its lighter tone makes it more amusing than LOTR. Books aimed at children should never be overlooked. "Artemis Fowl" and "Under The Hawthorn Tree" are great reads even though they were written for ten year olds.