Digital List Price:	$11.99
Kindle Price:	$9.99 Save $2.00 (17%)
Sold by:	HarperCollins Publishers Price set by seller.

Promotions apply when you purchase

Add an

audiobook with Audible narration for $4.58

Audiobook Price: $18.80

Save: $14.22 (76%)

Read with our free app

You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.

Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

There was an error. We were unable to process your subscription due to an error. Please refresh and try again.

Watch BEFORE you buy this book!!!Brooke & Isaac's Favorites

Image Unavailable

Image not available for
Color:

To view this video download Flash Player

Follow the author

J. R. R. Tolkien

Follow

The Hobbit: 75th Anniversary Edition Kindle Edition with Audio/Video

by J.R.R. Tolkien (Author, Illustrator), Christopher Tolkien (Introduction) Format: Kindle Edition with Audio/Video

4.7 68,521 ratings

Related to: Lord of the Rings

See all formats and editions

Ignite your imagination with this immersive fantasy read!

This deluxe hardcover edition of The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien's classic prelude to his Lord of the Rings trilogy, contains a short introduction by Christopher Tolkien, a reset text incorporating the most up-to-date corrections, and all of Tolkien’s own drawings and full-color illustrations, including the rare “Mirkwood” piece.

Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely traveling any farther than his pantry or cellar. But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard Gandalf and a company of dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day to whisk him away on an adventure. They have launched a plot to raid the treasure hoard guarded by Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon. Bilbo reluctantly joins their quest, unaware that on his journey to the Lonely Mountain he will encounter both a magic ring and a frightening creature known as Gollum.

Print length

322 pages
Language

English
Sticky notes

On Kindle Scribe
Publisher

William Morrow
Publication date

February 15, 2012
Reading age

13 - 18 years
File size

102521 KB
Page Flip

Enabled
Word Wise

Enabled
Enhanced typesetting

Enabled
See all details

Due to large size of this book, please connect your device to WiFi to download.
Audio/Video content is available on Fire tablets (except Kindle Fire 1st Generation) and iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch devices.

Report an issue with this product or seller

L.M. Montgomery
985
Kindle Edition
Teachers' pick
1 offer from $0.49
Kenneth Grahame
7,666
Kindle Edition
1 offer from $0.29
J.R.R. Tolkien
22,769
Kindle Edition
Teachers' pick
1 offer from $11.99
Jack Schaefer
2,634
Kindle Edition
1 offer from $6.99
J.R.R. Tolkien
11,817
Kindle Edition
1 offer from $15.99
J.R.R. Tolkien
21,529
Kindle Edition
1 offer from $11.99

Get to know this book

What's it about?
A hobbit joins a group of dwarves and a wizard on a quest to reclaim their homeland from a dragon, discovering a magic ring and encountering a creature known as Gollum.
Amazon editors say...
This adventure is many readers' leaping-off point for a lifetime of reading about elves, dwarves, and wizards.
Adrian Liang, Amazon Editor
Popular highlight
If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.
14,357 Kindle readers highlighted this
Popular highlight
It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him.
7,669 Kindle readers highlighted this
Popular highlight
“Go back?” he thought. “No good at all! Go sideways? Impossible! Go forward? Only thing to do! On we go!”
5,856 Kindle readers highlighted this

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The Hobbit (or There and Back Again) is a fantasy novel written by J.R.R. Tolkien. It follows the adventures of Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who embarks on an incredible journey. This children's classic and literary masterpiece was first published in 1937 and has since become a treasured work of fantasy literature. Dragons, trolls, and magic await the reader on this memorable adventure.

Bilbo, along with his friend Gandalf the Wizard, embarks on an adventure with a band of dwarves that sends them into the wild and the depths of the earth to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from a dragon. Along the way, he meets elves, men, giants, goblins, spiders, eagles, and a strange creature named Gollum.

While the tale of the Lord of the Rings has become highly popular in our modern society, The Hobbit is the original story that laid the groundwork for this epic tale to take place. What transpires as a game of riddles and escape from the creature Gollum in the Hobbit is, in fact, the foundation for an entire adventure for the whole of Middle Earth in Bilbo's later years.

Inspired by the author's time serving in World War I, The Hobbit builds to a climactic battle in which many characters met throughout the book reappear. This stunning fairytale is one of adventure, lessons learned, and an entire world born of Tolkien's imagination and desire for an English folklore. The Hobbit is a timeless classic that can be appreciated by readers of all ages.

From the Publisher

Bilbo Baggins, the hobbit, is a peaceful sort of cozy hole in the Shire, a place where adventures are uncommon and rather unwanted. So when the wizard Gandalf whisks him away on a treasure hunting expedition with a troop of rowdy dwarves, he's not entirely thrilled. Encountering ruthless trolls, beastly orcs, gigantic spiders, and hungry wolves, Bilbo discovers within himself astonishing strength and courage. And at the ultimate confrontation with the fearsome dragon Smaug, the hobbit will brave the dangers of dark and dragon fire alone and unaided. Brilliantly conceived to evoke Tolkien's richly imagined Middle Earth, this production features an original score written for Renaissance era instruments outstanding ensemble acting by the best performers available to the BBC and innovative sound techniques designed to present a hobbit's eye view of Bilbo's adventures. A fitting tribute to the centenary of J.R Tolkien's birth. The Hobbit will captivate longtime fans and the newly initiated alike.

From the Inside Flap

Bilbo Baggins, the hobbit, is a peaceful sort of cozy hole in the Shire, a place where adventures are uncommon and rather unwanted. So when the wizard Gandalf whisks him away on a treasure hunting expedition with a troop of rowdy dwarves, he's not entirely thrilled. Encountering ruthless trolls, beastly orcs, gigantic spiders, and hungry wolves, Bilbo discovers within himself astonishing strength and courage. And at the ultimate confrontation with the fearsome dragon Smaug, the hobbit will brave the dangers of dark and dragon fire alone and unaided. Brilliantly conceived to evoke Tolkien's richly imagined Middle Earth, this production features an original score written for Renaissance era instruments outstanding ensemble acting by the best performers available to the BBC and innovative sound techniques designed to present a hobbit's eye view of Bilbo's adventures. A fitting tribute to the centenary of J.R Tolkien's birth. The Hobbit will captivate longtime fans and the newly initiated alike.

About the Author

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was born on January 3, 1892, in Bloemfontein, South Africa. After serving in the First World War, he embarked upon a distinguished academic career and was recognized as one of the finest philologists in the world. He was a professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford, a fellow of Pembroke College, and a fellow of Merton College until his retirement in 1959. He is, however, beloved throughout the world as the creator of Middle-earth and author of such classic works as The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. He died on September 2, 1973, at the age of 81.

From the Paperback edition.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

AN UNEXPECTED PARTY

In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.

It had a perfectly round door like a porthole, painted green, with a shiny yellow brass knob in the exact middle. The door opened on to a tube-shaped hall like a tunnel: a very comfortable tunnel without smoke, with panelled walls, and floors tiled and carpeted, provided with polished chairs, and lots and lots of pegs for hats and coats—the hobbit was fond of visitors. The tunnel wound on and on, going fairly but not quite straight into the side of the hill—The Hill, as all the people for many miles round called it—and many little round doors opened out of it, first on one side and then on another. No going upstairs for the hobbit: bedrooms, bathrooms, cellars, pantries (lots of these), wardrobes (he had whole rooms devoted to clothes), kitchens, dining-rooms, all were on the same floor, and indeed on the same passage. The best rooms were all on the left-hand side (going in), for these were the only ones to have windows, deep-set round windows looking over his garden, and meadows beyond, sloping down to the river.

This hobbit was a very well-to-do hobbit, and his name was Baggins. The Bagginses had lived in the neighbourhood of The Hill for time out of mind, and people considered them very respectable, not only because most of them were rich, but also because they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected: you could tell what a Baggins would say on any question without the bother of asking him. This is a story of how a Baggins had an adventure, and found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected. He may have lost the neighbours’ respect, but he gained—well, you will see whether he gained anything in the end.

The mother of our particular hobbit—what is a hobbit? I suppose hobbits need some description nowadays, since they have become rare and shy of the Big People, as they call us. They are (or were) a little people, about half our height, and smaller than the bearded dwarves. Hobbits have no beards. There is little or no magic about them, except the ordinary everyday sort which helps them to disappear quietly and quickly when large stupid folk like you and me come blundering along, making a noise like elephants which they can hear a mile off. They are inclined to be fat in the stomach; they dress in bright colours (chiefly green and yellow); wear no shoes, because their feet grow natural leathery soles and thick warm brown hair like the stuff on their heads (which is curly); have long clever brown fingers, good-natured faces, and laugh deep fruity laughs (especially after dinner, which they have twice a day when they can get it). Now you know enough to go on with. As I was saying, the mother of this hobbit—of Bilbo Baggins, that is—was the famous Belladonna Took, one of the three remarkable daughters of the Old Took, head of the hobbits who lived across The Water, the small river that ran at the foot of The Hill. It was often said (in other families) that long ago one of the Took ancestors must have taken a fairy wife. That was, of course, absurd, but certainly there was still something not entirely hobbitlike about them, and once in a while members of the Took-clan would go and have adventures. They discreetly disappeared, and the family hushed it up; but the fact remained that the Tooks were not as respectable as the Bagginses, though they were undoubtedly richer.

Not that Belladonna Took ever had any adventures after she became Mrs Bungo Baggins. Bungo, that was Bilbo’s father, built the most luxurious hobbit-hole for her (and partly with her money) that was to be found either under The Hill or over The Hill or across The Water, and there they remained to the end of their days. Still it is probable that Bilbo, her only son, although he looked and behaved exactly like a second edition of his solid and comfortable father, got something a bit queer in his make-up from the Took side, something that only waited for a chance to come out. The chance never arrived, until Bilbo Baggins was grown up, being about fifty years old or so, and living in the beautiful hobbit-hole built by his father, which I have just described for you, until he had in fact apparently settled down immovably.

By some curious chance one morning long ago in the quiet of the world, when there was less noise and more green, and the hobbits were still numerous and prosperous, and Bilbo Baggins was standing at his door after breakfast smoking an enormous long wooden pipe that reached nearly down to his woolly toes (neatly brushed)—Gandalf came by. Gandalf! If you had heard only a quarter of what I have heard about him, and I have only heard very little of all there is to hear, you would be prepared for any sort of remarkable tale. Tales and adventures sprouted up all over the place wherever he went, in the most extraordinary fashion. He had not been down that way under The Hill for ages and ages, not since his friend the Old Took died, in fact, and the hobbits had almost forgotten what he looked like. He had been away over The Hill and across The Water on businesses of his own since they were all small hobbit-boys and hobbit-girls.

All that the unsuspecting Bilbo saw that morning was an old man with a staff. He had a tall pointed blue hat, a long grey cloak, a silver scarf over which his long white beard hung down below his waist, and immense black boots.

“Good morning!” said Bilbo, and he meant it. The sun was shining, and the grass was very green. But Gandalf looked at him from under long bushy eyebrows that stuck out further than the brim of his shady hat.

“What do you mean?” he said. “Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?”

“All of them at once,” said Bilbo. “And a very fine morning for a pipe of tobacco out of doors, into the bargain. If you have a pipe about you, sit down and have a fill of mine! There’s no hurry, we have all the day before us!” Then Bilbo sat down on a seat by his door, crossed his legs, and blew out a beautiful grey ring of smoke that sailed up into the air without breaking and floated away over The Hill.

“Very pretty!” said Gandalf. “But I have no time to blow smoke-rings this morning. I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it’s very difficult to find anyone.”

“I should think so—in these parts! We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner! I can’t think what anybody sees in them,” said our Mr Baggins, and stuck one thumb behind his braces, and blew out another even bigger smoke-ring. Then he took out his morning letters, and began to read, pretending to take no more notice of the old man. He had decided that he was not quite his sort, and wanted him to go away. But the old man did not move. He stood leaning on his stick and gazing at the hobbit without saying anything, till Bilbo got quite uncomfortable and even a little cross.

“Good morning!” he said at last. “We don’t want any adventures here, thank you! You might try over The Hill or across The Water.” By this he meant that the conversation was at an end.

“What a lot of things you do use Good morning for!” said Gandalf. “Now you mean that you want to get rid of me, and that it won’t be good till I move off.”

“Not at all, not at all, my dear sir! Let me see, I don’t think I know your name?”

“Yes, yes, my dear sir—and I do know your name, Mr Bilbo Baggins. And you do know my name, though you don’t remember that I belong to it. I am Gandalf, and Gandalf means me! To think that I should have lived to be good-morninged by Belladonna Took’s son, as if I was selling buttons at the door!”

“Gandalf, Gandalf! Good gracious me! Not the wandering wizard that gave Old Took a pair of magic diamond studs that fastened themselves and never came undone till ordered? Not the fellow who used to tell such wonderful tales at parties, about dragons and goblins and giants and the rescue of princesses and the unexpected luck of widows’ sons? Not the man that used to make such particularly excellent fireworks! I remember those! Old Took used to have them on Midsummer’s Eve. Splendid! They used to go up like great lilies and snapdragons and laburnums of fire and hang in the twilight all evening!” You will notice already that Mr Baggins was not quite so prosy as he liked to believe, also that he was very fond of flowers. “Dear me!” he went on. “Not the Gandalf who was responsible for so many quiet lads and lasses going off into the Blue for mad adventures? Anything from climbing trees to visiting elves—or sailing in ships, sailing to other shores! Bless me, life used to be quite inter—I mean, you used to upset things badly in these parts once upon a time. I beg your pardon, but I had no idea you were still in business.”

“Where else should I be?” said the wizard. “All the same I am pleased to find you remember something about me. You seem to remember my fireworks kindly, at any rate, and that is not without hope. Indeed for your old grandfather Took’s sake, and for the sake of poor Belladonna, I will give you what you asked for.”

“I beg your pardon, I haven’t asked for anything!”

“Yes, you have! Twice now. My pardon. I give it you. In fact I will go so far as to send you on this adventure. Very amusing for me, very good for you—and profitable too, very likely, if you ever g...

From AudioFile

The prologue to Tolkien's LORD OF THE RINGS series is lavishlyproduced by the BBC. In Middle Earth, an unassuming hobbit named BilboBaggins is reluctantly whisked off on a quest for treasure by themysterious wizard, Gandolf. The actors do a first-rate job. A lot ofwit as well as loving care went into the dramatization. However,important aural clues are missing, making the action frequentlyobscure. The producers went a little overboard on sound and music,further muddying things up. This is best enjoyed by those who alreadyknow the tale. Y.R. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B007978NU6
Publisher ‏ : ‎ William Morrow; Anniversary edition (February 15, 2012)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 15, 2012
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 102521 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 322 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #3,950 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #12 in Classic Literary Fiction
- #13 in Classic American Literature
- #35 in Teen & Young Adult Epic Fantasy

Customer Reviews:
4.7 68,521 ratings

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Upload your video

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

J. R. R. Tolkien

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

J.R.R. Tolkien was born on 3rd January 1892. After serving in the First World War, he became best known for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, selling 150 million copies in more than 40 languages worldwide. Awarded the CBE and an honorary Doctorate of Letters from Oxford University, he died in 1973 at the age of 81.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5

68,521 global ratings

How customer reviews and ratings work

Customers say

Customers find the tone fun, entertaining, and wry. They also appreciate the plot's depth, intrigue, and mystique. Readers describe the content as amazing, creative, and beautiful. They mention that the characters are thoroughly realized and the book appeals to all ages. They appreciate the rich text and precise production design. Customers also appreciate that the illustrations are there in their full majesty, and reflect light. Opinions are mixed on pacing, with some finding it decent and easy to read, while others say it can be a little slow at times.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more

Content Readability Tone Plot Readership Characters Illustrations Pacing

3,468 customers mention "Content"3,468 positive0 negative

Customers find the content fabulous, enjoyable, and beautiful. They also appreciate the effective make-up, articulate stunt work, lore, various races, species of creatures, unique cultures, and appealing green DJ. Readers also say the book is modern in perspective and introduces the reader to the peoples.

"...P.S. The Hobbit is a great book, arguably the greatest, certainly the greatest in its own league...." Read more

"...folks who helped to polish this film to excellence by means of effective make-up, articulate stunt work, unequaled cinematography, precise..." Read more

"...Only The Start Of The JourneyClearly, the story was enjoyed by our reader...." Read more

"...I found The Hobbit to be a "complete" and easy-to-read adventure. There was lore, various races / species of creatures, unique cultures, mystery,..." Read more

1,042 customers mention "Readability"916 positive126 negative

Customers find the book ripe with descriptive, fun language and characters. They also say it's a very simple read, easy to imagine, and fantastic. Readers also mention that the book contains so many nuggets of truth for a children's book.

"...All of this presented in one of the most unique styles of writing ever encountered; a style of writing that paints every detail of Tolkien's..." Read more

"...make-up, articulate stunt work, unequaled cinematography, precise production design, and all the other crew activities which only ever seem to rate..." Read more

"...Instead, it was a very simple read. The story-arc and pacing were on point. It is just a good story...." Read more

"...The paperback presentation of the book is great for someone enjoying the book as a leisure, not as a collectible...." Read more

799 customers mention "Tone"799 positive0 negative

Customers find the tone of the book fun, entertaining, and merry. They also say the action parts add to the lengthening of enjoyment. Readers also mention the book is clever, exciting, and different. They appreciate the quirky way of writing and the absence of foul language or filthy leading.

"...Lee's anything but poor, but Mague's are more merry, bright and rich. The characters appear heartier and the colors set a better mood...." Read more

"...The details in the action parts were fun and added to lengthening of that enjoyment...." Read more

"...It is an exciting adventure, and plenty of funny dialogue will immediately make you fall in love with Bilbo...." Read more

"The Hobbit is a fantastic whimsical book that takes readers on an adventure through Middle Earth...." Read more

640 customers mention "Plot"580 positive60 negative

Customers find the plot has adventures, profound themes, and life lessons. They also say it's a charming, beautiful journey through Middle-earth, filled with captivating characters. Readers mention that the dragon seems more believable. They say the book crafts a good base for the world.

"...Hague's characters, the dragon especially, seem more believable- when I turn the page I don't get a feeling like what I'm looking at is out of place..." Read more

"...images aspect of the movie, while perfectly executed and integral to the overall work, are nicely supplemented by scale doubles, forced perspective..." Read more

"...The details in the action parts were fun and added to lengthening of that enjoyment...." Read more

"...There was lore, various races / species of creatures, unique cultures, mystery, action, and plenty of endearment...." Read more

258 customers mention "Readership"247 positive11 negative

Customers find the book has appeal to all ages, is suitable for adults, and excellent for anyone who needs a lift or encouragement. They also say it's a great story for the family and feels young.

"...It was written by an adult and is absolutely suitable for adults...." Read more

"...The Hobbit is simply a must read for all ages and should be bought without hesitation!" Read more

"A great bedtime story for your kids that the grownups will also deeply love. I recommend it to anyone who likes adventure" Read more

"...the Rings,’ has been a family favorite for decades and boasts a more juvenile-friendly story of Middle Earth." Read more

227 customers mention "Characters"214 positive13 negative

Customers enjoy the characters in the book. They mention that they are hospitable, unambitious, and an unlikely hero.

"...The characters appear heartier and the colors set a better mood...." Read more

"...The main protagonist experienced character development and the way Tolkien wrote, allowed readers to feel it, too...." Read more

"...The main character, Bilbo Baggins, is a love able and logical character that every reader can root for...." Read more

"...The character development of Bilbo was pretty good...." Read more

172 customers mention "Illustrations"152 positive20 negative

Customers find the illustrations in the book in their full majesty, with persistence of indelible imagery. They also appreciate the bright, clearly printed color plates. Readers also appreciate forced perspective images, miniatures, and Jackson-ish. They appreciate the scenery and authenticity of the places.

"...Lee's anything but poor, but Mague's are more merry, bright and rich. The characters appear heartier and the colors set a better mood...." Read more

"...the overall work, are nicely supplemented by scale doubles, forced perspective images, miniatures, and other Jackson-ish tricks of the trade...." Read more

"...The enhanced version contains additional drawings which are interesting but probably mainly of interest to longtime fans...." Read more

"I love this book! It even has images, and audio! Loveeee, love, LOVE it!!Definitely recommend this wonderful story, from a wonderful series!" Read more

161 customers mention "Pacing"109 positive52 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book. Some find it decent and easy to read, while others say it can be a little slow at times.

"...The pace of the Hobbit is pretty rapid, since really the journey of this story would have been of a similar length as Lord of the Rings, with a lot..." Read more

"...Tolkien shows great skill with the plot of the Hobbit, never allowing the pace to slacken but keeping the reader excited with Bilbo's adventures...." Read more

"...The beginning is a little slow because the narrator has to establish his voice and explain what Hobbits are, but once the story gets going it is a..." Read more

"...Wide range of characters and decent pacing makes this an easy read...." Read more

Reviews with images

See all photos

Sort reviews by

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Vlad

Three Stars?

Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2006

Verified Purchase

Giving The Hobbit less than 5 stars is absurd. When one talks about Tolkien "dilly-dallying and such" one is referring to his complex style of writing. Quite frankly, Tokien is not "less," he is "more." He demands that one pay more attention, he gives one more information. If one wishes to say that more isn't always better, then fine. The rest of us don't expect them to understand. Let me put it this way: It is like Champagne. People don't dislike Champagne, they merely don't understand it. These idiot reviewers "Larry", "Curly" and "Moe" don't prefer the taste of Champagne to 7UP, they simply can't taste it. Is it their limited capacity for intelligence? Is it upbringing? It doesn't really matter what it is, all that matters is that they can't "taste" The Hobbit. But those of us who can, can- and we love the taste. After all, we have no choice. These are people who would rather eat Aunt Jemima pancakes with fake syrup than have hot crepes rolled with fine preserves. Really, do the opinions of these people actually count? It is understood by many that an opinion is only an opinion- how untrue this is! In the legal world an opinion is something that is ruled and weighed to be best, to be most true. There _is_ such a thing as a good opinion, even the best opinion. And opinion can be right and an opinion can be wrong. I daresay that giving The Hobbit 3 stars is wrong. And why do I dare? Because if someone told us that cow manure tasted better than ice cream they would be wrong. The bottom line is this: Mozart is better than The Beetles; Ferraris are better than raced out Subarus and Ice Cream does, in fact, taste better than manure. If, like this idiot, you are a simpleton who can can neither hear, taste nor see then don't bother to post your opinions to the rest of us. Instead, take my advice and cozy yourself up with something you can understand like Harry Potter and let yourself float away to the world of un-imagination. You will be much happier and won't have to deal with the headaches of trying to figure out what Tolkien is trying to say, nor will you have to deal with the frustrations of not being able to see in full color and dimensions the Dwarves and Elves and Wizards they way that the rest of us can. I almost pity you, but then, you wasted 60 seconds of my life with degenerate reviews so on second thought, get out of my gene pool and stop breathing my air. It's people like you that make the rest of our lives so two-dimensional by preventing more work like The Hobbit from ever being created with your lack of understanding and abundance of stupidity.

P.S. The Hobbit is a great book, arguably the greatest, certainly the greatest in its own league. It was written by an adult and is absolutely suitable for adults. The fact that it may also be enjoyed and understood by children is only a further credit to Tolkien's genius. Don't let the altogether too commonly found ramblings that this is a book for children discourage you from reading it if you haven't already. While not everyone is capable of enjoying it, it is criminal not to at least expose everyone to this book for anyone who is capable of enjoying it who is denied the oppurtunity has been cheated of one of the finest intellectual pleasures of this past century. My advice to you is to read it slowly and thoroughly. It is an experience like nothing else that will never be quite as magical the second time around.

P.P.S. If you don't know what The Hobbit is about, in short, it is about Adventure. A great Adventure full of Swords and Magic; of Dwarves and of Elves and of Wizards and Hobbits; Good, Evil; Trolls and Goblins; Suspense, Excitement, Comedy and Tragedy; Music, Riddles and Poetry. All of this presented in one of the most unique styles of writing ever encountered; a style of writing that paints every detail of Tolkien's fantastic world in your mind as if you were there. Not a single word is wasted and every element of the story is to be enjoyed. If any of these things sound even remotely fascinating then read this book- you won't be disappointed.

P.P.P.S. Comments about the illustrated versions for those trying to decide between the two illustrated versions of The Hobbit done by Alan Lee and Michael Hague: I recommend the Michael Hague edition hands down. The illustrations seem to fit the book much more than Lee's. Lee's anything but poor, but Mague's are more merry, bright and rich. The characters appear heartier and the colors set a better mood. More simply put, when I look at Lee's illustrations I feel like I'm standing in the dining room of somebody's grandmother- wallpaper, china dolls, lace and all- they just seem old and dry. Hague's characters, the dragon especially, seem more believable- when I turn the page I don't get a feeling like what I'm looking at is out of place. Another difference with Hague is that I am confident that anybody would enjoy his illustrations, but with Lee I merely see why some people 'might prefer it.' Hague really does have that illustration feeling I expect to see in a book; Lee's look like they belong on a museum wall. Also, I feel that Hague took a more direct interpretation of the book while Lee seemed to illustrate as he liked to fit his own style without much less regard to the book. Still, before buying I suggest you sample the art on the internet just to be sure of your tastes. However, if you're uncertain then I am confident that you and especially your children will enjoy Hague.

94 people found this helpful

Helpful

Patrick W. Crabtree

A *FILM* review of Peter Jackson's *The Hobbit -- Part I*

Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2010

Verified Purchase

Peter Jackson's *The Hobbit* (Part I -- "Into the Wilderness"):
TITLE: *Martin's Freeman's Bilbo Baggins is inspired!*

[***** 5 stars. Until *The Hobbit, Part I* becomes available on DVD, I'm posting the film review here.]

WARNING: Spoilers ahead!

While Gandalf the Wizard [Ian McKellan] remains timeless, it was obvious from the start that the Bilbo Baggins of three *The Lord of the Rings* films fame [Ian Holm, now pushing 80 years old] would have to bow out for the making of *The Hobbit*. Director Peter Jackson had surely asked himself, "Who could portray a young Ian Holm?", (but not necessarily a younger Bilbo Baggins since we now perceive Bilbo to look like the actor.) Answer: Martin Freeman. And he was right - Freeman effortlessly coalesced into the lead role.

In the first of the two *The Hobbit* entries [sub-titled: *Into The Wilderness*], a more youthful Bilbo Baggins is craftily crow-barred by Gandalf into embarking upon a great adventure (Hobbits *despise* adventures!) and by serving as a burglar for a grumbly troupe of thirteen dwarves, all of whom are determined to reclaim their lost family treasure from the Evil dragon, Smaug; however, the actual battle with Smaug at the Lonely Mountain will have to wait until Part II [to be entitled: *Into the Fire*] is released.

Part I largely focuses upon the history of the dwarves and the initial hazards that they encounter during their single-minded quest, chiefly battling orcs in the Misty Mountains and finishing with their tribulations with the giant spiders of the vast and ominous Mirkwood forest.

It's worth noting right off that the screenwriters very shrewdly rehabilitated the puerile songs of the dwarves [found throughout the book], transforming them into a range of vivid action scenes. This strategy achieved a pair of worthy ends: 1. I've heard audio versions of this story and to include the dwarf renderings of these archaic and lengthy songs would have been in profound conflict with an effective film conveyance. 2. These newly-fashioned scenes provide additional fodder for the artful expansion of the general lack of book material, thereby reinforcing audience interest.

Honestly, a movie version of Tolkien's *The Hobbit* could feasibly have been corralled within a single feature-length film [just think of all the ground that was covered in Avatar (Original Theatrical Edition) ] -- but the financial anticipations of the producers [greed], which tended to tenon seamlessly with Peter Jackson's lust for detail, had dictated long ago that viewers would have to hang on for a "final" conclusion. Part I features an ending of a sort but perhaps it would be more forthright to regard it as a dramatic finale.

One looming uncertainty which has kept Tolkien fans off-balance was whether the screenwriters would go dark with *The Hobbit* in an effort to effectively link it up with The Lord of the Rings - The Motion Picture Trilogy (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition) series, particularly since Tolkien originally penned the earlier work as a sort of kids' fairy tale. In retrospect the answer to the question was probably evident to Peter Jackson from his earliest conception of a film version, noting additionally that his time-honored philosophy is that first-class films cannot simply mirror the books from which they are taken. A good screenplay massages a book for all it's worth but the visual and audio aspects must be fully accommodated too.

Particular figures such as Gandalf, Elrond [Hugo Weaving], Galadriel [Cate Blanchett] and, Gollum [Andy Serkis] have already been firmly established in terms of image and it would be less than prudent at this juncture to radically manipulate the personalities of these prominent returning characters. And speaking of Galadriel, she was never a personage to be found in *The Hobbit* but Peter Jackson mined her from Tolkien's trilogy, casting her very strategically in his film version (along with Legolas, played by Orlando Bloom who also did not appear in *The Hobbit*) to further expand the script. Blanchett's presence additionally helped to overcome the gender gap of the book version. Still, these two actors are not in any way just add-ons -- their respective roles and performances have imparted considerable gravity to the story.

It is impossible to separate this film's noir-ish ambiance from Howard Shore's magnificent soundtrack. He's done it again! Upbeat and even a bit frivolous at the outset, the filmscore soon slips furtively into darker realms as the story advances, a few heroic themes being reserved for the appropriate dramatic moments. One is acutely taken with the leitmotif which Shore appended to Beorn, a Prokofiev-ish ponderousness integrated with a more serious Beethoven-like dignity... the perfect musical emulsion for the venerated skin-changer.

Once initial New Zealand and Australian actors' guild stumbling blocks were surmounted, the Kiwi locations again became a reality, a twin-island geography wholly adequate for the production when supplemented by studio settings, all of which have lead to the presentation of an astonishingly exceptional end-product. It would certainly have proven problematic to reproduce The Shire's Hobbiton in Eastern Europe, a location which was suggested during the early union-troubled days.

Martin Freeman's dazzling performance has eclipsed even that of Elijah Wood's stellar lead role in *The Lord of the Rings* films. The former's ebullient energy ironically seems to have retrospectively amplified Ian Holm's earlier portrayal of Bilbo in the New Line Cinema trilogy of films. The remaining cast members have also set the viewers at complete ease as they creatively played out their respective roles. Peter Jackson undoubtedly learned early in his career that, given spot-on casting, at least half the battle is won. And it's hardly surprising that a particular limelight shines on Fili [Robert Kazinski] and Kili [Aidan Turner] since this caveat, for those of us who already know the story, will markedly impact most of us when we get to view the second film. The director is clearly looking ahead.

In the larger view *The Hobbit* story lacks the bulwark of heroic figures which we encountered throughout *The Lord of the Rings* series, Aragorn, Boromir, Theoden, Faromir, and so on. Still, imposing characters such as Elrond, Beorn, and Bard the Bowman provide us with a subliminally more-than-adequate melodramatic security blanket. The bottom line is that this superb movie is not simply the detritus of *The Lord of the Rings* films. It's gratifying that Peter Jackson was shrewd enough to not endeavor upon such a futile follow-up attempt -- he created this film from scratch. Embracing that same notion, the screenwriters saw to it that the storyline endured sufficient jumbling so that the tale is not precisely as linear as the one we encounter in the book. This film stands on its own.

With better than a baker's dozen of little folks in starring roles the temptation to over-incorporate moments of comic relief [vignettes of Gimli] must have rivaled the gnawing urge which only The One Ring could normally generate. While some tasteful levity fell well within the bounds of a palatable script, I did actually breathe a sigh of relief once I realized that few such incidents were forthcoming.

The computer generated images aspect of the movie, while perfectly executed and integral to the overall work, are nicely supplemented by scale doubles, forced perspective images, miniatures, and other Jackson-ish tricks of the trade. No fear -- these facets of the film are all first-class and delightfully palatable. Gollum is better than ever. Additionally, due accolades can hardly be suitably imparted to all the folks who helped to polish this film to excellence by means of effective make-up, articulate stunt work, unequaled cinematography, precise production design, and all the other crew activities which only ever seem to rate a fleeting line of scrolled credit.

One is pleased to observe that the new role of Warner Brothers and MGM [Hollywood-based companies which recently acquired New Line Cinema] did not perceptibly obstruct Peter Jackson's proclivity for artistic detail. The casual but essential impedimenta present at every place where the Dwarfish Crusaders land aids us all to subconsciously believe in the reality of Middle Earth along with its numerous and varied inhabitants. Probably much credit for the focused attention upon the near-infinite number of magical nuances should go largely to Alan Lee, a man with an unbounded imagination coupled with a vast artistic talent.

I present only a singular critique of this film and it has nothing to do with the body of the movie itself: I feel compelled to comment that the decision to incorporate the endless scroll of Tolkien Fan Club members' names within the end credits is ill-advised and indirectly demeaning to the actual cast and crew. What do these people actually contribute to the film's production? Loyalty and moral support? The folks who have indeed delivered something more tangible are appropriately noted elsewhere within the credits. But most of the listed individuals have played no real part whatever, regardless of the syrupy patronization conducted by the film-makers toward this particular faction of Tolkien enthusiasts. Including these names in the film credits, which also takes in the so-called self-appointed "guardians" of Tolkien's work [a trivial minority of Tolkien Fan Club members], amounts to little more than a shallow ego-bribe. It's presumptuous as the devil to assert that Tolkien's books *need* guarding by anyone -- the affiliation here is more akin to pretentious posthumous tail-gating on the venerable Old Master.

The credits perquisite imparted by the film producers, appears in my view to ostensibly head off any whining outrage raised on the internet by those Tolkien radicals who are wholly unyielding in regard to the slightest manipulation of Tolkien's texts. This posture is pure nonsense. In the end, if one's name is included in the film credits then how can s/he ever issue an untainted appraisal of the film? In truth, such an individual could never ethically issue a fruitful critical review, (nor would they likely be *inclined* to criticize, which leads me to question the motives and ethics of the producers on this front.) But here I ramble witlessly upon a topic which only faintly deserves to be dignified by my attentions to it. In truth, my mini-rant is not even a legitimate film criticism - it's really just a pet peeve.

In summary, *The Hobbit* contains enough MacGuffins and other surprise moments to make it seem like a new story while still paying a more than adequate tribute to Tolkien's original manuscript. Martin Freeman was surely a brilliant choice to play Bilbo. I can hardly wait to see Part II!

17 people found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English

Doug W.

Gorgeous Edition

Reviewed in Canada on February 2, 2024

Verified Purchase

Finally bought this edition of the hobbit and was not disappointed. This has been my favourite novel for more than 20 years and there’s finally an extremely gorgeous and well-made version that I’m proud to have in my collection. All of the touches that were put into this just put it over the top from the gold foil, pages to the leather bound spine with the minimalist art. It’s a must have for any fan of the series.

Daniel

Simplesmente sensacional

Reviewed in Brazil on October 26, 2023

Verified Purchase

Essa versão facsimile de O Hobbit é o item perfeito de qualquer colecionador de Tolkien. O box é bem reforçado, rígido. A dustjacket é linda e o livro em si é maravilhoso. Capa dura em tecido, fonte réplica e texto do original. Não poderia estar mais satisfeito

4 people found this helpful

Translate review to English

Anna Ruffoni

Bellissimo

Reviewed in Italy on July 20, 2024

Verified Purchase

Ottima riproduzione della prima edizione del libro

Translate review to English

mustafa surhan

Masterpiece

Reviewed in Belgium on June 17, 2024

Verified Purchase

Absolute cinema!!!

AC

An unforgettable journey!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 13, 2024

Verified Purchase

The Hobbit is a timeless tale of adventure, friendship, and heroism that has captured the hearts of readers for generations.

Penned by the incomparable J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit whisks readers away to the enchanting world of Middle-earth, where hobbits, dwarves, elves, and dragons roam. At the heart of the story is Bilbo Baggins, a reluctant hero who finds himself swept up in an epic quest to reclaim a lost kingdom and treasure guarded by the fearsome dragon Smaug.

What sets The Hobbit apart is its masterful storytelling and richly imagined world. Tolkien's prose is both lyrical and evocative, painting vivid images of lush landscapes, treacherous mountains, and ancient forests. From the cozy comforts of the Shire to the perilous depths of the Misty Mountains, each setting is brought to life with breathtaking detail.

One of the standout features of The Hobbit is its cast of unforgettable characters. From the wise wizard Gandalf to the noble dwarf Thorin Oakenshield, each member of Bilbo's company brings their own unique personality and strengths to the quest. And of course, there's Gollum, the tragic and enigmatic creature whose encounter with Bilbo in the depths of the Misty Mountains is one of the most iconic moments in fantasy literature.

In terms of quality, The Hobbit is a timeless classic that continues to captivate readers of all ages. Its themes of courage, friendship, and the triumph of good over evil resonate just as powerfully today as they did when the book was first published.

Furthermore, I was delighted by the fast delivery time and overall great service provided by the seller. The book arrived promptly and in perfect condition, ready to be enjoyed by readers old and new.

In conclusion, The Hobbit is a must-read for anyone who loves fantasy literature. Its timeless tale of adventure and discovery is as enchanting today as it was when it was first published, making it a beloved classic that will continue to inspire readers for generations to come.

Buy for others

Buying and sending eBooks to others

Image Unavailable

Follow the author

The Hobbit: 75th Anniversary Edition Kindle Edition with Audio/Video

Customers who bought this item also bought

Get to know this book

What's it about?

Amazon editors say...

Popular highlight

Popular highlight

Popular highlight

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

From the Publisher

From the Inside Flap

About the Author

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

From AudioFile

Product details

Videos for this product

Watch BEFORE you buy this book!!!

About the author

J. R. R. Tolkien

Customer reviews

Customers say

Reviews with images

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Top reviews from other countries

Report an issue