The Hobbit
Overview: Bilbo Baggins was a hobbit who wanted to be left alone in quiet comfort. But the wizard Gandalf came along with a band of homeless dwarves. soon Bilbo was drawn into their quest, facing evil orcs, savage wolves, giant spiders, and worse unknown dangers. Finally, it was Bilbo – alone and unaided – who had to confront the great dragon Samug, the terror of an entire countryside!
Pages: 287 Pages
Writer: J.R.R. Tolkien
Recommendations: A Game of Thrones By George R. R. Martin – Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling – Eragon By Chris Paolini – Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets By J.K. Rowling – Dune By Frank Herbert
Review By: Jason Schulte
Rating: 
I recently returned to The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien nearly 25 years after reading it for the first time. I still remember how that original reading opened the door to an entirely new world. The setting, characters, creatures, and sense of adventure were unlike anything I had experienced before.
A quarter of a century later, I was pleased to discover that the book had lost none of its magic.
The Hobbit was every bit as exciting and enjoyable as I remembered. In fact, once I began reading, I moved through it surprisingly quickly. Tolkien’s storytelling still has the power to draw readers into Middle-earth and make every mountain, forest, underground passage, and distant kingdom feel alive.
The story follows Bilbo Baggins, a quiet and comfortable hobbit who would much rather remain at home thinking about his next meal than travel into the unknown. His peaceful life is interrupted when the wizard Gandalf and a company of dwarves arrive at his door. Before long, Bilbo finds himself joining their quest to reclaim the dwarves’ ancestral homeland and treasure from the fearsome dragon Smaug.
Standing between the company and its destination are towering mountains, dangerous goblins, Gollum, orcs, giant spiders, suspicious elves, and one very powerful dragon. The journey constantly raises the same fascinating question: How does a small hobbit, whose greatest concern once seemed to be when second breakfast would be served, become an invaluable member of a company of hardened dwarves?
Somehow, this small but mighty hobbit finds a way.
Bilbo’s development is one of the greatest strengths of The Hobbit. He does not suddenly become a fearless warrior. Instead, he gradually discovers that he is cleverer, braver, and more resourceful than he ever imagined. His courage often comes from making difficult choices despite being frightened, which makes him an easy character to admire and relate to.
Tolkien’s writing is also a kind of magic in itself. The book feels like an old story being told directly to the reader—filled with humor, danger, songs, mystery, and wonder. Many fantasy authors have attempted to recreate this style, but very few have captured it with the same natural charm.
The Hobbit was important to me when I first read it 25 years ago because it introduced me to a world that felt limitless. Reading it again reminded me why the book had such a lasting impact. The adventure still felt exciting, the characters still felt memorable, and Middle-earth still felt like a place worth exploring.
Whether you are discovering Tolkien for the first time or returning after many years, The Hobbit remains an unforgettable fantasy adventure. It is a story about courage, friendship, personal growth, and discovering that even the smallest person can make an enormous difference.