The Hobbit

"I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging..."
- J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, Ch. 1

I have read my share of books in the short seventeen years that I have had the good pleasure living. But never in those years have I ever experienced any adventure as enjoyable as when I read The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. Not only does this book have its own world with its own history, culture, language, and adventure. But, this book also has its own set of unique characters that you would never be able to find anywhere other than in The Hobbit.

However, the distinctive characters of Middle Earth are not the only interesting key to this marvelous novel. No, the most enjoyable piece of this book is the fact that you forget you are reading, and feel as though you are, instead, living the adventure. Tolkien does a spectacular job of drawing his read into the book and immersing them into the story. I felt as though I was actually part of Thorin's company of thirteen. I was jeering to reclaim the Lonely Mountain, that was stolen by the fire breathing dragon, Smaug. I truly believed that I was in peril with the characters, I was convinced that I was in the world of Middle Earth with all its dangers, horrors, and mysteries.

                                                                   You See...He is quite terrifying and horrid. 

                                            You cannot blame me for wanting to help the Dwarf's to reclaim their home.

Also, just as importantly is how Tolkien forces the reader to accept that no one, not even the heroines of The Hobbit, are solely good, or solely evil. Tolkien tries to convey this understanding that all creatures have their faults and shortcomings. Now, I know what you must be thinking. That I am crazy right? Well, let me explain a bit further what I am trying to say. Tolkien wrote the character of Thorin to seem stoic and level headed, however, he is actually quite greedy and unpredictable throughout the entire book. Or Gollum for example, Tolkien does a marvelous job highlighting small things on this character that made me realize that he is one deserving of pity, not hatred or malice. He isn't evil like the movies lead you to believe, but rather lost. Lost in himself, lost in his greed as Thorin is, and lost in the shadows that he has hidden himself in for so long.

What I am trying to say is that Tolkien writes his characters with the traits and shortcomings that you can find in all people. You are forced to accept his characters for who they are; to understand that they are mortal and that they make mistakes, and have their flaws. Now, in all the books that I have read I have never really experienced this in the characters. The personas were either completely good or completely evil, which gives them a sense of unrelate-ability or distance. In other words, I felt as though all of Tolkien's imperfections that he writes into all of his characters makes them feel more real, and more distinct.

I know the question here may be, why is this book so much better than the Lord of The Rings? I have read the entire trilogy of The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien as well, and they do not even come close to The Hobbit in enjoyment. I know this, because I had to personally write numerous essays on all the books comparing and contrasting the characters, the environment, and story. Don't misunderstand, The Lord of the Rings is a marvel within itself. But, it doesn't quite match the essence and soul of The Hobbit. It doesn't quite compare to the quality and humor that only Bilbo Baggins has to offer. In other words, The Lord of the Rings is just not as engaging and amusing as The Hobbit. Its darker and more gruesome, while The Hobbit can get a smile out of even the most emotionless of readers.

Take it from me, The Hobbit is an adventure do not want to miss out on; relationships with the characters you will regret not forming. This book is one that will stick with you your entire life and will give you a sense of fulfillment and joy throughout the entire read, and even when it is finished. The Hobbit is a book everyone should experience at least once in their life. Or, if you are like me three times...