The Hobbit is a fantasy novel written by an english author, J.R.R. Tolkien. Considered as the father of contemporary fantasy, he aimed at creating a whole new world for his books. The book was released in 1937, and it has stood the test of time.
Tolkien introduces us to Middle-Earth and the small and jubilant Hobbits. The story starts off in the Shire: the home of Hobbits. Hobbits aren’t really fond of adventures. They like to live in peace and potter around in their everyday lives. Bilbo, our main character, is visited by Gandalf, a great wizard. He needs a burglar to steal the symbol of authority, the Arkenstone, from a dragon. Therefore, the themes of this book are the safe ordinary life, versus new experiences and adventures.
Bilbo is aversed upon the thought of joining an adventure. The dwarves doubt that the small hobbit has the spirit in him. Bilbo proves them wrong by promising to do what is told, just so they would think of bilbo as a fierce and a bold hobbit. Bilbo has two sides. The first is the brave and adventurous side, from the line of the Tuk family. The other side is earth-bound and peaceful, from the line of Baggins. Bilbo’s relationship with Gandalf, the lingering wizard, is warm and almost fatherly to Bilbo towards the book’s end.
The dwarves are a warmhearted and a proud race. They are friendly with Bilbo, like naturally with all hobbits in Tolkien’s books. Their favorite things to do are singing, protecting their reputation and eating.
I myself liked the book very much. The narration drags you into Middle-Earth. This book has pretty much everything: tension and fright, drama and action.