The Hobbit
The April Christian Book Club selection is J.R.R. Tolkien’s, “The Hobbit”. This will kick off a four month marathon of Tolkien’s wonderful books about hobbits, wizards, goblins, orcs, dragons, elves and gollum. I first these book when I was in college. They almost caused me to flunk out. I got so wrapped up in the Lord of the Ring trilogy that I just didn’t go to class for a week while I read all of the books. I have read them since when I introduced them to my children. This time, I think I am reading them for the sense of nostalgia. Reading the books makes me feel good.
I am already immensely enjoying the Hobbit once again. It is one of those books that it is easy to make time for. With nineteen chapters, it will be easy to complete the book this month if you read five chapters a week. I look forward to reading your comments about the book. I am especially interested in to any conversations that we might have about Christian themes in the book. I will include the link to purchase the book in case you don’t have a copy. Happy reading!
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The Hobbit By J.R.R. Tolkien / Houghton-mifflin If you care for journeys there and back, out of the comfortable Western world, over the edge of the Wild, and home again, and can take interest in a humble hero (blessed with a little wisdom and a little courage), here is a record of such a journey and such a traveler. The period is the ancient time between the age of Faerie and the dominion of men, when the famous forest of Mirkwood was still standing, and the mountains were full of danger. In following the path of the humble adventurer, you will learn by the way (as he did) – if you do not already know all about these things – much about trolls, goblins, dwarves, and elves, and get some glimpses into the history and politics of a neglected but important period. |
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Category: Featured, The Hobbit
This is a tale of gold, dragon, Elves and the wonder of it all. After reading the book for the third time, I must say it is still enjoyable. The book serves as a stand-alone novel or as a prelude to, “The Lord of the Rings.” (LOTR)
Tolkien crafts an interesting world peopled with Dwarves, Hobbits, Men, Elves and others. The Hobbits are a race of comfort-loving people about 2-4 feet in height. If there is one thing they like it is peace, quiet and good food. Adventure and travel to far-off places is something they would really rather avoid if they can.
Bilbo Baggins is one such Hobbit and he had lived 50 years in good comfort and does not wish to change that. Then, Gandalf (a wizard) arrives and invites him on an adventure with a company of Dwarves. Bilbo is initially fearful and dismissive of the whole affair and then gradually become a leader of sorts of the company.
The style is easy to follow and the story is straightforward with some twists. Of the two books, I must state my preference for LOTR. The complexity of the world in which the novels are placed (Middle-Earth) that is merely hinted at in, “The Hobbit,” is much more developed in LOTR.
The book is good in the old-fashioned sense of good story telling; there are no political agendas here but rather simply courage and the virtues of old. It is refreshing to read a book of battle, heroism, good and evil in our times of moral confusion and weakness. “The Hobbit,” is good for children and adults; adults will probably appreciate LOTR more though.