J.R.R. Tolkien's classic 1937 children's fantasy about a hobbit, a wizard and a group of dwarves who go on an epic quest for stolen treasure and of his misadventures.
The Hobbit, or There and Back Again, better known by its abbreviated title
The Hobbit, is a
fantasy novel and
children's book by
J. R. R. Tolkien. It was published on 21 September 1937 to wide critical acclaim, being nominated for the
Carnegie Medal and awarded a prize from the
New York Herald Tribune for best juvenile fiction. The book remains popular and is recognized as a classic in children's literature.
Set in a time "Between the Dawn of Færie and the Dominion of Men", The Hobbit follows the quest of home-loving hobbit Bilbo Baggins to win a share of the treasure guarded by the dragon, Smaug. Bilbo's journey takes him from light-hearted, rural surroundings into darker, deeper territory. The story is told in the form of an episodic quest, and most chapters introduce a specific creature, or type of creature, of Tolkien's Wilderland. By accepting the disreputable, romantic, fey and adventurous side of his nature (the "Tookish" side) and applying his wits and common sense, Bilbo develops a new level of maturity, competence and wisdom. The story reaches its climax in the Battle of Five Armies, where many of the characters and creatures from earlier chapters re-emerge to engage in conflict.
Themes of personal growth and forms of heroism figure in the story. ...
