I can remember the first time I saw the Rankin Bass film adapted from the novel when I was seven. I can remember a couple years later discovering there was a book by the same name at my local library and I picked it up curious.

I was swept away into a land of elves, trolls, dwarves, goblins, wizards, dragons, and hobbits. A magical story unfolded before me, and I would soon pick up the Lord of the Rings after a few more years and a brief stint to Pern, but thats another post.

I've lost count of how many times I've read the Hobbit now, but one thing still remains is my love of the book. With a more mature appreciation for the literal context as for the story the magic doesn't decrease it only increases.

In the Hobbit we get as close I think as possible to the roots of the Fantasy genre without going back to the original myths, and epic poems, and legends themselves. What were stock charachters and plots are new and fresh ideas. Themes are played out for the first time. The unlikely hero, the quest, the unexpected help, and the unexpected advesaries, and lets not forget magical accessories.

It is easy to see why Tolkien is called the Father of Modern Fantasy, and why so many authors tip their hat to him in homage. The Lord of the Rings is another reason, but thats another post, I am reviewing the Hobbit.

The tale is quickly paced, full of adventure, and challenges for the charachters. The settings are diverse and interesting, from Bilbo Baggins' hobbit hole, to the House of Elrond, to the caves of the Goblins under the Misty Mountains, to Beorn's house, to Mirkwood, and the Lonely Mountain.

Gollum and Smaug still remain my favorite antagonists of literature to date. Both live within mountains, one watery and dark, corrupted, fearful, and cowering, afraid of the hero without his preciousss, and his desire for it providing Bilbo with his means of escape. Smaug, confident in his strength, arrogant, firey creating his own light, and perhaps the most dangerous of the two. His greed, and fury proving his own downfall.

And then there is Gandalf, showing up when least expected. Mysterious, and wise, the iconic wizard, mentor figure. Using trickery as well as magic. My favorite line of his is "I am Gandalf, and Gandalf means me!" Then the whole debate about "good morning" made him an instant favorite, and peaked my interest in him immediately.

All in all a good read, fun, and wonderful to go back to even as an adult. Tolkien's work not only stands the test of time, it transcends from the young reader to the adult as well. And I think everyone's personal library should contain a copy of it. Take it down, dust it off, and read it to read it. It is one of few books that on a reread is still as enjoyable as the first time you read it.

Well thats about it.
Thank you for partaking of another of my reviews.