The Hobbit

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the fourth time I've read this book, but the first time since the movies came.

I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK. !!!

It is a children's story written in a language for adults. (However, as a "read aloud"-book it would work for kids also.) It breaths Tolkien all the way and the world is as rich as in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

As I said this is the first time I've read this book after the films started to premier. Reading the book I realize how much I'd forgotten and what they changed in the movies. I have to say that my biggest surprise was Azog.

He's barely mentioned in the book (once actually in the text) and has no role what so ever considering the story. Even though his son, Bolg, has a bigger role and more impact on the story he appears only in the ending and the reader doesn't get to meet him in person. (Him we don't see in the movie (at least not yet, there is one part left, but my hopes on seeing him aren't high. I think Azog will take his role).)

Otherwise I don't remember any big changes (other than that Gandalf's journey isn't mentioned in detail in the book and the whole affair with Smaug inside the mountain). Most of the changes made weren't necessary for the story, especially as they made the book into three films. But back to the book.

4 out of 5 stars. No matter how great J.R.R. Tolkien is in his writing style it doesn't capture me like say, for example, Patrick Rothfuss' style. Well written and beautifully told the story is. What it lacks (in my opinion) is the ability to make reality disappear. Somehow my mind is dragged into the world of Middle Earth but at the same time my soul is left behind. It's sad, because the world is extraordinary.

Finally I just want to say that this is one of the greatest books that exists in this world. IT SHOULD BE OBLIGATORY TO READ IT IN SCHOOL AS ONE OF THE CLASSICS!

I didn't find Narnia in my closet (or any other for that matter).
I didn't get my letter from Hogwarts when I was eleven. (Still waiting.)
Gandalf, you better be knocking on my door when I'm fifty!