J.R.R. Tolkien
The Hobbit (1937)
Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
Genre: Fantasy (Secondary World)
Plot Summary:
Bilbo Baggins, a humble hobbit of the Shire who lives a quiet life filled with food and pipeweed, joins a group of dwarves on a mission to reclaim their lost fortune from the dragon Smaug and take back their ancestral home beneath the Lonely Mountain. Bilbo's part in the group is to act as the burgler, as a wizard named Gandalf has led the dwarves to believe that Bilbo is just the person to get them into the dragon's lair by stealth. During the trek across Middle-earth, the group endure many hardships and perils. They lose their food and transporation several times. They also are attacked and captured by goblins, giant spiders, and wood elves along the way. Each time they are able to escape thanks to Bilbo's cunning. Finally, they reach the mountain where the fortune lies...but defeating Smaug and taking back the treasure turns about to be more difficult than they had hoped. SPOILER: The dragon is killed by Dalemen who live at the foot of the Lonely Mountain, and the fortune is returned to the dwarves, but not before an epic battle takes place between the goblin armey and the combined forces of dwarves, elves, men, and sentient eagles. Bilbo Baggins, as it turns out returns home a very rich hobbit. Also, of crucial importance for those interested in reading more about Middle Earth in The Lord of the Rings trilogy (which takes place 50 years after The Hobbit), during one escapade Bilbo stumbles upon Sauron's Ring of Power in a cave beneath the Misty Mountains, which he takes by deceit from a miserable creature named Gollum.
Geographical Setting: a fictional land calleded Middle-earth
Time Period: Near the end of the Third Age, 2941–2942 S.R.
Series: prequel to The Lord of the Rings
Appeal Characteristics:
The tone of The Hobbit can be both light and dark, as humorous asides brighten heavy moments. For example, near the end of the novel when the ancient bird Roac tells the Hobbit that Smaug is dead and many people are demanding their share of the dwarves' treasure, Thorin tells to bird to leave and says "Back now to the Mountain...We have little time to lose." Bilbo says "And little food to use!" and the narrator informs readers that Bilbo was "always practical on such points" (281). The tone can also be dark, such as when the lonely, goblin-eating Gollum is introduced and readers "hear" how strangely he talks to himself. Also, the dwarves and Bilbo encounter many foes when they travel in the dangerous Misty Mountains, such as the goblins, spiders, wolves and much more. But even in dark moments, there is a consistent balance between humor and seriousness. The tone is clearly affected by the writing style and the light and intimate tone is present because the author "speaks" directly to readers. For example, when Bilbo is lost deep in the Goblin's mountain the author explains that "Now certainly Bilbo was in what is called a tight place. But you must remember it was not quite so tight for him as it would have been for me or you" (78) and further down the page he says, "I should not have liked to have been in Mr. Baggin's place, all the same"(78). The use of "I" makes the reader feel as if she is hearing the story directly from the narrator. The setting in the book varies because Bilbo, the dwarves and Gandalf cover a lot of ground in their adventures; they travel from familiar Bag End to the Wilderland, where they must encounter harsh surroundings, such as steep mountains, cold rivers and deep, dark forests. The settings come to life because Bilbo and the dwarves have a emotional reaction to their surroundings; the group often sings and talks happily when they are traveling through beautiful and safe areas but when they must venture through stiffling forests where there is little light and no water, there is little talk in the group. Bilbo is an endearing character because Bilbo's feelings are often shared with readers, such as his frequent wish that he could be back in his hobbit-hole, and readers know Bilbo is fond of having a second breakfast. Readers will feel compelled to cheer for the small Hobbit whenever he thinks fast on his feet and saves the day. The frame of The Hobbit is that there is no better place in the world than Bilbo's cozy hobbit-hole, the novel begins and ends there, but there is also much to be gained when one leaves Bag-End and goes on a great journey.
Read-alikes: For the reader who enjoyed The Hobbit (1937) and wants to read more Tolkien or more about Middle-earth, they might try Tolkien's Lord of the Rings (1954-1955) series, where the reader will find out what happens to Bilbo's relative Frodo and the Ring which Bilbo acquired in The Hobbit (the first book in the trilogy is The Fellowship of the Ring). They might also try Tolkien's The Silmarillion, which details the history of the First and Second Ages (including the deeds of legendary men and Elves like Feanor, Felegund, and Beren) and discusses the treachery Sauron's mentor Morgoth (aka Melkor), the rise of Sauron, and the creation of the Ring of Power. If the reader is looking for fantasy books that aren't weighty but still full of adventure, they might try reading J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series (the first is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone [1997]). These books appeal to both children and adults and contain wizards. Another story that is appropriate for both children and adult Tolkien fans is E.A. Wyke-Smith's The Marvellous Land of Snergs (1927). This adventure story inspired Tolkien and his creation of the hobbit race. For the reader who doesn't mind reading from a series, they might enjoy David Eddings' book Pawn of Prophecy (1982) the first of his Belgariad series. This five-book series has a more urban feel feel than Tolkien's and deals with a boy who is being watched over by two wizards and deals with his life adventures. If your reader feels strongly about reading a book set in a fantasy world, you might recommend Ursula K. LeGuin's A Wizard of Earthsea (1968). This book (the first in a series) is about an up an coming wizard who while on his life's adventure must fight many creatures including a dragon. Other excellent choices include Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series (the first book is Eye of the World) and George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire (the first book is A Game of Thrones). Rhiana by Michele Hauf is about a young woman who lives in 15th century France and has a strong, mysterious connection with dragons and because of this, she decides to slay a dragon who endangers her village. Like Bilbo, the main character in Rhiana tussles with a dragon who, as in both novels, hordes over an enormous treasure. But, unlike Bilbo and the other main characters in The Hobbit, the main character in Rhiana in a woman. Readers who want to read a fantasy that focuses on a female might enjoy this book. Also, Hauf’s book is set in the past, so readers who want to read a fantasy set long ago, like The Hobbit, could enjoy Rhiana. Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley is the first book in the Mists of Avalon series and it is an Arthurian epic told from the perspective of women, specifically the character Morgaine, who has the gift of “Sight.” Readers who want to read a fantasy featuring women way also like this book. Like The Hobbit, Mists of Avalon is based on legends and mythical characters that come from England’s past and this affects the writing style of the novel. In this book one can see how Tolkien, with his weaving of fantasy elements and myths and legends has influenced many fantasy writers, like Bradley, today. Also, readers can find a similar framework in both novels because the books are a retelling of events in Britain’s history and both authors set out to write tales about an unknown period in history. The King of Elfland’s Daughter by Lord Dunsany is a groundbreaking novel in the fantasy genre and it is about a young prince who ventures into a forest to find the land of Faerie and an elf princess. Readers can see that Lord Dunsany influenced Tolkien’s writing style in The King of Elfland’s Daughter because both authors used myths, legends and fairy tales to craft their novels. Characterization is another appeal element both novels share because they feature a character who travels into a mysterious forest where he encounters many obstacles in order to reach his goal. The Once and Future King by T.H. White spans the life of King Arthur, from his birth to his death, and this novel combines the four novels about King Arthur’s life that are published separately. The story is based on Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte D’Arthur. There is a similar tone between The Hobbit and The Once and Future King because both of these novels are steeped in British history. Also, readers who enjoy following one main character through many adventures and are interested in how those journeys changed that character will enjoy both books.
Red Flags: Minor violence and scenes of battle.
The Fellowship of the Ring (1954)
Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
Genre: Fantasy (Secondary Worlds)
Plot Summary:
In a land called Middle-earth, Frodo Baggins, a Hobbit, lives a quiet existence in a peaceful place called the Shire. When his elder cousin Bilbo leaves the Shire for a final adventure, Frodo is giving a parting gift, Bilbo's prized golden ring. Eventually, Frodo finds that that ring is the One Ring of Power forged by the Dark Lord, Sauron, in ancient times. It was filled with Sauron's power and made to rule all other rings of power, but it was taken from him and had been lost for many ages until re-discovered by Bilbo (see Tolkien's The Hobbit for details). At the insistence of the wizard Gandalf, Frodo leaves the Shire with three companions and journeys to Rivendell, home of a great Elf, Elrond, in far-off Rivendell. They are soon joined by a man called Strider, who is actually Aragorn, a Ranger of the north who is descended from the kings of Numernor, lords of the Second Age. In Rivendell, a fellowship is formed consisting of Frodo, his three companions, Gandalf, Aragorn, Boromir (a great warrior of the South), the wood elf Legolas, and the dwarf Gimli. They are charged with taking the Ring to Mount Doom, the volcano where Sauron forged the Ring in the land of Mordor, and destroying it. Along the way, the travelers encounter a number of interesting individuals and overcome numerous obstacles as the begin their quest. SPOILER: Their journey is fraught with adventure and danger and the fellowship breaks apart before reaching Mordor after an attack by Orcs under the command of Saruman, Gandalf's old mentor who is now corrupt and who desires the Ring for himself. Frodo and Sam leave the group to destroy the Ring alone while the remaining members of the fellowship take a different path fraught with peril.
Geographical Setting: Middle-earth
Time Period: Beginning in 1401 SR, near the end of the Third Age
Series: The Lord of the Rings (volume 1)
Appeal Characteristics:
This book is very detailed and unfolds largely at a leisurely pace. It is also very engrossing and can become more fast-paced at times of danger. The characters are detailed and recognizable as they often fit into either an entirely good or entirely bad role. The heroes of the story, like Frodo and Aragorn, are, for the most part, honorable, brave, honest, and solely on the side of good. The villains like Sauron and his Black Riders that begin to chase Frodo are often dark, sinister, and entirely evil. The story is complex and detail oriented and it is written in a classic style. A dark tone pervades the book as an evil is growing that threatens all life in Middle-earth and Frodo and his companions are often in danger. There is no other fantasy world so painstakingly detailed as Tolkien's Middle Earth--multiple languages, thousands of years of history, politics, geography.
Read-alikes: Readers will first want to start with the other books in The Lord of the Rings series by Tolkien, The Two Towers and The Return of the King. These books are actually all a part of a single novel that was published in three volumes, and the story is not fully complete without reading the other volumes. Next readers might want to try books in the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan (the first is Eye of the World. These books also contain a complex plot with elements of magic and adventure set within a dark tone. They also include a dark evil that must be stopped by a young farmhand who inherits a destiny unforeseen (much like Tolkien's Frodo). Another excellent fantasy series containing a quest and beginning with a young farmer who--unbeknownst to the boy--is destined to be a king among kings, is David Eddings' Belgariad, a five-book series that begins with Pawn of Prophecy. Similar elements, including the quest and the presence of a guiding wizard (in this case two), are present. Readers who enjoyed the theme of the small group of heroes that fought against a dark power and the element of the alliance of elves, dwarves, and men might want to try the first Shannara trilogy, beginning with The Sword of Shannara, by Terry Brooks. The Sword of Shannara involves a small group that must save the world from a dark evil by reclaiming a sword. The Chronicles of Prydain series by Lloyd Alexander might also be a good bet for readers who liked the themes of magic and an unlikely hero. In these books Taran, the assistant pig keeper, fights to save the kingdom of Prydain from an evil power. Readers might also want to try books by Guy Gavriel Kay in the The Fionavar Tapestry series for more books with a classic writing style and a complex plot with more heroes who fight against an evil force. It also includes wizards, elves, and dwarves. They involve a group of college students that are transported to a land called Fionavar and are caught up in a battle against evil. Also consider George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series that begins with A Game of Thrones or Roger Zelazny's Amber Chronicles that begins with Nine Princes in Amber.
Red Flags: The story contains lots of songs
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