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| Edition: | Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (Hardcover) |
| Author: | J.R.R. Tolkien |
| Published: | September 2007 |
| Pages: | 320 |
| ISBN 10: | 0618968636 |
| New: | $14.79 (36) |
| Used: | $12.95 (28) |
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First published September 21, 1937, The Hobbit is a fantasy novel written by J.R.R. Tolkien in the tradition of the fairy tale and tells of the adventures of a hobbit and thirteen dwarf companions. While it also stands in its own right, it is often seen as a prelude to Tolkien's monumental fantasy epic, The Lord of the Rings (published 1954 through 1955). It is about the journey of a hobbit and his companions.
A hobbit named Bilbo Baggins is smoking his pipe on the front step of his comfortable hobbit hole home one morning when Gandalf the Wizard passes by. They discuss the many meanings that Bilbo puts into the phrase "Good Morning", and the lack of adventurers in the neighbourhood. The thought of going on an adventure flusters Bilbo into offering one last "Good Morning", inviting Gandalf to tea the next day, and escaping back into his hole. An amused Gandalf scratches a secret mark on Bilbo's front door, which translated, means 'Burglar wants a good job, plenty of excitement and reasonable reward'.
The following day, at just about tea-time, thirteen dwarves (Thorin Oakenshield, Óin, Glóin (whose son Gimli would be one of the main characters in The Lord of the Rings), Dwalin, Balin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Fíli and Kíli, Dori, Nori, and Ori) show up at the hole, along with Gandalf, and begin excitedly discussing their planned treasure hunt while the hapless Bilbo provides the obligatory hospitality. After the dwarves clean up their mess, a map is produced which shows the Lonely Mountain (Erebor) and environs; once ruled by Thorin's grandfather. Many years previous it had been seized by the dragon Smaug, who now lurks in its depths. The map reveals a secret door into the mountain, which the dwarves hope to use to defeat Smaug and reclaim their home. This, along with the fact that Bilbo's presence will break the unlucky number 13, is why the expedition requires a burglar. Initially, Bilbo wants nothing to do with the scheme, but in a moment of anger and courage, commits to joining.
The next morning, after oversleeping and nearly missing the start of the journey, Bilbo goes off with the dwarves and the wizard. They are nearly eaten by three trolls, but Gandalf tricks the trolls into staying up all night arguing, whereupon they are turned into stone by the first light of dawn. In the trolls' cave they find a mound of stolen treasure, including Elvish weapons. Bilbo acquires the dagger Sting, which glows blue in the presence of Goblins.
The party travels to Rivendell where they enjoy the hospitality of the Elves and receive useful information and advice from Rivendell's master, Elrond, then proceed eastward into the Misty Mountains. While seeking shelter from a storm, they are ambushed by Goblins and carried down under the mountains. Gandalf manages to free them, but during the escape Bilbo loses the dwarves. Alone in the dark, Bilbo finds a ring on the floor of a cave passage and puts it into his pocket.
Continuing on, he arrives at the shore of an underground lake. The creature Gollum paddles up, and the two enact a game of riddles, under the condition that if Bilbo wins, Gollum will show him the way out, but if he loses, Gollum will eat Bilbo. After several turns, Bilbo, fiddling in his pocket unable to think of a riddle, asks himself aloud "What have I got in my pocket?" Gollum assumes this to be the next riddle; despite being allowed three guesses, he fails to correctly answer. Bilbo demands his reward, but Gollum refuses and paddles off to his small island home where he searches for his most precious possession, a magic ring which turns its wearer invisible. Unable to find it, he belatedly realizes the answer to Bilbo's riddle, and goes storming back to the shore. Bilbo in turn realizes his life is in mortal danger and attempts to flee. As Gollum gives chase, Bilbo trips and finds the ring slipping onto his finger. Before Bilbo realizes what has happened, Gollum has run right past him. Quickly deducing the ring's power and following Gollum to the only exit, Bilbo controls his impulse to destroy the wretched creature and instead merely jumps over him and escapes. Bypassing the Goblins, he returns to the surface and rejoins the dwarves and Gandalf.
Descending from the mountains, they are carried away from a deadly encounter with Wargs (wild wolf creatures) and Goblins by Giant Eagles. They then visit the home of Beorn, an enormous and solitary man who can transform into a bear, where they rest and recuperate for several days before pushing on. At the edge of the black forest Mirkwood, Gandalf departs on a private errand. The others enter the forest, travelling for days on end and eventually running out of supplies. Gandalf had warned them not to leave the path, but glimpsing Wood-elves feasting, the group goes to beg for food. They promptly get lost and are captured by giant spiders. Bilbo, employing the ring's invisibilty magic, rescues the dwarves and his sword, Sting.
Still recovering from the effects of spider poison, the dwarves are suprised and captured by the Woodland Elves who take them to the castle of the Elvenking, which, ironically, saves them from starvation. Bilbo, again using the magic ring, evades capture, follows the elves to their stronghold, and arranges the rescue of the dwarves by putting them into the empty provision-barrels destined to be floated down the Running River to be refilled at Laketown.
Removed from the barrels by the people of Laketown and spending several days recovering from their ordeal, the treasure-seekers proceed on to the Lonely Mountain. They locate the place where the secret entrance must be, but are unable to open it. As they sit despondent on the stoop, a thrush knocks at the snails on a nearby stone. Bilbo looks up to see the last rays of the Sun of Durin's Day shining on the cliff wall and magically revealing the lockhole of the secret door (as was foretold by moon runes upon the company's map).
The door finally open, Bilbo twice goes down to meet Smaug, who sleeps deep in the mountain on an enormous pile of treasure. The hobbit makes off with a large handled cup and learns that the dragon has a bare patch on his left chest. The enraged dragon, while very puzzled by the existence of Bilbo, correctly deduces that the Company received help from the people of Laketown and sets out to destroy the community.
The thrush, however, was no ordinary bird, but one of an ancient race with whom the men of the lake could communicate, and it overhears Bilbo's report to the dwarves about Smaug's weak point. As the dragon ravages Laketown, the thrush conveys this information to one Bard the Bowman, who dispatches the dragon with a heirloom of his family, a dwarf-made arrow. When Smaug does not return, the dwarves take possession of the Mountain and its treasure. While scouting the dragon's lair, Bilbo finds the prized Arkenstone and tucks it deeply into his pocket.
The dwarves explore the dragon's lair, stuffing pockets with various gems and gold. Thorin discovers a wall of armor and dons a royal coat of gold rings. Calling Bilbo, he presents him with a small, dwarf-made coat of mail wrought of hardened silver-steel, called mithral by the elves. Held with a belt set with pearls and crystals, Bilbo is unaware of its value, as it is virtually inpenetrable. The mithral coat plays a small but important role in The Lord of the Rings.
The citizens of Laketown arrive at the Mountain to make historical claims and demand compensation for the help they had rendered, as well as reparations for the damage Smaug inflicted during his attack. They are joined by the Elves, who also demand a share based on historical claims. Thorin refuses all negotiations and summons his kin from the north to strengthen his position. Bilbo attempts to use the Arkenstone as ransom to head off a war, but the various parties are intransigent. Thorin expels Bilbo from the Mountain and a fight seems inevitable.
Suddenly, Gandalf is standing on the battlefield, warning the various leaders that a new, more dire threat has appeared: an army of Goblins and Wargs has come from the Misty Mountains. The dwarves, humans and elves immediately put aside their differences, and a bitter battle ensues, named the Battle of Five Armies. Losses are heavy on all sides, but with the timely arrival and assistance of the Giant Eagles and Beorn, the anti-Goblin forces prevail. Thorin is among the casualties, but he lives long enough to part from Bilbo as friends. Thorin is buried at the base of the Lonely Mountain with the Arkenstone upon his breast.
The treasure is apportioned fairly, but Bilbo refuses most of his contracted share of the riches, having no need for it and no way to get it home if he did. He nevertheless takes enough with him to make himself a wealthy hobbit and live happily thereafter.
