The Hobbit
by J.R.R. Tolkien · first published 1937
31% recommend67% neutral3% critical
Why HN recommends it
Delightful, well-told fantasy adventure with memorable characters and themes of self-discovery and self-sacrifice; a gateway into Tolkien's world, good for young readers, read-alouds, and learning English.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
The Hobbit is a tale of high adventure, undertaken by a company of dwarves in search of dragon-guarded gold. A reluctant partner in this perilous quest is Bilbo Baggins, a comfort-loving unambitious hobbit, who surprises even himself by his resourcefulness and skill as a burglar. Encounters with trolls, goblins, dwarves, elves, and giant spiders, conversations with the dragon, Smaug, and a rather unwilling presence at the Battle of Five Armies are just some of the adventures that befall Bilbo. Bilbo Baggins has taken his place among the ranks of the immortals of children’s fiction. Writt
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…rendition of each book, because that will work on film. I've liked everything Jackson has done, and I think his work can coexist with the source material without issue. I'm in the minority; I enjoyed The Hobbit even fully aware it suffered from First Film Syndrome. (Just had a thought: Peter Jackson should film Dune next, so he can annoy two posthumous estates.)
on “My Father's "Eviscerated" work - Son of J.R.R. Tolkien finally speaks out” ↗I'm in the minority; I enjoyed The Hobbit even fully aware it suffered from First Film Syndrome. (Just had a thought: Peter Jackson should film Dune next, so he can annoy two posthumous estates.) I didn't know there were 3 films, so I was so…
on “My Father's "Eviscerated" work - Son of J.R.R. Tolkien finally speaks out” ↗Travels - Michael Crichton, got me into travelling, the outdoors and an interest in inner travel The hobbit - came with the adventure game that my aunty had on her c64 got me into computers and reading aged about 7 Fear - Thich nhat hahn, read repeatably during recent hard times. Might need to re-read again…
on “Ask HN: What was the one book that you read and it actually changed your life?” ↗Young Adult * _The Chronicles of Prydain_ (https://www.goodreads.com/series/40371-the-chronicles-of-pry...) * _The Chronicles of Narnia_ * _The Hobbit_ * _John MacNab_ (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/161001.John_MacNab / http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks03/0300621.txt) * _The Postman_ (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/889284.The_Postman) Adult…
on “Ask HN: Great fiction books that have had a positive impact on your life?” ↗Fiction: - The Time Machine (still holds up very well, and seems strangely eerie and prescient in places)... (H. G. Wells) - Dune (Frank Herbert) - The Hobbit (and LotR) (Tolkien) - Neuromancer (William Gibson) - Idoru, All Tomorrow's Parties (I picked up Idoru first, so I haven't yet read Virtual Light) (also Gibson) - The Difference Engine (Gibson, Sterling)…
on “Ask YC: favorite books” ↗…profound philosophy), need to find one that's right for you. "The C Programming Language" by K&R (I read this very young 12-13, it's life changing aspects probably had a lot to do with my age) "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien "Welcome to the Monkey House" by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
on “Ask HN: What books have changed the way you think? ” ↗I had somehow managed to never read or see any of the Tolkien books or related films, until going to see The Hobbit a few weeks ago. I greatly enjoyed the movie, and have thus far greatly enjoyed reading the book (about 2/3 of the way through now). I suppose I can understand how he feels though, as he is probably…
on “My Father's "Eviscerated" work - Son of J.R.R. Tolkien finally speaks out” ↗The Hobbit - Liked, classic. How Ideas Spread - It was decent, I feel like it could be condensed into an infographic after the fact, and hold great value. The Lean Startup - Excellent. Changed the way I do business.…
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2015?” ↗The Lies of Locke Lamora is easily the best-written fantasy novel I've read—save perhaps The Hobbit, but that's fairly unlike modern adult fantasy. It's sad that thorough competence at storytelling is a rare quality in genre fic but, well, here we are. Book two he gets a little too nuts with sailing…
on “YC's Winter Reading List” ↗…(MUST READ) * Is the American Dream Killing You? - Paul Stiles (MUST READ) * Working Ourselves to Death - Diane Fassel * Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame (esp. the chapter The Wayfarer) * The Hobbit - Tolkien * The Hunt for Red October - Tom Clancy (amazing level of technical detail) * 1984 - George Orwell (published in 1949 but never been more relevant) Have fun!
on “Ask HN: Which books would you highly recommend?” ↗…Chapter Five ("Riddles in the Dark") as a selection. It turned out my teacher was a huge LotR fan. She gave the class a choice—we could either continue on with the textbook or each purchase a copy of The Hobbit (which was 1 dollar for the paperback) and read that instead. We opted for The Hobbit. I don't even remember her name anymore, but I would say that that decision of hers was monumental for my life. I…
on “Ask HN: Great fiction books that have had a positive impact on your life?” ↗The Razors Edge - Somerset Maugham Siddhartha - Herman Hesse The Hobbit - Tolkien
on “Ask HN: Which books have you read more than once?” ↗…an early reader of science fiction. Then for several decades I sought the novelty of new books mostly. Largely because that's how I thought of myself as an adult reader...and then one day I read The Hobbit for the umpteenth time, but the first time since I was a child and out loud because my child was a child. It reads aloud very well and that inspired me to start rereading LoTR (for the O(n * umpteen)th…
on “Ask HN: Which books have you read more than once?” ↗The Hobbit - Tolkien Wizard's First Rule (Sword of Truth Book 1) - Goodkind Faith of the Fallen (Sword of Truth Book 6) - Goodkind Ender's Game - Card 1984 - Orwell I'm looking to read Asimov's Foundation series…
on “Ask HN: Which books have you read more than once?” ↗…Rand Cryptonomicon - Stephenson The Foundation trilogy - Asimov Something Wicked This Way Comes - Bradbury Strangers - Koontz After Dark - Murakami It - King The Lord of the Rings - Tolkien The Hobbit - Tolkien Perdido Street Station - Miéville Permutation City - Egan Glasshouse - Stross NON-FICTION Report from Engine Co 82 - Smith Godel, Escher, Bach - Hofstadter How the Mind Works - Pinker…
on “Ask HN: What are some must read books?” ↗