[murf99]

It seems everyone everywhere endorses this book. I have never read it.

When I was a kid I "suffered" through LOTR. It took about 3 months of unenjoyable reading but I finally finished. Partly because everyone everywhere told me LOTR was the greatest fantasy book ever, and partly because I'm not one to quit on something I've started. In the end I'm glad i finished it. It was a great sense of accomplishment and overall the story was decent imo. But I have never felt inclined to read anything else by Tolkien.

So basically what I'm saying here is should I go ahead and read The Hobbit given that I found LOTR so deplorable? I know I'm in the minority here when it comes to Tolkien. I can probably name 50 fantasy books off the top of my head that are superior to the LOTR trilogy imo.

[Loerwyn]

Yes, you should.

I'll try explain as best I can. The Hobbit is not Lord of the Rings. Yes, it ties in, but that's it. The Hobbit is a fairly light hearted read and it really is a great example of what a good fantasy book is. Think of it as the opposite of the superfluous Middle-Earth books (Silmarillion, Children of Húrin etc), in that it doesn't require a lot of thinking and it's an easier book to read.

Even if you're not overwhelmed by it, then at least you've answered a question for yourself. I won't say it's the greatest fantasy book "ever", but it's one of the most important books in "contemporary" fantasy because it (along with LotR) set so many standards and themes.

The Hobbit is one of my favourite fantasy books, and I hope it always will be. Someone'll explain why you should read it better than I could, anyway.

[RogueConqueror]

I think the Hobbit is much easier and flows better than the Lord of the Rings. Like the previous reply it is much more lighthearted and just overall a much better flowing novel.
I like the Lord of the Rings, but I do enjoy the Hobbit much more. Hope this was helpful.

[imaster]

I think The Hobbit was kind of boring. I was fourteen or fifteen when I read it and found that I´d probably enjoy it more when I get kids so I can read it to them.

EDIT: I´ve read LoTR a whole bunch of times and I like that and Silmarillion tons more than The Hobbit.

[Evil Agent]

If you were a "kid", you may have been a bit too young for The Lord Of The Rings. I first read it at 16, and it was a bit of a struggle, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I'm 30 now, and have read it seven times, and I enjoy it more the older I get.

The Hobbit, however, began as a story for Tolkien's children, and so it is much more accessible for younger readers (though still not an "easy" read by any means).

I'd say try it out. It's a classic, and it might be nice to read it before the movies come out in a couple of years. But the sad truth is, some people just don't like Tolkien.

[Scrambles]

Love is a strong word. Its good.

[Seegee]

The Hobbit is a modern day fairytale. I struggled with LotR, but the Hobbit was great fun. It's one the few books I can pick up and read over and over again and always get something new out of it. It is a joy to read. It's kind of a prequel to Lord of the Rings. It's in my all time top 5 books and I can't see it ever falling out of that list.

[Diane]

I think The Hobbit was kind of boring. I was fourteen or fifteen when I read it and found that IŽd probably enjoy it more when I get kids so I can read it to them.


I share this opinion. When the first LoTR's movie released I decided to read everything starting with the Hobbit.


....


I'm a fast reader.

....

That said, it took me 3 months to FORCE myself to read the Hobbit. I had read it when I was 8. The descriptions and the races and everything I KNEW so the details were so long.... and dragging to me. I couldn't get into it because I knew the story too well. I did a lot of skimming/skipping through it. Though don't get me wrong, I do love the Hobbit. Just can't read it for my own enjoyment anymore. I've moved on to newer variations of the realm. I am looking forward to sharing it with my daughter when she's old enough, though. :)

[murf99]

If you were a "kid", you may have been a bit too young for The Lord Of The Rings. I first read it at 16, and it was a bit of a struggle, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I'm 30 now, and have read it seven times, and I enjoy it more the older I get.

The Hobbit, however, began as a story for Tolkien's children, and so it is much more accessible for younger readers (though still not an "easy" read by any means).

I'd say try it out. It's a classic, and it might be nice to read it before the movies come out in a couple of years. But the sad truth is, some people just don't like Tolkien.

I often wonder if I was too young to enjoy LOTR. I'm 31 now and was 18(a kid in my mind) when I read it. I think my reading skills have developed a considerable amount in the last 13 years. I just can't seem to find the time to re-read it with all the other great books out there.

[johnkarr]

The Hobbit was an excellent introduction to Middle Earth. LOTR was the advanced course. Unassailable, imo, all four of them.