Book: The Hobbit
Author: J.R.R.Tolkien
Hostess: Betty
Betty served Hobbit food (crackers, cheese and deli meat). The SBB's had a great meeting with 11 members present. Betty, Roberta, Debbie B, Debbie DP, Nel, Lyn, Laura, Sandy, Inez, Donna, Marian.
1 comment:
The Hobbit
Book Review by Betty Pugh
The Hobbit shows its 70 years but still offers an excellent read.
Fantasy fiction is popular, accounting for a surprisingly large section of the reading public, but like Romance, it has both fans and detractors. When JRR Tolkien’s little hobbit left on his adventure without his pocket handkerchief seventy years ago, an entire genre of fiction was born.
For most teenage boys and a wide variety of adults, fantasy fiction is gratifying, rewarding and complex. Some members of our reading group were not quite as enthralled. I enjoyed The Hobbit, almost as much as when I first read the book, but did notice flaws that I did not notice as a younger reader.
Tolkien's The Hobbit has no major women characters. The only woman mentioned by name is Bilbo's mother, Belladonna Took and she is quickly dismissed. For a mostly female reading group, this lack of female characters was annoying.
The book’s pacing is slower than modern fantasy novels such as Harry Potter, but even with male characters dominating completely, I really enjoyed reacquainting myself with a book I first read nearly fifty years ago. Before Star Wars and before Avatar, JRR Tolkien created a complete and complex world, populated with fascinating non-human creatures, monsters and myths. I appreciate Tolkein’s elves and dwarves, hobbits and wizards as much now as then, and recommend you make their acquaintance as well.
The goblins or orcs are one dimensional and evil, and become an inexhaustible supply of cannon fodder to show our hero’s courage and swordsmanship. The elves sing and laugh and are clearly on the side of the angels. The dwarves can be good friends, or can turn greedy and cruel.
Our Hobbit, Bilbo, however, appreciates good eating over golden treasures, and prefers time with friends in his own home to unlimited gems and riches. Bilbo is courageous and loyal, and prefers peace to war even when his friends are determined to fight.
Perhaps we could learn a bit from Bilbo’s Hobbit priorities.
Note: Science fiction / fantasy accounted for 6% of all sales of hardcover and paperbacks in the year 2011 and for $578.6 million in sales according to Simba press releases.
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