• The Hobbit – Reviewing Classics

    Overall Rating: ★ Rating:91 Fullstar:4 Star Piece:0.55 Fraction:4.55★ Rating:91 Fullstar:4 Star Piece:0.55 Fraction:4.55★ Rating:91 Fullstar:4 Star Piece:0.55 Fraction:4.55★ Rating:91 Fullstar:4 Star Piece:0.55 Fraction:4.55½ Rating:91 Star Piece:0.55 Fraction:4.5591%
    The Hobbit
    J.R.R. Tolkein
    George Allen & Unwin, 1937
    Fantasy
    ISBN: 0618968636
    320 pages

    Synopsis

    Bilbo Baggins, the hobbit, is a peaceful sort of cozy hole in the Shire, a place where adventures are uncommon and rather unwanted. So when the wizard Gandalf whisks him away on a treasure hunting expedition with a troop of rowdy dwarves, he’s not entirely thrilled. Encountering ruthless trolls, beastly orcs, gigantic spiders, and hungry wolves, Bilbo discovers within himself astonishing strength and courage. And at the ultimate confrontation with the fearsome dragon Smaug, the hobbit will brave the dangers of dark and dragon fire alone and unaided.

    Critique

    Being as this is such a great classic of literature, both for children and adults, I don’t add that much value by reviewing it and recommending it. However, I thought it would be fun to post something so much older in the midst of my reviews for books published recently. This is my attempt to say, “Don’t forget about me” for the old books that still have a lot of value.

    In many ways, the reason that The Hobbit is such a popular book that has stood the test of time is Tolkein’s attention to detail and story. The world of Middle Earth feels tangible, and I would state outright that most of the fantasy books out nowadays are either rehashes of Tolkein’s world, or just action-driven stories that don’t take the time to delve into the setting, characters, or story with much depth. They’re fun reads, but nothing that will prompt any intellectual thought or multiple reads. Comparing books to food, The Hobbit is like a filet mignon while many of these recent books are more like a fast food cheeseburger. Both are meat, technically, but the filet is a much more satisfying meal even though it takes longer to make and eat.

    Rating Rubric

    Enjoyable Read: ★ Rating:100 Fullstar:5 Star Piece:0 Fraction:5★ Rating:100 Fullstar:5 Star Piece:0 Fraction:5★ Rating:100 Fullstar:5 Star Piece:0 Fraction:5★ Rating:100 Fullstar:5 Star Piece:0 Fraction:5★ Rating:100 Fullstar:5 Star Piece:0 Fraction:5100%
    Original Fantasy: ★ Rating:100 Fullstar:5 Star Piece:0 Fraction:5★ Rating:100 Fullstar:5 Star Piece:0 Fraction:5★ Rating:100 Fullstar:5 Star Piece:0 Fraction:5★ Rating:100 Fullstar:5 Star Piece:0 Fraction:5★ Rating:100 Fullstar:5 Star Piece:0 Fraction:5100%
    Original Plot: ★ Rating:90 Fullstar:4 Star Piece:0.5 Fraction:4.5★ Rating:90 Fullstar:4 Star Piece:0.5 Fraction:4.5★ Rating:90 Fullstar:4 Star Piece:0.5 Fraction:4.5★ Rating:90 Fullstar:4 Star Piece:0.5 Fraction:4.5½ Rating:90 Star Piece:0.5 Fraction:4.590%
    Language: ★ Rating:100 Fullstar:5 Star Piece:0 Fraction:5★ Rating:100 Fullstar:5 Star Piece:0 Fraction:5★ Rating:100 Fullstar:5 Star Piece:0 Fraction:5★ Rating:100 Fullstar:5 Star Piece:0 Fraction:5★ Rating:100 Fullstar:5 Star Piece:0 Fraction:5100%
    Asthetics: ★ Rating:100 Fullstar:5 Star Piece:0 Fraction:5★ Rating:100 Fullstar:5 Star Piece:0 Fraction:5★ Rating:100 Fullstar:5 Star Piece:0 Fraction:5★ Rating:100 Fullstar:5 Star Piece:0 Fraction:5★ Rating:100 Fullstar:5 Star Piece:0 Fraction:5100%
    Depth In Characters: ★ Rating:90 Fullstar:4 Star Piece:0.5 Fraction:4.5★ Rating:90 Fullstar:4 Star Piece:0.5 Fraction:4.5★ Rating:90 Fullstar:4 Star Piece:0.5 Fraction:4.5★ Rating:90 Fullstar:4 Star Piece:0.5 Fraction:4.5½ Rating:90 Star Piece:0.5 Fraction:4.590%
    Depth In Story: ★ Rating:80 Fullstar:4 Star Piece:0 Fraction:4★ Rating:80 Fullstar:4 Star Piece:0 Fraction:4★ Rating:80 Fullstar:4 Star Piece:0 Fraction:4★ Rating:80 Fullstar:4 Star Piece:0 Fraction:4☆ Rating:80 Fraction:480%
    Social Commentary: ★ Rating:80 Fullstar:4 Star Piece:0 Fraction:4★ Rating:80 Fullstar:4 Star Piece:0 Fraction:4★ Rating:80 Fullstar:4 Star Piece:0 Fraction:4★ Rating:80 Fullstar:4 Star Piece:0 Fraction:4☆ Rating:80 Fraction:480%
    Layers/Complexity: ★ Rating:90 Fullstar:4 Star Piece:0.5 Fraction:4.5★ Rating:90 Fullstar:4 Star Piece:0.5 Fraction:4.5★ Rating:90 Fullstar:4 Star Piece:0.5 Fraction:4.5★ Rating:90 Fullstar:4 Star Piece:0.5 Fraction:4.5½ Rating:90 Star Piece:0.5 Fraction:4.590%
    Classroom Text: ★ Rating:80 Fullstar:4 Star Piece:0 Fraction:4★ Rating:80 Fullstar:4 Star Piece:0 Fraction:4★ Rating:80 Fullstar:4 Star Piece:0 Fraction:4★ Rating:80 Fullstar:4 Star Piece:0 Fraction:4☆ Rating:80 Fraction:480%
    Overall Rating: ★ Rating:91 Fullstar:4 Star Piece:0.55 Fraction:4.55★ Rating:91 Fullstar:4 Star Piece:0.55 Fraction:4.55★ Rating:91 Fullstar:4 Star Piece:0.55 Fraction:4.55★ Rating:91 Fullstar:4 Star Piece:0.55 Fraction:4.55½ Rating:91 Star Piece:0.55 Fraction:4.5591%

    For the Classroom

    Although not directly applicable to any classroom content, The Hobbit is a great classic of children’s literature loved by adults and children alike. I believe that everyone should read this book, so recommend it to your students.

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