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The Hobbit

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*The Hobbit*, or *There and Back Again*, is a famous fantasy novel.

The Hobbit book covers by Tove Jansson
The Hobbit book covers by Tove Jansson

It was written by J. R. R. Tolkien. The book was published in 1937. It received great praise from critics right away. It was even nominated for the Carnegie Medal. Today, it is a classic of children's literature. Over 100 million copies have been sold worldwide.

Elvenking, Erebor, Esgaroth
Elvenking, Erebor, Esgaroth

The story takes place in a world called Middle-earth. It follows a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins. Hobbits are small people who look like humans. They have furry, leathery feet. They usually live in underground houses. Bilbo is a home-loving and respectable person. However, he joins a big quest with a wizard named Gandalf. He also travels with thirteen dwarves. They want to reclaim their home and treasure from a dragon named Smaug.

Hobbit runes
Hobbit runes

Bilbo's journey is full of many different adventures. He travels through many lands and meets many creatures. He encounters man-eating trolls and boulder-throwing giants. He also meets evil goblins and giant spiders that can speak. In a dark tunnel, Bilbo finds a mysterious ring. This ring makes him invisible when he wears it. He also plays a game of riddles with a strange creature named Gollum. Through these hard jobs, Bilbo grows more wise and brave.

Jan Cossiers - Prometheus Carrying Fire
Jan Cossiers - Prometheus Carrying Fire

J.R.R. Tolkien was a professor at the University of Oxford. He began writing the story in the early 1930s. He famously started with the words, "In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit." He finished the story by late 1932. The publisher, George Allen & Unwin, decided to print it after a young boy named Rayner Unwin reviewed it. Tolkien was very careful with the book's design. He even drew many of the illustrations himself. He created detailed maps of the lands like Mirkwood and the Lonely Mountain.

The Hobbit book covers by Tove Jansson
The Hobbit book covers by Tove Jansson

Many people still love this story today. It has been turned into many different things. You can find it on stage, on screens, and on the radio. There are also board games and video games based on it. The story is linked to many older tales and myths. Some people think Tolkien's time in the First World War helped shape the story. His deep knowledge of old languages and fairy tales also helped him build Middle-earth. The book has never been out of print.

Elvenking, Erebor, Esgaroth
Elvenking, Erebor, Esgaroth
390 words

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🖼️ Images & Media (7)
File:Elvenking, Erebor, Esgaroth.svg
Elvenking, Erebor, Esgaroth.svg
File:Hobbit runes.png
Hobbit runes.png
File:The Hobbit book covers by Tove Jansson.jpg
The Hobbit book covers by Tove Jansson.jpg
File:Jan Cossiers - Prometheus Carrying Fire.jpg
Jan Cossiers - Prometheus Carrying Fire.jpg
File:William Morris on Pony in Iceland 1870 cartoon by Edward Burne-Jones.jpg
William Morris on Pony in Iceland 1870...
File:Jules verne cryptogramme.png
Jules verne cryptogramme.png
File:Hobbit cover.JPG
Hobbit cover.JPG
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