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“In a hole in the ground there lived a Hobbit….”
These were the first words written by Sir John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (3rd January 1892 – 2nd September 1973) on an examination paper of
a student he was correcting. These words would increase in number like the One ring increased Bilbo’s age, but not with gloom. This went on to become a 300 page merry gathering of Elves, Dwarves, Wizards, Hobbits, Goblins, Wargs, Eagles, Spiders, Men and a Dragon! There and Back Again, commonly known as the Hobbit, is a children’s high fantasy novel published in September 1936 by George Allen & Unwin. It instantly achieved Classic status and later on became a course book in British schools.
Earlier in his life Sir Tolkien had started working on a mythical world called Arda for his languages that he created. He was a Philologist and languages were his love as was history and nature and folklore. After marrying his friend, he started writing the Hobbit for his three children. Later on, because of a request for a sequel, Tolkien officially merged his world of Arda and Middle Earth to birth the Lord of the Rings. But it all started with the Hobbit.
The Hobbit is about an unassuming Hobbit: Bilbo Baggins of the Shire who is surprised by a Wizard and thirteen Dwarves who set him off on an adventure with them to reclaim the Dwarven Kingdom of Erebor and its treasure from the dragon Smaug. It is a lighthearted tale with a very free-form of writing style peppered with humour. It has a very grave backdrop to it which you shall know if you are an avid Tolkienist.
Tolkienists around the world recently celebrated the Tolkien Week commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Hobbit and the Hobbit Day on 22nd September, Bilbo’s birthday and eagerly await the release of its Movie adaptation trilogy directed by Sir Peter Jackson and produced by Warner Brothers Studio, the creators of the Lord of the Rings film trilogy. The first part is set to release on 14th Dec, 2012 and is named ‘An Unexpected Journey’. The second part is due to release on 13th Dec, 2013 named ‘The Desolation of Smaug’ and the final part ‘There and Back Again’ is to be released on 18th July, 2014. Several events that weren’t present in the book are filmed, taken from the appendices and notes from Sir Tolkien and his son, Christopher.
A fun fact: George Allen’s nine year old son was asked to review the book before publishing it and he gave a written consent saying, “this book is appropriate from children from ages 3-8, you may publish it.” But of course, there are more adult avid Tolkienists than children, like myself.
I would recommend you to grab a copy of this classic before December dawns upon us and enjoy an epic journey far to the east over ranges and rivers to the Lonely Mountain!
~ Mr.Green