April 8, 2002

The Hobbit Is A Great Book!
Lisa Cooke

What? How can you say the Hobbit is a stupid book? I have read it many times, the first time I was a child of nine and it introduced me to a wonderful world of magic, which I may never have discovered without this book. The second time I read it was in my highschool years after re-reading the LOTR trilogy. I decided to go back to basics and re-read The Hobbit. I read it again in my thirties. Though it is written primarily as a children's story it does contain much to enlighten adults. I have to admit, I cry every single time when I read the passage of where Thorin lays dying and Bilbo is sorry for decieving him about the Arkenstone. The whole book is a delightful first rate adventure.

I have read the LOTR several times as well, and yes, there is a noticable difference in character depth and story plot, being somewhat more intense. But, make no mistake. The Hobbit is definately Not a "stupid book" as you so aptly termed it. Perhaps you meant to say juvenile. Then I would say that perhaps to someone who skims the book for the written story but does not delve beneath the surface of its true intent, then yes, you might consider it juvenile. But if all you seek is action, then why bother yourself with literature at all? To read is to absorb more than just print type. It is to become part of the story, to be a character, to live and see as a character. Think when you read and you will become truly enlightened.