jkkelley's Full Review: J.R.R. Tolkien - El hobbit
Kind reader, I would like to invite you on a tale of enchanting, amusing adventure.
I would like to show you around The Hobbit a bit, to let you see if you can see in it what I see. I cannot bring myself to knowingly spoil any of the meaningful details of the story for you. For those I could not help but let slip, I ask pardon, and offer you a nice tray of tea and cakes to partially atone. You need not look down at the path for the moment; I will lead you.
The first natural question is, of course, 'what is a hobbit?' Prof. J.R.R. Tolkien, our artist, does not allow this question to perplex us for long: hobbits are small, tidy, gemütlich people who live in hillsides and who prize comfort, order, predictability and good food. For a respectable hobbit to take to the road in search of adventure is unusual and unseemly in the extreme--but it happens, and its epic is the focal point of our tale.
Very early in our tale this hobbit, one Bilbo Baggins, becomes acquainted with the odd and often gruff but kind companions who will walk with him (and hopefully do well by him). Poor Bilbo really has no practical experience in the function for which he is engaged, but some spark is lit within him, and he suddenly wishes to see far places and wear steel instead of a walkingstick.
Against the backdrop of greater and grimmer deeds alluded to now and then, Bilbo and Co. go forth into a world of many hazards both above and below ground. The tale builds gradually, with Bilbo discovering along the way that--as his wizard friend Gandalf assures him--there is more to him than anyone guesses. The little hobbit is a fine analog for any of us who have ever set forth to transform ourselves, to dare go beyond the boundaries set by fuddy-duddies and naysayers who themselves dare not dare.
Yet he remains endearingly innocent, making kindhearted choices that will change the future of his entire world (a notion to which he might say, "oh, bosh!"--but it is true). Bilbo the resourceful adventurer remains at heart the good-hearted, respectable bachelor gentlehobbit and pillar of his community, completely unaware of the magnitude of the part he has played. He cannot know, not by any means, how much good his own goodness of heart will one day return to him. (Nor shall you, I must counsel you, unless you follow Bilbo's tale with the darker and less whimsical one of the Lord of the Rings.)
Our artist's portrait of Bilbo, and indeed those of all whom he encounters, are most gratifyingly vivid. From the good-natured grousing of road-companions to the full-on majesty of a great host arrayed for war, Prof. Tolkien makes visualization a side effect of reading rather than a wearisome struggle. Rare is the fantasy book that does not even require a cover illustration. Our artist seemingly cannot bear the notion of deprecating your eagerness to imagine. How refreshing and engaging, as a reader, to have the author assume the best of you!
In fact, the descriptive ability of Prof. Tolkien goes so far that the tones of voice of the characters become lodged in the mind. Gandalf I audialize with a deep, clear voice younger than his apparent age. Bilbo sounds to me delightfully middle-class English, perhaps much as his creator may have. The rumbling grumpiness of the dwarves' ongoing commentary brings to mind DeForest Kelley (the lamented; your guide is no relation) as Dr. McCoy. It is easy to hear the voices of elves as mirthful and ringing with bell-like clarity. All this is skillfully conveyed by the light brushstroke of our artist's mastery with words.
But one cannot have a real epic without wickedness, and there is wickedness indeed in the tale of The Hobbit--of what nature, I will let you discover after we part company. I can tell you this much: some of it is base and thoughtless, and some of it is cunningly avaricious. We certainly see the effect that the sight of gold can have on those who are generally persons of goodwill and fine regard. If you have ever suddenly gained wealth, you have seen it happen around you. (For its logical conclusion, I recommend a journey to Las Vegas.)
The messages of The Hobbit are diverse indeed, so I shall provide you with but one tasty sample, and leave you to delve for the rest in the course of your own adventure. Bilbo, our tenacious little hobbit, clings to hope--even when all around him despair and when he would seem to have good reason to let go of it. Many are the times when he understandably drats his luck, and even sounds as though he is ready to lay down and let the wilderness have him--but he votes with his furry feet and perseveres. In the end, his character--not his brilliance--is his resource.
There is a quality we all seem to admire: hope. When we see hope, it excites our admiration and support. Stunned, tired flood fighters piling sandbags because they believe they may save their friends' homes. The single mother whose youngest child has Down's Syndrome, but who lovingly does what it takes to bequeath the child all s/he can learn. The young boy who continues to delight his wandering-minded grandmother, even if in an hour she cannot recall what he told her. The wrongfully accused teacher who never ceases battling to prove his innocence. The teenage girl who deliberately befriends an 'unpopular' girl, defying the Procrustean bed of teen peer pressure.
Why does their hope inspire us so?
Because it is contagious. Hope is as communicable as despair.
I do so hope that you will enjoy The Hobbit. Writing about it was nearly as delightful an endeavour as reading it. But here our paths fork apart, kind reader, and to thank you for taking this tour with me I shall offer you my best advice. Get a plate of good things to eat, some strong tea or such other comforting reading beverage as you enjoy, find a comfortable chair with good lighting, and devote an uninterrupted hour to your first journey into The Hobbit. Do it justice. You may find that it is, in itself, a treasure well worth the adventure.
Fare you well, traveler, and may our paths cross again. Should a yearning for journeying find its way into your veins as it did Bilbo's, and you decide to wear a sword of your own, we may meet once again on the long, dark journey to the Land of Mordor where the shadows lie.
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Not only did eplovejoy (a fine writer--q.v.) help inspire me to write this essay, he was kind enough to critique it before publication, discovering a number of flaws that I would otherwise have bunglingly published. His input confirmed what I thought I was doing right and helped me fix what I was doing wrong. Peter--thank you, kind sir.
Back in the lonely, miserable days of attending high school in a place without hope, I read this book aloud to my mother. It remains to this day one of her fondest memories of the tempestuous upbringing of her only son. Happy Mother's Day, Mom, and to all the moms and grandmoms and great-grandmoms out there.
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This essay is part of the Reflections of Hope Writeoff, hosted by two ladies I like and respect, GinaHill and AngelaBar. I consider myself fortunate to participate. The full list of participants can be found here:
http://www.pronetisp.net/~anjuliz/hope.html
At this site live a number of other writeoff lists maintained by AngelaBar, so it's worth bookmarking and checking.
Here's the lineup. An interesting mix, and well worth exploring 'em all. I'm a poor country cousin compared to many of these:
Featuring stunning new cover art by children s book illustrator Peter Sis, winner of a Caldecott Honor Award, this edition of The Hobbit has been spec...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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