The Hobbit

Cover of first edition of The Hobbit, from a design by Tolkien.

The Hobbit, or There and Back Again, is a book by J.R.R. Tolkien, and his first published fiction book, released in 1937. It was followed by The Lord of the Rings.

The story is about the Hobbit Bilbo Baggins, who is taken from his simple life by the wizard Gandalf, to go on an adventure. Together with a group of Dwarves they travel to the Lonely Mountain, to reclaim the Dwarves' home and treasure from the dragon Smaug.

The Hobbit was conceived as a story for his children, and at first not part of his Middle-earth world. Having begun to write the sequel, Tolkien set both the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings stories into his Middle-earth world. Because of this he made some changes in later editions, mostly concerning Gollum and the Ring. In the story of the Middle-earth legendarium, The Hobbit as Bilbo's story of his journey and the finding of the Ring, and The Lord of the Rings as Frodo's later additions from the War of the Ring form the Red Book of Westmarch.

Although Tolkien imagined the Hobbit as a tale for his children, the book became popular for children and adults alike.

Plot

The Hobbit Bilbo Baggins is used to living a quiet and peaceful life. One day the wizard Gandalf comes to him, who introduces him to a group of thirteen Dwarves: the leader Thorin Oakenshield, his two nephews Fíli and Kíli, Óin, Glóin, Balin, Dwalin, Dori, Nori, Ori, Bifur, Bofur, and Bombur. From them he learns their story: A long time ago their people lived in the Lonely Mountain, rich and prosperous, ruled by the King under the Mountain, Thorin's grandfather. But then the dragon Smaug came to the Lonely Mountain, killed most of the dwarves, and took their treasures and their home for himself. Years later, Thorin now wants to return to the Lonely Mountain, to reclaim what's rightfully theirs, and Gandalf recommended Bilbo to the dwarves as a "Burglar" to take on their quest. Bilbo is confused and advese to leaving his home, but is later convinced to follow the group.

Gandalf, the dwarves, and Bilbo set out towards the east on their journey to the Lonely Mountain. Along the way they are captured by three trolls, but Gandalf saves them. In the troll's hideout they find some gold and swords, and Gandalf, Thorin, and Bilbo each take one. The group continues to the Elves (Middle-earth)|Elven]] city Rivendell, where its master, Elrond, provides them with valuable information.

As the group travels over the Misty Mountains, Goblins (Orcs) attack and capture them, taking them into their caves under the Mountains. Gandalf, who had evaded capture, comes to their rescue, but the group loses Bilbo on their flight. Wandering through the dark, Bilbo stumbles upon a ring, which he puts in his pocket. By an underground lake Bilbo meets the creature Gollum, who offers to show him the way out if he can best him in a game of riddles, otherwise he will eat him. Running out of riddles to ask, Bilbo absentmindedly finds the ring in his pocket and wonders aloud: "What have I got in my pocket?". Gollum, believing it to be a riddle, is unable to answer, and loses the game. But Gollum, angry and unwilling to help, goes off to fetch his "birthday present": a magical ring, which turns its wearer invisible. Unable to find it, he believes Bilbo has it, and chases Bilbo. While running away and falling, the ring slips on Bilbo's finger and he becomes invisible, Gollum running past him towards the way out of the caves. Bilbo realizes both and follows Gollum out. Outside, Bilbo rejoins Gandalf and the dwarves.

The company is aided by the of Rivendell, enormous Eagles, and a shape-shifting bear-man (Beorn). The are nearly killed by huge spiders and are captured by Wood Elves. Bilbo engineers their escape, and aided by the lake men they climb the Lonely Mountain seeking a way inside to recover their treasure. Bilbo gets a clue from a little bird and dares to confront the dragon. In the end Bilbo returns home laden with sacks of gold and silver.