The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (1937)

My Rating: 5/5

“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.” — Thorin’s Last Words

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 1Timothy 6:9

You know, JRR Tolkien was a Roman Catholic and I could write anything out here from bible verses I fancy which has slightest possible connection to the story. I would have fallen into such miserable abyss if I haven’t been ventured on some queer quest with dwarves and Tookish slash chosen burglar named,  Bilbo Baggins from  Bag End, Underhill, Hobbiton. I was engrossed by this tale. I had finally met and visited this hobbit-lore in these splendid and magical words after I had watched it on screen some time in the past. Gazing at wooden panel-walled tunnel, as if I was completely bewitched by its beauty and snugness and its cozy breeze filling me entirely from head to toe. Those words from JRR Tolkien would make you shrouded with mystical vibration and awe. I was immobilized, indeed, therefore I would proclaim that this hobbit-hole from West of The Hill is the perfect place to inhabit for the introvert person like me. Tranquil, away from distraction, mirth everywhere, devour savory food, quench my throat with tea, and smoke rings with the wizard (which is not my usual type, but who gets qualms smoking with a wizard?). I love fantasy and I love mysterious adventures and I love drawing out picture from my shabby attic called mind those eerie, filthy and menacing creatures (orcs, goblins, wargs, trolls, spiders, and Smaug) chasing after me under the mystifying and aghast effects composed by nature orchestra. And a thrilling sound from your throat was clamored “Threatening adversity is coming. Buckle up!” Follow these lines:

“All was well, until one day they met a thunderstorm — more than a thunderstorm, a thunder-battle. You know how terrific a really big thunderstorm can be down in the land and in a river-valley; especially at times when two great thunderstorms meet and clash. More terrible still are thunder and lightning in the mountains at night, when storms come up from East and West and make war.”

And Gollum be like . . .  (well, careful with his rabid breath for he had been under Misty Mountain for countless years)

“Is it nice preciousss? Is it juicy? Is it scrumptiously crunchable?"

Yes, it’s terribly creepy yet it’s terrifically crunchable.

 Did I mention the burglar himself? Bilbo was a respectable hobbit folk from The Hill until he was not anymore. Auction happened into his house after a year of his disappearance. He was requested to be as part of adventure all the way to Lonely Mountain where dragon’s lair awaits. Not a simple adventure, of course. Grotesque world heaped up with remarkable inventions. JRR’s imagination was wide and fantastic. I can tell no more. Read Bilbo’s documentation he had written “There and Back Again, a Hobbit’s Holiday” and you will absolutely LOVE it.

MAY YOUR SHADOW NEVER GROW LESS. Highly recommend!