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The Unofficial Hobbit Handbook: Everything I Need to Know about Life I Learned from Tolkien
In the age of men, one must face myriad epic quests, imminent danger, the evil gaze of Sauron . . . okay, so maybe not. But wouldn't life's day-to-day challenges be easier if one were to take a cue from the diminutive hobbit? With The Unofficial Hobbit Handbook as your guide, you'll be ready to brave the difficulties, discomforts, and occasional orcs you may encounter. So put another log on the fire, cut another slice of seed-cake (is it time for elevenses already?) and curl up with The Unofficial Hobbit Handbook . You'd never consider going on a nasty adventure, but it's always best to be prepared, right? "
232 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2012
13 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 11 reviews
September 12, 2018
Quite amusing.
Plenty of insight into the Middle Earth realm and plenty to ponder about.
Loved this little book!
Plenty of insight into the Middle Earth realm and plenty to ponder about.
Loved this little book!
April 9, 2019
Cute, but pretty much information you can get from reading the books. Basically "You should make sure you have seed cakes and food" because in the Hobbit, they eat a lot of food.
April 28, 2015
I think everyone who has read "Lord of the Rings" (or seen the movies) envies the lives of one of Tolkien's fantastical races, whether it's the ethereal Elves or the down-to-earth Hobbits.
And "The Unofficial Hobbit Handbook: Everything I Need to Know about Life I Learned from Tolkien" aspires to tell you how to improve your quality of life with Tolkien as your guide. It's a bit precious at times (and no, not in the Smeagol sense) but it is a fun little humorous book with some good tips.
Peter Archer explores the different aspects of life -- food, relationships, holidays, survival, homes, etc -- through the lens of what makes Hobbit life so pleasant and idyllic. No, it doesn't involve living underground -- instead, it's more about ways to give parts of your life the same charming quality as the hobbits'.
His style is pleasantly down-to-earth, with lots of little Tolkien in-jokes (according to the book, cram tastes "like compacted sawdust"). At times it feels a bit cutesy, but it's a harmless rather than cloying kind of cutesy. And it will elicit some chuckles as he grandly describes how a mischievous relative can liven up your party.
Also: expect recipes. No book about hobbit life is complete without one.
However, he does take some liberties with canon -- I'm pretty sure he got the depiction of hobbit weddings from the movies. And I'm not sure why he says Elves are vegetarian, since the canon makes it pretty clear they're not.
"The Unofficial Hobbit Handbook: Everything I Need to Know about Life I Learned from Tolkien" is a charming little addition for the Tolkien aficionado, if he doesn't take the great master's works too seriously.
And "The Unofficial Hobbit Handbook: Everything I Need to Know about Life I Learned from Tolkien" aspires to tell you how to improve your quality of life with Tolkien as your guide. It's a bit precious at times (and no, not in the Smeagol sense) but it is a fun little humorous book with some good tips.
Peter Archer explores the different aspects of life -- food, relationships, holidays, survival, homes, etc -- through the lens of what makes Hobbit life so pleasant and idyllic. No, it doesn't involve living underground -- instead, it's more about ways to give parts of your life the same charming quality as the hobbits'.
His style is pleasantly down-to-earth, with lots of little Tolkien in-jokes (according to the book, cram tastes "like compacted sawdust"). At times it feels a bit cutesy, but it's a harmless rather than cloying kind of cutesy. And it will elicit some chuckles as he grandly describes how a mischievous relative can liven up your party.
Also: expect recipes. No book about hobbit life is complete without one.
However, he does take some liberties with canon -- I'm pretty sure he got the depiction of hobbit weddings from the movies. And I'm not sure why he says Elves are vegetarian, since the canon makes it pretty clear they're not.
"The Unofficial Hobbit Handbook: Everything I Need to Know about Life I Learned from Tolkien" is a charming little addition for the Tolkien aficionado, if he doesn't take the great master's works too seriously.
March 4, 2013
This was not a good book in spite of my love for everything hobbit. It could have been many things, tried to do most of them and failed at everything. At times I felt as if I were reading a high school term paper... only better ones have been written that actually were.
The first half of the book was not too bad- predominately about manners and how to live well using hobbits as an inspiration. The second half- never mind.
If the author could have decided just exactly which topic to write about and the manner in which to approach it, it could have been a good book.
The first half of the book was not too bad- predominately about manners and how to live well using hobbits as an inspiration. The second half- never mind.
If the author could have decided just exactly which topic to write about and the manner in which to approach it, it could have been a good book.
May 10, 2017
Cute.
February 11, 2020
Mostly lighthearted and fun, though there are some serious chapters nearer the end. I enjoyed reading it.
May 14, 2020
An absolute must read for all hobbit fans. 😁!
May 19, 2013
A book with the potential to be great. However, that potential was corrupted, making it tolerable at the best of times to read and painful at the worst.
June 2, 2014
A cute piece of kitch. Grab it if you're a hardcore Tolkien fan and can find a used copy for a few bucks.
November 2, 2015
This could have been so much better. It didn't hold my interest at all.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 11 reviews