Lord of the Readalong 2020 discussion

You're about half way through. Do you have any favorite scenes or characters yet? How are you getting on with the writing style?

Bilbo is hands down my favorite character, but that’s largely due to the fact that, try as I might, I cannot separate book Bilbo from Martin Freeman. And who doesn’t like Martin Freeman. Tim Canterbury, yeah?

Bilbo is my favorite character, obviously, although I am enjoying young Gandalf (being far more familiar with LOTR Gandalf.)

I have been struck by how much singing there is in this book! I'm so glad the audiobook narrator sings the songs for you - I usually skip songs in printed books.

Just finished Ch 7 tonight. I am still loving this reread. I forgot that it has a narrator that talks to the reader sometimes. Do you all like that or no? I was trying to think of other books that do that and mostly I think of children's books.

I loved the chapter with Gollem and the riddles. I would have failed so miserably and been food for the creature! I'm so bad at riddles. Did any of you try to guess them before reading the answers?

I am so impressed that Bilbo is such a trooper. I would be so frustrated with Gandalf and his lack of communication about what's going on and his condescension whenever Bilbo does ask a question.

Angie wrote: "Bilbo is hands down my favorite character, but that’s largely due to the fact that, try as I might, I cannot separate book Bilbo from Martin Freeman. And who doesn’t like Martin Freeman. Tim Canter..."

Martin Freeman was a perfect Bilbo. Apparently, Peter Jackson wanted him for the role way before he actually decided to make the movies.

Jennifer wrote: "Bilbo is my favorite character, obviously, although I am enjoying young Gandalf (being far more familiar with LOTR Gandalf.)

I have been struck by how much singing there is in this book! I'm so g..."

Agreed. Are you listening to the Rob Inglis version? His singing is really good.

I love Bilbo in this section especially. Riddles In the Dark is one of my favourite chapters in the entire saga, partly because it's the first time we see Bilbo tackle a serious problem completely on his own, and he owns the situation. It's funny watching him surprise the dwarves and Gandalf.

Fun fact: Tolkien actually rewrote and republished the Hobbit years after the fact in preparation for the Lord Of The Rings. That second version is the official version now, and Riddles In the Dark had a major change. (I'm not sure how much else was changed, but I'm pretty certain the changes were mostly tonal outside of this scene.)

I have been getting bored at some points with the writing style to be honest but I am enjoying the story. My faviorte scene was in the beginning with the good morning and I also reay liked the scene with the goblins and the riddles! and the buttons! I guess I like a lot of scenes! My faviorte chacater is Bilbo and I was liking Gandalf a lot up until that last chapater. Lol

Hi all. I am enjoying the read. I also liked the scene with Bilbo and Gollum the best so far. I thought it was interesting why Gollum is called Gollum, (because of the sound he makes when swallowing). I also really enjoyed how Gollum talks to himself and feel like it adds so much to the storyline, it conveyed to me how lonely he is with only himself and his ring. I can't help but feel sorry for him even though he wanted to eat Bilbo.
Bilbo is my favorite character I admire his quick wit under pressure, his sense of adventure and his love of home.

First time reading this for me and I am really liking it. I went into it blind so had no expectations. I loved the Bilbo/Gollum scene. I found myself trying to guess the answers to the riddles. Ha!!

Jennifer wrote: "Bilbo is my favorite character, obviously, although I am enjoying young Gandalf (being far more familiar with LOTR Gandalf.)

I have been struck by how much singing there is in this book! I'm so g..."

It makes sense that you mostly find this style of narrator breaking the fourth wall in children's books since the Hobbit was originally written as such. the first time dad read it to me I was probably 6 or 7 and while this is probably my 4th or 5th read, I am enjoying it just as much (if not more) as when I was a kid.
One of my favorite quotes from this book is when Gandalf tells Thorin he was looking ahead and returned by looking behind. I haven't yet got to the section with Beorn, but that is one of my favorite scenes and I can't wait!

Gandalf is still my favorite 😁 loved the book so far. Liked the scene with the bear changer 😁

Kathie66 wrote: "Hi all. I am enjoying the read. I also liked the scene with Bilbo and Gollum the best so far. I thought it was interesting why Gollum is called Gollum, (because of the sound he makes when swallowin..."

Agreed! Bilbo and Gollum are both such interesting characters.

Just finished chapters 5-7 and I am really starting to get into the adventure with them. The twist and turns and then the spiders. I hate spiders so was anxiously waiting to read what would happen. Glad that Bilbo defended and attacked them . On to the next adventure. So until then keep reading on

I love how Bilbo's entire character is hinged on his encounter with Gollum. It is almost like the Hobbit who entered was a different person than the one who exited. Before Riddles in the Dark, he is constantly lagging behind, he needs to be carried everywhere, and he is a burden the others resent. After exiting, he is rescuing them from spiders and... (other stuff in later chapters).

I really do wonder if this change was intentional or instinctual. The placing within the story framework fits perfectly with Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey (approach to the innermost cave) but I am quite certain the Hobbit predates Campbell's theory.

Or was it the ring that had that effect on Bilbo? I do think the change was intentional by the author.

The quest is one of the oldest themes in storytelling (Homer for example) and Bilbo's potential was recognised by Gandalph, against Bilbo's better judgment! No-one knows what they are capable of until the time comes. I am very pleased to have re-read it after a gap of decades! The Lord of the Rings Trilogy is much more complicated and "deeper" than the Hobbit, which is in a way the warm-up!!

At the moment I find the writing style quite easy to read. I enjoyed these chaptes, especially the one with the riddles and Gollum and chapter 7 with the bear-changer. One reason I like Gollum so much is because of the classic line "My precious". Looking forward to read the rest.

I like Gandalf too, I find it really funny how he gets Bilbo and the dwarves to start the journey and now he just leaves them. All of the trouble they have come across so far it's usually been the wizard who solved the problems.

The narrator talking to the reader is something I've had to get used to. It's definitely not something I'd like to see happen all the time but I get the feeling that it's due to it being marketed as a children's novel.

Bilbo is growing on me as the book progresses. Up until the 8th chapter he was whinging too much about wanting food and pining for his hole in the Shire. But the way he took the initiative against the Spiders was really well done and showed that he could be an asset.

None of the Dwarves have really had much character development. Bombur is fat and Thorin is the leader of the group but apart from that they're just a group of names.

The journey itself is interesting and although I've seen the movies in the cinema it's obviously been a while so this is like a new story.... Sort of. As I'm going along parts are starting to become a little familiar but it does seem that much more was added to the movies that wasn't in the book. As breathtakingly beautiful as the movies were I do think I prefer the book as I like to imagine in my head how a setting looks.

About to start chapter 9. At over half way through in 4 days I'd say I'm making excellent time on my journey

I have been alternating between reading the book and listening to the audio book read by Rob inglis (which if anyone is wondering there is no one else you should listen to read anything Tolkien. Rob Inglis is the voice of Lord of the Rings :-P)
I also love Bilbo's character arch. it's amazing what a person can do when everyone expects so little. He really steps up to the challenge. Brave little Hobbit.

Halfway! Gandalf and Bilbo are the obvious favorites for me, but I just loved the chapter that featured Gollum. That’s been my favorite so far. I’m exited to see more of him in the trilogy as well. The writing is good, but I am having to read this slower than I normally could read something. Still enjoying it and sitting down now to start the next chapter!

Can't believe I am already halfway through this book. I love the writing style and actually really like the presence of the narrator in the story, since I am completely new to the Lord of the Rings, never even watched one of the movies from start to finish. I also really enjoyed Bilbo's encounter with Gollum and the riddles game. As the story goes on, you see Bilbo losing some of his timidity and becoming more courageous. Looking forward to the next section.

I can only say that Bilbo, when he is alone in the chapters with Gollum and with Goblins is my favourite so far.
Even like Gandalf when they are at Berons home, and he trick him with the story to not take notice of all the dwarves before it´s to late.

I have to say I’m surprised how quickly we came to the scene between Gollum & Bilbo...I read the first 5 chapters in one sitting. Granted, the book isn’t that long, but it seems like a climax of the book in a way. Gollum is one of those characters where I can’t even picture what I think he would look like—the description is a bit vague.

Going a little slower than I had expected to read. Life takes time lol. I am enjoying the story so far. I have watched all the movies so I keep picturing the actors who portrayed these wonderful characters. My favorite part has to be the chapter featuring Gollum. Really like the interaction between Bilbo and the dwarfs as well.

My favourite characters are Bilbo and Thorin. But it is quite funny with Bombur who doesn't like being left behind when they all come to Beorns house. The dwarves like it best when they are not alone.
I find the story going quite fast and am definitely not bored! Still looking forward to continuing.

Dianna wrote: "Just finished chapters 5-7 and I am really starting to get into the adventure with them. The twist and turns and then the spiders. I hate spiders so was anxiously waiting to read what would happen...."

I kind of like how Tolkien zeros in on spiders as such a huge threat, because ... yeah ... they're utterly terrifying. No need to give these things a human torso, or whatever else; they're scary enough on their own. Oh, you still want them to be worse? Okay, let's make them HUGE!!!

Kathleen wrote: "Or was it the ring that had that effect on Bilbo? I do think the change was intentional by the author."

B.J. wrote: "I love how Bilbo's entire character is hinged on his encounter with Gollum. It is almost like the Hobbit who entered was a different person than the one who exited. Before Riddles in the Dark, he i..."

I'm not entirely sure how this fits in with Joseph Cambell, but I do know that Tolkien actually rewrote and re-released The Riddles In The Dark chapter in preparation for releasing The Lord Of The Rings. In the original version, Bilbo didn't have to actively chose to let Gollum live, and so the stakes were much lower. Makes for a much more extreme character change I would guess. (I haven't actually read the original chapter yet, although I plan to very soon.)

Kathleen wrote: "Or was it the ring that had that effect on Bilbo? I do think the change was intentional by the author."

I would agree.

kami wrote: "I am amazed at how Bilbo steps up over and over. I never expected this courage or curiosity based on his initial response to going on an adventure.

I also appreciate how Tolkien removes Gandalf f..."

Bilbo's character development is one of my favourite things in all of Tolkien's books. It's so cool watching him come into his own, and find out what he's capable of.

Paul wrote: "The narrator talking to the reader is something I've had to get used to. It's definitely not something I'd like to see happen all the time but I get the feeling that it's due to it being marketed a..."

Expanding on the dwarves' personalities was one of my favourite things about the movies. They didn't get a lot in regards to individual screen time (excluding Kili), but it's a lot more than in the book, especially if you take their costuming into account.