Revisiting The Hobbit: A Journey There and Back Again
It’s been years since I first read The Hobbit. Maybe decades, depending on how loose we’re being with time. Like most, my initial journey through Middle-earth was filled with wonder—Bilbo’s unexpected adventure, the riddle game in the dark, Smaug’s arrogant menace, and that final bittersweet battle. It was the perfect gateway into Tolkien’s world.
Yeah, this is the best cover out there.
But after years of seeing The Lord of the Rings cement itself in pop culture (the films, the memes, the endless debates over Tom Bombadil’s purpose), I realized my love for Tolkien had become more about the grand saga than its humbler beginnings. So, with the novelty of the trilogy fading just enough to make Middle-earth feel fresh again, I decided to return to The Hobbit.
What Still Shines
The biggest surprise? How fun it is. The Hobbit is an adventure story, first and foremost. Unlike the sprawling epic that followed, this book moves. Bilbo is barely out the door before he’s running from trolls, dodging goblins, and fumbling his way toward unexpected heroism.
Tolkien’s narration also stands out—wry, warm, and often playfully intrusive. He’s a storyteller talking directly to us, and it makes the world feel cozy despite all the danger. It’s a bedtime story, a fireside tale, and that charm hasn’t dulled.
And then there’s Smaug. Time hasn’t diminished the dragon’s impact. He’s still one of the greatest in literature, radiating arrogance and power even as Bilbo sneaks beneath his nose. His dialogue alone justifies the return trip.
What Feels Different (or Dated)
Of course, coming back with older (and maybe wiser) eyes means seeing the cracks, too. The first half of the book is a near-perfect adventure, but the second half slows down. The dwarves, despite being the catalyst for the whole story, don’t have much personality beyond Thorin. And speaking of Thorin—his arc is compelling, but it plays out fast. His tragic downfall feels abrupt, like we skipped a few emotional beats on the way there.
There’s also the question of stakes. After reading The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit can feel small—not in a bad way, but in a way that makes some moments (like the Battle of Five Armies) seem less weighty than they should.
There and Back Again
Revisiting The Hobbit after all these years was like stepping into an old house where everything is as you remember, just with a few more creaks in the floorboards. It’s still one of the best adventure stories ever written, but its legacy—especially in the shadow of The Lord of the Rings—adds new layers to how we experience it.
If you haven’t read it in a while, now might be the time. Just don’t expect it to be exactly as you remember. Then again, isn’t that the whole point of going on an adventure?
