The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings: Deluxe Pocket Boxed Set by J.R.R. Tolkien (2014-11-05)

by J.R.R. Tolkien

Paperback, 1728

Call number

SPEC FICT TOL

Publication

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (1728)

Description

Immerse yourself in Middle-earth with Tolkien's classic masterpieces behind the films, telling the complete story of Bilbo Baggins and the Hobbits' epic encounters with Gandalf, Gollum, dragons and monsters, in the quest to destroy the One Ring. When they were first published, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings became instant classics. Treasured by readers young and old, these works of sweeping fantasy, steeped in unrivalled magic and otherworldliness have sold more than 150 million copies around the world. This new boxed gift set, published to celebrate the release of the first of Peter Jackson's three-part film adaptation of JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit, THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY, contains both titles and features cover images from both films. It offers readers a new opportunity to discover Tolkien's remarkable world of Middle-earth and to follow the complete story of Bilbo Baggins and the Hobbits' part in the epic quest for the Ring - beginning with Bilbo's fateful visit from Gandalf and culminating in the dramatic climax between Frodo and Gollum atop Mount Doom.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member bookworm12
When I was in 3rd grade my family took a trip to visit relatives in Boston and my Dad gave me a copy of The Hobbit to read while we traveled. I’ve never forgotten my first taste of Middle Earth. Bilbo Baggin’s journey was much simpler than his nephew Frodo’s in the books that followed, but it
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was the perfect introduction to Tolkien’s epic world.

The plot, in a nutshell, is as follows. There is one ring of power, created by a dark lord, which ends up in the hands of a simple hobbit. Once the good people of Middle Earth realize what the ring is, they must band together and travel to Mt. Doom to destroy it. A fellowship of four hobbits, two men, a wizard, an elf and a dwarf take on the quest.

One of my favorite things about the trilogy is that their world is so different from ours, filled with wizards, elves and orcs, yet the relationships are so similar. Tolkien created such original creatures, like the tree-herding ents, but the emphasis is really on the friendships that have to withstand such intense trials.

Tolkien’s story is memorable not only for the plot, but because of the wonderful characters that fill it. There’s Gandalf, a powerful but wise wizard, Aragorn, a reluctant leader, Gollum, a broken, depraved creature, Samwise, the most loyal friend a person could hope for, and so many others.

Our hero is not a powerful man, but instead a small hobbit, the gentlest people in the land. Our villain is Sauron, the ultimate embodiment of evil. He has no redeeming qualities, just an all-encompassing need for power. He is the inspiration for future characters like Voldemort. Yet at the same time we also have other characters that used to be good or are still trying to be, that succumb to the temptation of the ring, like the Ringwraiths, Boromir and Saruman. These characters demonstrate how even good people can become weak when tempted by something so powerful. Their failure to resist just makes Frodo and Sam’s journey all the more poignant.

I’ve heard people complain that the books are too long, too boring, too detailed, etc. I understand those thoughts, but I think people are more forgiving with other classics, like Anna Karenina, than they are with these fantasy novels. People expect aspects of Charles Dickens work to be too detailed, so they read it and judge the book by its overall plot, but LOTR is sometimes overlook by those same people. I would argue that the story Tolkien created is just as powerful as many classic tales from centuries gone by. So don’t skip these because fantasy isn’t your thing or some other silly reason.
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LibraryThing member Candice08
This series has to be the my all time favourite. It is a masterpiece and one that I can re-read when ever I feel like it. The adventure, the characters and the fight sequences are truly remarkable. My favourite characters would have to be Gimli and Legolas as enjoyed reading about their friendship
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and funny remarks with each other. It is also interesting to note the environmental issues that come across this novel, in particular, the burning of the trees to make war weapons. I believe that the issues that are expressed throughout this book are still relevant today and probably will never be out dated.

For me there is no other author like Tolkien he is so descriptive and his imagination is beyond anything that I have ever read.
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LibraryThing member camarie
Although I admit that I sometimes lose interest in Tolkein's writing, I have to admire his genius and imagination, or whatever inspired him to write these books. I am not the biggest fan of the fantasy genre, but I am a fan nonetheless, mostly because of these books.
LibraryThing member men1967
I have yet to actually finish "Return of the King". The story is awesome, but the writing does drag a bit... c'mon, you know you agree with me.
LibraryThing member NicholasPayne
I read and re-read these books, something like four times, and they never lost their appeal for me. I never donned a cape and elf ears, but I loved this series. Thoroughly engaging. I also thought the film versions were perfectly creditable, so you hard-core nay-sayers just keep it to yourselves.
LibraryThing member yougotamber
I really don't think I need to say that this set is a MUST for any fantasy reader (and non fantasy readers).
LibraryThing member humdog
most quest games and worlds owe tolkein, and this book, a great debt.
LibraryThing member yogipoet
as a kid, after reading the hobbit i couldn't wait to get into it. i waded through as best as i could and came to a halt somewhere towards the end of the second book.
LibraryThing member aiufjcf
Definently worth a read. The story is epic, and the characters very interesting.
LibraryThing member janemarieprice
This set I read as a young adult. Although it is extremely complex it is still a great read for young people. It functions as one book but the breaks are at good points which give you a mental rest in between books. Masterful.
LibraryThing member dreamseeker
I almost hesitate to review this book series because it has become so iconic in our culture - especially since the release of the excellent movie adaptatations released in the early 2000s.
If you have never read these books, you should be warned that they are not always easy reading. Tolkien was an
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academic, steeped in old languages and mythology. His use of English can be a little ponderous in places - especially to people who are used to reading light "page turners" written to eigth grade reading level. (8th grade reading level is the publishing industry standard for all but scholarly treatise and high literary fiction.)
However, for those who persevere to the end, these books greatly reward the effort. Tolkien used his knowledge of mythology to create a richly imagined world with vivid characters and levels of symbolism that run deep. I have found elements of Norse mythology (notably the Ring of the Niebling - Fall of the Gods) , Saxon mythology (the Elves, ents, Balrog...) , Greek Mythology (the Atlantean legends, and descriptions of the Elven aristocracy - this is more evident in the Ring pre-quel, The Simarylian (SP), Celtic Mythology (the sacred elven homelands in the west, and European mystery schools (The hierachies and initiation levels of the wizards - Gandolf's transformation from "Gray' wizard to 'White' wizard after his battle with his ancient subterrean foe.)

Of course, you don't have to see of understand these influences to enjoy the books. For for those who are interested in such things, recognizing some of the influences behind the stories adds a level of appreciation.
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LibraryThing member jennyolsson
Difficult to read with old fashiond language and some parts felt heavy to read, a little bit depressing. But then I read it when I was young. I liked Bilbo a lot better, it was more like a feairy tale.
LibraryThing member inklingsfan47
There's nothing I can say about this that won't 1) take up hours and hours of your time, and 2) sound incredibly ( but lovingly! ) biased. So I'll just insist with every crazy bit of me to pick up this set and read it yourself.
LibraryThing member Smiley
The Hobbitt is the best. The rest is a long, dull read except for a handful of pages.
LibraryThing member jonnygskills
This was a great read- the right time in my life. Most people read this when they were young, but I read it in my twenties. It still clicked. Tolkien' descriptions and narrative stuck with me and really drew me into the fantasy world of Middle Earth. A real coming of age book for any reader at any
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age. Read the books before seeing the movies. I love fantasy and imagination, and Tolkien took me for a real ride in his deep, immersive fantasy world.
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LibraryThing member Chris.Graham
I read all of these books before seeing the movies and enjoyed them.

After seeing the movies, I re-read them with even more enjoyment.
LibraryThing member bydahlin
I loved the Hobbit and it is one of my absolutely favourite books. I have read it in swedish, english and german.

The Lord of the Rings was also great books and a journey in itself. It was kind of sad when I had finnished the third part. Tolkien was a genious.
LibraryThing member mlyons1
Four of the greatest works of literature ever written.
LibraryThing member Laura_Jones
I must admit that this was one of the only cases where I enjoyed the movie version just as much as the books. The pages and pages of description can get a bit tiring, but the series is still one of my favorites....Frodo lives!!!
LibraryThing member frustwrited
It's so difficult to review this book, mostly because it's such an epic tale, such a magnificent collection of work by Tolkien, it would seem improbable anyone would have NOT read this by now.

But around the turn of the century, Peter Jackson created some wonderful (although not particularly
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accurate) movies which attempted to fit this wondrous world into 12 hours of film. If you are one of those people who've seen the movies, but not read the books, I strongly recommend reading the Hobbit and then working your way through the Lord of the Rings series. The process will bring to light a lot of what you missed in the movie adaptation.

I read the Hobbit when I was 11, and then tried to read the LOTR with no success at that time. It was too confusing. It wasn't until I was in my late 20's that I started reading the series and I've read it at least once a year since then (going on 23 times!).

Definitely worth at least one good read for anyone who is interested in fantasy books, character development, linguistics, and the battle of good over evil.
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LibraryThing member davidpauly1105
what is there left to be said about LOTR that hasn't been said already. The grandfather of all fantasy/fiction, an inspiration to all of us authors. Best critique I ever heard about LOTR, however, was one reviewer said 'He drew a map and spent 500 pages describing it.' True, but what descriptions
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they were.
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LibraryThing member jocey79
outstanding read!!!
LibraryThing member octoberdad
Best fantasy series ever.
LibraryThing member jercox
Not perfect, but obviously one of the classics. An amazing world and story.
LibraryThing member thommythomthom
Ok so whether you like fantasy (or love it like me!) or hate it, these books are a MUST READ for everyone.

I've read this series three times in my life now (i'm 26) and I'll probably read them at least once more. Tolkien creates some of the most fascinating characters you'll ever read, and the epic
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scale of the history he's created can't be understated!! He even went so far as to create separate languages for elves and dwarves in the appendix.

It's just a great story and it stands up today as probably the best fantasy series ever written. And it's one that MANY series try to imitate, but often fall short.
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