Summary of “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien

book summary
3 min readAug 2, 2023

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“The Hobbit” is a fantasy adventure novel written by J.R.R. Tolkien and published in 1937. It tells the tale of Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who embarks on an unexpected journey and discovers courage and heroism within himself.

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The story begins in the Shire, where Bilbo Baggins, a contented hobbit, lives a peaceful life. His life is turned upside down when the wizard Gandalf and a group of thirteen dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield arrive at his doorstep. Gandalf persuades Bilbo to join the dwarves on a quest to reclaim their homeland, the Lonely Mountain, from the dragon Smaug, who had driven the dwarves out and taken possession of their treasure.

Initially, Bilbo is reluctant and unprepared for adventure, but Gandalf’s belief in his potential convinces him to accompany the dwarves. The journey takes them through treacherous lands, where they face trolls, goblins, and giant spiders. Along the way, Bilbo discovers a magical ring that grants him invisibility, which becomes a significant asset on their quest.

As they venture through the dark and perilous forest of Mirkwood, the company is captured by the wood-elves. Bilbo uses his ring to escape, and he stumbles upon the One Ring while in the caves of Gollum, a mysterious creature. Bilbo engages Gollum in a riddle contest and wins, securing his escape with the help of the ring.

After leaving Mirkwood, the company arrives at the Lonely Mountain. Bilbo’s burglar skills come into play as he sneaks into Smaug’s lair and learns about a weak spot in the dragon’s armor. He shares this information with Bard the Bowman, a human of Lake-town, who eventually slays Smaug with a black arrow.

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With the dragon defeated, the dwarves reclaim their treasure. However, a dispute arises when Thorin refuses to share the wealth with the men of Lake-town and the wood-elves. This leads to the arrival of armies from both sides, culminating in the Battle of the Five Armies. The battle ends in victory for the combined forces, but it comes at a great cost, as Thorin is mortally wounded.

As Thorin lies dying, he reconciles with Bilbo and expresses remorse for his greed. Bilbo’s heroism and unselfishness are evident throughout the battle, and he emerges as a respected and admired member of the company.

Following the battle, Bilbo and the surviving members of the company return to the Shire. Bilbo has changed significantly during his journey, becoming more adventurous and open to the world. He finds his fellow hobbits gossiping about his presumed death, but he rejoices in being alive. He becomes an eccentric figure in the Shire but maintains his friendships with Gandalf and the elves he encountered.

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Bilbo writes his adventures in a book titled “There and Back Again,” recounting the incredible journey that transformed him from a timid hobbit into a brave and heroic figure.

In conclusion, “The Hobbit” is a timeless tale of adventure, courage, and personal growth. Bilbo Baggins, an unlikely hero, finds strength and bravery within himself as he embarks on a quest far beyond the comfort of the Shire. J.R.R. Tolkien’s masterful storytelling, rich world-building, and memorable characters have made “The Hobbit” a beloved classic in the fantasy genre, setting the stage for the epic saga of “The Lord of the Rings.”

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