As a fantasy fan, this novel is hands down one of the best pieces of literature I have ever read and probably ever will read. I read this again for a third time and it still holds merit in the realm of wizardry and heroes. I feel this falls in part because it essentially paved the way for how we view the world of orcs, wizards and dragons in modern film and literature. I love a book that can take me to another world and put me in the mind of a hero or multiple heroes and make me lose track of time.
Pitting an innocent and small character against the evils of an unknown world far greater than him/her is the major theme of the book. He felt himself too small to be of any significance but in the end proved to be the keystone of a far greater scheme. I love how this unsuspecting character ends up bringing multiple races together, killing a dragon and all he wants is to go home to his nice warm chair and fireplace and smoke his pipeweed. This falls into the theme of the heroic journey. Through the many trials Bilbo goes through, he sees that size does not define the importance or greatness of a man. He achieves the originally intended goal, plus some, and ends up back where he started but is a different, more improved, person. Or rather.... hobbit. This idea of taking someone who is unaware of the world and throwing them into the fray is mirrored in a series I am reading called The Sword of Truth written by Terry Goodkind. In the first book a wizard takes a man from the west and says he is destined for greater things than just being a woodsman. He unwillingly finds himself going from nobody to the most important man in his world, if not the most powerful. Well I'm four books in and so far he is on his way to achieving this anyways... Throughout the whole book he wishes only to be done with his task and return home, which he ultimately does.
But back to The Hobbit!
Not only is the content of Tolkein's book enchanting, but the way it is written is incredibly appealing. It feels as though I am being told a story, not simply reading one. It is a narrative that favors the fancy of the reader and allows the world to unfold without confusion. Moments such as when he backtracks to explain the backstory to the elements of this fictional world allow for this feeling.
I think it is great that so many characters can be involved, but the reader is not lost in the rabble. Tolkein manages to keep the reader focused on the story of Bilbo and not muck it down with less important people. On the same token: I have started reading a series written by George R. R. Martin called A Song of Ice and Fire and it is really quite incredible. Each chapter is written to tell the story of another character as the world around them progresses and changes. It is an epic tale that follows the lives of many important characters of different kingdoms that make up a magical world. The fact he can involve so many important characters and not lose me is truly a mark of literary prowess.
It is furthermore impressing that he can take Bilbo and traverse him across woods, swamps, mountains, caverns, towns and castles without losing the reader. I would say it is quite the opposite actually. In my mind I could imagine an immense canvas for each scene and paint a vivid image in my mind. I haven't read the book for a while before reading it for this class and yet I found myself imagining all the same images as if it were a recurring dream.
Recommended books:
Fellowship of the Ring series : J. R. R. Tolkein
A Song of Ice and Fire series: George R. R. Martin
Magic Kingdom for Sale - SOLD!: Terry Brooks
The Sword of Truth series: Terry Goodkind
Next post to come: Anansi Boys: Neil Gaiman
No comments:
Post a Comment