J.R.R. Tolkien’s Little-Known Original Drawings for the First Edition of “The Hobbit” By Maria Popova
"...People have celebrated Tolkien as a writer for years — you haven’t been able to get away from him since all the books of the century polls. But The Lord of the Rings has always been the focus since it was published in 1954 — it’s a much more grown-up, significant book. It has overshadowed The Hobbit as a more old-fashioned, children’s book, which has become known in the context of The Lord of the Rings. The anniversary allows us to move the spotlight back on to the book which started it all.
A rare piece of cross-disciplinary creativity from the mind of one of modern history’s greatest creators, The Art of the Hobbit is equal parts literary treasure and treat of art, exploring the notion of the author as designer — a particularly timely concept in the age of self-publishing and disciplinary cross-pollination in the making of books..."
The extended cut of The Hobbit really closes some gaps compared with the cinematic version (not compared with the book). Some stuff made more sense and there were some really cool scenes added, especially dwarven warfare.
But the stupidest thing is still in there with no explanation: The Elves jumping over the shield and spear lines of the dwarves into the charging orcs.
Drives me almost as mad as certain Game of Thrones battles we shall not mention.
I find the way Tolkien describes Bilbo's mother fascinating. His father is one of those staid gentlemen. But every time I read how exactly Gandalf talks about her I get more convinced that she was one of the Hobbits Gandalf convinced to join him on an adventure.
So was her father most likely.
In my headcanon Belladonna was a tough as nails treasure hunter, before coming back home and marrying the prettiest boy toy she could find.
Reading the Hobbit with my son I am reminded how much this book is like a #dnd adventure. Weird side treks into directions you didn't want to end up in, random encounters that spiral into full session adventures, oh and people failing their rolls to hilarious effects.
Anyway, my games need more riddle contests and intelligent spider monsters.