What is the best book you’ve read so far for The Classics Club — and why? Be sure to link to the post where you discussed the book! (Or, if you prefer, what is your least favorite read so far for the club, and why?)
I am going to discuss one of my least favorite books read for the club, The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien.
So as not to become repetitive my review is here but I’ll post a few reason below:
- It felt ten times longer that in actually was and had to slog/force my way through the first 120 pages.
- I have a 100 page rule, if I still don’t like it after 100 pages I give myself permission to set it aside. I only went over 100 pages because of the movie’s release.
- I did not find this group of characters on their quest to be as interesting,fun, likable as LOTR’s fellowship.
- I thought Gandalf’s fluttering in and out of the novel was annoying. Either help them or don’t, don’t come floating in last minute like Glinda to save the day and point out how stupid and naive they are.
Oh, I just wrote a review about the Hobbit too, but mine sounds very different! I LOVED it!
True, I did not warm to the dwarves in any way comparable to the characters of LOTR either, but I just enjoyed the overall tone of the book so much.
I really wanted to like it…but I just couldn't, maybe another day.
I love the 100 page rule! I am going to use that from now on!
Thanks, sometimes books take a while to warm up. The first time I read Gone with the Wind (one of my favorites) it took me over 100 pages to realize how amazing it was.
I haven't read The Hobbit although I was tempted by the beautiful new edition in the library recently.
I just reread The Hobbit recently and I thought the second half was better than the first. I think LOTR is better overall, but was completely charmed by my reread of The Hobbit by the end of the book–which surprised me a bit as, for the first time, I was a bit put off by the tone at the start. It's too bad you didn't find it to your liking. Hopefully the rest of your Classics Club list fares better!