Part of Middle Earth
First published 1938
Bilbo Baggins enjoys his peaceful life in the Shire until thirteen dwarves arrive at his door with the wizard Gandalf. They need a burglar for their mission to reclaim their homeland from Smaug the dragon. Bilbo reluctantly joins their company and discovers courage he never knew he possessed. The journey takes them through Mirkwood forest, past trolls and goblins, toward the Lonely Mountain where the dragon guards stolen treasure. Along the way, Bilbo proves that even the most comfort-loving hobbit can rise to face extraordinary challenges. His adventure culminates in encounters with the fearsome Smaug and involvement in the Battle of Five Armies. This tale chronicles how an ordinary creature finds bravery within himself when thrust into a world of ancient magic and deadly peril. Bilbo's transformation from timid homebody to unlikely hero reveals the hidden strength that can emerge when we venture beyond our familiar boundaries.
Genres: classic-literature, adventure, fantasy, epic
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, whimsical
Tropes: chosen-one, fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Middle-earth, Lonely Mountain, Lake-town, Rivendell, Iron Hills, Misty Mountains, Mirkwood, The Shire
Period: Third-Age
275 pages · Paperback · Houghton Mifflin