One of the very best adventure novels of all time, bested only by the scale and scope of Tolkien's later magnum opus.

I have found that after consuming Middle Earth content across all spectrum of media, Tolkien had mastered the genre of "There and Back Again" storytelling. Not only are we gifted to his lush and detailed world building, or his always-fascinating cast of imaginative characters, races, cultures, or histories, or his beautifully crafted fish-out-of-water perspectives. We are given the cozy, warm blanket that is a mission (life) well-lived and experienced alongside the satisfaction of a return to a quiet life back home, perhaps now with an air of mystique to keep things interesting. There is something immensely nostalgic in that for me and it is something the Hobbit introduces and the Lord of the Rings unreservedly perfects.

Audiobook note: anyone wanting to listen to any of the Middle Earth literature should seek out Andy Serkis' (Gollum himself) pitch-perfect performances. There is simply no one better.

4.5 out of 5