In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.
An edition of The Hobbit
(1937)
The annotated Hobbit
by J.R.R. Tolkien
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Last edited by Esther Yam
February 25, 2026 | History
Bilbo Baggins, a respectable, well-to-do hobbit, lives comfortably in his hobbit-hole until one day the wandering wizard Gandalf chooses him to take part in an adventure from which he may never return.
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Fantasy, Arkenstone, Battle of Five Armies, invisibility, thrushes, eagles, hobbits, wizards, dragons, dwarves, elves, men, trolls, goblins, giant spiders, the one ring, juvenile fantasy, YOUNG ADULT FICTION, Fantasy fiction, Juvenile fiction, Fiction, Classics, General, Media Tie-In, children's books, juvenile works, Teen & Young Adult literature, English Fantasy fiction, Specimens, Juvenile Fantasy fiction, Toy and movable books, Magic in fiction, Open Library Staff Picks, juvenile literature, Pictorial works, Magic, Quests (Expeditions), Graphic novels, Dragons in fiction, Children's stories, Ficción fantástica inglesa, Fantasy in fiction, Translations into Russian, Ficción, Middle Earth (Imaginary place), Tierra Media (Lugar imaginario), Bilbo Baggins (Fictitious character), Dwarfs, Comic books, strips, Reading Level-Grade 11, Reading Level-Grade 12, British and irish fiction (fictional works by one author), Fiction, fantasy, general, Middle earth (imaginary place), fiction, Comics & graphic novels, fantasy, Science fiction, fantasy, horror, Child and youth fiction, Gollum (Fictitious character), Hobbits (Fictitious characters), Baggins, bilbo (fictitious character), fiction, Children's fiction, Gandalf (fictitious character), fiction, Baggins, frodo (fictitious character), fiction, Characters, Characters and characteristics, Hobbit, an unexpected journey (Motion picture), Hobbit (Tolkien, J.R.R.), YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Classics, YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Fantasy / General, YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Media Tie-In, Motion pictures, Fiction, fantasy, epic, English literature, Fiction, media tie-in, Courage, Literatura angielska dla młodzieży, Tłumaczenia polskie, Novela Inglesa, Spanish language materials, Untranslated, Terre du Milieu (Lieu imaginaire), Romans, nouvelles, Hobbits (Personnages fictifs), Novela fantástica, Magiciens, Schultheater, Fiction, fairy tales, folk tales, legends & mythology, Fiction, fantasy, dragons & mythical creatures, Comics & graphic novels, fantasy, general, Good and evil, English Fantasy literature, English fiction, Adventure storiesPeople
Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf, Thorin Oakenshield, Fili, Kili, Balin, Dwalin, Oin, Gloin, Dori, Nori, Ori, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Lake-men, Smaug, Wargs, Wood-elves, Beorn, Bard the Bowman, Elrond, The Elvenking, Gollum, J. R. R. Tolkien (1892-1973)Places
Middle-earth, Lonely Mountain, Lake-town, Rivendell, Iron Hills, Misty Mountains, Mirkwood, the ShireTimes
Third-AgeShowing 11 featured editions. View all 460 editions?
| Edition | Availability |
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02
Ka hopita: a iʻole, i laila a hoʻi hou mai
2016, Evertype
paperback
in Old English
- First edition.
1782010912 9781782010913
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03
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04
The Hobbit: or, There and Back Again
2014, HarperCollins Publishers, HarperCollins
Paperback
in English
- Film Tie-in Ed edition
0007591853 9780007591855
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05
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06
The Hobbit: or, There and Back Again
2012, Mariner Books
Paperback
in English
- 75th Anniversary Edition; First Mariner Books Edition (6)
054792822X 9780547928227
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07
The Hobbit: or There and Back Again
2011, HarperCollins Publishers
Paperback
in English
- 75th Anniversary Edition (29)
0261103342 9780261103344
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08
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09
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10
The Hobbit: or There and Back Again
1983-04, Ballantine Books
Mass Market Paperback
in English
- Revised edition, 5th printing; Authorized edition; Special Silver Jubilee Edition
0345296044 9780345296047
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11
The Hobbit: or, There and Back Again
1966, Mariner Books
paperback
in English
- 75th Anniversary Edition; First Mariner Books Edition (1)
054792822X 9780547928227
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Book Details
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Work Description
The Hobbit is a tale of high adventure, undertaken by a company of dwarves in search of dragon-guarded gold. A reluctant partner in this perilous quest is Bilbo Baggins, a comfort-loving unambitious hobbit, who surprises even himself by his resourcefulness and skill as a burglar.
Encounters with trolls, goblins, dwarves, elves, and giant spiders, conversations with the dragon, Smaug, and a rather unwilling presence at the Battle of Five Armies are just some of the adventures that befall Bilbo.
Bilbo Baggins has taken his place among the ranks of the immortals of children’s fiction. Written by Professor Tolkien for his children, The Hobbit met with instant critical acclaim when published.
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Community Reviews (7)
Pace 4
Medium paced
75%
Fast paced
25%
Enjoyability 3
Engaging
66%
Neutral
33%
Clarity 3
Clearly written
50%
Well organized
33%
Effective explanations
16%
Difficulty 4
Beginner
42%
Advanced
14%
Intermediate
14%
Expert
14%
University
14%
Breadth 2
Comprehensive
66%
Focused
33%
Genres 5
Fantasy
44%
Fiction
33%
Nonfiction
11%
Based on a true story
11%
Mood 3
Lighthearted
14%
Suspenseful
14%
Humorous
14%
Cheerful
7%
Dark
7%
Calm
7%
Strange
7%
Ominous
7%
Hopeful
7%
Whimsical
7%
Tense
7%
Impressions 4
Original
33%
Highly recommend
22%
Underrated
11%
Don't recommend
11%
Field defining
11%
Recommend
11%
Length 4
Medium
75%
Short
25%
Credibility 1
Objective
50%
Accurate
50%
Features 1
Table of contents
33%
Chapters
33%
Illustrations
33%
Content Warnings 2
Offensive language
25%
Graphic imagery
25%
Adult themes
12%
Racism
12%
Insensitivity
12%
Trigger warnings
12%
Style 2
Olde
50%
Jargony
50%
Purpose 4
Entertainment
100%
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| February 25, 2026 | Edited by Esther Yam | added fantasy |
| March 10, 2025 | Edited by MARC Bot | import existing book |
| February 12, 2025 | Edited by MARC Bot | remove fake subjects |
| October 1, 2024 | Edited by MARC Bot | import existing book |
| October 13, 2009 | Created by WorkBot | create work page |