The Beginning of an Adventure

Bilbo Baggins was a very respectable Hobbit, who lived in his comfortable hobbit-hole in Bag-End. Bilbo was nearly 50 years old and had lived a quiet and comfortable life, without ever letting out his Tookish side of adventure and danger. His ancestors were famous Hobbits, that throughout their adventures had accomplished great deeds. One day, while Bilbo was sitting on his front lawn smoking his pipe, when a tall old man stood in front of him and stared right at him. After Bilbo greeted him, the old man introduced himself as Gandalf, he was a wizard who had known Bilbo when he was younger and was an old friend of the Took family. Gandalf told him he was looking for someone to share an adventure with, but Bilbo did not want to hear about it. After he realized he was being rude, he decided to invite Gandalf for tea the next day. Gandalf marked Bilbo's door after he went inside. The next day just before tea time, Bilbo heard someone at his door, he had nearly forgotten about his encounter with Gandalf, Bilbo rushed to the door when he suddenly realized it wasn't Gandalf at all. It was a Dwarf who introduced himself as Dwalin. The dwarf pushed inside Bilbo's Hobbit-Hole. The Hobbit was too startled to asked any questions but he invited Dwalin in for tea. After Dwalin, more dwarves started to arrive at his house, followed by Gandalf, their names were: Balin, Fili, Kili, Dori, Ori, Oin, Gloin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur and most important of all, Thorin. After everyone had arrived they gathered at the table and Thorin began to speak. Thorin took out a map made by his grandfather Thror the map was of the Lonely Mountain which was where Thorin and his ancestors used to live, before it was taken with all of the dwarves' treasure by the dragon Smaug. Gandalf pointed something out that no one else had seen, it was the secret door. Gandalf took out a key which had come with the map and was of course for the secret door. Their quest was to reach the Lonely Mountain and take what was theirs, which to complete needed a burglar and that's were Bilbo came in. After discussing the plan they went to sleep. When Bilbo woke up, he found his house empty. Bilbo thought that the dwarves had left without him and he thought he should be relieved, but deep inside him he could not help but feel disappointed. Bilbo just started having breakfast when Gandalf walked in and asked why was he taking so long. Bilbo learned that Thorin and company were waiting for him in the Green Dragon Inn. Bilbo was starting his journey more unprepared than ever, he was given a pony and they set off. One day of their journey that had turned more and more uncomfortable as time passed, they found themselves in bad weather and Gandalf was nowhere to be seen. They where having a hard time setting up camp, when Balin saw a light deep between the trees. After some arguing, they decided to send Bilbo to inspect. Bilbo got close and saw as expected that it was a fire, he saw three trolls sitting around the fire preparing supper. Bilbo saw that they were arguing and decided to live up to his position as a burglar. He tried to steal a wallet from one of the trolls but he was caught, they questioned him but as soon as they started to argue about what to do with him, Bilbo got out of their way. As the dwarves heard sounds in the distance, they decided to approach and check on Bilbo. Before they entirely understood what was going on, the trolls had trapped them in sacks. As they discussed what to do with the dwarves, Gandalf had returned and as he realized what was going on, he started arguments between the trolls trying to gain time. Gandalf was waiting for the sun to come out and as soon as it did, the trolls turned to stone. All the dwarves were freed and they went on looking for the trolls' cave. Inside the cave, they found two swords and a dagger. Gandalf and Thorin Grabbed the swords and Bilbo the dagger.

“Gandalf! If you had heard only a quarter of what I have heard about him, and I have only heard very little of all there is to hear, you would be prepared for any sort of remarkable tale.” (35)

I think that Gandalf is probably the character with the most depth in this story. He is a a very wise and powerful wizard. He travels the land having different exciting adventures and doing good as he is meant to. Gandalf has wondered throughout Middle Earth for a very long time and I would like to know more about what he has encountered. From what I know about the Middle Earth lore Gandalf and all the other wizards were put on Earth to fight evil and darkness. Gandalf is an interesting person because all of his plans and quests are to achieve the greater good and I would like to know what drives him.

“This last belonged to Thorin, an enormously important dwarf, in fact no other than the great Thorin Oakenshield himself... ” (41)

I am interestred in Tolkien's story about Thorin Oakenshield. I do realize that Peter Jackson does tell it in the movie but I know that is not talkinesTolkien's story because of hints in the book that Thorin didn't actually fight him. I am not only interested in thorn but in the other dwarves too, I would like to know the exact relation between this characters and the characters in "The Lord of the Rings" (if any). In the movie there are relationships between the characters and they also added Legolas to the story. Tolkien did not introduce the characters as much as i would have liked but i know that I could probably learn their stories in other books.

I am enjoying this book so far even though I recommend people to read the book before seeing the movie. Seeing the movie before reading the book reveals all the major plot twists which to some people could go as far as making the book boring. While reading the first part I was entertained by the small details and explanations that didn't make it into the movie, but it bothers me that i could not be surprised by a plot twist or the death of any character in this book.