I like to think of this book as 'The Odyssey'...but for little people with furry feet. 
 A pleasure to read--and in a way, the most idyllic of bedtime stories! As timeless as it is peerless, Tolkien's iconic style carries you along through a fantastic landscape with all of the subtly and quiet amusement one would expect of an expert bard. 
 While the journeying portion of the book felt a bit long in places, Tolkien rewards patience. The characters have palpable depth, and the world-building is dizzyingly complete. Though Baggins is a mild, civilized creature and unlikely hero (as unlikely as any Hobbit), his underlying loyalty and valor under pressure are persistently endearing. And his growth throughout the tale is perhaps more remarkable than his adventures.