There is a great pleasure in re-reading the classics with a child. While my child is not yet a young adult, he was very keen to read The Hobbit. So, as a dutiful mother, I dusted off a copy and dived into Middle-earth, the world of Bilbo, Gandalf and Thorin et al. I was struck by the slower pace of the book in comparison to modern-day odysseys, but it is this pace that allows for the building of a rich world full of intricate characters, nuanced relationships and the realistic yet magnificent character arc of one Bilbo Baggins. J.R.R. Tolkien is a masterful world builder; while others have tried, no one since Tolkien quite captures the level of detail he does, right down to Bilbo’s buttons.

The basic plot is Bilbo, a Baggins (revered for their steady nature) and a Took (Hobbits with a wild and adventurous streak), is called upon by Gandalf (a wizard) to help 13 dwarfs defeat Smaug (a dragon) and so reclaim their home and treasure. Bilbo, very much a Baggins, is not at all keen. In fact, he is bamboozled into the mission. Along the way, he is forced to forego his creature comforts (he is particularly fond of food and hankies) and learns he is more than the sum of his parts. With the help of the ring (yes, THE ring), his wits and growing resourcefulness surprises Bilbo himself, his companions and his reader.

The Hobbit is a tale full of adventure, cunning and, of course, fights and battles. It transcends all ages; it’s great to read-aloud to a child, as a read-alone for a young adult and as a journey into the past for an adult. It is an inspiring story of rising to the occasion and accepting your whole self to do so.