Today for the letter H, I am sharing maps that are probably among the most recognizable and beloved of any map illustrations found in books.
The Hobbit
by J.R.R. Tolkien
Originally published in 1937 by George Allen & Unwin, The Hobbit is considered to be one of the most popular and important books of the 20th century and is among the most well known fantasy books ever written. It follows the journey of hobbit Bilbo Baggins who is happily living in his hobbit hole until the wizard Gandalf appears and Bilbo reluctantly ends up heading out on an epic quest. I am not going to recount the entire plot but, if you haven’t read it, please do. And, if you have any children in your life, read it to them. And, if you read it a long time ago, it’s time to read it again.
Bilbo Baggins was a cartophile, a person with a great interest in maps. He collected them and had a large map displayed in his front hall which featured his favorite rambles marked in red.
Did you know that Tolkien was an artist and was very involved in all aspects of the book’s design? He drew the cover and the maps which were used as endpapers.
Front
Back
He also painted illustrations which the publisher included in the second edition.
C.S. Lewis, who wrote The Chronicles of Narnia, was a close friend of Tolkien and wrote a short review of The Hobbit when it was published:
“The Hobbit… will be funnier to its youngest readers, and only years later, at a tenth or a twentieth reading, will they begin to realize what deft scholarship and profound reflection have gone to make everything in it so ripe, so friendly, and in its own way so true. Prediction is dangerous: but The Hobbit may well prove a classic.”
How old were you when you first read The Hobbit?
I was 17 when I read the Hobbit the first time, and as I always tell – since now I’m a hard-core Tolkien fan – I wasn’t particularly impressed that first time.
Then I read it again years later. Basically, I was assigned to read a book from a list and The Hobbit was the only one I owned. So it was merely by chance that I read it again.
It blew off my mind. As I read, I kept thinking, wait, wait, this is not the book I read years ago. This is absolutely fantastic!!!!!
I read it once again last year with a group of readers. The original idea was to read The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion in succession. I enjoyed it A LOT! In fact, a group of us went on reading The Adventure of Tom Bombadil, The Children of Hurin, Bere and Luthien, The Unfinished Tales. Now we are reading The History of Middle Earth and have basically read a chapter a day from Tolkien since last June.
I’m loving it!
Oh my! I should have had you write a guest post! I’m sure you know more than me. It sounds like you are in a great group of readers.
The maps and diagrams in The Hobbit are fascinating. Tolkien had the whole world pictured in his head. Enjoying your theme.
https://iainkellywriting.com/2018/04/09/h-is-for-den-haag-the-hague-netherlands/
Thanks so much for stopping by. I’m enjoying all the discoveries I’m making during this A to Z Challenge.
Let’s just say, it has been a long time! So long in fact that I have a grown, married Grandson who fell in love with Tolkien at an early age. Based on this post, I shall treat myself to a brand new copy to reread. Aren’t these posts just the best!
There’s so many different editions out now but the story remains the same so enjoy your trip back to Middle Earth.
I don’t know if I should say this out loud, but I didn’t love The Hobbit. I know, I know, it’s heresy. Maybe one of these days I’ll try rereading it. I do love those maps of his though 🙂
That’s ok. Did you read The Hobbit when you were young? I wonder if the age when we are introduced to this world makes a difference?
Hi Claire – Tolkien was incredibly gifted at producing these stories, with the maps … I went to a talk at the British Library … “The Hobbit at 75” … and one thing was mentioned that the sun in the first map was red … but because it was printed pre WW2 the maximum number of colours that could be used was three … hence the colouring.
Wonderful post you’ve given us … cheers Hilary
Oh, I would have loved to have gone to that talk. So interesting about the coloring- thanks for sharing!
I didn’t know that Tolkien was an artist too.
I had a calendar of his original art so I envision Tolkien’s worlds from his illustrations.
More books should have maps. Thanks for sharing this post, the images are great.
I agree. I’m looking through so many books this month and thinking that it’s a shame that more don’t include maps.
That cover image is gorgeous – I’m not sure I’ve seen it before. I didn’t read The Hobbit until I was in my 20s but it was definitely love at first sight. What a lovely recommendation/review Lewis wrote, and how right he was.
I was intrigued when I found the review from C.S. Lewis. They had such an interesting friendship. All writers should be so fortunate.
When my husband I were first married in the early 70’s, every Sunday morning on Public Radio a reader with an enchanting voice read a chapter of The Hobbit aloud.
I was hooked and have never looked back. I determined to read it again for myself and then on to the Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion long BEFORE the movies came out.
I plan to retire in Rivendell.
If you retire in Rivendell I will certainly visit you! I first read The Hobbit when I was 13. It seemed so intense until I read The Lord of the Rings.
I haven’t read the Hobbit (yet?), but one of the best things on my edition of The Lord of the Rings are the maps.