Category Archives: Books

The Hobbit, Chapter-By-Chapter: The Last Stage

Posted on Oct 12, 2018 by NFB

And so, the end. “The Last Stage” rounds off the story in concise fashion, as Bilbo undertakes the second half of his journey home, and Tolkien draws his narrative to a close. The conclusion of The Hobbit seems positively tiny compared to … Continue reading →

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The Hobbit, Chapter-By-Chapter: The Return Journey

Posted on Sep 28, 2018 by NFB

The central events of The Hobbit have come to a conclusion, all that’s left is the mopping up and the going home. “The Return Journey” gives us just what it says on the tin, but the more interesting part is … Continue reading →

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The Hobbit, Chapter-By-Chapter: The Clouds Burst

Posted on Sep 14, 2018 by NFB

We have come to the climax of the story, in the suitably titled “The Clouds Burst”. The chain of events that began back in Bilbo’s kitchen – or maybe even further back, to the sack of Dale and fall of … Continue reading →

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The Hobbit, Chapter-By-Chapter: A Thief In The Night

Posted on Aug 24, 2018 by NFB

Having set up the central conflict of what remains of the narrative in the last chapter, Tolkien must now execute the final instigating act of the plot, in one of The Hobbit’s shortest, but most important, chapters. “A Thief In … Continue reading →

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The Hobbit, Chapter-By-Chapter: The Gathering Of The Clouds

Posted on Aug 10, 2018 by NFB

The destruction of Smaug signaled the end of the books second act, and now we are marching on to the culmination of things. “The Gathering Of The Clouds” is a transitional chapter in a sense, as little true plot progression … Continue reading →

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The Hobbit, Chapter-By-Chapter: Fire And Water

Posted on Jul 27, 2018 by NFB

The Hobbit’s first chapter sold the story to the reader on the basis of an eventual confrontation with a fire-breathing dragon, an enticing fantasy prospect if ever there was one. “Inside Information” provided the first part of that confrontation, in … Continue reading →

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The Hobbit, Chapter-By-Chapter: Not At Home

Posted on Jul 13, 2018 by NFB

“Not At Home” is an odd chapter in many ways. It’s partially another transition chapter, and when viewed in line with what comes after, it’s natural to think that its placement is a little strange. After all, “Inside Information” ended … Continue reading →

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The Hobbit, Chapter-By-Chapter: Inside Information

Posted on Jun 29, 2018 by NFB

This is the last large chapter, before the story really breaks into smaller bitesize chunks: here, just as in “Riddles In The Dark” and “Flies And Spiders“, Tolkien lets loose, crafting a large self-contained narrative, with its beating heart being … Continue reading →

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The Hobbit, Chapter-By-Chapter: On The Doorstep

Posted on Jun 15, 2018 by NFB

We go from one short chapter to an ever shorter one. “On The Doorstep” is a bit of an odd entry, a set-up chapter for the more momentous events to come when we get to meet Smaug. As such, there … Continue reading →

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The Hobbit, Chapter-By-Chapter: A Warm Welcome

Posted on Jun 1, 2018 by NFB

It hasn’t been all that long since our last transition chapter really, though it may seem like it’s been an age since the company trooped up to Beorn’s home in “Queer Lodgings“. But here we are again with “A Warm … Continue reading →

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