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Picking up The Hobbit again has reminded me how much I love J.R.R. Tolkien’s writing. When I first read it in middle school, it was an introduction to the whole genre of Fantasy for me. While the Harry Potter books were full of magic and fantastic creatures, they still took place in a version of our world. Tolkien, on the other hand, created and brought to life Middle Earth for his readers. It never ceases to amaze me that an author was able to create entire races, cultures, and languages.
The Hobbit begins in Hobbiton, a town in the bucolic Shire, where Bilbo Baggins lives a very stable life in his comfortable hobbit hole. The Bagginses are a well-respected family as they do not partake in any questionable activities like adventures. I know this doesn’t at all sound like the sort of book that would inspire wanderlust in a reader, with the main character being proud of his lack of adventurous spirit. However, as you may guess this quickly changes.
The Journey Begins
Before poor Bilbo knows what’s happening, he’s swept off on an epic adventure with a wizard and thirteen dwarves that will change his life forever. Far from the comfort of his hobbit hole (which he thinks of fondly and often throughout the tale), he encounters both dangers and wonders the likes of which he’d only ever heard of in songs of old.
This reminds me of one my favorite travel quotes: ‘Better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times.’ I feel like Bilbo is finally going out to see the world, and experience life as he’s never known it. Despite it seeming that Bilbo has never really craved travel and adventure, it has been thrust upon him by the wily wizard Gandalf.
The beginning of the journey is naturally rather difficult for Bilbo as he’s not used to being far from his creature comforts, but luckily the party gets a respite from their path when they stop at Rivendell, an Elven town. Bilbo is cheered by the company of the Elves and their merry-making as hobbits are also a very merry folk. When traveling, you’re often knocked out of your comfort zone, so familiar customs and friendly people can go a long way to helping you find your equilibrium again.
In all honesty, I wish Rivendell was real so I could visit this lush valley in the foothills of the Misty Mountains. I love how the group comes upon the valley suddenly while ascending towards the rugged mountains. The most breathtaking landscapes are often those that surprise you; turning a bend in a forest to suddenly find a beautiful clearing, or cresting a hill to find the landscape stunningly spread out beneath you.
Learning from Travel
Bilbo’s journey also takes him through some dark and dangerous paths, but he bravely finds his way through and learns some things about himself. Upon meeting the bloodthirsty Gollum in the Goblin’s caves, his wits are tested and he discovers his own bravery. He even ends up rescuing his companions, the dwarves, a few times along the way. I often find that I learn the most about myself when traveling as I’m outside my comfort zone, doing things I may never have dreamed of during day-to-day life at home.
Coming Home
Upon his return home, Bilbo finds that nothing is quite as he left it, including himself! He not only arrives to relatives selling all his possessions and preparing to move into his hobbit hole, but he finds that he is no longer considered very respectable after his adventure. Many travelers have found themselves having similar experiences (well, I hope no one is selling your things and moving into your home). Friends and family may seem shocked at the activities and cuisines you enjoyed abroad and reverse culture shock can have you seeing your home in a new light.
Wanderlust Inspired by The Hobbit
Reading The Hobbit makes me wish I could enjoy the hospitality of Rivendell, feast on bread with honey & cream at the home of Beorn, and visit the Shire for an idyllic summer interlude. Although I’d happily skip the Goblins’s cave in the Misty Mountains and the dark paths of Mirkwood, thank you very much. Visiting the Hobbiton movie set in New Zealand is as close as I’ll get to the real thing, and it’s definitely on this bookworm’s bucket list. This is a book that makes one long to go on an epic adventure and visit far away lands.
Has a book ever made you long to visit a place? Tell me about it in the comments!
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