The Art of the Hobbit by JRR Tolkien

9/10

The Art of the Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien by Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull

There is a plethora of J.R.R. Tolkien material available for the layman to read, and I am more than willing to admit that delving beyond The Silmarillion is going to be unlikely for the general populace. People want story and narrative, not necessarily the history and linguistic-attention that Tolkien put into his work.

But for those who want to keep delving into the world of Middle-Earth and exploring all aspects of Tolkien’s work, then there is a new book for you.

The Art of the Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien by Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull.

Released in anticipation of the upcoming The Hobbit movie, this hardback book comes in a slipcase with the very recognisable Tolkien illustration for the final dust-jacket of The Hobbit’s release.

Inside a magnificently smelling book (sorry, but yeah, I love smelling my books) are pages upon pages of art that Tolkien drew in tandem and following the writing of The Hobbit.

Some are to be found opposite beautifully researched history from two of the premiere Tolkien scholars of our age, while other images are found on fold out pages displaying the artwork in its stark wonder.

Everything is included, from the preliminary sketches of Bag-End Underhill all the way through to the binding designs, dust-jacket art and portraits of Bilbo. In between are images from every important story point the novel has to offer.

My favourites are the trolls that will eventually turn to stone, and the early forms they took, along with the wonderfully intricate designs of Beorn’s Hall.

Of course, the most magnificent drawings are Tolkien’s trees. A man who loved trees from childhood, his skill with a brush or pencil was never more evident than when he was drawing trees, and this can be seen most during the chapters focusing on Bilbo’s adventures through Mirkwood.

For anyone who has even an inkling of desire to expand their view of Tolkien’s work beyond the most popular fictional titles, The Art of the Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien by Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull is an absolute must! It will take pride of place on your shelf in no time, of that I can guarantee.