The Hobbit: A Graphic Novel adapted by Charles Dixon

The Hobbit, originally penned by J.R.R. Tolkien in 1937 is brought to life by the beautiful watercolor illustrations by David Wenzel. This epic fantasy adventure is cleverly adapted by Charles Dixon.

We begin the story by meeting Bilbo Baggins, a Hobbit. This Hobbit is perfectly content to sit on his bench, blow smoke rings, and relax in the green grass and sunshine. However, the wizard, Gandalf, appears one day and changes the course of Bilbo’s life forever. The very next day, his home is overtaken by 12 dwarves who are off on an adventure to take back The Kind Under the Mountain’s treasure and kingdom! Bilbo refuses to join them adamantly, but he is drawn to this adventure. In the end, he travels along with them as their “burglar” as Gandolf calls him. Bilbo and the dwarves face many perils on their trip. They are almost killed many times and their bellies are always starving, but they eventually make their way to the mountain where Smaug, a terrible dragon guards the treasure. After quick thinking of the burglar, Smaug’s weakness is discovered. This weakness eventually ends Smaug’s life, giving Thorin his rightful kingdom back.

However, many others feel this treasure is in part theirs. Thorin is sick with greed over the treasure and refuses to give any of the treasure up. Thus a great war begins. While Thorin is mortally wounded, he repents of his greed. He is buried with honor, and the treasure is split and a new king is crowned. Bilbo then is able to happily make his way back to his delightful hobbit hole where he can quietly exist again. This adaptation stays quite true to Tolkien’s original story.

Reading Level (online it says 12-17), but I think 9 and up could read this fine

Read Aloud 8 +

As a mom who has read through the full text of The Hobbit two times in the past calendar year, I can honestly, and happily,  say this adaptation does run very true to the original story. The illustrations are beautiful additions to this timeless adventure tale. The use of hand lettering created another wonderful layer to this book. There were different types of letters used for the narration parts, quotations, and then different types of characters. It was fun to see the evil characters have an eery letter type. It really adds to the emotion of the tale. Another piece I was pleasantly surprised by was finding pieces of Tolkien’s humor throughout. A lot of times in adaptations, the author’s humor or voice is removed to just relay the story. But Dixon did a great job keeping that voice throughout. This is a tale that involves good and evil, so if you have sensitive readers, I wouldn’t suggest it yet. The bad guys are created to look quite evil, and they are fought against using weapons. The war results in many lives lost including those on the side of the good guys. But in the end, good overtakes evil! If you love The Hobbit, you are sure to love this beautiful adaptation. 

Language

Use of the word queer in its original meaning (strange) several times throughout the story.

The trolls say “what the ‘ell” once.

Trolls calling names. One says “you’re a booby.” 

When Bilbo is attacking the spiders it says the spiders cursed, but does not say actual words. 

Questionable Behaviors:

Throughout the story, Bilbo, the dwarves, and Gandalf are depicted smoking long pipes and making smoke rings. They are also depicted with glasses of ale. 

The elves’ servants get drunk on the king’s wine and pass out. 

The trolls discuss killing the Hobbit and eating him in some grotesque detail.

Swords and knives present throughout the story.

Mentions a necromancer who held Thorin’s dad captive and killed him. It is clear when Gandalf mentioned the necromancer/black sorcerer, that he is evil. In the end, Gandalf says the necromancer is defeated.

Bilbo killed the spider with his sword. A little bit of blood depicted. 

The war is depicted tastefully. But there is fighting with weapons during that time.

This review was written by Good Book Mom contributor, Tricia. To find out more about Tricia click HERE.

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