Have you seen this read a long… Let’s catch up first and let me warn you, if you have not yet read the Hobbit or the chapters please note that there are spoilers. Some chapters even discuss what is to come next in the book!
- Chapter 1: An Unexpected Party
- Chapter 2: Roast Mutton
- Chatper 3: A Short Rest
- Chapter 4: Over Hill and Under Hill
- Chapter 5: Accidental Riddles in the Invisible Dark
- Chapter 6: Out of the Frying Pan, into the Fire
- Chapter 7: Queer Lodgings
- Chapter 8: Flies and Spiders
- Chapter 9: Barrels out of Bond
- Chapter 10: A Warm Welcome
- Chapter 11: On the Doorstep
- Chapter 12: Read Along
- Chapter 13: Not at Home
- Chapter 14: Fire and Water
- Chapter 15: Gathering of Clouds
- Chapter 16: A Thief in the Night
- Chapter 17: The Clouds Burst (see below!)
- Chapter 18: The Return Journey 11/22
- Chapter 19: The Last Stage 11/27
Before I get into my review on Chapter 17, The Clouds Burst, I first want to say that I am enamored with J.R.R. Tolkien’s writing. I now understand why so many were enthralled with this as well as with The Lord of the Rings. I am absolutely amazed at each poetic word that springs forth and remain amazed even now although we are so close to the end of this reading. I am so super excited to see the new version of The Hobbit and now even more so since I know what all the hoopla is about.
Chapter 17 did not let up. Where the chapters before it were increasingly intense this remains so.
How brilliant and totally unselfish is Bilbo!? Saying that he would take his fourteenth share and basically trading it away so there was no fight to be had. Amazingly thoughtful and perfectly timed seeing as I was giving up hope with Thorin. He is quite stubborn! I’m surprised and I really do want to see Thorin change his mind, after all Bilbo did get them through quite a few scraps in the past.
But what is very surprising about this chapter are the goblins. Springing forth to attack and take the gold and mountain themselves! Just as battle was about to be had between the dwarves, elves and men! Had Gandalf not halted that war, who knows what chaos would have spread when the goblins attacked. And it seems as the battle rages, maybe just maybe we can rely on Thorin after all.
Suddenly there was a great shout, and from the Gate came a trumpet call. They had forgotten Thorin! Part of the wall, moved by levers, fell outward with a crash into the pool. Out leapt the King under the Mountain, and his companions followed him. Hood and cloak were gone; they were in shining armour, and red light leapt from their eyes. In the gloom the great dwarf gleamed like gold in a dying fire.
And although Bilbo has learned much in his travels, he is not about to delve into the fray. He stays hidden for most of the fight, which is probably smart because as we accessed before, he is intelligent but he has also been very lucky! Who knows what those fighting would do to a lonely hobbit?
My favorite character of the past couple of chapters is Bard. You wonder what he is going to do but he does seem to be an upstanding fellow. It’ll be curious to see if we find out any more about him.
And my favorite part is when the Eagles come charging in. It’s as if Gandalf always knows when help is going to be needed. And now we know also why he was sitting so still, waiting for his friends to arrive.
The clouds were torn by the wind, and a red sunset shalshed the West. Seeing the sudden gleam in the gloom Bilbo looked round. He gave a great cry: he had seen a sight that made his heart leap, dark shapes small yet majestic against the distant glow.
“The Eagles! The Eagles!” he shouted. “The Eagles are coming!”
I imagine in such a place and time I would also be as excited as Bilbo. It all seems that the goblins will win out after everything they had been through and now there seemed a ray of light!
My Seryniti 
Bilbo becomes quite the diplomat in these chapters. But he doesn’t lust for gold–or much, really, other than tea and a warm fire. I suspect that Hobbit self-control will come in handy later.
I see that! He’s really been pushed quite far out of his shell! It’s so great. And I can just imagine he would have been perfectly fine sitting at home but then he wouldn’t have known he could do ALL of this! Amazing!
“I first want to say that I am enamored with J.R.R. Tolkien’s writing. I now understand why so many were enthralled with this as well as with The Lord of the Rings. I am absolutely amazed at each poetic word that springs forth and remain amazed even now although we are so close to the end of this reading. I am so super excited to see the new version of The Hobbit and now even more so since I know what all the hoopla is about.”
Yay! Glad to hear this reading has not disappointed. 🙂
I am right with you on your assessment of the characters, here. I am also glad that, in this chapter, we see the dwarves come into their own a bit more.
I know! The characters are amazing. I do love the dwarves but Bilbo has been a real pleasure to read about!
Bilbo is wonderful.
Goblins are nothing if not opportunistic.
Ha!! So true!
Reblogged this on The Warden's Walk and commented:
“The Eagle! The Eagles!” he shouted. “The Eagles are coming!”
It was particularly satisfying to see Thorin & Co. sally forth in full, fierce dwarven battle-glory. They’ve complained and bickered and dragged their feet so often as to appear wimpy and cowardly — the very opposite of their reputations! But when their backs are against the wall, when the stakes are everything, and when their friend(s) deeply need them, they come through. As Tolkien might say, marvelous.
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