The History of the Hobbit will be released as paperback (22.11.07 by Pieter Collier) - Comments

The History of the Hobbit Paperback Release: Exploring the Origins of a Classic

The History of the Hobbit: Mr. Baggins and The History of the Hobbit: Return to bag-end by John D. Rateliff will be released as paperbacks, designed to match The History of Middle-earth paperbacks. Also The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion by Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull will be released in the same format.

The History of the Hobbit presents, in two volumes, the complete unpublished text of the original manuscript of J.R.R.Tolkien’s The Hobbit, his draft of the revision of the Gollum encounter for the second edition, and the fragment of what, if he'd completed it, would have been the third edition of 1960 (a very small amount of which he did use for the actual third edition of 1966), accompanied by John Rateliff's lively and informative account of how the book came to be written and published. As well as recording the numerous changes made to the story both before and after publication, it examines - chapter-by chapter - why those changes were made and how they reflect tolkien's ever growing concept of Middle-earth.

It provides extensive commentary on the appearance in THE HOBBIT of elements that had already appeared in his earlier 'Silmarillion' writings and the ways in which Bilbo's story draws from the already existing legendarium (and of course ultimately contributed greatly to it).

This new book includes many little-known illustrations and previously unpublished maps for The Hobbit by Tolkien himself.
The History of the Hobbit as a paperback edition
Like Christopher Tolkien’s The History of The Lord of the Rings before it, this is a thoughtful yet exhaustive examination of one of the most treasured stories in English literature. Long overdue for a classic book now celebrating 70 years in print, this companion edition offers fascinating new insights for those who have grown up with this enchanting tale, and will delight those who are about to enter Bilbo's round door for the first time.

History of the creation of this book
Hardback slipcased edition of this book
Interview with the author
The History of the Hobbit as a paperback edition
THE HISTORY OF THE HOBBIT - VOLUME I
by John D. Rateliff

Publication Date:
03/03/2008 (UK)
Price: £8.99 (UK)
Binding: Paperback

ISBN: 978-0-00-726646-3
Extent (approx.): 480 pages

Imprint: HarperCollins
Rights: OM
Division: HarperFiction
THE HISTORY OF THE HOBBIT
by John D. Rateliff


Publication Date:
03/03/2008 (UK)
Price: £8.99 (UK)
Binding: Paperback

ISBN: 978-0-00-726647-0
Extent (approx.): 480 pages

Imprint: HarperCollins
Rights: OM
Division: HarperFiction

This book matches with the following paperbacks (note that all will have the black design, but amazon did not update all images yet):

Enjoyed this post? Click to get the RSS feed.


Spread the news about this J.R.R. Tolkien article: