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Exploring J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Hobbit' | [Corey Olsen]

Exploring J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Hobbit'

The Hobbit is one of the most widely read and best-loved books of the 20th century. Now Professor Corey Olsen takes listeners deep within the text to uncover its secrets and delights. Chapter by chapter, he reveals the stories within the story: the dark desires of dwarves and the sublime laughter of elves, the nature of evil and its hopelessness, the mystery of divine providence and human choice, and, most of all, the transformation within the life of Bilbo Baggins.
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Publisher's Summary

The Hobbit is one of the most widely read and best-loved books of the 20th century. Now Corey Olsen takes listeners deep within the text to uncover its secrets and delights.

Exploring J.R.R. Tolkien’s "The Hobbit" is a fun, thoughtful, and insightful companion volume, designed to bring a thorough and original new reading of this great work to a general audience. Professor Olsen takes listeners on an in-depth journey through The Hobbit, chapter by chapter, revealing the stories within the story: the dark desires of dwarves and the sublime laughter of elves, the nature of evil and its hopelessness, the mystery of divine providence and human choice, and, most of all, the transformation within the life of Bilbo Baggins.

Exploring J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit" is a book that will make The Hobbit come alive for you as never before.

©2012 Corey Olsen (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

What the Critics Say

"An admirable and thought-provoking consideration of the underlying themes of The Hobbit, following the there-and-back-again progress from its famous first line on through to Bilbo’s return home at the story's end." (Douglas A. Anderson, author of The Annotated Hobbit)

What Members Say

Average Customer Rating

4.4 (45 )
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Performance
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  •  
    Laura Riverview, FL, United States 02-04-13
    Laura Riverview, FL, United States 02-04-13 Member Since 2010
    HELPFUL VOTES
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    "Excellent book by The Tolkien Professor"
    What did you love best about Exploring J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Hobbit'?

    Corey Olsen is a medieval scholar and a professor at a bricks-and-mortar university as well as an online professor. HIs podcasts of The Tolkien Professor are in-depth discussions of The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion, and other Tolkien works. He also founded the Mythgard Institute for online studies.


    Have you listened to any of Corey Olsen’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

    I am so pleased that Corey narrated this himself. He has a wonderful way of expressing his enthusiasm for Tolkien's work that comes across well.


    Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

    I rationed myself to a half hour of listening a day to make it last longer.


    Any additional comments?

    More, please!

    More Less
    6 of 6 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Jane Rae Wilkens Stillwater, MN USA 02-19-13
    Jane Rae Wilkens Stillwater, MN USA 02-19-13 Member Since 2012
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    "Knowledgable and Interesting!"

    His enthusiasm for this subject is quite evident and contagious. The ideas and background are quite interesting and show his knowledge of all things Tolkien. He's easy to listen to and the organization of the topics was easy to follow.

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    5 of 5 people found this review helpful
  •  
    William Bleuel Los Angeles, CA United States 05-02-13
    William Bleuel Los Angeles, CA United States 05-02-13 Member Since 2011
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    "Good entry-level primer!"

    Professor Olson gives a thorough, and highly-entertaining, introductory class in Tolkien's "The Hobbit." Professor Olson touches on all the major themes and history of the novel and whets the appetite for a deeper, more thorough analysis.

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    4 of 4 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Mark St. Ann, MO, United States 03-20-13
    Mark St. Ann, MO, United States 03-20-13 Member Since 2013
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    2
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    "Cool for literature nerds"
    What did you love best about Exploring J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Hobbit'?

    A very in-depth study of what is going on in the hobbit beyond the story. It reveals a lot about what Tolkien was thinking and his writing process.


    What three words best describe Corey Olsen’s performance?

    Read by the author. He does a surprisingly good job. A few times he messes up, but it does not detract from the message or his passion about the subject.


    Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

    No. I liked to listen to this one in smaller chunks because it was easier to absorb the information. But it was exciting to come back to it.


    Any additional comments?

    Really good for people who are interested in literature and the writing process.

    More Less
    2 of 3 people found this review helpful
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