This was read mostly out of obligation, while I liked the story and all, I can't help but feel no sympathy for hobbits.

My neighbor first introduced me to [author: J.R.R. Tolkien]'s writing- I wanted to read Lord of The Rings, but he insisted (and with good reason) that in order to understand everything better I had to read The Hobbit first (or he wouldn't lend me LOTR... ) And so I did.

The story and writing are excellent and it certainly cleared up questions I would've had reading LOTR without any background, but I felt little sympathy for the characters, so it doesn't get more than three stars.