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    Hobbit Lessons: A Map for Life's Unexpected Journeys
    Hobbit Lessons: A Map for Life's Unexpected Journeys
    Hobbit Lessons: A Map for Life's Unexpected Journeys
    Ebook120 pages2 hours

    Hobbit Lessons: A Map for Life's Unexpected Journeys

    By Devin Brown

    3.5/5

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    About this ebook

    Lessons on joy, friendship, dedication, sacrifice, and more will appeal
    to Hobbit fans, parents, teachers, librarians, graduates—and anyone
    looking for a creative way to explore timeless life lessons and
    important values of faith.

    Millions of fans worldwide have been
    attracted to The Hobbit for its unique combination of high adventure and
    profound truths. Tapping the excitement around the highly-anticipated
    Hobbit movie trilogy, Tolkien-scholar, Devin Brown, now presents a
    fast-paced and easy-to-follow presentation of timeless spiritual
    messages to help navigate your journey. Peppered with illustrations
    throughout, Hobbit Lessons offers troll-sized portions of
    relevance and regular nuggets of good Hobbit sense. The result is a
    collection of tangible bites of wisdom that are not only deeply moving
    but also great fun.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherAbingdon Press
    Release dateOct 1, 2013
    ISBN9781426778803
    Hobbit Lessons: A Map for Life's Unexpected Journeys
    Author

    Devin Brown

    Devin Brown is a Lilly Scholar and Professor of English at Asbury University. He is an expert on C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien and the author of nine books, among them the most recent biographies written on the two authors. He has served as Scholar-in-Residence at The Kilns, Lewis's home in Oxford, and was a contributor to The Screwtape Letters: Annotated Edition and a member of the Advisory Board for The C. S. Lewis Bible.

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    Reviews for Hobbit Lessons

    3.5/5

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    • 3/5
      If, as Devin Brown, channeling Professor Tolkien, reminds us, "all that is gold does not glitter," then readers might be forgiven for overlooking Hobbit Lessons: A Map for Life's Unexpected Journeys. Brown's book is much like the titular hobbits from which it draws inspiration: short and unassuming, at barely 140 pages. Billed loosely as "self-help," Hobbit Lessons is really a meditation on the themes of The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring, and a gentle nudge to set forth on the adventurous possibilities life presents us.Brown discusses Tolkien's themes across several chapters, touching on such subjects as the importance of friendship, giving and accepting help, the power of greed, and the "sacramental" quality of ordinary life. Readers will not be surprised by Brown's conclusions, although they will sometimes find nuggets hearty enough to tide them over to second breakfast. It might have spared Bilbo and friends no end of trouble, for instance, if the hobbit had slain Gollum upon meeting him. But by staying his hand, whether out of compassion or pity, Bilbo saved Middle Earth: It was Gollum, of course, who showed Frodo and Sam the way to Mordor, and Gollum's treachery that ultimately delivered the Ring into the fires of Mount Doom. Hobbit Lessons is written in a style that both readers and non-readers will find accessible. Although Brown is a professor of English, he hews closely to the purpose of his book and avoids literary jargon and analysis that some readers would find off-putting. Readers of Hobbit Lessons needn't be hardcore Lord of the Rings aficionados. I've seen the movies, read the books multiple times, and read books about the books, but my sense is that anyone who has seen the movies will be comfortable with Brown's subject matter. I will note one caveat in regards to Hobbit Lessons. Abingdon Press is a Christian publisher, and Asbury University, where Brown teaches, is a Christian college. Brown is writing from a Christian perspective, as becomes clear with his references to biblical parables and his assertion that there is a "Plan" (my term, not Brown's) to Middle Earth's destiny, that is, it follows, the result of a behind-the-scenes "Planner." That said, Tolkien wrote from a Christian perspective, too, and Brown in no way misrepresents the professor's intentions (at least according to my understanding). Brown's references to religion are subtle and will be noted only by the very alert (some might say "sensitive") reader. This non-Christian reader was alarmed by the first veiled religious references, but those concerns were quickly put to rest. Hobbit Lessons may be enjoyed by any reader who appreciates the stories, regardless of religious or philosophical persuasion. What you need to know: As a flannel-clad, bearded manly-man, I rarely use the term "cute," but it seems appropriate here: Hobbit Lessons is a cute little exposition on the wisdom Tolkien packed into the little people who dwell in the Shire. Brown hints that Tolkien's stories are so popular because they are "true"; readers will appreciate the mythic power Brown describes. A short and fun little book that can be quickly read and appreciated by any LotR fan.(Special thanks to NetGalley and Abingdon Press for providing me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.)
    • 4/5
      I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.I rate this book four stars. I requested it because - aside from being both a religion and fantasy nerd - I am fascinated by the way people use storytelling as a method of understanding faith and the world around us. I studied religion in fantasy literature in college and spent a lot of time on the work of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, and I was excited to see something along the lines of the academic papers I read, but aimed at and written for everyday life and use.Hobbit Lessons is a big huge geek out. It is the best kind of fangirling (or, in Professor Brown's case, I suppose, fanboying) - investigating the meanings, both obvious and subtle, behind Tolkien's words. It's written in a conversational, easy-to-read style and yet explores the theological concepts Tolkien so deeply inscribed in his work - theological concepts many people have spent their whole lives trying to comprehend.Each chapter touches on a different theme, referring to supporting materials from Tolkien and those who wrote about him as well as to Bible verses and the text of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Brown also references the movies, which was a little confusing for me as I've only seen the first one and that just recently, but for people just joining the Tolkien fandom with the release of theHobbit films, I am glad he does. Although there are many references to religion in the book, it is written in such a way that I feel it would be relatable to any reader of faith, not solely Christian readers.At the end of each chapter, Brown recaps the lesson and includes questions for reflection. The structure of the book makes it perfect for book groups, study groups, and church groups.I would recommend it to anyone who loves Tolkien's work, who is curious about it, or who just needs a little wisdom.

    Book preview

    Hobbit Lessons - Devin Brown

    9781426776021_Cover1.jpg

    Half-Title Page

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    Title Page

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    Abingdon Press

    Nashville

    Copyright Page

    Hobbit Lessons

    A Map for Life’s Unexpected Journeys

    Copyright © 2013 by Devin Brown

    All rights reserved.

    No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted by the 1976 Copyright Act or in writing from the publisher. Requests for permission can be addressed to Permissions, The United Methodist Publishing House, P.O. Box 801, 201 Eighth Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37202-0801, or e-mailed to permissions@umpublishing.org.

    Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data has been requested.

    ISBN 978-1-4267-7602-1

    Scripture quotations are taken from The Authorized (King James) Version. Rights in the Authorized Version in the United Kingdom are vested in the Crown. Reproduced by permission of the Crown’s patentee, Cambridge University Press.

    Illustrations by Gary Morgan

    13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22—10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

    MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    Contents Page

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    A Letter to Readers

    Prologue

    A Story of Long Ago

    Chapter I

    When Adventure Comes Knocking, Let It In

    (Even If It Makes You Late for Dinner)

    Chapter II

    Have Your Friends’ Backs

    (Someone Has Yours)

    Chapter III

    Be Fond of Waistcoats, Pocket Handkerchiefs,

    and Even Arkenstones

    (Just Don’t Let Them Become Too Precious)

    Chapter IV

    Remember Not All That Is Gold Glitters

    (In Fact, Life’s Real Treasures

    Are Quite Ordinary Looking)

    Chapter V

    Recognize You Are Only a Little

    Fellow in a Wide World

    (But Still an Important Part of a Larger Story)

    Epilogue

    Find the Enchantment All Around You

    (Even If You Are Not a Wizard)

    A Letter to Readers

    16507.png

    Courage is found in unlikely places.

    —The Fellowship of the Ring, Chapter Three

    This is a book for anyone undertaking an adventure and leaving behind a life that has been familiar, comfortable, and predictable. It’s for anyone starting a new life where nothing may feel familiar, a life that is sure to be uncomfortable at times and anything but predictable.

    Maybe you recently graduated. Maybe you are leaving for a distant country. Maybe you are undertaking a new challenge larger than your tea-at-four world has ever known.

    Mr. Bilbo Baggins was an unlikely adventurer if there ever was one. And his story can serve as a map of sorts, pointing out the right direction, warning of potential pitfalls, and opening your eyes to new ways of seeing yourself and the world.

    Most of all, the story of Bilbo Baggins is a reminder that you are not alone. The road-less-travelled-by has already been trod by a certain hairy-toed hobbit who has gone before on his own amazing adventure.

    In the end, Bilbo discovers there is far more to him than anyone, including he himself, realizes. This is the real treasure he finds on his unexpected journey, and this is the treasure he returns home with. His invitation to you is to make a similar journey and discovery about yourself and to acquire a similar, priceless treasure.

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    Prologue

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    In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.

    —The Hobbit, Chapter One

    The adventure and our hobbit lessons begin differently for each of us. My own began with a vacation trip I never wanted to take.

    My two brothers were ecstatic. I was the opposite. Our family was going on a two-week camping expedition, a tour, my parents told us, of the state parks of northern Indiana. And I was going to be stuffed in the back of our Ford station wagon, crammed inside our pop-up camper, and bored to death around a series of cement picnic tables while everyone else was having the time of their lives. I was sure I had been kidnapped from my real family at birth—a family that actually liked staying home, a family that liked sleeping in their own beds instead of on leaky air mattresses.

    Though I did not know it, I was about to embark on an unexpected journey that would take me far from the wilds of northern Indiana.

    Labeled the thinker in our house, I had recently discovered that a good deal of life’s unpleasantness—family camping trips, family picnics, and other outdoor family events—could be mitigated if you had a strategy. My strategy usually involved bringing a book to read.

    A big one.

    We were to leave on our camping trip Sunday after church. Beginning on the blue-collar, south side of Chicago where we lived, the first leg of our odyssey would take us a full 90 minutes from home—plenty of time to get there, carefully pick out our little square from the dozens of other identical campsites, set up the trailer, pump up the Coleman stove, eat supper at the cement picnic table, and then basically sit outside until it was time to go to sleep.

    The Saturday before our departure was the same as every other Saturday. Piano lessons for each boy (for me, another source of misery) followed by a trip to the public library. Back then you could only check out five books at a time. Five books for two weeks—they would need to be really big ones. I don’t remember what the fifth book was, but over the years the other four have played a major role in my life.

    While the rest of my family was out nature-

    walking or paddle-boating, I sat at that cement picnic table by myself. Picture me opening a book with a strange title by an author with a strange name—neither of which I had ever heard of. I just grabbed the biggest, thickest books from the Science Fiction and Fantasy section I could find. The four books made up a series, and the first one began with an odd Introduction, one that made it sound like the story had really happened.

    This is a story of long ago. At that time the language and letters were quite different from ours of today. English is used to represent the languages . . .

    Was this one of those stories based on real events in history? I got out the second book. It also had a similar, real-sounding beginning:

    Hobbits are an unobtrusive but very ancient people, more numerous formerly than they are today . . .

    And so, not knowing that these kinds of openings are what is called the narrator’s stance, for about twenty minutes at that cement picnic table in northern Indiana, I thought hobbits were real (albeit little) people who had once walked the Earth, a sort of a lost tribe who, in some out of the way place, still might be around.

    As I read on, I gradually realized that J. R. R. Tolkien had not based The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring on real events. I also realized that I had begun a great adventure and that life lessons could be found on almost every page—lessons about persevering, about friendship, and about what was and was not valuable in life.

    I worked my way through both these books as well as The Two Towers and The Return of the King in the two weeks that followed. Without ever leaving our campsite, I travelled to the Shire, Rivendell, Mirkwood, Lonely Mountain, and back again.

    While the adventure

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