HOBBIT ILLUS EDITION Hardcover – Illustrated, 1 September 2013

If your search for a decent edition of 'The Hobbit' has brought you here then possibly there are two conclusions one could arrive at about you, the Reader. Firstly, you are a hardback aficionado, and second, illustrations do matter to you.This brings us directly to the important question. Why go for this particular edition when the version illustrated by Alan Lee(Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; 114th edition) is the Holy grail against which any illustrated edition of 'The Hobbit' will always be weighed?Being in possession of both the editions, I think this is more of an apples to oranges comparison. The illustrations in the Alan Lee version are serious and atmospheric works of art that look like something an Art Museum might have granted rights to the publisher to use. The images in this edition have more of a cartoonish sort of feel which complement the overall trip-happy vibe in 'The Hobbit'. But I just cannot imagine fun artwork of this sort making its appearance in an edition of LOTR anytime soon.That said, I would rate this edition an overall five star with impeccable binding and print quality. As for the subject matter, I do not think my two cents will add or take away anything from the consensus on the greatness of Tolkien's literary megaliths.I shall end my review with a side by side pictorial analysis of the versions illustrated by Alan Lee and Jemima Catlin (the last four full page spreads being from the Alan Lee edition). Illustrations are from the introductory scene of Thorin and Co., the troll encounter episode, Bilbo's meeting with Gollum in the Misty Mountains and Smaug with his treasure horde in Lonely Mountain. I personally love Lee's style, though there are many who will be biased towards Catlin's lighthearted artwork.

This (ISBN 978---544-17422-1) is a lovely hardcover (clothbound) edition, with glossy pages, and colour illustrations. You can not be too careful with ordering the right edition, as there are a bewildering number of editions. In some cases, a paperback edition is re-bound with a cardboard cover, which si such a disappointment. The reviews at Amazon are not always reliable in this regard due to multiplicity of editions.For those who've not met Tolkien before: Hobbit is a prelude to Lord of the Rings, which has quite impossibly achieved fame as a modern classic. The narrative is full of enchanted creatures, dangerous places, dwarves, druids, elves, dragons and what not. Yet it continues to appeal to people of all ages, from the teens onwards.If you are already familiar with Tolkien - this is a great edition to add to your hoard, and then doze over it, like a dragon! ;)

Beautiful visuals, lovely binding and fonts. Excellent quality. Great for gifting. My daughter loved this copy.

Great paper and print quality.

Jemima catlin's illustrated edition is lovely..must buy for jrr tolkien's fans..❤

Book came dirty