The Hobbit

"The Hobbit," written by J.R.R. Tolkien, is a fantasy novel that follows the journey of Bilbo Baggins, a reluctant hobbit who enjoys a quiet life. His adventure begins when the wizard Gandalf and a group of dwarves hire him to help reclaim their mountain home and treasure from the dragon Smaug. Throughout the quest, Bilbo discovers courage, cunning, and a magical ring that grants invisibility. The story explores themes of heroism, friendship, and the struggle between good and evil, set in the richly imagined world of Middle-earth, which later inspired Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings."