In anticipation of the much awaited film release of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey next month, UK publishers HarperCollins and US-based Houghton Mifflin Harcourt have issued several movie tie-in books such as The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey — Visual Companion written by Jude Fisher. Jude is the author of all three Visual Companion for each of The Lord of the Rings movies so I am fairly certain that this book will appeal to me for I have yet to read J. R. R. Tolkien's children book.
Cleverly divided into smaller chapters, the Visual Companion takes us on a journey to discover and learn about the inhabitants of Middle-earth. It begins with a foreword by Martin Freeman who plays the eponymous protagonist in the film. Martin mentioned how he is in awe of the details on the production sets and props used in the movie with a dash of humuor. The main characters and locations are briefly described with the introduction of hobbits, Bilbo Baggins and Hobbiton where they are to be found. Then the wizard Gandalf the Grey makes his appearance before we learn about the characteristics and personalities of dwarves. This is one of my favourite part of the book because it introduces the thirteen dwarves who made up the Company on their quest to reclaim the lost treasures and kingdom of Erebor (Lonely Mountain) both captured by Smaug the Dragon which is what the book and now the trilogy of movies is about.
Lead by king-in-exile Thorin Oakenshield, there is Fíli, Kíli, Balin, Dwalin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Dori, Nori, Ori, Glóin and Óin. The background of the dwarves, how they relate to one another and the contribution from everyone of them to the cause are revealed. Interspersed between the chapter is a four-page map of Middle-Earth. This is very useful as it helps pinpoint important locations in the story with a short description of the place which the Company passed through on their way to the Lonely Mountain. After leaving the comforts of the Shire, they met trolls in Trollshaw Forest and are lucky to have escaped. Rivendell, home of the Elves and located west of the Misty Mountain, is their next stop. The nature of the elves and the background of Lady Galadriel and Elrond Half-elven are explained in addition to the role of White Council whose purpose is to combat evil forces from spreading in Middle-earth.
From Rivendell, the road is perilous and treacherous as they encounter Orcs, Wargs, Goblins and Gollum who made their home in the Misty Mountain. These evil characters were initially introduced in The Lord of the Rings films and so reading the write-up is a timely reminder to recall the differences in appearance and distinct behaviour. Finally, Radagast, a member of the Istari order of wizards, round up the characters and the Brown Wizard dwells in Rhosgobel at the edge of Mirkwood Forest. It is interesting to find out that he communicates more with animals and plants than other living person. He even allows an oak tree to grow inside his home and not chop it down even though it is inconvenient as it splits the house into two portions.
In conclusion any fans of Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films including Tolkien lovers should get this hardcover coffee table book. Filled with beautiful photo stills, it will most certainly whet your appetite before watching the upcoming release. I cannot wait for next month to come soon enough.
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My idea of good company, is the company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company.
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