The author of Walking with Frodo takes readers on an adventure of faith with this devotional that relates themes from J. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit to living the Christian life. Unlike the fateful quest Frodo was asked to carry out, Bilbo's journey came as an unexpected adventure. Readers will be reminded that god chooses us to be unlikely heroes in the adventure of life.
"It's a dangerous business opening the pages of a book –
even more dangerous than stepping out your front door."
A perfect compliment to any Tolkien aficionado's library, Walking with Bilbo presents the many facets of this legacy from a Christian perspective. J. R. R. Tolkien's masterpieces have been compared along biblical parallels for decades, especially with The Lord of the Rings. Yours truly has taken to this fancy since the beginning and cannot comprehend enjoying The Lord of the Rings without this perception. While not surprising, it is intriguing to learn from Sarah Arthur's explanation of Tolkien's aversion to the variety of interpretations on his writings. It is stunning, moreover, that the Scriptural comparisons did not manifest until revision. A novice to Ms. Arthur's work, I am anxious to backtrack and delve into her highly acclaimed Walking with Frodo from nearly a decade ago.
In addition to The Lord of the Rings, it is stimulating to now absorb Sarah Arthur's Christian connotations within The Hobbit. For obvious reasons it is strongly advised to be previously familiar with The Hobbit, and preferably The Lord of the Rings before commencing upon this devotional journey. All in good humor of the Shire, the author begins by graciously introducing herself as well as providing instructions on utilizing the book. A quote from The Hobbit opens each of the twenty-two chapters followed by comprehensible real-life scenarios which are eventually reflected in light of the tale. Closing with a correlating biblical verse Arthur offers insightful questions and further research into Scripture. One of the best assets to Walking with Bilbo is the Quick Reference Guide: A Glossary of Terms Related to The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. This fantastic bonus is not only a wonderful refresher for readers who enjoyed Tolkien's classics ages ago, but is a fabulous source for future interest.
The devotional is chronological to the story and, though not necessary, may add to the enlightenment and fun of having a copy of The Hobbit (and The Lord of the Rings) on hand during this literary trek. It may be read thoroughly as a normal book or daily over a few weeks period. Furthermore, a small church group or class could greatly benefit from this introspective study.
Sarah Arthur creatively euhemerizes these mythological characters, bringing them down to our earthly realm making them as realistic and relatable as on old friend. The adventures and perils they face, in particular Bilbo, are therefore applicable to our own everyday escapades and troubles, especially when faced with crucial decisions. The author's expertise in Tolkien's work is refreshing and it is endearing to know there are other enthusiasts out there who agree on the remarkable read and paths taken in this extremely beloved tale and the influence from the Holy Scriptures. If Sarah Arthur's books are much like this devotional, not only is Walking with Bilbo the newest prized possession to my Tolkien treasures, but Walking with Frodo will also be making its way soon to this collection of memorabilia.
"The Creator of the universe is…calling you
to fulfill a purpose within a story
that is larger than you could ever dream or imagine:
an adventure beyond all adventures!"
Sarah Arthur is the best-selling author of Walking with Frodo and an unabashed Tolkien junkie. She graduated from Wheaton College with a major in literature and Christian education and served for many years as a full-time youth director. She lives in Michigan with her husband, Tom, who lovingly built her Web site:
This book was provided free for review by Tyndale House Publishers.
