'Smaug certainly looked fast asleep, almost dead and dark, with scarcely a snore more than a whiff of unseen steam, when Bilbo peeped once more from the entrance He was just about to step out onto the floor when he caught a sudden thin ray of red from under the drooping lid of Smaugs left eye. He was only pretending to sleep! He was watching the tunnel entrance!'
Whisked from his comfortable hobbit-hole by Gandaif the wizard and a band of dwarves, Bilbo Baggins finds himself caught up in a plot to raid the treasure hoard of Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangeous dragon...
This edition of J.R,R. Tolkiens modern 1assic has been beautifully illustrated by artist Michael Hague, whose illustrations for "The Wind in the Willows" and other great works have earned him a devoted following and reputation.
'One of the best-loved characters in English fition a marvellous fantasy adventure.'
DAILY MAIL
'A finely written saga of dwarves and elves, fearsome goblins and trolls... an exciting epic of travel, magical adventure, working up to a devastating climax.'
THE OBSERVER
'Michael Hagues numerous paintings capture the magnificent panorama of Middle-earth... they are expertly done with a subtle use of tones to create an atmospheric impression of Tolkien's mystical realm the book will undoubtedly make a fine present.'
BRITISH FANTASY NEWSLETTER