The Hobbit was J.R.R. Tolkien’s first published book of Middle-earth poetry and prose.
Published in 1937, The Hobbit introduced readers to the setting that Tolkien later expanded into the much larger history of Middle-earth. Its protagonist, Bilbo Baggins, begins as a comfort-loving hobbit and becomes involved in a quest to reclaim treasure from Smaug, a dragon occupying the Lonely Mountain.
The book contains songs, riddles, poems, and narrative prose. These elements reflect Tolkien’s interest in the relationship between language, oral tradition, and storytelling. The tone is generally lighter and more accessible than that of The Lord of the Rings.
The answer is sometimes confused with The Silmarillion because Tolkien developed the mythology of the First Age before and alongside his published fiction. However, The Silmarillion appeared only after his death. The Lord of the Rings followed The Hobbit as a published work, beginning with The Fellowship of the Ring in 1954.