There and Back Again

Pat Murphy (writing as Max Maxwell, for no reason I can deduce) has taken the plot of Tolkien's The Hobbit, and set it as far-future science fiction. I'll let future Murphy scholars dissect it for its literary merits... I just had a whole lot of fun reading it! Those who have not read The Hobbit might still find it a fun read, but those who spent a large part of their youth re-reading Tolkien's epic will find it fun to try to predict where she is going with the story. I recommend it whole-heartedly.

Yes, there are some Hobbit-y tendencies in this book; Murphy is quite deliberate in her homage-- BUT as one of the afterwords points out, what the story really relies on is the same thing that Tolkein did-- the heroic quest myth wherein the inexperienced novice encounters adventure, learns to test him/her self, gets helped out by wider-adepts, grows & aquires wisdom, and then, with newly gained wisdom, helps his/her community grow & change....The book is the perfect length for a night on the couch with hot tea and an afghan over your knees-- (something the story's hero would like as much as you, gentle reader). I really grew to like Bailey-- and his companions in adventure (especially Fluffy). If you liked The Hobbit, Star Wars, the Narnia Books, Harry Potter, The Odyssey, The Robert Jordan "Wheel of Time" Series, King Arthur's tales, or *any* other "hero myth" at all, you should also like this book.

I first heard about There And Back Again last year and as soon as possible I bought a copy of the book. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of reading it. Although the Hobbit connections are there, they are not usually obvious until you get right up on them or have just passed them. A well-tutored Tolkien reader can still find himself wondering, "Is this in The Hobbit?"But DON'T DO THAT!Pat Murphy is an excellent writer. What she shares in common with Tolkien is the love of telling a good tale and keeping the reader captivated and wanting to turn the page. The style is pure Murphy, through and through, but the story is as timeless as Tolkien's own vision of a carefree little man who gets drawn into a greater adventure without losing himself in it completely.Faerie has indeed moved into outer space. This book is a great gift for anyone who loves Tolkien and is a good introduction to quality space opera for young adults.

Reminiscent of J.R.R. Tolkien's Hobbit is this story of asteroid dweller Bailey, who is snatched from a lazy and safe life in his limited home by clones with a thirst for exploration. Bailey only longs to return home; but when he realizes home has become impossibly changed he is faced with new space adventures and challenges of his own in this warm, absorbing story. Tolkien readers will especially relish the similarities and differences in plot and characterization.

The plot is, of course, The Hobbit In Space but the story is told in such a way that you never have the time, nor the desire, to sit back and dissect the similarities. Rather you'll find yourself half a page into a fabulous retelling of one of Bilbo's adventures when suddenly it hits you.Murphy manages to assimilate the feel of good old-fashioned Space Operas with modern SF conventions and up-to-date science. I bought this book Sunday afternoon and finished it on Tuesday evening... it sweeps you along with norbits, wormholes, clones, pataphysicians and space pirates (!) and all-around good humoured adventure. (As for the Max merriwell angle, I'd recommend checking out the author's website for a more coherent explanation than I could give)