I've spent a ridiculous amount of time wondering whether to give this four or five stars. Clearly I have too much time on my hands.

I nearly settled on four. I reread "The Hobbit" regularly, so obviously it holds my interest, but it doesn't evoke the same emotional reaction from me that, for instance, "The Lord of the Rings" does. And I find it very hard to get past "tra-la-la-lally, down in the valley". It's like the elves have been dropped on their heads. I can never read it without feelings of horror and second-hand embarrassment.

And yet, and yet... I think all these things, and then I remember "Riddles in the Dark". What may have been the seminal scene in twentieth century fantasy lit. That is greatness right there, and it covers a multitude of sins. Five stars it is.