The Hobbit is a fantasy novel by J.R.R. Tolkien about the hobbit Bilbo Baggins who is persuaded by the wizard Gandalf to join a group of dwarves on a quest to reclaim their stolen treasure from the dragon Smaug. Bilbo's journey takes him away from his home in the Shire into darker and more dangerous lands. The story follows Bilbo and the dwarves as they face various perils along the way and Bilbo must use his wits and common sense to survive encounters with Gollum and other creatures.