Back to 'The Hobbit'. There are truly some masterful touches in there. Gandalf's account of their troubles to Beorn is amazing, especially the way he gradually changes the count and brings the dwarves in.

Additionally, the greed subplot at the end is very profound. Those who should be allies are ready to fight one another. But the common foe unites them, and brings them to mutual goodwill in the end.

All in all, a lovely story.