Listen free for 30 days
-
The Adventures of Tom Bombadil
- Narrated by: Sir Derek Jacobi
- Length: 1 hr and 22 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Children's Audiobooks, Literature & Fiction
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Listen with a free trial
Buy Now for £5.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
The Fall of Gondolin
- By: Christopher Tolkien, J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Timothy West, Samuel West
- Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Gondolin, beautiful but undiscoverable, is central to the enmity of two of the greatest powers in the world. Morgoth of the uttermost evil seeks in vain to discover the marvellously hidden city of his Elven enemies, while the gods in Valinor refuse to support Ulmo Lord of Waters' designs to protect it. Into this world comes Tuor, cousin of Túrin, and guided unseen by Ulmo he sets out on the fearful journey to Gondolin to warn them of their coming doom.
-
-
Added so much to what I love
- By adambrown on 04-12-19
-
Unfinished Tales
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien - editor
- Narrated by: Timothy West, Samuel West
- Length: 21 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Unfinished Tales is a collection of narratives ranging in time from the Elder Days of Middle-earth to the end of the War of the Ring and provides those who have read The Lord of the Rings with a whole collection of background and new stories from the 20th century’s most acclaimed popular author.
-
-
FIX THE CHAPTERS
- By Malak on 07-05-21
-
Tales from the Perilous Realm
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
- Length: 7 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Combined into one volume, this is the definitive collection of Tolkien's five acclaimed modern classic 'fairie' tales in the vein of The Hobbit, read by Derek Jacobi. The five tales are written with the same skill, quality and charm that made The Hobbit a classic. Largely overlooked because of their short lengths, they are joined here in one volume which reaffirms Tolkien's place as a master storyteller for listeners young and old.
-
-
Hmm
- By Jules on 04-12-17
-
Beren and Lúthien
- By: Christopher Tolkien, J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Timothy West, Samuel West
- Length: 6 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Beren was a mortal man, but Lúthien was an immortal Elf. Her father, a great Elvish lord, was deeply opposed to Beren, and imposed on him an impossible task that he must perform before he might wed Lúthien. Undaunted by Lord Thingol’s challenge, Beren and Lúthien embark on the supremely heroic attempt to rob Morgoth, the greatest of all evil beings, of a Silmaril, one of the hallowed jewels that adorn the Black Enemy’s crown.
-
-
this is absolute dross. There is NO STORY ! ! !
- By Robert Luke on 16-05-20
-
Farmer Giles of Ham
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
- Length: 1 hr and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Farmer Giles of Ham did not look like a hero. He was fat and red-bearded and enjoyed a slow, comfortable life. Then one day a rather deaf and short-sighted giant blundered on to his land. More by luck than skill, Farmer Giles managed to scare him away. The people of the village cheered: Farmer Giles was a hero. His reputation spread far and wide across the kingdom. So it was natural that when the dragon Chrysophylax visited the area it was Farmer Giles who was expected to do battle with it!
-
-
Great little book
- By greg on 03-04-16
-
The Children of Hurin
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Christopher Lee
- Length: 7 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
There are tales of Middle-earth from times long before The Lord of the Rings. The story told in this book is set in the great country that lay beyond the Grey Havens in the West: lands where Treebeard once walked, but which were drowned in the great cataclysm that ended the First Age of the World.
-
-
An Epic and Griping Tale
- By William on 24-01-13
-
The Fall of Gondolin
- By: Christopher Tolkien, J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Timothy West, Samuel West
- Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Gondolin, beautiful but undiscoverable, is central to the enmity of two of the greatest powers in the world. Morgoth of the uttermost evil seeks in vain to discover the marvellously hidden city of his Elven enemies, while the gods in Valinor refuse to support Ulmo Lord of Waters' designs to protect it. Into this world comes Tuor, cousin of Túrin, and guided unseen by Ulmo he sets out on the fearful journey to Gondolin to warn them of their coming doom.
-
-
Added so much to what I love
- By adambrown on 04-12-19
-
Unfinished Tales
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien - editor
- Narrated by: Timothy West, Samuel West
- Length: 21 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Unfinished Tales is a collection of narratives ranging in time from the Elder Days of Middle-earth to the end of the War of the Ring and provides those who have read The Lord of the Rings with a whole collection of background and new stories from the 20th century’s most acclaimed popular author.
-
-
FIX THE CHAPTERS
- By Malak on 07-05-21
-
Tales from the Perilous Realm
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
- Length: 7 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Combined into one volume, this is the definitive collection of Tolkien's five acclaimed modern classic 'fairie' tales in the vein of The Hobbit, read by Derek Jacobi. The five tales are written with the same skill, quality and charm that made The Hobbit a classic. Largely overlooked because of their short lengths, they are joined here in one volume which reaffirms Tolkien's place as a master storyteller for listeners young and old.
-
-
Hmm
- By Jules on 04-12-17
-
Beren and Lúthien
- By: Christopher Tolkien, J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Timothy West, Samuel West
- Length: 6 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Beren was a mortal man, but Lúthien was an immortal Elf. Her father, a great Elvish lord, was deeply opposed to Beren, and imposed on him an impossible task that he must perform before he might wed Lúthien. Undaunted by Lord Thingol’s challenge, Beren and Lúthien embark on the supremely heroic attempt to rob Morgoth, the greatest of all evil beings, of a Silmaril, one of the hallowed jewels that adorn the Black Enemy’s crown.
-
-
this is absolute dross. There is NO STORY ! ! !
- By Robert Luke on 16-05-20
-
Farmer Giles of Ham
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
- Length: 1 hr and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Farmer Giles of Ham did not look like a hero. He was fat and red-bearded and enjoyed a slow, comfortable life. Then one day a rather deaf and short-sighted giant blundered on to his land. More by luck than skill, Farmer Giles managed to scare him away. The people of the village cheered: Farmer Giles was a hero. His reputation spread far and wide across the kingdom. So it was natural that when the dragon Chrysophylax visited the area it was Farmer Giles who was expected to do battle with it!
-
-
Great little book
- By greg on 03-04-16
-
The Children of Hurin
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Christopher Lee
- Length: 7 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
There are tales of Middle-earth from times long before The Lord of the Rings. The story told in this book is set in the great country that lay beyond the Grey Havens in the West: lands where Treebeard once walked, but which were drowned in the great cataclysm that ended the First Age of the World.
-
-
An Epic and Griping Tale
- By William on 24-01-13
-
The Silmarillion
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Martin Shaw
- Length: 14 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The complete unabridged audiobook of J.R.R Tolkien's The Silmarillion. The Silmarillion is an account of the Elder Days, of the First Age of Tolkien’s world. It is the ancient drama to which the characters in The Lord of the Rings look back, and in whose events some of them such as Elrond and Galadriel took part.
-
-
Great but with random audio glitches...
- By Allpressto on 28-08-17
-
Leaf by Niggle
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
- Length: 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
'Leaf by Niggle' recounts the strange adventures of the painter Niggle, who sets out to paint the perfect tree. But he senses that he will be snatched away from his work long before it is finished - if indeed it could ever be finished in this world. For it is in another and brighter place that Niggle finds his tree is finished and learns that it is indeed a real tree, a true part of creation.
-
-
Just lovely.
- By Helen SJ on 09-01-20
-
Smith of Wootton Major
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
- Length: 1 hr and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Tolkien's acclaimed modern classic 'fairie' tale, read by Derek Jacobi. Smith of Wootton Major journeys to the Land of Faery thanks to the magical ingredients of the Great Cake of the Feast of Good Children.
-
-
Enchanting
- By Mrs. R. G. Koren on 18-04-17
-
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Terry Jones
- Length: 4 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A collection of three medieval English poems, translated by Tolkien for the modern-day reader and containing romance, tragedy, love, sex and honour.
-
-
Good stories brilliantly read by Terry Jones
- By Amazon Customer on 24-10-06
-
Mr Bliss
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Sir Derek Jacobi
- Length: 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Mr Bliss, a man notable for his immensely tall hats and for the girabbit in his garden, takes the whimsical decision to buy a motor car. But his first drive to visit friends quickly becomes a catalogue of disasters. Some of these could be blamed on Mr Bliss’s style of driving, but even he could not anticipate being hijacked by three bears.
-
-
Tolkien's rather good country romp!
- By Helen SJ on 31-12-19
-
Roverandom
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
- Length: 2 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
While on holiday in 1925, four-year-old Michael Tolkien lost his beloved toy dog on the beach at Filey in Yorkshire. To console him, his father, J.R.R. Tolkien, improvised a story about Rover, a real dog who is magically transformed into a toy and is forced to seek out the wizard who wronged him in order to be returned to normal. This charming tale, peopled by a sand-sorcerer and a terrible dragon, by the king of the sea and the Man-in-the-Moon, went through several drafts over the years.
-
-
such a beautiful 'tail' (of the doggy sorts)
- By luvyduvydoli on 08-07-17
-
Letters from Father Christmas
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Derek Jacobi, John Moffatt, Christian Rodska
- Length: 2 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Can you imagine writing to Father Christmas and actually getting a reply? Every year, the children of J.R.R. Tolkien would write to Father Christmas, and the letters they received told wonderful stories of his adventures at the North Pole. These humorous tales are brought to life by Derek Jacobi as Father Christmas, John Moffatt as Polar Bear, and Christian Rodska as Ilbereth the Elf, complete with specially composed music.
-
-
Seriously irritating music
- By Sally on 24-12-16
-
Tales from the Perilous Realm (Dramatised)
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Matthew Morgan
- Length: 2 hrs and 57 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Michael Hordern stars as J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, in four BBC Radio full-cast dramatisations. Tolkien's tales of myth, mystery, and rumbustious exploits have been specially adapted for radio by Brian Sibley, one of the dramatists of the highly acclaimed BBC radio production of The Lord of the Rings.
-
-
Perfect
- By Fred on 06-07-15
-
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Dramatised)
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Ian Holm, Michael Hordern, Robert Stephens, and others
- Length: 4 hrs and 29 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The second instalment of Tolkien's epic tale, adapted from the original BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation. Having fled the Shire in their escape from Sauron's Dark Riders, Frodo and the Fellowship of the Ring have journeyed to Rivendell and beyond
-
-
Classic
- By Taube3G on 02-04-15
-
The Lord Of The Rings: The Return of the King (Dramatised)
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Ian Holm, Michael Hordern, John Le Mesurier, and others
- Length: 3 hrs and 10 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The evil Saruman has been defeated by Gandalf, but in Mordor the battle for the Ruling Ring continues. Wounded by the giant spider, Shelob, Frodo has been captured by the dreaded orcs
-
-
makes me cry every time & want to start it again!
- By R M Mewis on 16-04-18
-
A Child's Garden Of Verses
- By: Robert Louis Stevenson
- Narrated by: Judith Anderson
- Length: 33 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Here is a delightful look at childhood, written by master poet and storyteller Robert Louis Stevenson. In this collection of 66 poems, Stevenson recalls the joys of his childhood, from sailing boats down a river, to waiting for the lamplighter, to sailing off to foreign lands in his imagination. Tasha Tudor's watercolor paintings evoke a simpler time in the past, and celebrate two of the things she loves most -- children and nature.
-
-
So Disappointing
- By Flint on 04-09-15
-
Norse Mythology
- By: Neil Gaiman
- Narrated by: Neil Gaiman
- Length: 6 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The great Norse myths are woven into the fabric of our storytelling - from Tolkien, Alan Garner and Rosemary Sutcliff to Game of Thrones and Marvel Comics. They are also an inspiration for Neil Gaiman's own award-bedecked, best-selling fiction. Now he reaches back through time to the original source stories in a thrilling and vivid rendition of the great Norse tales.
-
-
it's ok.
- By Anonymous User on 23-12-20
Summary
The Adventures of Tom Bombadil is a collection of poetry written by J. R. R. Tolkien and was first published in 1962. The audio is read by Sir Derek Jacobi and is a collection of 16 poems that contain an assortment of bestiary verse and fairy tale rhyme. It is a stunning recording that captures all the characters in their own charming and mysterious ways. Throughout Jacobi's performance we will encounter all of these, including the Oliphaunt, a Princess, the man in the moon and even a giant turtle-fish called Fastitocalon.
More from the same
What listeners say about The Adventures of Tom Bombadil
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 12-03-16
After the forword back to the forword and then onward...
A very pleasant collection of tale in poem form. A trip through the land of hobbit and human and elf..
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- James D
- 06-02-20
Not the book I was expecting
The story is very short on Tom, rest is the red book musings on life.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jon Hierophant
- 27-07-19
Really Great!
Best ready after The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Can be difficult to grasp because it is poetry, but is very good to listen to I find.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
- nought
- 27-09-16
enjoyed storytime
loved this audio beautifully read by one
of my favourite voices, the reading
was well crafted recommend
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Helen SJ
- 04-02-20
Tolkien & Jacobi = Perfection!
Three of my most beloved people. Well okay, ones a work of fiction but who cares about that?
-
Overall
- David
- 02-11-10
not so hot
not my cup of tea!!!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- James
- 30-06-14
More Bombadil please!
Would you listen to The Adventures of Tom Bombadil again? Why?
I will definitely listen to this again. I am not a fan of poetry, but The Adventures of Tom Bombadil were written by a master and the reading by Jacobi is excellent.
What about Derek Jacobi’s performance did you like?
Derek Jacobi's reading is brilliant. The poetry flowed smoothly and his reading was never dull and boring like it can be if someone becomes a bit monotone. He never does and I could probably listen to a thousand page book read by him and probably still be enjoying it.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Yes it was as the poems are only short and it was a joy to read and listen.
13 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Christopher
- 19-11-19
Almost disappointing
If you're considering reading this book, chances are, you are already a fan of the Professor's works. Here you will find a selection of poetry, containing a few familiar items from the Lord of the Rings, and a number of more obscure poems that are worth reading, as they show some themes that are found throughout his works. There are also a lot of cool poetic effects that J.R.R shows, demonstrating his virtuosity as a poet, though many of the poems are themselves rather light works.
Now, I love just about everything Tolkien, and when I saw that Sir Derek Jacobi was reading these poems, I was really excited, as I've enjoyed his renditions of other Tolkien works. Sadly, I have some issues with how he has chosen (or been directed to) read these poems. Tolkien is very definitely an aural author; you need to read his works aloud, whether they be poetry or the Lord of the Rings. The sound of his language is as important as the content.
Sir Derek's eccentric reading of the difficult rhythms of some of these poems obscures their technical brilliance. It's not awful, which is why I'm able to give the performance three stars, but it's not the tour de force I was expecting.
Your mileage (or kilometerage) may vary, as these are entirely subjective comments.
13 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Pjones
- 25-06-19
It’s Bombadil
Make of it what you want... good stuff.
Lots of explanation of how and why Tom was the enigma of the fellowship
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- BadMsM
- 02-04-20
One of my favorite stories!
JRR Tolkien and Sir Derek Jacobi together are an inspired combination. Will become a repeated travel listen. for sure.
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Jason Jackson
- 30-10-19
Great little Read
This is a nice little read giving you a bit more info on Middle-earth is short but a lot is packed into it won't be for everyone but if your a fan of Middle-earth you'll want to give it a listen Narrator is great.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Phillip J. Fitzsimmons
- 21-08-19
Happy birthday Professor Tolkien
I got this to celebrate Professor Tolkien’s Jan. 3rd birthday. Derek Jacobi’s performance adds a lot to the experience.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Organic Lady
- 22-04-21
rhyming madness. and short.
blessed is the man that can write in rhymes and make it coherent. however, this is not the style we expected of Tolkien. I know it is the way Tom Bombadil speaks, but oh goodness to listen to it will drive you insane. We adore Tolkien and his work, this is definitely our least favorite listen. You are probably better off to read this one.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Linda H.
- 22-03-21
poetry
anyone who truly loved Tolkien's writings will fall in love with it all over again with these poems of the largest enigma in middle earth. these verses were meant to be read and heard aloud. And here it is well done.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Megz851017
- 09-02-21
Delightful short listen
I adore Tolkien and have a fondness foe hia short stories. This did not disappoint.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- A. Hoeft
- 15-02-22
under rated excellence.
Tom Bombadil and his tales excites the nature sprite inside of me. Ents are the guardian of the forest buy Tom is the Shepard of his woods. He has the possibility of countless stories. A happy and joyful hero type character. He sings to the trees, calls them by name and is host to lost travelers. I crave more from the Bombadils. What does the wife of Tom bring to the magical forest. Truly enchanting book.