The Fellowship of the Ring cover art

The Fellowship of the Ring

The Lord of the Rings, Book 1

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The Fellowship of the Ring

By: J. R.R. Tolkien
Narrated by: Rob Inglis
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About this listen

Continuing the story begun in The Hobbit, this is the first part of Tolkien’s epic masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings.

Sauron, the Dark Lord, has gathered to him all the Rings of Power – the means by which he intends to rule Middle-earth. All he lacks in his plans for dominion is the One Ring – the ring that rules them all – which has fallen into the hands of the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins.

In a sleepy village in the Shire, young Frodo Baggins finds himself faced with an immense task, as his elderly cousin Bilbo entrusts the Ring to his care. Frodo must leave his home and make a perilous journey across Middle-earth to the Cracks of Doom, there to destroy the Ring and foil the Dark Lord in his evil purpose.

©2025 Paul Delaney (P)2025 HarperCollins Publishers Limited Dragons & Mythical Creatures Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Mythology

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Critic reviews

"An extraordinary book. It deals with a stupendous theme. It leads us through a succession of strange and astonishing episodes, some of them magnificent." ( The Observer)
"Among the greatest works of imaginative fiction of the twentieth century." ( Sunday Telegraph)

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Here's everything you could possibly want to know about Gimli, the Dwarf who was embraced by a band of Hobbits, and the important role he plays in one of the world's best-known and most-loved fantasy sagas.

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Would you listen to The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Volume 1 again? Why?

Yes, it is one of my all-time favourites. I had read the book, the full 3 volumes of the actual book, more than 20 times before leaving home to go to music college: I kept count. I'm 55 now and have read it a few more times in the intervening years. The audio-book version is a real godsend now that my eyes are starting to struggle.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Volume 1?

I remember virtually all of it, so I can't answer this question.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

In my opinion as a musician... He should NEVER, NEVER have been asked to 'SING'. I found his singing utterly unlistenable, excruciating, even embarrassing and everywhere they occurred completely ruinous of the otherwise excellent reading. If only he had just read the songs as poems, which is what ALL actual readers have to do, all would have been well. Tolkien's lyrics are, in any case, the weakest part of his work. Moreover, music defines and describes an emotional landscape more precisely than words alone, essentially forcing one particular and narrow context. So in this reading, everyone, even the elves, seem to be from Cecil Sharp's and Vaughan Williams' South/West Country. WHAT A DISASTER! All the songs should be re-recorded with him simply reading the poems. If that were done, the reading would be really excellent: and I mean REALLY excellent.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes actually, there are several places, particularly near the end that make me cry.

Any additional comments?

This apples, I am VERY sorry to say, to all three books. The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King.This review is my opinion, so no 'hate' responses please.

Oh no! NOT another song...

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I did enjoy this book and the narration, I think it was a very good performance, but one part I couldn't stand were the songs. Not the songs as such but the singing... I had to skip them.

Enjoyed if apart from the songs

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What made the experience of listening to The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Volume 1 the most enjoyable?

The way Rob Inglis changed the accents for the characters

What did you like best about this story?

The action and the pursuit p

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Weather top

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No

Any additional comments?

Brilliantly written and read

Wicked writing

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Rob Inglis is a fantastic narrator. His reading of these beloved character’s adventures gives the story added depth and colour. I never used to enjoy reading the long rambling poems in the books, but hearing them performed so beautifully has given me a new found appreciation for the world-building detail and folklore they provide.

I would say that, if you have seen the films, but been daunted by the length of the books and Tolkien’s somewhat long-winded descriptive writing style, then this is the perfect way to get through the full version of one of the greatest literary works of the 20th century.

If, like me, you have already read the books but just don’t have the time to sit and read them again, then this will be an excellent way to enjoy it all over again with ease!

The best way to experience Tolkien’s finest work

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an absolute classic. I loved the books and the whole universe that has been created around them. really good narrator. who clearly has a passion for the story being told. will probably end up listening to again soon.

great narrator, great story

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The LOTR trilogy and before it the Hobbit are the greatest works of fantasy ever committed to paper. The progenitors of the entire fantasy genre in modern writing and more than worth your time to listen to.

the greatest fantasy ever written. the best.

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The greatest book and the greatest audiobook performance in history. A credit to the skill of Tolkien and the remarkable, peerless expression by Rob Inglis.

Remarkable performance of peerless work

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Overall a good narration although it does have some questionable rhythm choices for a lot of Tolkien's poetry and song work.

A tad off key

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A masterpiece and the narrator is superb. couldn't ask for a better way to spend 20 hours. If you haven't listened or read Lord of the rings before don't hesitate.

An absolute classic

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a stunning story brought to life... a quick review as I am eager to start the Two Towers.

A must listen !

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