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The Hobbit

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About this listen

This brand-new unabridged audio book of J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved The Hobbit is read by the BAFTA award-winning actor, director and author, Andy Serkis.

Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely travelling further than the pantry of his hobbit-hole in Bag End. But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard, Gandalf, and a company of thirteen dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day, to whisk him away on a journey ‘there and back again’. They have a plot to raid the treasure hoard of Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon…

The prelude to THE LORD OF THE RINGS, THE HOBBIT has sold many millions of copies since its publication in 1937, establishing itself as one of the most influential books of the twentieth century.

©1937 J. R. R. Tolkien (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers Limited Classics Dragons & Mythical Creatures Fantasy Fiction Magic Mythology Feel-Good Suspenseful

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Critic reviews

"The Hobbit belongs to a very small class of books which have nothing in common save that each admits us to a world of its own. Its place is with Alice and The Wind in the Willows." (Times Literary Supplement)

"One of the best loved characters in English fiction...a marvellous fantasy adventure." (Daily Mail)

"Finely written saga of dwarves and elves, fearsome goblins and trolls...an exciting epic of travel, magical adventure, working up to a devastating climax." (The Observer)

Featured article: Gimli - a Lord Of The Tings character guide


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.

Featured article Gimli: a Lord Of The Rings character guide
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but the volume varies hugely, wouldn't recommend listening on headphones! Still a very good book.

Andy serkis gives an excellent performance

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I was relieved to find the 'heretical' review below and discover I was not completely alone! I grew up with the Hobbit, which led to a life long love of Tolkein. I am a huge fan of Andy Serkis. He's amazing - he IS Gollum. I have the Rob Inglis recording which was not all that I hoped for, and was looking forward to this with some anticipation.
I was therefore horrified to find myself feeling irritated, exhausted even, by the relentless drama .... sometimes quite unnecessary and to the detriment of the story. There is little left to the imagination. To be fair, when drama is appropriate and needed, no one could possibly do more or better and children especially will love it! Andy's range of voices is superb .. as is his singing of some of the complicated songs. But I longed for some respite. The few times he tells this classic story, and describes what is happening in a 'normal' voice, simply and clearly, are such a pleasure. And a relief.
I am genuinely sorry not to be able to enthuse over this interpretation of such a magical tale (each to his own) but if Andy recorded this with younger listeners in mind he has hit the bullseye. I can't fault him. It will introduce them to Tolkein forever.

Also heretical!

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Please add my name to the list of people begging Andy to re-record LOTR audibook!

A pure joy.

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This book is GREAT!!! I #love😍 the songs , "ooh traa-lal-la-lally now you return to the valley" I also love the battle and adventure bits. I love it, it is a great book !!!😀😁😃😄😉

GREAT LISTEN

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Absolutely loved it. Best storytelling. The Lord of the Rings next read by Andy please

Amazing, Andy Serkis best narrator ever!

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The story caught my interest in the beginning, lost it in the middle, and gained it again at the end

It has grown on me over time though

An overall good story

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I loved every minute and clung to every word. It is obviously a fine book, but Andy Serkis does a wonderful job of bringing it to life.
As for all the people bemoaning his singing, I think it’s a fine representation of how I’d imagine mountain dwelling dwarves and bear like men to sing. “Trad” songs need not have a wonderful singer to be sung wonderfully.

Exquisite

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Make a cup of tea, cut a slice of cake, settle down with your toes to the fire and enjoy.

A splendid treat!

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I had found when reading Lord of the Rings that it could be quite hard to get into at times. But, I cannot stress enough quite how good this is, or just how wonderful Andy Serkis' performance is.

I hold Stephen Fry up as the pinnacle of voice actors, but my goodness, I think I've found if not a new favourite, then someone who certainly stands up to it.

So, so, so good!

Incredible story and sensational performance!

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Such a brilliant book and perfectly read by Andy Serkis!
Didn’t realise the time had gone by once it was finished!

Classic, brilliantly read.

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