The Hobbit

Written by J. R. R. Tolkien

Narrated by Andy Serkis

THE GREAT MODERN CLASSIC AND PRELUDE TO THE LORD OF THE RINGS

Deep down here by the dark water lived old Gollum, a small slimy creature. I don’t know where he came from, nor who
or what he was. He was Gollum—as dark as darkness, except for two big round pale eyes in his thin face. He had a little
boat, and he rowed about quite quietly on the lake; for lake it was, wide and deep and deadly cold.

Whisked away from his comfortable, unambitious life in his hobbit-hole in Bag End by Gandalf the wizard and a
band of dwarves, Bilbo Baggins finds himself caught up in a plot to raid the treasure hoard of Smaug the Magnificent,
a large and very dangerous dragon.

This brand-new unabridged recording is narrated by the acclaimed actor, director and author, Andy Serkis.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 21, 2020
• ISBN: 9781705009055

J. R. R. Tolkien

J.R.R.Tolkien (1892-1973) was a distinguished academic, though he is best known for writing The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion, plus other stories and essays. His books have been translated into over 80 languages and have sold many millions of copies worldwide.

Reviews for The Hobbit

[Isabella Najar · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Much better than the movie of course, and I loved the narrator so much?

[Joe Butler · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I have read The Hobbit many times and it never gets old, but Andy Serkis’ narration made the story come alive in an incredible way. There is no better narrator for Tolkien than him, in my humble opinion.

[Sam T Godfrey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Magnificent! Tolkien himself was a Wizard to have created these incredible and believable worlds! I first read this book at 12, in a new school, not long after my mother passed. I can easily say the Hobbit, and my wonderful teacher Alice (whom I still call and thank,) saved me from the deepest chasm in Moria, so to speak.
To hear this book read by Andy Serkis is just amazing! He must know it all by rote! His reading voice may be his normal voice, and the characters all have just slight differences that he does flawlessly. Every word is understandable and so clear... There are no flashy sound effects or exaggerated speech and he keeps the voices separate from each other without hamming them up. Except for Gollum of course! Gollum's voice is the same as the movies, which to me seems appropriate!
This reading of an old favorite is truly new, exciting, and very entertaining!

[Anna Sarro · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Magnificent performance by Andy Serkis!!! I would give all the stars! (This review is for his narration as most people are familiar with the book itself.) It is just how you would want someone to read it to you. Amazing voices for all the characters and great singing too! This audio book is a keeper, one I would listen to again and again.

[nadarby679 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The narrators voice is beautiful, and has a huge variety. I found my self laughing aloud at work while he read gollum’s lines.

[Susie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was very good would definitely recommend to anyone who wants a fun, entertaining book!

[Kayla Turner · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

a must to read or listen to! narrator is fantastic.

[Dave Wetta · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Andy Serkis does a phenomenal job narrating! Great tone and rendering of the characters.

[elaine petry · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Just the best! I could reread this book every month, and this audiobook version, read by the great thespian Mr. Smeagol Serkis himself, allows me to do just that (while I also get some housework done).

[Bryce Hatfield · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

“The woods shall wave on mountains
And grass beneath the sun;
His wealth shall flow in fountains
And the rivers golden run.

The streams shall run in gladness.
The lakes shall shine and burn;
And sorrow fail and sadness
At the Mountain-king’s return!”
—
Read, in part, for my Young Adult Literature final.

The prose are whimsical and very much like a fairy tale. In fact, much of Bilbo and Gandalf’s initial characterization is given to us through prose like this. The story is relatively episodic; the dwarves visit Bilbo, the band meets a trio of trolls, the band visits the strange and silly elves, Bilbo has a riddle game with Gollum, etc. The through-line is the quest itself, and there are many sections dedicated to detailing the group’s travel, but all-in-all the story is not unlike a vignette of small episodes. It feels very much like small fairy tales interwoven into this epic dragon quest. The narrator also exemplifies the fairy tale tone; while the story is written in the third-person, there is a present narrator who uses first-person pronouns telling the story. The narrator isn’t ever-present, but they have enough asides throughout the story that it feels like we’re being told a story around a fireplace.

And on the topic of Bilbo, he is a fantastic main character. He is awkward and doesn’t understand a lick about the world beyond his home, but he makes due. He’s clever in a pinch, and he’s smart. He uses his brain to repeatedly save the dwarves, and it feels earned. And on top of being a well-developed character, he is also a great audience surrogate. We are meant to relate to him because of his closeness with the characteristics and mannerisms of rural, rustic Britain, and this comes across beautifully. Bilbo feels like a genuine, down-to-middle-earth guy in a world full of hardy dwarves, strange elves, and dangerous dragons.

Speaking of dragons, Smaug is a wonderful antagonist. He is a greedy wealth-hoarder who cares for nothing but his stolen treasure and petty revenge; when Bilbo steals a single cup from him, the narrator tells us that “his [Smaug’s] rage passes description – the sort of rage that is only seen when rich folk that have more than they can enjoy suddenly lose something that they have long had but have never before used or wanted.” When the dragon is ultimately defeated, it feels like a triumph over greed and senseless violence. Which makes the story all the more poignant when the “dragon sickness” lingers on Thorinn; it reminds us that greed persists even if the source is dead, and warns us against falling too deep into that trap. This also paved the way for Bilbo’s heroics — although he wasn’t the one to kill the dragon, he did stand against Thorinn when the dwarf was out of line. He showed Thorinn the way back to himself.

One other significant aspect of the story is how Tolkien uses poetry; Tolkien uses poetry in almost every chapter, and it always serves a purpose. The use of verse and song in such a prolific manner makes Middle Earth seem bright and full of wonder, and gives the reader the sense that this world is much deeper than what we see on the page. But what interests me the most is how he uses poetry for initial characterization.

The first bit of characterization we have for the dwarves are through their songs; “Blunt the Knives” tells us that they are a tad mischievous, but altogether kindly; “Over the Misty Mountains” tells of their turmoil in “over the misty mountains,” and explains their quest through an emotional lens first and foremost, before Thorinn properly explains the quest. This signals to us that they are driven by emotion and loss, and that this quest means a great deal more to them than just getting their gold back.

Every other race introduced gets this treatment. The elves’ song is much more fanciful and humorous, which tells us that they are good-natured, free-flowing, and almost ethereal. Their leader, Elrond, is “as noble and as fair in face as an elf-lord, as strong as a warrior, as wise as a wizard, as venerable as a king of dwarves, and as kind as summer.” This further implies to the reader that the elves are ancient and inscrutable. And even the goblins also get an introduction through song, and theirs is as bitter and over-the-top as their attitudes and actions. The only exceptions to this are the humans and the hobbits — although Bilbo does sing a couple of times, which does further his characterization, just not in the beginning. The only race who doesn’t get to sing any song are the humans of Laketown.

This is such a beautiful novel, arguably even better than The Lord of the Rings, if not only because it’s more bearable. But either way, definitely read this. It’s accessible, fun, and extremely impactful.

[starknits_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So I hadn't read this book in a while and I forgot how much in liked it. I also forgot how much was changed for the movies. Most esp the eleves and their general ways.

[Margie Dodd · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Masterfully performed. Andy Serkis has created a masterpiece. The entire series is a joy to listen to. Even better than the movies !

[yerstin melo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Childhood memories ❤️ Fantastical very amusing historically accurateness Unholy? 1?

[Jonathan Kyser · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The best narration I've heard. More like a one-man audio drama.

[Savannah Clevinger · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing! I love the old-fashioned storytelling vibe that Tolkien has in the Hobbit, the flow of the story is fast-paced, smooth, and takes some unexpected twists and turns, I love the characters and how they each have their own personalities despite their similar names, and I cannot get over Andy Serkis's seductive voice- it pulls you into the narrative, I believe I listened to four hours straight without noticing on my first go! I finished this book so quickly in part due to his voice, I'm excited to continue on to the big series with more of Andy narrating the way~

[Katie Brummell · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Read by Andy Serkis
5?
Fantasy
Format: Audiobook
Book 52 of 2022
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It's no secret that I love audiobooks, but some of you may not know I am a huge Lord of the Rings fan. I was obsessed in high school! When I saw that Andy Serkis did an audiobook reading of The Hobbit, I immediately started listening. For those who don't know, Andy Serkis is the actor who played Gollum in the LOTR and Hobbit movies. He is brilliant! His reading of The Hobbit is utterly fantastic! Every character has a different voice! I got so excited when Gollum appeared, and the voice ugh chills! Whether you read The Hobbit or listen to this amazing audiobook version, this book will not disappoint.
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In a hole in the ground, there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.
Written for J.R.R. Tolkien’s own children, The Hobbit met with instant critical acclaim when it was first published in 1937. Now recognized as a timeless classic, this introduction to the hobbit Bilbo Baggins, the wizard Gandalf, Gollum, and the spectacular world of Middle-earth recounts of the adventures of a reluctant hero, a powerful and dangerous ring, and the cruel dragon Smaug the Magnificent.
#books #thehobbit #jrrtolkien #audiobooks #fantasybooks #bookworm

[Gonzalo Battaglia · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It's the Hobbit in all its fabulousness. I've listened to the Robert Inglis recording many times but wanted to give this a chance. Andy Serkis does a fantastic job reading it. (Especially the parts with Gollum of course) Arguably I like some parts as read by Inglis better and some parts I prefer in this. They're both great! If you have the interest in The Hobbit, you won't waste your time with this version (even if you've listened to the other).

[Ardath Smith · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the most splendid readings I ever hope to hear. Riveting at times, and delightful always. Bravo, Mr. Serkis!

[John W Bjerk · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Outstanding narration of a timeless classic. There and back again!

[Dave Messer · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Best narrator I've heard so far! Really brought the characters to life.

[Harrison Johnson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What can I say? It’s an absolute masterpiece. Enough said.

[Sawwa Zapata · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great narration, got me engaged all the time. The book is amazing

[Kyle Evans · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love this book so much especially with serkis’s narration it’s excellent.

[Derek Boman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I already knew I loved the book, but listening to it narrated by Andy Serkis was a delight. I listened to this book with my kids and it was a wonderful way to introduce them to one of my favorites.

[Matt McClure · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Hobbit was possibly the best book I've ever read!!!?‍♂️

[Bryce Taylor · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing. Andy is by far the best narrator imaginable. Loved it!

[Morgan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Hands down the one of most epic of stories!!! I love the way it flows. It has the perfect amount of falling and rising action.

[Kelcy Bilger · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love the vivid imagery in this book. The reading of it in this audio version by Andy Serkis is amazing!! It couldn't have been any better.

[Jennifer Pappas · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The scene with Gollum in the cave is delightfully creepy. Otherwise, this was a pretty fun and easy read.

[Rachelle Ungerman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wonderful entertainment, the reader is outstanding! Highly recommend for family.