Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.
The Hobbit  By  cover art

The Hobbit

By: J. R. R. Tolkien
Narrated by: Rob Inglis
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $21.49

Buy for $21.49

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Like every other hobbit, Bilbo Baggins likes nothing better than a quiet evening in his snug hole in the ground, dining on a sumptuous dinner in front of a fire. But when a wandering wizard captivates him with tales of the unknown, Bilbo becomes restless. Soon he joins the wizard’s band of homeless dwarves in search of giant spiders, savage wolves, and other dangers. Bilbo quickly tires of the quest for adventure and longs for the security of his familiar home. But before he can return to his life of comfort, he must face the greatest threat of all - a treasure-troving dragon named Smaug.

In this fantasy classic, master storyteller J.R.R. Tolkein creates a bewitching world filled with delightful creatures and thrilling dangers. Narrator Rob Inglis will hold listeners of all ages spellbound with his skillful portrayal of hobbits, dwarves, and enchanted beasts.

©1966 J.R.R. Tolkien (P)1991 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"Rob Inglis expertly bridges the gap between the whimsical, childlike aspects of Tolkien's fantasy classic and the hints of darker things to come later in The Lord of the Rings. Though content to enjoy his cozy life, cheerful hobbit Mr. Bilbo Baggins agrees to help his wizard friend Gandalf aid a group of dwarves seeking their lost treasure. As their various adventures ensue, Inglis treats listeners to a tour-de-force performance rich in colorful characterizations and several engaging singing performances. This story should be the unquestionable starting point for those venturing into Tolkien’s Middle-earth. Listeners experience a vocal performance that is in turn charming, gripping, a little scary, and always engaging." (AudioFile magazine)

Featured Article: When Does The Rings of Power Take Place? Tolkien's Second Age, Explained


The Prime Video streaming series The Rings of Power is set thousands of years before the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Rooted in J.R.R. Tolkien's history of Middle-earth, the series is expected to cover all of the major events of the fictional world's Second Age. But what is the Second Age, and how does this period of time factor into the rest of Tolkien's world? Read on to find out.

Continue Your Journey Through Middle earth

Continue Your Journey
Through Middle-earth

What listeners say about The Hobbit

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    53,824
  • 4 Stars
    8,191
  • 3 Stars
    1,966
  • 2 Stars
    482
  • 1 Stars
    488
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    46,197
  • 4 Stars
    8,251
  • 3 Stars
    2,237
  • 2 Stars
    477
  • 1 Stars
    424
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    49,163
  • 4 Stars
    6,210
  • 3 Stars
    1,679
  • 2 Stars
    353
  • 1 Stars
    310

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I love this book

Great Story
My overall experience has been great. The idea behind the whole concept is wonderful .I loved this book. It is set in a large, detailed, and lore-filled world that made me feel like I was there while I was reading it. The book also has many likable characters.It is a wonderful book, and it will sink into the world of middle earth. Best moral of the book to never give up.
For people who like adventure and mythical/magical creatures this is sure to be a wonderful and unexpected journey for them.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Lots of adventures but shallow characters

Yes, wonderful adventures. One tough challenge after another. Too many characters and factions for me to keep track of due to very little depth of personality given to each.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I LOVED IT!!!

I simply enjoyed all the effort that the author took in narrating this book!! The different voices,, the singing...ALL OF IT, kept my attention and I was sooo engaged in the story. I can't wait to finish the whole series. Great Job

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Intriguing story with impeccable narration!

The narration was important to keep me intrigued. Needless to say, the narration delivered an impeccable performance.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

beloved again 40 years later

My mother first read this with me as a small child. This sparked a lifetime of voracious reading. Yet forty years later the story still possess a timeless enchantment seldom equaled.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A great way to escape the present

I really love this audio book, it is timeless and the narration is beautifully performed.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The Hobbit

The narrator was great and kept you in the story even his singing wasn't bad

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful Audiobook!

All I got to say is wow! This book left me with a huge curiousity for fantasy and wonder. I'm a 27 year old man who was left feeling like a child being today a bedtime tale of adventure and I could not have been happier! I tried to read the book but it was so hard to get into but the narrator was absolutely phenomenal! He had different accents for each character and was able to switch back and forth in dialogue! 10 out of 10 would recommend everyone to listen to this audiobook and dive into its wonders!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Masterpiece

Great, book made greater by an amazing performance. Robert Inglis brings life to a true classic.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book. Better than the movie.

The dragon scene was too long in the movie. Reading it is different. Great book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!