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: 16 of the Best Fantasy Authors Ever


There is no feeling quite like falling in love with a great fantasy listen, doing a little digging, and joyfully discovering that the author has an extensive catalog of audiobooks for you to dive right into. Fantasy as a genre is particularly blessed with a wealth of diverse authors writing all different kinds of stories. From classic epics to standalone novels that were published in the last few years, it's the perfect genre for losing yourself in a full day’s worth of listening. These brilliant fantasy authors will transport you to another world—whether a parallel universe or a post-apocalyptic version of Earth.

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
    53,830
  • 4 Stars
    8,191
  • 3 Stars
    1,966
  • 2 Stars
    482
  • 1 Stars
    488
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    46,200
  • 4 Stars
    8,252
  • 3 Stars
    2,237
  • 2 Stars
    477
  • 1 Stars
    424
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    49,166
  • 4 Stars
    6,211
  • 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
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Lord of the Rings Follower

What made the experience of listening to The Hobbit the most enjoyable?

The personalities were great. It had the same enjoyable feeling as the lord of the rings. It really worked my imagination.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Gandoff is my favorite character. I have always liked magic.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

I think the narrator did fine.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

I am not sure

Any additional comments?

I loved this book. I wish the dragon had a bigger role.

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

Devon

Excellent narrator. the different voices between characters were phonominal. A good book for long drives.

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

My Favorite Story. Perfect Delivery.

I will never ever stop loving this book. Fortunately, the reader makes every listen a new one. I love that he sings the songs, and gives life to every character.

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

Playful children's story.

I read this because I love the lord of the rings, this has a different feel, but still nice to see some old friends and exploring Tolkien's world.

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
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Classic

Here and Back Again: always enjoyed, always a classic, despite Hollywood (may your beard whither and grow thin) .

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
  • Jo
  • 01-31-13

Fantastic

Would you listen to The Hobbit again? Why?

The narrator is awesome! I have purchased the Fellowship of The Ring because it is the same narrator.

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

love it one of my favorite books remember reading it as a child highly recommend

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

Great Audio Version

I bought this version before I realized there was a version voiced by some of the movie cast. It made me hesitate because I love the movies, but as I started listening it was so enjoyable and the narrator is like having true story teller reading this to families gathered together. I was too young when I tried to read this, but as an adult I truly enjoy the journey and the narrator. Just a fun wholesome experience!

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
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

the audio

is not great. you can hear long pauses where it wasn't edited well, but if you listen all the way to the end you find out it was recorded in '99, which might account for that. I tuned it out and hardly noticed by the end. great book and the reader has a great voice. the songs were some times a little much, but you can tell he put a lot of effort into singing them.

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

Great performance for a great book!

Rob does a terrific job of voicing all of the different characters and bringing life to the story. By the end of the book you can tell which character is speaking by the voice he does. This book is one of the best books in the LOTR universe and one of my personal favorites to listen to. I would highly recommend this version by Rob!

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!