The Return of the King

Book Three in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy

By: J. R. R. Tolkien

Narrated by: Rob Inglis

Length: 18 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

The Return of the King is the towering climax to J. R. R. Tolkien’s trilogy that tells the saga of the hobbits of Middle-earth and the great War of the Rings. In this concluding volume, Frodo and Sam make a terrible journey to the heart of the Land of the Shadow in a final reckoning with the power of Sauron.

In addition to narrating the prose passages, Rob Inglis sings the trilogy’s songs and poems a capella, using melodies composed by Inglis and Claudia Howard, the Recorded Books studio director. This recording also contains Tolkien’s preface to the trilogy, including a prior history of the ring, and shire habitat, history, and folkways.

©1983 Christopher R. Tolkien, Michael H.R.Tolkien, John F.R. Tolkien, and Priscilla M.A.R.Tolkien (P)1990 Recorded Books

All the Dominoes Fall... into the Kitchen Sink.

The Third and Final novel in the Trio, and it all comes to a head! The preceeding novels, and indeed much of Tolkien's own works, culminate in This Book.

It, litterally, all comes down to this! And the ensuing novel is like watching a huge arrangement of dominoes slowly fall all over middle earth. Even to be seen time and again from different angles, and through different eyes.
If I had a favorite, this would have to be it.

Not only do both, and All the storylines begin to get into the really meaty parts; travel after travel is brought toward its end and things that are 'to be done' become things that are 'now over'...

Aside from the more interesting material events, Tolkien also seems to have better woven this last book, having far more effective and clear connections made between the multiple stories, and managing to repeat events and timelines without seeming to repeat himself. Large sections of story left untold from the film interpretation are covered, and All the loose ends ultimately get tied up.

The book ends, then, and the enormous addative materials begin.
I found the first reading of this sort of in depth material to be a bit daunting and overwhelming, but found it enlightening and revealing on my second read.

Whereas the council held in the first book covers much depth quickly in the first book, the ensuing materials make that short reading seem a brief introduction.

The enormous times and various events and references seem thick on the ground and I cannot help but feel it is this sort of depth that keeps fans comming back and continuing to be interested for years to come.
I found the Dwarf History particularly interesting, as well as the completely seperate love story which also seems to cover more cohesively a running narrative that may have been lost if put substantially into the greater story.

I have heard of his other publications on the subject and may concidder looking into them as well. In the meantime, I enjoy most that the novels do what I most admire in a writer's writing, which is to say, they end in such a way that the reader knows the Rereading of the novel will then be read in a whole new light, as a New Novel all over again!

I certainly think the series is designed to get better and better over time... a tactic I find particularly applaudable in any writing. I knew going into this that it was a much loved and engaging book, and I am left agreeing with that proposition.

Fantastic recording

Great all around. Even includes some appendices as a nice bonus! Thoroughly enjoyed this after reading the books several times as a kid, and listening to a few other audio adaptations. Highly recommend.

awesome

if you read 1 and 2 you have to finish it. the ending is way better than the movie

Lots of Exposition not in movie

Answers a lot of questions not in the movies and has great imagery. It is very informative and tells of admistrative stuff that happens with the characters and their home towns.

Excellent book and narration!

What does Rob Inglis bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Rob Inglis does a great job having different voices for each character. He really helps bring the book to life. Not to mention, the songs in the LOTR series are sung with a melody and he correctly pronounces the Elven language. My favorite character voice is Treebeard! :)

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

Yes, this book made me laugh and cry.

Enthralled! An excellent performance by my beard!

Rob Inglis does an excellent performance both in word and in song by my reckoning!

A great book!

A highly satisfying conclusion to the epic saga. A timeless classic brought to life. The narration of Rob Inglis brings unexpected warmth and depth to the tale of the battle for Middle Earth. Each character is brought to life through a unique voice. Highly recommended!

excellent book

narrator's telling is awesome. great performance includes extras at the end of the book too.

Great reader

Ingliss' reading is superb. Story was good of course, but the reader feels like he was the perfect person to read it.

Wonderfully done, a real attention keeper.

I enjoyed the narration so much I listened to it twice over. The different voices allowed me to keep the characters straight and I could listen while doing other work.