• 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
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (27,209 ratings)

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The Return of the King  By  cover art

The Return of the King

By: J. R. R. Tolkien
Narrated by: Rob Inglis
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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

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What listeners say about The Return of the King

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The Triumphant Climax to Tolkien’s Saga

“The Return of the King,” like the previous two books, is a masterpiece, so it’s no wonder that the audiobook is just as riveting!

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A clean end for the story of the fellowship.

The majority of this book is a required read for people that are invested in the characters from the previous 2 books. The only slow section is the celebration after the great enemy is defeated but it doesn't last very long. Definitely would recommend reading this book to anyone.

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a must listen

I like the author and the narrator. I like the book and the movie

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My favorite book

I've read and reread the Hobbit, and the Lord of the Rings more times than I can remember. Ever since I bought the audio books, I listen to them constantly. The only parts I skip are the singing parts. I love to get lost in many adventures.

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Great story, good narrator

The story is obviously great, I've reread it many times over. It is a story that draws you in throughout and is so enriched with a deep and interesting world with characters that you want to root for throughout.

I know some dislike Tolkien's verbose narrative at times, but I find myself hanging on every word (at least up until the Appendices, even I start to lose interest somewhat at that point though I did listen through this time around and did appreciate the additional lore after the book). Tolkien has a way of drawing you into his world and making you invested in the outcome of the events and what happens to his beloved cast of characters.

The performance was also very good, and I found myself enjoying it more and more as I got further into this series. Enough that I actually went back and got the Hobbit as well. I did try the Andy Serkis version, and though I enjoy Andy's performances in other places, I didn't really enjoy his narration. This narrator however I believe did an excellent job and seemed to really know the story and his voices were varied enough to know who was speaking. His singing leaves a little to be desired, but having no ear for music myself, I find little fault in him for that. The poetry is seldom enough I don't mind it. I enjoy the poems and songs regardless, enough to sit through and get back to the normal reading.

Overall I highly recommend both Lord of the Rings and this performance in particular.

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Grew up listening to this still as good

I love this rendition if the LOTR. It is soo well performed. I do skip some of the songs, but others, like Tom Bombadil’s songs, I find myself singing from time to time.

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Enjoyed, but felt... Off.

I really enjoyed my time with Tolkien. I started with The Hobbit a couple of months ago and have made my way to here. In the end, I feel, bruised. While much was healed, there seemed to be such a focus on tempering all elation with bitterness, the relief looked forward to for so long seemed like a burden in of itself.

As for the end... It seemed contradictory. If Gandalf knew... Why did they have to...? Hadn't they already saved everyone? Why was there nobody to help them now? It was disappointing, and hard to address without spoiling too much, so I'll leave it at that.

A masterful story and great, but I feel it made some missteps.

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It’s NOT Andy Serkis

I accidentally purchased this after listening to Andy Serkis’ reading of the first two parts of the LOTR. Andy Serkis is superb and amazing. This reading is drab and boring. GO FIND THE ANDY SERKIS VERSION. Andy Serkis is GOAT.

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Great presentation of a classic

Rob Ingles does a fantastic job narrating the entire trilogy. A joy to listen to.

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Amazing book. pretty good narrator.

Love the book and the story. The narrator can be a little flat during otherwise emotional parts but isn't by any means bad or hard to listen to. My least favorite part is the cover art Amazon put on this to promote the terrible rings of power show.

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