• 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 (27,296 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

Featured Article: Meriadoc “Merry” Brandybuck—A Lord of the Rings Character Guide


Whether you're a longtime fan of the books, a lover of the movies, or totally new to The Lord of the Rings, it's likely you've got some questions about the major characters. One of the three Hobbits who set out from the Shire alongside Frodo, Merry comes into his own during the War of the Ring and plays a small but essential part in the larger story. Merry, like his dear friend and comrade Pippin, is proof that no one is ever too small to change the world.

Continue Your Journey Through Middle earth

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What listeners say about The Return of the King

Average customer ratings
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  • 5 out of 5 stars
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    24,467
  • 4 Stars
    2,215
  • 3 Stars
    438
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    96
  • 1 Stars
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Performance
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Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
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    21,954
  • 4 Stars
    1,625
  • 3 Stars
    372
  • 2 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

appendix to long

I love the story. however the appendix is way to long. while I appreciate the history and lineage of middle earth, most of it is not crucial to the story.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Phenomenally done!

This was great! So easy to listen too! One of my favorite series of all time!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Bittersweet

I was not ready for “The Age of Man” to commence or to leave this world. Lord of the Rings is darker in tone than The Hobbit. Excellent Audiobook production.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent work!

Loved the 3rd book in the trilogy. Excellent work of art and superbly narrated. Amazing job.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Perfect

I was unable to get through Lord of the Rings reading it, but I listened to this entire audible series and it was amazing. The narrator’s voice suits exactly my ideas of how it should sound d for a Tolkien book. I would highly recommend this recording.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I really love this series!

In this book, Sam does indeed get Frodo back. And they proceed to Mordor to destroy the ring. After Frodo destroys the ring, they go home to the Shire to find it in the clutches of bandits! Saruman was behind it! But they chased him off!

Gandalf, Legolas, Gimli, Aragorn were in this book. I'm not sure who the King was, but all of our heroes survived!

Rob Inglis did a fantastic job performing this story! I thoroughly enjoyed his narration.

I read this book on September 9, 2022.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Hobbits: They like to eat

Quality production. But after listening to the entire series, the main takeaway is this: Hobbits are small, tired, and hungry. There are some side-plots about evil forces or something, but the main story here is about being small, too tired to take another step, and dreaming of supper.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

perfect

as beautiful as a story can be. no slow spots. you'll cry a few times, you will cheer more. the prologue and appendix fill in all details.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Needs No Introduction

Loved everything about it.
I even listened to all the forwards, afterwards and the appendixes.
I must now watch the films again.
The Narrator, Rob Ingles has such a nice voice, that even listening to the appendixes was a pleasure, even if I did not catch every word.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Well done!

Narrator is excellent and very talented. Story is great too. An amazing collection! Highly recommend!

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