The Hobbit

By: J.R.R. Tolkien

Narrated by: Andy Serkis

Length: 10 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's Summary

This brand-new unabridged audio book of J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved The Hobbit will be coming to listeners everywhere this September, read by the BAFTA award-winning actor, director and author, Andy Serkis.

Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely travelling further than the pantry of his hobbit-hole in Bag End. But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard, Gandalf, and a company of 13 dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day, to whisk him away on a journey "there and back again". They have a plot to raid the treasure hoard of Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon… 

The prelude to The Lord of The Rings, the Hobbit has sold many millions of copies since its publication in 1937, establishing itself as one of the most influential books of the 20th century.

©1937, 1951, 1966, 1978, 1995 The J.R.R. Tolkien Copyright Trust (P)2020 HarperCollins

Andy Serkis Was Sheer Perfection

I want to thank Andy Serkis for his magnificent performance of The Hobbit. I was transported to Middle Earth and lived each adventure through his narration.

Mr. Serkis has such an outstanding range of voices that you knew each character at once. His interpretation of Gandalf, Thorin, Balin, Dwalin and the others gave the book a richness I didn't feel before. And of course, we can't forget his perfect performance of Gollum.

I will be listening to this again and again.

MORE PLEASE

I don’t even need to finish this to give it 5 stars. Andy Serkis is AMAZING, but that wasn’t ever really in question. What I love is that he really acts out the actions. Like he put his heart into—which, again, isn’t surprising. We need the whole trilogy from him. Not that I don’t love the originals, but this is just wonderful. I loved loved loved it.

A masterpiece

This is best audiobook performance I have ever heard. I missed half of the live quarantine performance by Serkis and was delighted when I heard that it would be released on audible. There is nothing I would change about the reading. Heads up to those who seek a bedtime read, go with the older narration. Serkis narration is so lively and vivid that it can jolt you awake. You’d be a fool not to get this rendition, y’all.

The superior recording

I’m not going to bother reviewing the book itself as it’s the same fantastic book it’s always been. But I will praise the narration by Andy Serkis. It is superior to the original narration by Rob Inglis in every way, and I sincerely hope that the powers that be have Mr. Serkis record The Lord of the Rings trilogy next. PLEASE.

Gollum

The only thing that could have made this better would be if it was completely read in Gollum's voice

The Eldar would be Proud

I pre-ordered this for LITERALLY one chapter: Riddles In The Dark. I am HAPPILY listening to the entire story. I don't know what I expected, but it was NOT this. This is infinitely better than I could have ever hoped. It's near perfect. I absolutely love it, and I'm only to chapter six...

More Andy Serkis!

One of my favorite books of all time! and this is by far the best narrator! I really hope to see the whole series read by Andy Serkis.

Marvelous Narration with Strong Film Connections

If you enjoy the Peter Jackson films or Tolkien in general, you'll love this narration. Andy Serkis's acting talent is on full display as he transports listeners to Middle Earth. The song melodies sound much like their film versions, and character voices are rich and varied, with accents and tones that convey not just Andy's own iconic Gollum, but also Richard Armitage's Thorin and Ken Stott's Balin, for instance. This version is vastly superior to Rob Inglis's in every way and has become the definitive Hobbit audiobook in my mind. Bring on LOTR, Andy!

Andy Serkis doing Riddles in the Dark

Andy Serkis doing Riddles in the Dark is Transcendant, and his voice acting on all of the other voices also blows my mind.

Masterful Performance

Serkis’s performance is absolutely phenomenal. This version of The Hobbit is also very clear and clean versus the older audiobook recordings. These books are due for a much needed update and Serkis delivered handsomely. Please please please please do LoTR!!!!