The Fellowship of the Ring

Lord of the Rings, Book 1

By: J. R. R. Tolkien

Narrated by: Andy Serkis

Length: 22 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

This brand-new unabridged audiobook of The Fellowship of the Ring, the first part of J. R. R. Tolkien’s epic adventure The Lord of the Rings, is read by the BAFTA Award-winning actor, director, and author Andy Serkis.

In a sleepy village in the Shire, a young hobbit is entrusted with an immense task. He must make a perilous journey across Middle-earth to the Cracks of Doom, there to destroy the Ruling Ring of Power - the only thing that prevents the Dark Lord Sauron’s evil dominion. Thus begins J. R. R. Tolkien’s classic tale of adventure, which continues in The Two Towers and The Return of the King.

©1983 Christopher R. Tolkien, Michael H.R.Tolkien, John F.R. Tolkien, and Priscilla M.A.R.Tolkien (P)2021 Recorded Books

Andy Serkis for the win

Wow Andy really takes it to the next level. His voice for Gandalf is perfection.

Great!

Was able to keep my attention despite the immense detail. I love LOTR and Andy does a great job :)

Excellent

This is my new favorite LOTR reading. Andy Serkis does such a great job bringing life and imagery to the story.

Way better than Rob Inglis narration

The age of the new performance has come. Don’t get me wrong. I am grateful for the Rob Inglis narration. But it has well served it’s time and LOTR books needed an overdue re-record.

Tell, Don't Show

Lord of the Rings may be a classic but it has not aged well. In a modern world where fantasy worlds just as in depth and well realized exist, it is an overly wordy novel that wastes far too much time on songs and history tangents. If Tolkien had thought of a backstory for something he made sure to have someone stop the plot dead to explain it in full. this is particularly noticeable in the Shire, Rivendell, and Lothlorien, where Tolkien has ample excuse to stop and tell you all about the world's history and sing a few songs. Simply put, he would rather tell you about everything than show you. Lord of the Rings may be noteworthy for being the first fantasy epic of its type but many other series have done the concept of a whole world and history brought to life far better, such as the Wheel of Time. As time goes on, the series comes off far less as an enjoyable read and more like one of the classics you are forced to read in Literature classes because academia deemed it a noteworthy novel of yesteryear

The best way to experience the classic!

I have long been a fan of The Lord of the Rings films and read the trilogy after the Two Towers film came out as a 14 year old. I have tried many times since then to reread the books as an adult but like many, struggle to find time to read anything.

When I subscribed to audible, my first choice was to listen through the books but never thought I would love a performance from an audiobook so much! Andy breathes new life into these characters. Each has a distinct voice and he adds so much more than simply dialogue. I knew the fate of one of the character, but still got emotional listening to it. Some have stated how annoying the songs are. Honestly, the songs were hard to appreciate when reading the book. It’s hard to make them more entertaining than Andy did. I find it an interesting choice that he has some characters sing off key. I definitely would have chose to either recite or sing well, not sing off key. Other than that complaint, this story is dense. I will always struggle with the pacing at times. Tolkien did a wonderful job of world building. Yet I feel there were times that he could have cut some of the random fictional history. Even though it makes wonderful lore to build upon. In my opinion, Tolkien could learn a thing or two about pacing from JK Rowling or other modern fantasy authors. Still a wonderful book and a highly engaging and amazing performance by Andy Serkis.

A well needed update

We all know The Fellowship is a wonderful tale, but what really elevates this specific book is Andy Serkis. His storytelling, voices, singing, and soothing voice bring this book to life like never before.

Amazing Narration

This was phenomenal. I, unlike other reviewers, could not stand to listen to the original narrator. I don't read much anymore for various reasons. I am wholly dependent on Audible. Friends, family and even the girl who does my eyelashes have heard me complain that I haven't been able to relive one of my all time favorite stories of all time because the narrator ruins it for me.
Andy is absolutely phenomenal. Thank you so much for reconnecting me with the book form of this timeless journey through Middle Earth, Andy. Simply outstanding!

Incredible.

Tolkien means the world to me. Adventures in Middle Earth have guided me through both positive and negative paths in life; listening to Andy Serkis perform the first part of LOTR brought new life into stories I already loved dearly. Cannot wait to listen to Two Towers.

Awesome

Andy Serkis did a......precious..... job reading this book! I have tried to read this book before on my own and found it a little dull, but Andy made it come alive with his tremendous voice talent!