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The Hobbit

By: J. R. R. Tolkien
Narrated by: Martin Shaw
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Publisher's summary

Smaug certainly looked fast asleep, when Bilbo peeped once more from the entrance. He was just about to step out onto the floor when he casught a sudden thin ray of red from under the drooping lid of Smaug's left eye. He was only pretending to sleep! He was watching the tunnel entrance!

Whisked from his comfortable hobbit-hole by Gandalf the wizard and a band of dwarves, Bilbo Baggins finds himself caught up in a plot to raid the treasure hoard of Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon.

©1937, 1951, 1966, 1978 George Allen and Unwin (Publishers) Ltd. (P)1993 HarperCollins UK
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What listeners say about The Hobbit

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exciting

and different from the movie. very funny and humorous. a nice relaxing book with great story

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic Story

This is my first Audiobook, and I am currently on my fourth hour and I am absolutely loving it. I wish I could find another book that is as good as this one. I have looked around and can't seem to find a book that has a great adventure with diferent races like dwarfs etc,... I looked at the LOTR however when I listened to the sample that total put me off of Dramatised versions, the background music etc is terreble.

The Hobit is fantastic and I highly recommend it, it had a great adventure, many diferent races, and the nerrator just puts the cherry on the top.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Shaw really shows you middle earth

Shaw's interpretation of the various characters is unforgettable.
I decided to buy this audiobook after hearing his reading of the silmarillion. it's a pity that he didn't record the lord of the rings too.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A very enthused family of listeners

My children and I enjoyed this very much and would recommend it. It is read by one person rather than multiple readers, but this was not a problem, rather the narrator was excellent.

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3 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Not quite what expected but appreciated.

I watched the movies before reading the book. I appreciated Tolkien enthusiasm for poetry and old school English. I did however think that Hollywood's transformation of the novel and addition of characters and happenings in the tale made it 100 times more fascinating and gripping. The performance of the narrator was good but I didn't like how he read Smaugs part. A mighty dragon should have more of a deep bellowing voice then a snake like hiss. I think if one read the book first they would be delighted in the movies.

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2 people found this helpful

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A little disappointing

There were a number of of omissions for supposedly an unabridged version of the book.

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Great performance

I listened to this one with my children on a long road trip. We all enjoyed it!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Just Great

Loved it!

Too lazy to read the book so it was perfect! Amazing reader! 10/10.1

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1 person found this helpful

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

Martin Shaw

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes!J.R.R. Tolkien is the best writer out there and Martin Shaw is the best reader of his work.

What did you like best about this story?

Martin Shaw

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

His inimitable voice and ability to bring Middle-Earth and all it's riches to life!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Perhaps

Any additional comments?

J.R.R. Tolkien shall live forever!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Best Narrator

Martin Shaw brings characters to life like no other. His portrayals of Gollum and the trolls particularly stand out. One of the best audiobooks you'll ever hear

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