The Hobbit Audiobook By J. R. R. Tolkien cover art

The Hobbit

Preview

Try for $0.00
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Hobbit

By: J. R. R. Tolkien
Narrated by: Rob Inglis
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $21.49

Buy for $21.49

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

Like every other hobbit, Bilbo Baggins likes nothing better than a quiet evening in his snug hole in the ground, dining on a sumptuous dinner in front of a fire. But when a wandering wizard captivates him with tales of the unknown, Bilbo becomes restless. Soon he joins the wizard’s band of homeless dwarves in search of giant spiders, savage wolves, and other dangers. Bilbo quickly tires of the quest for adventure and longs for the security of his familiar home. But before he can return to his life of comfort, he must face the greatest threat of all - a treasure-troving dragon named Smaug.

In this fantasy classic, master storyteller J.R.R. Tolkein creates a bewitching world filled with delightful creatures and thrilling dangers. Narrator Rob Inglis will hold listeners of all ages spellbound with his skillful portrayal of hobbits, dwarves, and enchanted beasts.

©1966 J.R.R. Tolkien (P)1991 Recorded Books
Classics Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Young Adult Funny Scary Witty Feel-Good Wizardry Dragons
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Critic reviews

"Rob Inglis expertly bridges the gap between the whimsical, childlike aspects of Tolkien's fantasy classic and the hints of darker things to come later in The Lord of the Rings. Though content to enjoy his cozy life, cheerful hobbit Mr. Bilbo Baggins agrees to help his wizard friend Gandalf aid a group of dwarves seeking their lost treasure. As their various adventures ensue, Inglis treats listeners to a tour-de-force performance rich in colorful characterizations and several engaging singing performances. This story should be the unquestionable starting point for those venturing into Tolkien’s Middle-earth. Listeners experience a vocal performance that is in turn charming, gripping, a little scary, and always engaging." (AudioFile magazine)

Featured Article: The Best Family Audiobooks for All Ages


Sharing stories with your family can leave a lasting impression. As a parent, you probably remember the magic of having a book read aloud to you as a kid, and family audiobooks offer that same experience for your own children. Whether you’re looking to help increase literacy or discover the joy of group listening, our list has some of the best family audiobooks, from best sellers to newcomer favorites. Here are the best family audiobooks.

Continue Your Journey Through Middle earth

Continue Your Journey
Through Middle-earth

What listeners say about The Hobbit

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    54,591
  • 4 Stars
    8,270
  • 3 Stars
    1,979
  • 2 Stars
    484
  • 1 Stars
    493
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    46,851
  • 4 Stars
    8,316
  • 3 Stars
    2,254
  • 2 Stars
    479
  • 1 Stars
    429
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    49,838
  • 4 Stars
    6,262
  • 3 Stars
    1,691
  • 2 Stars
    354
  • 1 Stars
    313

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Victory after all, I suppose!

There are a rare handful of children's books and fantasy novels that definitely deserve to be experienced in different ways (books, movies, audio) and at different times (youth, middle age, etc). I remember my first exposure to this wonderful piece of high fantasy as a child. I loved the world Tolkien created and the way he was able to balance fantasy, poetry, humor and drama. I read it again during the whole 'Lord of the Rings' (LOTR) movie period, and now I've just listened to it on Audible with my own kids in anticipation of taking them to the movie. Wow!

When judging 'the Hobbit', it is tempting to grade it straight against the LOTR trilogy. There is a trap, however, in reading 'the Hobbit' AFTER reading the LOTR. While these works by Tolkien are obviously related, they are very, very different. Tolkien's approach, tone, style and intended audience was a different. If you separate LOTR from 'the Hobbit', gently, it is easier to see the greatness of 'the Hobbit' on its own.

As an adult, I now view 'the Hobbit' more as a Bildungsroman rather than a traditional quest novel. Listening and reading this with my kids, I found myself once more transported not just to middle-earth, but back to my own youth and innocence.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

168 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Gather Around and Listen!

If ever a book was meant to be read aloud, it's this one! The storyteller is a tremendously important part of "The Hobbit", and Inglis just does a wonderful job enthralling us all with this adventure.

The tone and significance of this work is very different from that of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. As long as you recognize that and accept "The Hobbit" for the children's book it basically is, you will enjoy this version of a classic. And, when it comes to a good tale, there's a child in each of us who will absolutely love it!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Such a classic.

The Hobbit is, of course, a JRR Tolkien classic. I’ve read several times and always loved it. So I just listened again and shared it with my 11-year son.

I knew he was really enjoying it when he kept asking me to play it when we weren't in the car and when I noticed him incorporating elements of the story into his play.

Highly, highly recommended to adults and kids of all ages.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Only one caution....

This performance is of such quality that readers will be swept right into the pages of JRR Tolkien's book and feel like a member of the community.

To prevent others from interrupting this audio book, it is my suggestion that all listeners grab a hard copy of the book and follow along with the narrator. The names of the people and places will jump right in front of the eyes and the reader will be there: on the path, in the battle, with the treasure, and with all the creatures of Tolkien's imagination.

I had to go to the book to gain the peace to follow with this rich performance because my headphones were not enough to guarantee an uninterrupted afternoon.

Exquisite! Bravo! Bravo!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Thankful

Whenever a favorite book is interpreted in a new medium I get worried that it'll be made into something else,. This was really well done.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

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

an epic story

my family and I enjoyed it very well. we listened to it at evenings, just like bilbo would.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Joy to Revisit

I first read The Hobbit when I was a student, many years ago. It was a joy to have Rob Inglis read the story to me. I had forgotten many of the details of the story, and found myself feeling the suspense, even though I knew that things would work out in the end. Pure pleasure to listen to this classic of fantasy literature!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Exceptional experience

The narration was fantastic. This iteration was an enthralling and immersive audiobook experience. Highly recommend to anyone who has read The Hobbit a thousand times or never before. Will definitely listen to again one day when the time is right.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

loved it, will listen again sometime

my favorite book of all time. I've lost track of all time. lost track of how many times over read/listened to it

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fun listen!

I love Tolkiens works and rhe narrator gives a fantastic performance!
I enjoyed it most at 1.25x speed

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!