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The Hobbit (Dramatized)

By: J. R. R. Tolkien
Narrated by: An Ensemble Cast
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Publisher's summary

Here is the original American full dramatization of The Hobbit, as broadcast on National Public Radio.

Bilbo Baggins, a gentle hobbit who loves the comforts of home, reluctantly joins a company of dwarves on a journey to recover plundered gold from a fierce dragon. It's a tale of high adventure and astonishing courage, and a magical prelude to the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

They're precious! Listen to all of our classic NPR dramatizations of J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings series:

  • The Fellowship of the Ring (Dramatized)
  • The Two Towers (Dramatized)
  • The Return of the King (Dramatized)
  • ©The J.R.R. Tolkien Copyright Trust (P)1979, 1994 HighBridge Company
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    Critic reviews

    "The best available." ( Booklist)
    "This collection...is a masterpiece." ( The Courier)
    "Spirited productions...stirring music." ( Washington Post)

    Featured Article: Elrond—A Lord of the Rings Character Guide


    If you love J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, then you know that all of the events of the story would be impossible without the half-Elf Elrond. Elrond, the Lord of Rivendell, lived in Middle-earth from the First Age to the beginning of the Fourth Age. It was with the help of Elrond that the evil Sauron was defeated and alliances were forged. Elrond is one of the most prominent characters throughout Tolkien's stories. But who is he and what is his story?

    Continue Your Journey Through Middle earth

    Continue Your Journey
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    What listeners say about The Hobbit (Dramatized)

    Average customer ratings
    Overall
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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      1,945
    • 4 Stars
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    • 3 Stars
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    • 2 Stars
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    Story
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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      1,868
    • 4 Stars
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    • 2 Stars
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    • 1 Stars
      53

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    • Overall
      5 out of 5 stars

    Many years of enjoyment

    I was very surprised by some of the reviews I saw for this audio book. I have the entire series and have loved them since I was seven or so years old (now 22). My dad used to play them for me when I was going to sleep at night--I would be carried off into the land of hobbits within seconds of starting the story, and soon I would be sound asleep. It was also good for keeping out the monsters under the bed...the the ring wraiths are rather scary.

    I can see why some of the voices might annoy some first time listeners, but for children or those still light at heart and willing to really give it a chance, I think it is a wonderful way to enjoy the book when you don't have that much time.

    If you don't like the American accents , think they sound too much like cartoon characters, or just want the unabridged version, I suggest the CD set read by "Rob Inglis." He does a wonderful job of reading the story, and should satisfy those of you who are not looking for what is offered here.

    As a final note, Gandolf's voice is probably one of the deepest, so if you can't stand the first bit, you probably won't like the rest of it.

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    95 people found this helpful

    • Overall
      5 out of 5 stars

    Can't go wrong with The Hobbit

    The Hobbit is indeed a classic, and I have listened to different versions. This one was just as good as the rest. Seriously, the people saying that the accents have to be British are missing the point. The Hobbit was not in England! It's in a mythical land that doesn't exist. That being said, the story is wonderful and if you haven't gotten a chance to read or listen to it, this would be a great way to do it.

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    23 people found this helpful

    • Overall
      5 out of 5 stars

    A tale to listen to on a long car ride!

    This cheerful & well dramatized reading of The Hobbit really brings the story to life! Even better than my own imagination - or as my imagination would have made it if I could have produced it.

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    1 person found this helpful

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

    Wonderful!

    This is a great listen. It might not be Professor Tolkien' s word for word but it is totally the intent of his story. The cast is is terrific.

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

    Dramatized

    Great book I liked it dramatized better thAn just regular and I also liked the side noises bird,and the creaky doors.

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

    very difficult to understand golem and smaug

    overall good but sometimes hard to understand certain characters specifically smauh and golem, sometimes the dwarves

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    • Overall
      5 out of 5 stars

    The hobbit

    Awesome!!💯 my favorite audio version of the hobbit, just kick back and let your mind take you away!!

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

    barely audible

    Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

    Love this classic story, but the audio recording is very poor and I could barely make out the words.

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

    Wonderful

    I had this on record as a kid and listened to it endlessly. The Hobbit was my introduction to fantasy (I was 11 the year 1991). And to this day in 2019 I still enjoy this radio drama. The cast is wonderful. The story well adapted. If you love the novel or the animated film this perfect for you.

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    • Overall
      5 out of 5 stars

    The hobbit

    absolutely love this amazing book. Completely captures the true feel of the story. Couldn't be happier!

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