Join one of the most epic journeys ever in J. R. R. Tolkien’s beloved fantasy classic.
It all begins with Bilbo Baggins, one of the peace-loving small folk, in The Hobbit - a tale of his adventure with the wizard Gandalf and dwarf king Thorin Oakenshield. They travel west from Bilbo’s home in The Shire to confront the dragon Smaug, housed in the dwarves’ ancestral home. Upon returning home, Bilbo leaves his young cousin, Frodo, a souvenir from his travels - a magical artifact that could turn the balance of the world on its head - kicking off The Lord of the Rings trilogy. This sets Frodo on a quest with his companions, facing a clash between the powers of good and evil and the race to overcome the darkness in the world before it overcomes them. Magical, beautiful, and dangerous by turns, J. R. R. Tolkien’s world is always unforgettable.
Listen as the talented narrator Rob Inglis weaves Tolkien’s fantastical world into a complete and vivid picture. You’ll have no trouble believing in elves, dwarves, hobbits, and wizards as he ushers you through the twists and turns of a world growing ever darker. Beyond standard narration, Inglis sings the songs and poems scattered throughout the tale, while music and sound effects enhance the already magical atmosphere.
Tolkien, then a professor at Oxford, was inspired by his interest in languages, philosophy, religion, and fairy tales and mythology, writing the first line of The Hobbit spontaneously while grading papers. He shared the finished manuscript with several people, who all persuaded him to publish it. After his initial book’s success, he moved on to write The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Progress on the trilogy nearly stopped due to a busy schedule, but Tolkien pushed through, sending the story as it was written to his adult son, Christopher.
The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings both continue to enjoy massive popularity. With more than 150 million copies sold, The Lord of the Rings is one of the best-selling novels ever written. Tolkien’s work and world are an inspiration to modern fantasy writers, and the author is widely considered to be the father of modern epic fantasy.
