The Fellowship of the Ring

By: J. R. R. Tolkien

Narrated by: Ensemble Cast

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

In the ancient lands of Middle-earth, a place of elves and dwarves, Orcs and wizards, the darkest evil and the brightest good, a hobbit named Frodo Baggins embarks on a perilous quest: to carry the One Ring, ruler of all the Rings of Power, into the shadowy land of Mordor and destroy it in the fires where it was forged.

©1979, 1994 Christopher R. Tolkien, Michael H.R. Tolkien, John F.R. Tolkien, and Priscilla M.A.R. Tolkien (P)1979, 1994 HighBridge Company

Critic reviews

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

Kept me entertained all the way through

Very good listen! Readers are amazing and keep you immersed the whole book.! Can’t wait to listen to the next few books.

Good story but the performance I'd lacking

Story was great as I expected, but the voice action in this isn't good at all. In my opinion, the BBC version is far superior.

I finally found it!

This was the first audiobook I ever heard. Given to me by a family friend when I was 10. The compact discs were used and in poor condition and I admit I lost a few of them. This may not be the most complete or definitive version of LOTR but it kindled my love for audiobooks and therefore will always hold a special place in my heart and now in my audio library as well.

It's a radio drama of my favorite book, I loved it

I'm not sure why people complain about the abridgement. this isn't an audiobook of course its abridged. however of the two radio drama versions it's actually more faithful to the book than the BBC version. though it is undeniably more lighthearted in tone. the music and actors remind me of early Disney movies.

the pronunciation is a problem, and the lady who attempts to sound manly playing Sam made me laugh. but the music and acting make it clear that some of the voices were chosen for laughs. my primary complaint is that some of the voices sound a bit too similar at times.

ultimately its a very good listen. if you are a die-hard token fan who takes the sort of thing seriously, get the unabridged production by Rob Inglis. if you just want to enjoy the Lord of the Rings story in its basic form, this is a good option. if you want shortened but more serious delivery go BBC.

...Or you can be crazy like me and have all of them

a Wonderful Retelling

it had the quaint attitude befitting its time. reminiscent of a early Walt Disney movie. i will always hold a soft spot in my heart for the series. And this satisfied my hunger for Middle earth. very well done