The Lord of the Rings: The Trilogy
J.R.R. Tolkien Audio Book

Although successfully filmed by Peter Jackson, the land of Middle Earth peopled by hobbits and threatened by overarching evil from outside has always prospered most in the imagination rather than visually on the screen, which makes this CD audiobook such a success.

Although enjoyable, Tolkien’s classic trilogy is quite a long read, so having this epic story abridged and adapted into an audiobook on CD is a useful way of experiencing Tolkien’s work during a busy life. This version makes use of the highly successful BBC Radio 4 dramatisation with its full cast of great actors like Michael Hordern, John Le Mesurier, Robert Stephens, Peter Woodthorpe and, of course, the incomparable Ian Holm as the main protagonist and hobbit hero Frodo.

One of the original BBC team of dramatists, Brian Sibley, has also written some new narration for Frodo to help with the storytelling. Altogether, the high quality of these actors’ narration and Tolkien’s vivid depiction of an imaginary world makes for great listening.

Even if you have managed to read the original books and watched Jackson’s magnificent films shot in New Zealand’s pristine and wild landscapes, there is still so much to be gained from listening in to this feast of essentially English storytelling.