The Return of the King cover art

The Return of the King

The Lord of the Rings, Book 3

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The Return of the King

By: J. R.R. Tolkien
Narrated by: Rob Inglis
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About this listen

Concluding the story begun in The Hobbit, this is the final part of Tolkien’s epic masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings.

The armies of the Dark Lord Sauron are massing as his evil shadow spreads ever wider. Men, Dwarves, Elves and Ents unite forces to do battle agains the Dark. Meanwhile, Frodo and Sam struggle further into Mordor in their heroic quest to destroy the One Ring.

The devastating conclusion of J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic tale of magic and adventure, begun in The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers, features the definitive audio recording of the complete tale – including Appendix A – all of which is expertly read by Rob Inglis.

©1954, 1966 The Tolkien Estate Limited (P)1991 HarperCollins Publishers Limited Classics Dark Fantasy Dragons & Mythical Creatures Epic Fantasy Women's Fiction

Critic Reviews

"An extraordinary book. It deals with a stupendous theme. It leads us through a succession of strange and astonishing episodes, some of them magnificent." (The Observer)

"Among the greatest works of imaginative fiction of the twentieth century." (Sunday Telegraph)
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There are many stories I love but the Lord of The Rings always stands high above.

So much details put into the history and reason for the story makes the story so strong in my mind. The friendship of all the characters can be heart warming.

No matter how many times I read it I always hear new parts and details which make me love it more.

Read it, love it, and forever remember it.

The best story ever told.

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This needs an update, much like the star wars books, with sound effects and the like... Still excellent though...

Great as usual, however needs an update

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This was throughly enjoyable, the rich timber of Rob Inglis' voice was enough to rival Sarumans. As I traveled about the country I could imagine I was in Middle Earth.

Wonderful telling of this classic.

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Read the books numerous times over the decades but to listen to it allowed me to close my eyes and drift off to middle earth and be part of this great adventure.

Taken on an adventure

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It's Lord of the rings. Its just fantastic and this does a great job of reading jt

Great. What'd you expect?

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Just drawn out and boring. No build up for important moments.
Literally blinked and old mate defeated.

Too much attention out on unimportant things, and not enough attention put on the important plot points.
Glad I read, but only to say I did.
Was hoping for more.

Movies are better

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Would you listen to The Return of the King again? Why?

yes

Who was your favorite character and why?

sam, the most down to earth and realistic character

Who might you have cast as narrator instead of Rob Inglis?

dont know but someone who can deliver the important speeches and moments (eg when in mordor and sam says 'i cant carry the ring but i can carry you' - rob inglis made this scene very weak, as well as the whole chapter at mount doom) with the conviction they deserve and need unlike rob inglis

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

sam saving frodo in mordor

lotr

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Absolutely stunning reading by Rob Inglis.

I first read LotR over 50 years ago and my personal internal characterisations were entirely matched by Rob's interpretations of each of the characters so excellently drawn by Prof Tolkien.
Only regret is not buying this amazing rendition years ago

The Lord of the Rings - The return of the King

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The narrator is a master of voices. Almost makes you think you're there. The story is long, but well worth the time.

Master story teller

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Enjoyed the whole series, it did feel like my grandfather was reading it, but that worked for me and the songs were beautifully done. My only disappointment was they did not include the appendixes.

Great, but no appendixes

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