Listen free for 30 days

1 credit a month, good for any title to download and keep.
The Plus Catalogue—listen all you want to thousands of Audible Originals, podcasts, and audiobooks.
$14.95 a month plus applicable taxes after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
The Hobbit cover art

The Hobbit

Written by: J. R. R. Tolkien
Narrated by: Andy Serkis
Try for $0.00

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $4.99

Buy Now for $4.99

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.

Publisher's Summary

This brand-new unabridged audio book of J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved The Hobbit will be coming to listeners everywhere this September, read by the BAFTA award-winning actor, director and author, Andy Serkis.

Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely travelling further than the pantry of his hobbit-hole in Bag End. But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard, Gandalf, and a company of 13 dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day, to whisk him away on a journey "there and back again". They have a plot to raid the treasure hoard of Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon… 

The prelude to The Lord of The Rings, the Hobbit has sold many millions of copies since its publication in 1937, establishing itself as one of the most influential books of the 20th century.

©1937, 1951, 1966, 1978, 1995 The J.R.R. Tolkien Copyright Trust (P)2020 HarperCollins

What listeners love about The Hobbit

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    819
  • 4 Stars
    41
  • 3 Stars
    5
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    732
  • 4 Stars
    19
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    704
  • 4 Stars
    44
  • 3 Stars
    7
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Andy Serkis is incredible

Andy Serkis is unbelievable!

I love this book but was unsure of which version to get since there are several options.

However, when I saw that Andy Serkis (Gollum) was reading I knew this would be the right one.

He adds such an incredible personality and passion, bringing new life to an old classic.

I highly recommend this version, you won't be disappointed!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

7 people found this helpful

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

Best audio version ever

The reader, Andy Serkis, is downright the best I have ever heard. His rendition brings this marvelous tale to life.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

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

Best performance by Andy Serkis!!! ❤❤❤

I have the old audiobook read by Rob Inglis, and he is good. But this new version is read by Andy Serkis, and it is a wonderful performance of the story! Much better than a mere reading of the book! WOW!!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

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

Andy serkis is a rockstar!

Really enjoyable! Andy does all the voices (not just Gollum), and tells the story wonderfully. We all know the story is amazing, but the I loved the narration also. Excellent!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

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

Andy Serkis adds so much

An amazing listen with the voice of Gollum,
And so many other voices. Happy he read the trilogy

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

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

best audio version of the book

it's the Hobbit so I don't know if the story needs discussion but Andy Serkis was amazing. by far my favourite version of the story. even if you know the hobbit backwards and forwards this is worthy of a listen for being so good

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

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

Andy Serkis does not disappoint. A nice refresher.

00:26:39, you're welcome.

I hope that they will do a refresher of the rest of the series.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

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

Unmatched in All Regards

One of Tolkien’s masterpieces. The story can speak for itself. Mr. Serkis is the perfect narrator for such works. I only hope he will narrate The Lord of the Rings. Sound and the recording quality was very good. Perfect bedtime story for folks young and old.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • H R
  • 2021-05-24

Good Reading

Wonderful story. Talented reader, although I did find his voice was a bit too gruff and screeching at times

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

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

This Andy guy is excellent at voicing Gollem

Hahaha, jk, obviously knowing Andy Serkis plays Gollem in the films. This listening/reading experience was delightful.

I've been wanting to read The Hobbit for the longest time, but sadly my book has be simply getting dusty on my shelf. I'm not much for audiobooks, I love the reading myself, but sadly have not been in a mood to read. When I found out Andy Serkis was performing The Hobbit and LOTR, I searched for it.

Andy Serkis is amazing at reading the story. The voices and the feel he has for the characters. I can't wait to start listening to Fellowship of The Ring.

I say, if you enjoy the books, the films, and Andy Serkis, these are definitely the audio books for you.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Barbara Lunz
  • Barbara Lunz
  • 2020-09-22

Andy Serkis Was Sheer Perfection

I want to thank Andy Serkis for his magnificent performance of The Hobbit. I was transported to Middle Earth and lived each adventure through his narration.

Mr. Serkis has such an outstanding range of voices that you knew each character at once. His interpretation of Gandalf, Thorin, Balin, Dwalin and the others gave the book a richness I didn't feel before. And of course, we can't forget his perfect performance of Gollum.

I will be listening to this again and again.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

123 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Aleja Allen
  • Aleja Allen
  • 2020-09-23

MORE PLEASE

I don’t even need to finish this to give it 5 stars. Andy Serkis is AMAZING, but that wasn’t ever really in question. What I love is that he really acts out the actions. Like he put his heart into—which, again, isn’t surprising. We need the whole trilogy from him. Not that I don’t love the originals, but this is just wonderful. I loved loved loved it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

94 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Brad
  • Brad
  • 2020-09-21

The superior recording

I’m not going to bother reviewing the book itself as it’s the same fantastic book it’s always been. But I will praise the narration by Andy Serkis. It is superior to the original narration by Rob Inglis in every way, and I sincerely hope that the powers that be have Mr. Serkis record The Lord of the Rings trilogy next. PLEASE.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

92 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Ren
  • Ren
  • 2020-09-22

A masterpiece

This is best audiobook performance I have ever heard. I missed half of the live quarantine performance by Serkis and was delighted when I heard that it would be released on audible. There is nothing I would change about the reading. Heads up to those who seek a bedtime read, go with the older narration. Serkis narration is so lively and vivid that it can jolt you awake. You’d be a fool not to get this rendition, y’all.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

81 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Theresa J Boehmer
  • Theresa J Boehmer
  • 2020-09-24

Gollum

The only thing that could have made this better would be if it was completely read in Gollum's voice

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

55 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Steve
  • Steve
  • 2020-09-21

Marvelous Narration with Strong Film Connections

If you enjoy the Peter Jackson films or Tolkien in general, you'll love this narration. Andy Serkis's acting talent is on full display as he transports listeners to Middle Earth. The song melodies sound much like their film versions, and character voices are rich and varied, with accents and tones that convey not just Andy's own iconic Gollum, but also Richard Armitage's Thorin and Ken Stott's Balin, for instance. This version is vastly superior to Rob Inglis's in every way and has become the definitive Hobbit audiobook in my mind. Bring on LOTR, Andy!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

47 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Whinston
  • Whinston
  • 2020-09-21

More Andy Serkis!

One of my favorite books of all time! and this is by far the best narrator! I really hope to see the whole series read by Andy Serkis.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

37 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Delta 0094
  • Delta 0094
  • 2020-09-23

The Eldar would be Proud

I pre-ordered this for LITERALLY one chapter: Riddles In The Dark. I am HAPPILY listening to the entire story. I don't know what I expected, but it was NOT this. This is infinitely better than I could have ever hoped. It's near perfect. I absolutely love it, and I'm only to chapter six...

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

36 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for anthony l capelli
  • anthony l capelli
  • 2020-09-23

Masterful Performance

Serkis’s performance is absolutely phenomenal. This version of The Hobbit is also very clear and clean versus the older audiobook recordings. These books were due for a much needed update and Serkis delivered handsomely. Please please please please do LoTR!!!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

27 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for ian mcmahan
  • ian mcmahan
  • 2020-12-14

Andy Serkis doing Riddles in the Dark

Andy Serkis doing Riddles in the Dark is Transcendant, and his voice acting on all of the other voices also blows my mind.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

24 people found this helpful