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  • The Return of the King

  • Lord of the Rings, Book 3
  • Written by: J. R. R. Tolkien
  • Narrated by: Andy Serkis
  • Length: 21 hrs and 52 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (454 ratings)

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The Return of the King

Written by: J. R. R. Tolkien
Narrated by: Andy Serkis
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Publisher's Summary

This brand-new unabridged audiobook of The Return of the King, the third and final part of J. R. R. Tolkien’s epic adventure The Lord of the Rings, is read by the BAFTA Award-winning actor, director, and author Andy Serkis.

The armies of the Dark Lord are massing as his evil shadow spreads even wider. Men, Dwarves, Elves, and Ents unite forces to battle against 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 adventure, begun in The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers.

©1983 Christopher R. Tolkien, Michael H.R.Tolkien, John F.R. Tolkien, and Priscilla M.A.R.Tolkien (P)2021 Recorded Books

What listeners say about The Return of the King

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Andy Serkis. Nothing else to say

If you like Andy Serkis you will love his narration. Its just really good.

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2 people found this helpful

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  • DC
  • 2021-10-01

Gollum

Andy does a great job narrating TLOTR by use of his assignment of many distinctive separate voices that become easily recognizable but when his Gollum voice emerged I started with exuberance! It was great to hear that twisted guttural voice again.

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just something you have to do

it was long and interesting and detail to study for months. just what you'd want in an epic tale of adventure. what an end to an incredible journey. thanks Andy for reading

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Finally finished all three. This was the best one!

Fantastic storytelling. Andy Serkis does an excellent job. I may just re read them again now.

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Brilliant

J.R.R.Tolkien penned the greatest Epic High Fantasy story ever written with this Trilogy (I anxiously await G.R.R.Martin's 'Song Of Ice And Fire' Books 6 & 7 to see if I should come to a different conclusion). The Middle Earth reality has spawned innumerable interpretations, imitations, and actual university classes studying literature.
I personally think Peter Jackson's film treatment is a little too commercially-driven but accurate to the action-adventure elements of the tale. If you likewise enjoyed the Film, this reading of the unabridged book is the finest you can find.

Unfortunately, Andy Serkis's incredibly cinematic performance is slightly marred by overdramatics. Don't get me wrong: his diction, timbre, cadence, and pacing are unimpeachable (and his voice-acting is genuinely peerless), but Serkis occasionally gets carried away and ends up sounding cartoonish. In toto, this is a far above average - if imperfect - listening product.

Altogether, this is an unsurpassed way to spend a cross-country drive or a few quiet night shifts. This 9/10-star audiobook captures the mood of the films *perfectly*. I recommend the more whimsical Rob Inglis readings of 'The Hobbit' and 'The Fellowship Of The Ring'.. but these mind's-eye vivid Serkis interpretations of 'The Two Towers' and 'The Return Of The King' are the way to go (I think that's how professor Tolkien intended them to be read).

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The best narration!

Andy Serkis' narration is the best I've ever heard! All of the voices are very distinct - it's easy to imagine who is speaking. He is so talented! It's amazing to hear a voice actor act out a voice that impersonates another voice - like Pippin impersonating Gandalf.
There's a whole 8 hours of content after Frodo and Sam are at Mount Doom! I feel like the movies did a wonderful adaptation of these books. Great to hear it in audio version as well. Highly recommend!

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Amazing story

Loved this book!!! The narrator is amazing makes you feel like you’re in the story along with the characters

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perfect narration for an amazing book.

I loved it!
Andy Serkis was the perfect choice to narrate these books. 100% entertained and captivated from beginning to end

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Andy Serkis narration is amazing

The way Andy Serkis is able to switch between all characters voices and accents flawlessly will leave you speechless, I cannot recommend this audiobook enough, it really is a must have!

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F.A.B.U.L.O.U.S.

Oh JRR you are an artist. And Andy Serkis lives up to his name with his superb reading. Cannot recommend this enough to LoTR die hards, and newbies alike!

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  • Sheryl McCallister
  • 2021-09-17

The Reader to rule them all....Andy Serkis

Copes of LOTR have lived on top of my main bookshelf for almost 50 years. I often pick it up, opening it wherever it falls, any time I want to read for just a minute or two, because I can consistently FALL into MiddleEarth in an instant, and just relax. Over the years, I've heard others read this...but there was never the immediate sense of being IN Bag End, or the Golden Hall, or the woods of Fangorn.... in any of those attempts. ANDY SERKIS MAKES IT HAPPEN. I picked up all three of these together, and tried to do it--picked different chapters blind, from each book--and each time, I've had that same experience I do when I pick up my hard copy, or open my Nook copy randomly--and just been swept in to Tolkien's words, and MiddleEarth. What is more than perfection? Because that's what Andy Serkis has done here.

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  • Skipper
  • 2021-11-01

Overwrought narration

Great classic series. I love narrator Andy Serkis as Gollum and Wormtongue. I only wish he were less forceful in his overall narration throughout this series. Tolkien’s words alone can carry the day without extremely pronounced vocal expression.

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  • David
  • 2021-09-16

First reviewer!

Always fun to be the first to submit a review of a new book, especially one as fantastic as this one. Andy Serkis nailed it!

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  • Teresa
  • 2021-12-05

Andy Serkis is an AMAZING actor!!

Best audio performance I’ve listened to for these books! Each character has their own, distinctive voice and the books are not just read, but fully acted out…and not in an overly mellow dramatic, radio theater manor like some of the dramatizations available on audible (which can be entertaining, but also often silly).

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  • Dick Thomas
  • 2021-09-21

Narration

The narrator isn't my favorite. Particularly the voices he uses for Pippin and the Witch King are unbearable. Very breathy.

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  • Edward15
  • 2021-09-16

Love the series, eternally great!

Wanting to listen to the actual books is what finally got me to into audiobooks. The first one I listened to was The Hobbit read by Serkis. I quickly learned about these and got a premium account for the credits to preorder these 2 months before release. Have been a fan for years and all the expanded lore, it was long overdue I ‘read’ the books in any form. Tolkien would be so amazed that his works are held so high and famous around the world in so many forms

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  • Phil F.
  • 2021-11-27

À contribution to Tolkien studies

I consider Serkis’s performance to be a contribution to Tolkien studies. It provides an interpretation of the uncut LOTR text. My hope is that it will attract listeners to become readers of the books.

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  • JLT
  • 2021-11-28

Dynamic

The narration by Andy Serkis is dynamic and emotional. Though I have listened many times before, this version brought new meaning to several important passages. I look forward to listening again.

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  • Brandon Frizzell
  • 2021-11-03

Epic

The grand finale of Tolkien's magnum opus and a fantastic performance from Andy Serkis. Truly a book everyone should listen to.

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  • Jared Wittman
  • 2021-10-29

Andy Serkis brings Tolkien's story to life

Andy Serkis nailed the narration of all the books! His enthusiasm and skill as a narrator is the best I've come across. I absolutely enjoy the LOTR story and the picture painted by Tolkien but it was brought to life by Andy Serkis.

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