The Hobbit

Although this is abridged, it is better than Rob Inglis' version.


The well-read Hobbit   August 17, 2004
Sally-Anne (Leicestershire, United Kingdom)
110 out of 110 found this review helpful

Our teacher read The Hobbit to us over the course of a few of weeks when we were about seven. It's one of the few stories that stuck in my imagination from those early school days - four decades ago. Our teacher was good at reading stories. She could mesmerise us. I wouldn't expect Martin Shaw to be anywhere near as competent as that teacher. I would have been satisfied if he'd been half as good. Well, he was much better than I was expecting. He was good! The right reading style for this book is really a matter of taste and opinion. Martin Shaw's reading hit the spot for me. He conjured up different characters with different voices - all realistic and none exaggerated. I closed my eyes and I was there, with Bilbo and the dwarves.

I have listened to the BBC Radio Collection's dramatised version of The Hobbit and didn't like it at all. It was clearly produced for the younger audience and I shouldn't complain about that because, of course, The Hobbit is a children's book. I've heard that the unabridged reading by Rob Inglis is also aimed at the younger listener (though I'd like to hear it before making a judgement). I'm an adult (oh yes I am!) and this version, read by Mr Shaw, met with my total satisfaction because even though I enjoy some children's literature, I still want to be read to as an adult.

There is no mention on the CD case of the person responsible for abridging the tale, but I would like to congratulate that person for doing an excellent job. I had to check that I was actually listening to the abridged version because it seemed so complete and seamless.

I recommend this audiobook. It's one of the best I've heard.


Martin Shaw Narration of The Hobbit (Abridged)   March 19, 2002
mike@wottle.free-online.co.uk (England)
51 out of 57 found this review helpful

This audio version of The Hobbit tells the first tale of Bilbo's adventures with his trusted Dwarf companions and of course Gandalf. It tells the tale of their journey to gain wealth and treasure and all of the dangers they experience along the way. It more importantly tells how Bilbo comes across "The Ring" and its affects on him. From this the follow up story of The Lord of the Rings was eventually told (The three part unabridged versions are available on both tape and CD format, read by Rob Inglis)

This audio book is very well abridged, although there is an unabridged version narrated by Rob Inglis for those of you who would prefer the complete version, rather than this 6 hour shortened version.

Martin Shaw reads this tale well, but I do have to say that his voice does lack some enthusiasm in my opinion. I would much prefer to listen to Rob Inglis voice and his characterisations.

It is not a requirement, but I would recommend reading (or listening) to The Hobbit before going onto reading the Lord of the Rings.