The Return of the King Audiobook
Written by: J. R. R. Tolkien
Narrated by: Rob Inglis
Length: 18 hours and 18 minutes
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date: 10-09-12
Publisher: Recorded Books
Are you the type of individual, who absolutely loves a good medieval tale? I certainly am and I can tell you that the majority of movies and films fail to do the source material justice. This is especially true, when it comes to The Return of the King, which is the third book, within the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Although the entire trilogy is absolutely enthralling and ravishing, there is something truly special about the third book, which helps to make it one of the best in the entire series. Those, who’ve already experienced the previous two additions, will definitely want to consider dropping the paperback and making the transition to The Return of the King audiobook.
The original audio book was released in 2012 and it just as enthralling today, as it was back then. Although it is impossible not to credit Tolkien with the majority of the praise, the esteemed Rob Inglis should also be credited for enhancing the tale substantially with his amazing vocal performance. So, how does it all pan out in the end? You’ll be able to find out in my comprehensive review below.
The Narration
When exploring the audiobook market, you will find that some narrators are prolific. Others seem to be more selective and personal, when choosing their works. Robert Inglis falls within the latter category. He is truly a hidden gem and has only worked on audiobook projects in correlation with J. R. R. Tolkien. Not only has he done the entire The Lord of the Rings series, but he has also worked on Tolkien’s The Hobbit, as well. So, why was he so great for the role? Well, in the 1970s and 80s, he actually wrote and acted in his own stage performances of both tales. The performances were widely praised as being award winning, so the choice was a no-brainer.
Now, I could go on and on about Inglis, but it is best to focus on his narration of The Return of the King audiobook. Inglis is not shy about showing off his vocals and this is evident here. The book spans over 18 hours and Inglis never falters throughout the audiobook’s entirety. His professional, straight to the point delivery remains throughout the book and makes it a pleasurable listen. Of course, the narration is simply a side note, when Inglis steps it up and sings the songs and poems, which has become so popular amongst fans of the trilogy.
Now, fans of this series will tell you that the books are overflowing with interesting, compelling and heartfelt characters. In order for the narration to be a success, each of the characters needs to be easily distinguishable. Inglis truly excels in this category. He manages to put a quirky little spin on each of the characters and this helps to keep them separated. Connecting with the characters and sympathizing with their struggles has never been easier, thanks to the emotional and incredibly passionate delivery from Robert.
The audiobook is undoubtedly lengthy, but it doesn’t feel like it, at all. The unabridged audio moves along at a pleasurable pace and will keep you locked in and enthralled, until the very end. During the audio’s entirety, I never ran across any hiccups or blemishes. It was evident that a tremendous amount of effort was put into the adaptation. Of course, the audiobook’s success rests solely on the shoulders of Rob Inglis and he knocks it out of the park, with an absolutely brilliant performance.
The Story
If you’re a fan of The Lord of the Rings, you know precisely what the story is all about. The Return of the King is the final addition to the series and undoubtedly the most gripping and dramatic. The book begins precisely where The Two Towers ends. It takes place in the Kingdom of Gondor, which will soon receive an unwelcomed visitor in the Dark Lord Sauron. During the beginning of the tale, Gandalf and Pippin rush to Minas Tirith to warn the Lord of Gondor that an attack is imminent.
Unlike some portions of the other books, the entirety of The Return of the King remains chaotic and very much full of action. Not only is the book a page-turner, but also it’ll keep the reader or listener on the edge of their seat, until the very end. The book might’ve been originally published in October of 1955, but it remains just as fresh and enthralling as ever. It has been credit throughout the years and was once called a true masterpiece of the genre. This is something that I can wholeheartedly agree it.
The Return of the King is an absolute must for those, who’ve already experienced the first two additions to the series. Although it should definitely come last and only after you’ve caught up with the previous, the book is brilliant and could easily stand-alone on its own. It delivers a fitting conclusion to a wonderful series and will definitely stick with you for an extensive period of time, after the very last word has been read.
The Return Of The King Audiobook Overall
The Lord of the Rings is undoubtedly one of the greatest fantasy novel series of all times. It has been received well by the masses, as well as by critics. The entire trilogy has been adapted into films and they’re wonderful, but unable to parallel the beauty of the books or the audiobooks. If you have yet to experience the wonderful tale, I highly recommend giving the audiobooks a chance.
It spans over 18 hours and can likely be finished more rapidly than attempting to read the book on your own. At the same time, the fantasy tale is dramatically enhanced, thanks to the immaculate vocal performance by Rob Inglis. The Return of the King audiobook was nearly flawless as a book, but Inglis somehow manages to take it, reshape it and develop it into something even more dynamic. The audiobook is truly magnificent and should not be ignored! Check it out for yourself right away!