ONLY 5 chapters

I really should have paid more attention but this is the ABRIDGED version of The Hobbit, I only realized this because of the number of chapters.

I went back and looked at the description, it does not mention ANYWHERE in the description that this is the abridged version. Abridged is written in tiny print along the thumbnail of the title.

I feel like audible should clearly mark abridged vs unabridged.

The Hobbit is a rather short book to begin with, it didn’t really NEED an abridged copy.

82 persone l'hanno trovata utile

abridged does not mean cut in half

I like the narrator and the story... it's just a shame that this book has been edited down 50% I wish I had noticed that this was the abridged version when buying :-( now I have to buy the regular copy just so I know everything that happens :-(

Do not buy this version buy the full version!

77 persone l'hanno trovata utile

UNDECLARED ABRIDGED VERSION

Haven’t even read it, I don’t do abridged versions, I should be re-credited because I am going to have to get the unabridged version.

9 persone l'hanno trovata utile

A thrilling tail brought beautifully to life

Martin Shaw is perfectly cast as the narrator for this abridged version of The Hobbit. He reads with great characterisation, giving each their own voice and personality - no easy feat with such a large ensemble cast to portray! I love that Bilbo has a West Country inspired accent (by no means the full Wurzel) which reveals and speaks to his home-loving nature and gentleness while not at all seeming dumb.

Some may be disappointed that this is only an abridged version, but I can find no reason to fault it. Highly recommended, for the new listener to Tolkien's works, or for the seasoned fan looking to return to the Shire.

7 persone l'hanno trovata utile

GREAT BOOK RUINED BY SKIPPING OF STORY!

If you could sum up The Hobbit in three words, what would they be?

fantasy, war & engaging

What did you like best about this story?

The riddles with Gollum by far! :)

Have you listened to any of Martin Shaw’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

Any additional comments?

PLEASE DON'T SKIP SO MANY PARAGRAPHS! I WAS TRYING TO FOLLOW ON WITH MY COPY AND IT MADE IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE! NO WONDER IT WAS ONLY 6 HOURS COMPARED TO 9 HOURS OF MOVIE TIME! Otherwise a great reading! :)

3 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Fantastic Story

This is my first Audiobook, and I am currently on my fourth hour and I am absolutely loving it. I wish I could find another book that is as good as this one. I have looked around and can't seem to find a book that has a great adventure with diferent races like dwarfs etc,... I looked at the LOTR however when I listened to the sample that total put me off of Dramatised versions, the background music etc is terreble.

The Hobit is fantastic and I highly recommend it, it had a great adventure, many diferent races, and the nerrator just puts the cherry on the top.

3 persone l'hanno trovata utile

A very enthused family of listeners

My children and I enjoyed this very much and would recommend it. It is read by one person rather than multiple readers, but this was not a problem, rather the narrator was excellent.

3 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Martin Shaw

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes!J.R.R. Tolkien is the best writer out there and Martin Shaw is the best reader of his work.

What did you like best about this story?

Martin Shaw

What does Martin Shaw bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His inimitable voice and ability to bring Middle-Earth and all it's riches to life!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Perhaps

Any additional comments?

J.R.R. Tolkien shall live forever!

2 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Not quite what expected but appreciated.

I watched the movies before reading the book. I appreciated Tolkien enthusiasm for poetry and old school English. I did however think that Hollywood's transformation of the novel and addition of characters and happenings in the tale made it 100 times more fascinating and gripping. The performance of the narrator was good but I didn't like how he read Smaugs part. A mighty dragon should have more of a deep bellowing voice then a snake like hiss. I think if one read the book first they would be delighted in the movies.

2 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Audio quality is frustrating

I bought this version of the Hobbit because the Andy Serkis version was not available to download in my region. My criticism and disappointment with this Martin Shaw narration is the variation in his reading levels which ranges from a very low and barely audible level to a very loud and unbearable level. I found myself constantly having to turn up the sound while the narrator was reading sombre moments and suddenly turning it down during his description of a battle or excitement. It probably wouldn't matter if I was at home listening on a proper sound system, but driving my 10 year old son to school in the mornings for his first taste of Tolkien wasn't the ideal platform for this kind of voice narration. Martin Shaw has a lovely delivery but his range is simply too frustrating when listening on a car stereo system.

1 persona l'ha trovata utile