The Lord of the Rings

The Fellowship of the Ring: The Ring Sets Out

By: J. R.R. Tolkien

Narrated by: Rob Inglis

Continuing the story begun in The Hobbit, this is the first part of Tolkien’s epic masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings.

Sauron, the Dark Lord, has gathered to him all the Rings of Power – the means by which he intends to rule Middle-earth. All he lacks in his plans for dominion is the One Ring – the ring that rules them all – which has fallen into the hands of the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins.

In a sleepy village in the Shire, young Frodo Baggins finds himself faced with an immense task, as his elderly cousin Bilbo entrusts the Ring to his care. Frodo must leave his home and make a perilous journey across Middle-earth to the Cracks of Doom, there to destroy the Ring and foil the Dark Lord in his evil purpose.

©1954 The Tolkien Estate Limited (P)2025 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic reviews

"An extraordinary book. It deals with a stupendous theme. It leads us through a succession of strange and astonishing episodes, some of them magnificent." ( The Observer)
"Among the greatest works of imaginative fiction of the twentieth century." ( Sunday Telegraph)

Just BRILLIANT

I just can't get enough of this magnificently written masterpiece. Lord of the Rings is a wonderful exciting escape for me and now thanks to audible I can take it with me everywhere. I can listen to it in the car, lying in bed or sitting on a park bench. Absolutely BRILLIANT audible - give me more !!!

The Preeminent Adventure Story of Our Time

The first part of the most influential fantasy series ever written; it is an adventure one can return to again and again whatever age. Rob Inglis does a decent job but lacks the proper drama The Lord of the Rings should be read in; a bit of a disappointment compared to Andy Serkis's brilliant performance of The Hobbit.

Very exciting to listen to

I really enjoyed listening to this audio. The narrator is talented and interprets the book very well. Tolkien of course is an artist and I can't wait to spend my next credit on the second part.

Great!

This was one of my first readings of all times, I never get tired of it.

The greatest book I have read

I have watch all of the movies but almost 20 years later decided to read the book and it is so brilliant. the best use of the English language (and other made up languages) I have ever encountered, and genius character development. I cant really write about it well enough to do it justice. do it.