The Return of the King

by Bernard Mayes (Adaptation), J.R.R. Tolkien, Gail Chugg

The original American full dramatization as broadcast on National Public Radio. War rages in the west—a titanic battle of will and strategy between the great wizard Gandalf and Sauron, the dark lord. Meanwhile, eastward in Mordor, Frodo and Sam approach the end of their improbable quest, bearing the One Ring ever closer to the Cracks of Doom—and to a final confrontation with the very essence of evil.

Genres: Fantasy, Classics, Fiction, Audiobook

Audio CD

Published February 6, 2002

Reviews

[Jeff (buriedundermybooks)]

There are a million reviews for Lord of the Rings. I have no intention of adding to that. This is a multicast presentation of an abridged book. I found some good things about it and a little bad.

For an abridged book, this does a good job of hitting most of the main plotlines for the full version. Having that this is a multicast audiobook, there are enough voices to portray the characters well.

My biggest pet peeve is that the audio level isn't an even volume throughout. I was forced to raise or lower the volume a number of times. I found that to be a little annoying.

Overall, this would be great for younger readers. There is a great deal less gore than in the full volume.

[Mrklingon]

Mine may be a minority opinion, but I love the NPR dramatizations of the Lord of the Rings. I acquired it in a HumbleBundle a few years ago and along with my cassette copy of the BBC version, I've spent many, many hours this way in Middle Earth. Especially during the height of the pandemic, when my wife and I took up Nordic Walking, I listened to these recordings multiple times out walking and, I expect, will again.

[Eadrinor]

The NPR adaptation didn’t always work for me. I’m very familiar with the story, but I fear anyone listening without prior knowledge would be left confused. Some of the narration lacked what I felt to be the proper tone for the content. I was happy to hear some of the amazing dialogue from the Houses of Healing did make this since it was not included in Jackson’s movie.

[Shaun Marksbury]

Stirring. Loved it.

[Mark]

Very nice radio play.

[Heather L.]

I did not particularly like the "radio drama" version that I listened to for this series.

[Reed Gianangeli]

Truly the best of the trilogy. I thought that one of the most conflicting parts of the book is when Gandalf had to choose between saving Faramir and allowing the Witch King to kill King Theodin. i hoped for the survival of theodin, him being one of my favorites, but his death is key in the future of the minor character and in releasing Aragorn from his awkward relationship with Eowyn.