Ever heard Tolkien read the Hobbit?

[Igtica]

Sorry I'm very inquistive and have to ask. I just wondered if anyone else has heard the recording of Tolkien reading chapter 5, or another chapter? It's just I only got the Hobbit recently, and it came with a recording of Tolkien reading chapter 5:Riddles in the Dark. It's just it's very different to hear the author reading their work. Also the case of mine describes how Tolkien became depressed because of LOTR not being published after 14 years work, as that's when he recorded the chapter. I wondered if anyone has a recording where Tolkien isn't depressed? It's just I wonder if there is any difference?

Anyway enough of me asking questions,

Igtica

[Igtica]

It doesn't look like anyone knows! :(

Igtica
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Survivor letter: G

[Lasgalen]

Sorry. Not ignoring your thread. I just never heard Tolkien reading the Hobbit. It must be neat to hear him reading because he would know all the emotions the characters should be displaying.

[Alatar]

ya it would change ones perspective on Gollum and Frodo after hearing him talk and hearing how the emotions were ment to be when he wrote the book.

[Ludibunda]

Interestingly, Tolkien is not the first sfuffy old male author I have heard read their own work - badly! Roald Dahl also does a horrendous rendition of Revolting Rhymes and E.B.White trudges through The Trumpet of the Swan. Have you heard Steven King read any of his own work - "horror"endous! My theory is that the items sell better if they are "read by the famous author." But this listener is more often entertained if readings are done by multiple-voiced theater companies or actors.
I think these old writers are squirrelled away from society where they get to exercise their emotions and vocal chords little. Many of them admit periods of depression, which doesn't lend itself to enthusiastic read-alouds.
Have you heard Elijah Wood's reading of The Great Pumpkin? He effects the voices of witches, ghosts, goblins and soon will do a penguin in his next movie! This high energy social bug is MUCH more suited to dramatic reading, as Peter is suited to directing, and Tolkien was suited to writing. It's wonderful when each talent is coordinated, and disappointing when a mismatch is made into a product.
Well, nobody can be good at everything, but everyone can be good at something!

[Lasgalen]

lol I just found this quote by Tolkien. Apparently he thinks much more of his narrating skills than you do, Ludibunda.

J.R.R. Tolkien in a Letter to Rayner Unwin - August 29, 1952

"I have recently made some tape-recordings of parts of the Hobbit and The Lord (notable the Gollum-passages and some pieces of 'Elvish') and was much surprised to discover their effectiveness as recitations, and (if I may say so) my own effectiveness as a narrator, I do a very pretty Gollum and Treebeard. "

[Igtica]

Wow thats around the time it says that Tolkien read the passage, thanks for that :)

[Argonath]

None that I have been able to find, but that doesn't mean that they're not out there.