Silmarillion Audiobook Andy Serkis ~repack~

between the Andy Serkis and Martin Shaw versions to decide which one to buy?

While purists who prefer a detached, objective reading may still favor Martin Shaw’s classic recording, Serkis’s version is widely considered the superior choice for modern audiences and first-time listeners. Shaw treats the book like history; Serkis treats it like drama. Why This Audiobook Changes the Reading Experience

To listen to the audiobook, here's an option to download or stream it.

Silmarillion audiobook narrated by Andy Serkis is an unabridged performance released on June 22, 2023 silmarillion audiobook andy serkis

But tonight was different. Tonight, she had headphones and Andy Serkis.

The audiobook has been widely praised for making one of Tolkien’s most "difficult" books more accessible. Positives: Reviewers on platforms like

For longtime fans, Martin Shaw’s narration has been the gold standard for decades. With the release of Serkis’s version, a friendly but passionate debate has emerged. between the Andy Serkis and Martin Shaw versions

It includes a recording of a long letter by Tolkien (Letter 131) that summarizes the mythology, as well as the book's prefaces.

He speaks for deities like Manwë and Ulmo with a resonant, booming chest voice that conveys cosmic weight.

Earlier versions (e.g., Martin Shaw’s 1998 recording) were more restrained — Shaw read in a measured, chronicler’s tone. Serkis instead performs each scene as if it were a script, adding emotional affect that Shaw avoided. Neither approach is objectively better; Shaw suits academic listening, while Serkis suits dramatic immersion. Why This Audiobook Changes the Reading Experience To

The opening chapter, “Ainulindalë,” is notoriously abstract. It describes the creation of the universe through divine music. Serkis treats this not as a dry lecture but as a cosmic symphony. His voice deepens to a resonant, nearly inhuman bass for Ilúvatar (God), while it becomes melodic and ethereal for the Valar. You can hear the discord introduced by Melkor as Serkis’s tone shifts from harmonious to grating and dissonant.

Fans have particularly celebrated the runtime. At approximately 21 hours (the Martin Shaw version is about 15 hours due to a slightly faster pace), Serkis takes his time, letting the sorrows and glories of Beleriand breathe. Listeners report re-listening to specific chapters—such as “Of the Ruin of Beleriand” or “The Voyage of Eärendil”—simply to re-experience the vocal high points.

However, in 2021, the release of the audiobook narrated by Andy Serkis changed the way audiences access this difficult text. Serkis, already beloved by fans for his iconic motion-capture performance as Gollum, proved that his mastery of Tolkien extends far beyond a single character. His narration has transformed the listening experience, turning a scholarly text into a gripping piece of epic theater.

Download or stream The Silmarillion by J. R. R. Tolkien. Get 50% off this audiobook at the AudiobooksNow online audio book store and download or stream it right to your computer, smartphone or tablet.