I picked this book up because it was mentioned in the Modern Scholar lectures on Fantasy fiction (great lectures!). I enjoyed the story, but after listening to Tolkien recently, it didn't quite compare. Still, it's a great story that can be enjoyed by children and adults. What makes this a wonderful audio experience is the narrator, Harlan Ellison (yes, Harlan Ellison, the prize winning sci-fi author). His style is so energetic, it totally draws you into the story. He shouts during battles and whispers when something evil is approaching - definitely a different audio experience that I found very enjoyable.