2002 Sagan om ringen (Tomas Norström)

The Lord of the Rings

Release Date: 2002.08.01
Reader: Tomas Norström
Language: Swedish
Translator: Åke Ohlmarks
Organization: Pan Hörböcker
Copyright: © 2002 Norstedts Audio
ISBN: See below
Duration: ~54 hours 30 minutes
Unabridged: Yes
Country: Sweden
Licenced: Yes
Formats: CD

Tomas Norström (1956–2021) is considered the “voice of Tolkien” for a generation of Swedish listeners. He was a highly respected Swedish actor and director, perhaps best known to the general public for his roles in the cult series Pistvakt and films like The Hunters (Jägarna). With a narration that is characterized by a “grounded” and earthy quality. He doesn’t go for over-the-top theatricality; instead, has a slightly dry, rhythmic, and clear delivery with subtle characterization—giving characters distinct personalities through pacing and tone rather than vocal gymnastics.

This production is based on the Åke Ohlmarks translation which whilst considered poetic, archaic, and “Viking-esque.”, it is also highly controversial because he took significant liberties with the text, adding his own metaphors and sometimes mistranslating Tolkien’s specific linguistic nuances.

Recorded and released around 2002 by Pan Hörböcker (part of Norstedts), this was a massive undertaking timed to coincide with the surge in popularity from the Peter Jackson films.

Tomas Norström passed away in 2021. His Tolkien recordings are for many Swedish speakers, as synonymous with Frodo and Gandalf as Rob Inglis is for English speakers.

TitleISBNReleasedFormat
Sagan om ringen97891731302402002.08.01
2002.09.06		18 CDs 20 h 11 m
Sagan om de två tornen97891731302572002.08.01
2002.09.06		17 CDs ~19 h
Sagan om konungens återkomst97891731302642002.08.01
2002.09.06		14CD ~15.5 h