Tales From The Perilous Realm: Amazon.ca: J.R.R. Tolkien: Books

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Review

Farmer Giles of Ham: 'A fabulous tale of the days when giants and dragons walked the kingdom' Sunday Times Leaf by Niggle: 'A haunting and successful demonstration of the qualities of faerie' New York Times The Adventures of Tom Bombadil: 'Something close to genius' The Listener Smith of Wootton Major: 'Whoever reads it at eight will no doubt still be going back to it at eighty' New Statesman

Book Description

For the first time in A-format, the definitive collection of Tolkien’s four acclaimed modern classic ‘fairie’ tales in the vein of The Hobbit.

Farmer Giles of Ham is fat and unheroic, but — having unwittingly managed to scare off a short-sighted giant — is called upon to do battle when the dragon Chrysophylax comes to town. The Adventures of Tom Bombadil tells by way of verse of Tom’s many adventures with hobbits, princesses, dwarves and trolls. Leaf By Niggle recounts the strange adventures of the painter Niggle who sets out to paint the perfect tree. Smith of Wootton Major journeys to the Land of Faery thanks to the magical ingredients of the Great Cake of the Feast of Good Children.

The four tales are written with the same skill, quality and hallmarks that made Tolkien’s Hobbit a classic. Largely overlooked because of their short lengths, they are finally together in a volume which reaffirms Tolkien’s place as a master storyteller for readers young and old.

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Customer Reviews

9 Reviews

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4 star:		(4)
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Average Customer Review

4.2 out of 5 stars (9 customer reviews)

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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars More Master's material, Mar 8 2003

By

E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME) (TOP 10 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Tales from the Perilous Realm (Paperback)

This stuff goes under the listing of "things most people don't know Tolkien wrote," along with things like "On Fairy Stories," "Bilbo's Last Song" and the charming bedtime story "Roverandum." It's a good collection of Tolkien's lesser-known material, including some cute short stories and poems.

In this slim volume is: "The Adventures of Tom Bombadil," a collection of poems. Some focus on the weird and wonderful Tom himself, and some are poems that are (or might be) in Middle-Earth, like the creepy "Mewlips," the sweet "Princess Mee," and melancholy "Last Ship." There is "Leaf By Niggle," the tale of a painter straining to live up to his hopes. "Farmer Giles of Ham" is a delightful mock-hero tale about a farmer and a not-so-frightening dragon, while "Smith of Wootton Major" is a deeper, more subtle story about fantasy in a person's life.

As always, Tolkien's writing is entertaining and well-plotted if it's a story, just fantastic if it's a poem. (Although some of the poems have plots too). If you're expecting the depth or grimness of "Lord of the Rings," then you'll disappointed; these are more like "The Hobbit" or "Roverandum" in tone, although there are hints of "Rings" in some of the short stories like "Leaf" or "Farmer Giles."

Why four stars? Well, the cover is a bit odd-looking, a bit smudgy for my taste. And the paper felt a bit odd, as if it could have been better. And buyers should be forewarned: If you have purchased the "Tolkien Reader," then know that this book has some of the same stuff compiled in it. Specifically, "Father Giles" and "Adventures."

This is a good compilation of several of Tolkien's lesser, non-"Lord of the Rings" works, and fans shdould check them out. In fact, so should non-fans.

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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars What more could you ask?, Jun 14 2001

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David Zampino "21st Century Hobbit" (Delavan, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Tales from the Perilous Realm (Paperback)

Tolkien's four greatest short stories (well, three acutally, plus the poetry) together in one volume.

"The Adventures of Tom Bombadil" involves two long poems with Tom as the main character, a number of poems from "The Lord of the Rings" as well as other assorted poetry concerning Middle Earth.

"Farmer Giles of Ham" is an extraordinary tale about a wise farmer who outwits a wicked (but not overbold) dragon. A wonderful story for children -- and full of delightful (and deliberate) anachronisms for the alert adult.

"Leaf by Niggle" is a profound and powerful story about death, life, Purgatory and eternity. It should be read in conjunction with Tolkien's non-fiction essay "On Fairy Stories".

"Smith of Wooten Major", one of the last works by the Master, tells the story of a very ordinary person who is given a very extraordinary gift. (The story also suggests the presence of the sacramental in the act of feasting).

Altogether, a wonderful collection, and one that is sure to delight. Only those far gone in the desubstantialization of the human race could fail to appreciate these stories.

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Farmer Giles of Ham is extraordinarily good, April 11 2000

By

Rune Hjelm (K�benhavn Denmark) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tales from the Perilous Realm (Paperback)

If you read the LOTR and The Hobbit and miss to read more, this is the book for you. Farmer Giles of Ham is folklorish in style, but the story is much like the other grand adventures Tolkien wrote. Great story! The other stories are a bit so-so. Its Farmer Giles that really makes this book worth the bucks.

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