J.R.R. Tolkien

Pauline Diana Baynes

Farmer Giles, his mare, and his talking dog go into the valley of the Thames to fight the dragon Chrysophylax.

The Rise and Wonderful Adventures of Farmer Giles, Lord of Tame, Count of Worminghall and King of the Little Kingdom

Farmer Giles of Ham

A commemorative golden anniversary edition of Tolkien's classic book, including a new introduction, a map, a copy of Tolkien's unpublished short story which he expanded for publication, his notes for an aborted sequel, and the original first edition illustrations by Pauline Baynes. Farmer Giles of Ham did not look like a hero. He was fat and red-bearded and enjoyed a slow, comfortable life. Then one day a rather deaf and short-sighted giant blundered on to his land. More by luck than skill, Farmer Giles managed to scare him away. The people of the village cheered: Farmer Giles was a hero. His reputation spread far and wide across the kingdom. So it was natural that when the dragon Chrysophylax visited the area it was Farmer Giles who was expected to do battle with it!

C. J. Daley 

This review is based off of the Harper Collins Pocket Hardcovers sold in a set as the “Tolkien Treasury.” This book includes the published version of the story, the first manuscript version, and the short outline for the sequel. I’m including that info because I don’t know if other versions include the same. 

To me this was a great little tale, falling just short of me loving it. I think this is a cute, silly story that could so easily fall into the realm of other fairytale stories/the same popularity, if only it was more readily available. Although, it is again one of those older children’s stories where while I’m reading I’m like, “this was told to kids?!” So with that being said this could easily have been dulled down or “Disney-fied” or made even more adult in a longer version/adaptation. 

I feel like pretty much from top to bottom this story is about greed. While Giles is considered to be good to his people, and well liked, he is also still tempted by the gold of the dragon. Albeit, not as grossly as the king and his court. 

Of course we also get the dual pleasure of something light and enjoyable as with most of Tolkien’s earlier works (ie. Roverandom or even the full length The Hobbit), mixed with the lush imagination of the king of fantasy Himself.

Personally a 5/5* for me, as I liked it even more the second time around.

Verses about trolls, elves, the sea, knights, strange beasts and bird, and a spirited fellow named Tom Bombadil, who weds a river-nymph.

The Adventures of Tom Bombadil

Farmer Giles of Ham: 5/5*
This review is based off of the Harper Collins Pocket Hardcovers sold in a set as the “Tolkien Treasury.” This book includes the published version of the story, the first manuscript version, and the short outline for the sequel. I’m including that info because I don’t know if other versions include the same. 

To me this was a great little tale, falling just short of me loving it. I think this is a cute, silly story that could so easily fall into the realm of other fairytale stories/the same popularity, if only it was more readily available. Although, it is again one of those older children’s stories where while I’m reading I’m like, “this was told to kids?!” So with that being said this could easily have been dulled down or “Disney-fied” or made even more adult in a longer version/adaptation. 

I feel like pretty much from top to bottom this story is about greed. While Giles is considered to be good to his people, and well liked, he is also still tempted by the gold of the dragon. Albeit, not as grossly as the king and his court. 

Of course we also get the dual pleasure of something light and enjoyable as with most of Tolkien’s earlier works (ie. Roverandom or even the full length The Hobbit), mixed with the lush imagination of the king of fantasy Himself.

Personally a 5/5* for me, as I liked it even more the second time around.


The Adventures of Tom Bombadil: 4/5*
This is the third in Tales from the Perilous Realm, but this one was a first time read for me. I admit that the ‘other verses’ kind of went over my head or I misunderstand, because about halfway through I was like “what in the world does this have to do with Tom Bombadil?” So I actually listened to this twice today. 

This is a collection of poems by Tolkien. It includes two about Bombadil, who readers will know from Frodo meeting him in The Fellowship of the Ring. As one of the strangest characters I personally think he ever created, it still does not surprise me that Peter Jackson skipped that part entirely. 

The collection includes three that are actually featured in The Lord of the Rings as well, and the book had a very cool ‘in-universe’ (esque) preface. It speaks of how some of the stories are written by Bilbo or Sam, and how one featured is actually a dream that Frodo had, although probably not actually written by him. 

During my first listen through, as I stated above, I was looking for the Tom Bombadil context and was super confused. On the second, I enjoyed it and appreciated it for what it was. Poetry is not really my thing, but some of these are considered to be very good works by Tolkien, so I’m glad to have experienced them. 

The 16 featured poems are:
The Adventures of Tom Bombadil
Bombadil Goes Boating
Errantry 
Princess Mee
The Man in the Moon Stayed Up too Late
The Man in the Moon Came Down too Soon
The Stone Troll
Perry-the-Winkle
The Mewlips
Oliphaunt
Fastitocalon
Cat
Shadow-Bride
The Hoard
The Sea-Bell (OR ‘Frodos Dreme’)
The Last Ship

Enjoyable, well down works written throughout his life. Personally a 4/5* for the king.

In the story that inspired Tolkien's Roverandom, a reluctant hero finds himself confronting a foul dragon in order to save his village from destruction.

Farmer Giles of Ham The Rise and Wonderful Adventures of Farmer Giles, Lord of Tame, Count of Worminghall and King of the Little Kingdom

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