J.R.R. Tolkien

Never before published in a single volume, Tolkien's four novellas ("Farmer Giles of Ham, Leaf by Niggle, Smith of Wootton Major," and "Roverandom") and one book of poems ("The Adventures of Tom Bombadil") are gathered together in a fully illustrated set.

Tales from the Perilous Realm

Nessa Luna

I thought the stories were really nice, though I wasn't a huge fan of the Tom Bombadil parts because I'm just not a fan of poetry at all. Also the synopsis here on GR talks about a story called Roverandom which wasn't in my copy so that was a bit of a shame...

Never before published in a single volume, Tolkien’s four novellas (Farmer Giles of Ham, Leaf by Niggle, Smith of Wootton Major, and Roverandom) and one book of poems (The Adventures of Tom Bombadil) are gathered together for the first time. This new, definitive collection of works — which had appeared separately, in various formats, between 1949 and 1998 — comes with an illuminating introduction from esteemed author and Tolkien expert Tom Shippey as well as Tolkein’s most celebrated essay, “On Fairy-stories,” which astutely addresses the relationship between fairy tales and fantasy. The book is the perfect opportunity for fans of Middle-earth to enjoy some of Tolkien’s often overlooked yet most creative storytelling. With dragons and sand sorcerers, sea monsters and hobbits, knights and dwarves, this collection contains all the classic elements for Tolkien buffs of all ages.

C. J. Daley 

Another ticked off of my list of unread or incomplete works by Tolkien. I continuous thought, “why is it called this though?” So I googled and… “The "Perilous Realm" refers to faërie, a broad term for the fantastical dimension visited by each tale in a different way.” So that makes sense now! 

This is a nice collection of what can be considered Tolkien’s more classic fairytales and I love the cover they chose. Math tells me this is a 4.6/5*. 

Roverandom: 5/5* https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Working my way through Tales From the Perilous Realm for the first time, but I’ve already read a couple. This was a re-read. 

This was originally written for Tolkien’s son, Michael, when he lost his toy dog. With that being said it’s incredibly silly, and lighthearted. Rover the dog bites a wizard on the seat of his pants and is turned to a toy dog. This is the story of his journey through that, and his journey home. 

My favorite thing about this little tale is that you can still see the grand scope in which Tolkien writes. His mine clearly always saw the big picture, and what could be, rather than just weaving a little something-something…even for his 4 year old son. 

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


Farmer Giles of Ham: 5/5* https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

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* https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

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.


Smith of Wootton Major: 4/5* https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

This is the fourth tale in Tales from the Perilous Realm, and this is the only other story I had not read prior. I have to say I’m not sure how I feel about it, but like the others, I’m sure I’d like it more a second time. 

This was one of Tolkien’s tales trying to explain the meaning of faery, or at least whatever that meant to him. It was apparently supposed to be part of a preface he was writing for George MacDonald’s ‘The Golden Key’, but became its own thing. (I’m no expert, I looked it up) 

Other than his usual and original use of the term Faery, this is not linked to his middle-earth legendarium, and in my opinion, has more of the lighthearted silliness of the other novellas in it. A great cook and his apprentice (referred to as ‘prentice) make a great cake filled with 24 trinkets and coins for the children. However, this year they include a 25th item, a star from faery. The smith’s son swallows it, later spitting it out and affixing it to his forehead. This serves almost like a blessing from the faeries, and he is blessed with skills and personality. 

This one was not really my favorite, I was a bit confused at points, which isn’t unusual for Tolkien, but it was short, so I thought it’d be easy going. Maybe it’d be an easier read than a listen. Personally a 4/5* for me.


Leaf by Niggle: 5/5* https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

This is the fifth, and final tale in Tales from the Perilous Realm, and another reread for me. I once again feel like I grasped this more, and enjoyed it more, the second time. 

This was a nice, easy read to get through, as it is a short story but published as it’s own release. With that being said there is certainly a deep metaphor here to life, unexpected departure, suffering and purgatory, and the great beyond. Not much of a believer myself—and don’t misunderstand, Tolkien is not giving a overhanded Christian/religious tale here—but I do really enjoy the way Tolkien conveys all that through the little things, in the littlest story. Niggle wants to finish his painted canvas before his big journey, but he can’t seem to get anything done for all the needless interruptions. Kind of a silly, fun way to describe life itself. And there is of course other views on what is meant here as well...this is just the most direct take on it I feel. 

I personally feel this a lot lately, so this was a timely reread. We constantly have our time planned or micromanaged, even if it’s by ourselves, and it’s up to us to make the most of it. Being kind throughout the hiccups and ‘interruptions’ is the key. 

A quick and wonderful reread, personally a 5/5*.

Alice Belle

This recopilation of short stories are so sweet and wonderfully described. Loved every single bit of it. 100% recomend for all audiences ❤

Tania Santos Ferro

¡Tan hermoso y mágico! Apenas lo terminé y ya quería volverlo a empezar.

Jeni Enjaian

I enjoyed these simple stories. However, I enjoy his stories set in Middle Earth much better. These were fun stories to listen to on audiobook but there was nothing outstanding about them, at least the Farmer Giles story. (I did enjoy the one about the baker and faerie land.) Now I can say that I've read all of Tolkein's works.

Colton Ray

Fantasy fiction. The five tales are written with the same skill, quality and charm that made THE 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. Roverandom is a toy dog who, enchanted by a sand sorcerer, gets to explore the world and encounter strange and fabulous creatures. 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 a dragon comes to town; The Adventures of Tom Bombadil tells in 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. World renowned Tolkien author and expert, Tom Shippey, takes the reader through the hidden links in the tales to Tolkien's Middle-earth in his Introduction, and recounts their history and themes. Lastly, included as an appendix is Tolkien's most famous essay, "On Fairy-stories", in which he brilliantly discusses fairy stories and their relationship to fantasy.

Tales from the Perilous Realm

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