Tales from the Perilous Realm

Product Information

The story focuses on a “little man” named Niggle, who is a painter. He isn’t necessarily very good, but in time a “Leaf by Niggle” is thought to be something worth having. His life is a mix of odd-jobs that need doing, interruptions and his painting. But one day his life is thrown upside down when he is forced on the long awaited but oft-hated long journey. His massive painting is used to patch up somebodies roof, and he is left to go away. The first short story Farmer Giles of Ham is a comic Medieval fable written by Tolkien in 1937. The story describes the encounters between Farmer Giles and the dragon Chrysophylax, and how Giles manages to rise from humble beginnings to rival the king of the land. This work seems to be some sort of autobiographical about Tolkien himself, who began a story to which he was adding additional things and stories that would end up leading to his famous saga of Beleriand and Middle Earth, and like Niggle, he never stopped changing and adding. Tales from the Perilous Realm is a compilation, published in 1997 and later again in 2007, of the lesser-known "classic fairy tales" of J.R.R. Tolkien. Its only major relation to Middle-earth is The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, which features the character Tom Bombadil from The Lord of the Rings. The publication contains art by Alan Lee. The definitive collection of Tolkien’s classic “fairie” tales, in the vein of The Hobbit , illustrated by Oscar winner Alan Lee.

Tolkien is often remembered for his vast fantasy worlds but he also wrote simple things, shorter works more in touch with the humorous themes of The Hobbit rather than the sense of darkness that permeates The Lord of the Rings. I’ve been reading through them again lately and they can all be found in this edition that collects the main ones together. The Adventures of Tom Bombadil had the advantage that it is related to the Middle Earth universe, but it had the disadvantage of combining two literary elements that I don't usually enjoy that much; short stories and poetry. Unfortunately, the latter was stronger than the former, making this one a bit of a chore to get through. People will note that this story “parodies” certain stereotypes in stories, but I think that parody is the wrong word; it suggests a lesser form of storytelling. Rather, this story is in the same vein as Terry Pratchett, as it tells a wonderful story that stands entirely on its own, but is made all the more enjoyable thanks to the authors depth of knowledge. Smith of Wooton Major: a short story about the intersection of our world and that of Faerie. It's a light-hearted read, but this is for adults who like fantasy stories, not for kids. I think children may enjoy the story just fine, but they wouldn't really "get it." 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.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. 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. Disc 1 contains the Farmer Giles tale. This story is entertaining & suitable for all ages. The voices seem to be well-cast & the sound effects were believable.

Well,” said Giles,” if it is you notion to go dragon hunting jingling and dinging like Canterbury Bells it ain’t mine. It don’t seem sense to me to let a dragon to let a dragon know that you are coming along the road sooner than need be.”Smith of Wootton Major, a short story talking about Nokes, who recently had become a Master Cook and have to prepare a special Great Cake for the Feast of Good Children For that he was grateful, for he soon became wise and understood that the marvels of Faery cannot be approached without danger, and that many of the Evils cannot be challenged without weapons of power too great for any mortal to wield. He remained a learner and explorer, not a warrior; and though in time he could have forged weapons that in his own world would have had power enough to become the matter of great tales and be worth a king's ransom, he knew that in Faery they would have been of small account. So among all the things that he made it is not remembered that he ever forged a sword or a spear or an arrow-head." Esta obra parece ser en algunos elementos autobiográfica del propio Tolkien, que empezó un relato al que fue añadiendo cosas e historias adicionales que acabaría desembocando en su famosa saga de Beleriand y la Tierra media, y que cómo Niggle, nunca dejó de cambiar y añadir. Cuenta la historia de un perro de juguete que se convierte en uno de verdad y vive maravillas por la Luna, bajo el mar, conoce a magos poderosos y a otros dos perros llamados como él. No me maravilló especialmente y la verdad es fue el que menos me gustó. Es cierto que fue escrito para niños (está basado en una vivencia real con su hijo) y tal vez eso tenga que ver. Farmer Giles of Ham: another funny story, this one a little more snarky at times, about a farmer who unwillingly becomes a hero and has to fight a dragon. Good for kids and adults.

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. Similar to The Lord of the Rings it is set in Britain in an imaginary period of the Dark Ages featuring mythological creatures, and thus providing an alternative prehistory to the world we live in today. And I have to say that the villagers in this tale really reminded me of the hobbits, and even Chrysophylax can be seen as a parody of Tolkien's smaug. It was just a delightful read. 'I hope you are taking some stout rope with you?' he said. Farmer Giles of Ham was aired in two parts, the first on August 16, 1992, and the second on August 23. Smith of Wootton Major was broadcast a week later, on August 30. The Adventures of Tom Bombadil was also aired in two parts, on September 6 and September 13, and Leaf by Niggle on September 20.

Farmer Giles saves his farm and, as a consequence, the local village from a rampaging giant. This earns him a fierce reputation for heroism; thus, he is rewarded by the King with a rather glamourous sword. The King, believing this to be a mere ceremonial weapon, parts with the blade gladly. It turns out that the sword is actually Tailbiter, an ancient weapon that carries a powerful enchantment. Indeed, it cannot physically be sheathed when in close proximity to a dragon. Este me pareció más curioso. Está ambientado en otra realidad, que podría ser fácilmente algún paraje de Númenor. El granjero se convierte sin quererlo en el salvador de su aldea, y verá las implicaciones de que su renombre crezca. Sin embargo, no me convenció mucho la parte del dragón. I find it truly hilarious that Tolkien effectively has a counter for any criticisms of weak poems within this book. In the preface, he says that this book was written by Hobbits. Their rhyming structures and metre are a watered down version of Elvish poetry; thus, any remarks about the weakness of such writing can be aimed at the limitations of Hobbit verse. He side-steps the negative reactions with such a statement, and it’s incredibly ironic and self-preserving. It made me laugh. So this book is a construct of Hobbit writing, and, once again, Tolkien gives his world more foundation.