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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
I listened to this with the kids on a car trip and it was ok. It was done as a live performance then read as a book which was not as enjoyable for me. The stories weren't Tolkien's best stories, but they were interesting to listen to overall.
Tales from the Perilous Realm is a compilation of five of Tolkien's most celebrated short works, and every one of them was uniquely enchanting as well dryly humorous. I have never read anything except for the grand-scale tales from Middle Earth by Tolkien, and this experience didn't disappoint.
Roverandom
The volume begins with Tolkien's novella, written for his children, about a dog who gets turned into a toy after he accidentally bites a wizard's trousers and the adventures that ensue. He eventually takes on the name of "Roverandom" instead of "Rover," as he encounters two other dogs along the way that are each named Rover. This story is hilarious as well as extremely well written. One of my favorite parts was the introduction of the sand-sorcerer (not to be confused with the wizard), Psamathos Psamathides. A smug bloke whose ears poke out of the sand like sticks if not observed closely, he sets Roverandom off on his journey, after Roverandom hops down the stairs in toy-dog form and visits the seaside. Many other characters are introduced, every one as entertaining as the last. The wizard, Artaxerxes, ends up marrying a mermaid and forgetting how to turn Roverandom back into a normal dog. Eventually, though, he ends up becoming a real dog and finding a boy owner. This fairy-tale novella could be as thoroughly enjoyed by children and adults alike.
Farmer Giles of Ham
I believe I've read this short story before in another volume, but I completely underappreciated its humor the first time, even if I still appreciated the story. Farmer Giles is a rather overweight, lazy farmer who ends up being an unwilling hero. After defeating a giant with a blunderbuss, he is given a sword for his "valor," named Tailbiter. When time comes for him to actually use Tailbiter against a dragon, the farmer hardly realizes what he's gotten himself into. The irony of Giles' reluctant heroism and the laziness of Chrysophylax (the dragon), combined with the uselessness of the knights of the land make for a most comedic and entertaining story.
The Adventures of Tom Bombadil
"The Adventures of Tom Bombadil" are a collection of poems rather than short stories, although I enjoyed most of them. The first three are about Tom Bombadil himself, which I really enjoyed as I find his character so interesting and mysterious in The Fellowship of the Ring. There are Barrow-Wights as well as the introduction of Goldberry, all written in a completely fairy-tale style. The rest of the poems are good, though not my personal favorites. I did very much like the poem about the hobbit and the troll titled, "The Stone Troll". There are other, more abstract poems about the Man in the Moon, cats and Oliphaunts, three of which already appear in The Lord of the Rings. Overall, the ones about Tom were my favorite and I found absolutely entrancing, but they were all worth a read for those who love Middle Earth.
Smith of Wootton Major
I really loved this one. Beginning in the town of Wootton Major, distinguished from the town of Wootton Minor, it starts with the Feast of Good Children. Nokes, the Master Cook who delegates most of his work to his apprentice only to take the credit for himself, hides various trinkets in his Great Cake, the highlight of the feast. One of these trinkets is revealed to be a star of Faery. A blacksmith's son swallows the star quite by accident, and by it he is able to travel back and forth to Faery. I love stories that openly admit they are a fairy tale by deliberately being in a "fairy" land or imaginary land, and this story fulfilled that. Known in Faery as "Starbrow," the blacksmith's son travels back and forth to Faery most of his life, even after he becomes a blacksmith himself. He has many adventures in Faery, eventually meeting the King and Queen. At the end, the now-blacksmith surrenders the star to Nokes' apprentice, deciding it be best another child have use of the star. Everything about this story, the characters and the setting of Faery, was enchanting and delightful to read.
Leaf by Niggle
Possibly my favorite story, although it's hard to contend with any of them. Niggle is one of the most endearing characters who only wants to paint in a world that does not value art. His one small mistake of not helping his neighbor when he should have has some temporary consequences, only to be followed by a life better than he could've dreamed. Niggle's neighbor, Parish, is always asking him to help him repair his house as Parish has a lame leg and a sick wife. Niggle, regretfully but amiably leaves his artistic creation of a tree full of complexly painted leaves to help Parish. He gets a cold by running errands for Parish in the rain, which aggravates him further. Niggle also has a great trip he knows he has to take in the back of his mind, and during the story has to take it. After fulfilling his menial duties and completing his trip, he cannot return to his real home, but instead reunites with his neighbor in a perfect version of what his vision for his tree-painting was, not the flawed version he kept wanting to return to. This story was so original and so well told. Niggle as a character is so beautiful in his creating of art, but also reluctant willingness to run errands for his neighbor that he would have normal begrudgingly done. Tolkien highlights the importance of art and creation, as well as redeems all Niggle's time spent on his art at the end.
Tolkien has an excellent talent for making stories full of themes entertaining, but without making them overtly "moral," to where a child will not read them because it's intended only to teach a lesson. He blends "faerie," humor, and truths about life splendidly in every one of his works, making them a delight to read for children and adults alike.
Roverandom
The volume begins with Tolkien's novella, written for his children, about a dog who gets turned into a toy after he accidentally bites a wizard's trousers and the adventures that ensue. He eventually takes on the name of "Roverandom" instead of "Rover," as he encounters two other dogs along the way that are each named Rover. This story is hilarious as well as extremely well written. One of my favorite parts was the introduction of the sand-sorcerer (not to be confused with the wizard), Psamathos Psamathides. A smug bloke whose ears poke out of the sand like sticks if not observed closely, he sets Roverandom off on his journey, after Roverandom hops down the stairs in toy-dog form and visits the seaside. Many other characters are introduced, every one as entertaining as the last. The wizard, Artaxerxes, ends up marrying a mermaid and forgetting how to turn Roverandom back into a normal dog. Eventually, though, he ends up becoming a real dog and finding a boy owner. This fairy-tale novella could be as thoroughly enjoyed by children and adults alike.
Farmer Giles of Ham
I believe I've read this short story before in another volume, but I completely underappreciated its humor the first time, even if I still appreciated the story. Farmer Giles is a rather overweight, lazy farmer who ends up being an unwilling hero. After defeating a giant with a blunderbuss, he is given a sword for his "valor," named Tailbiter. When time comes for him to actually use Tailbiter against a dragon, the farmer hardly realizes what he's gotten himself into. The irony of Giles' reluctant heroism and the laziness of Chrysophylax (the dragon), combined with the uselessness of the knights of the land make for a most comedic and entertaining story.
The Adventures of Tom Bombadil
"The Adventures of Tom Bombadil" are a collection of poems rather than short stories, although I enjoyed most of them. The first three are about Tom Bombadil himself, which I really enjoyed as I find his character so interesting and mysterious in The Fellowship of the Ring. There are Barrow-Wights as well as the introduction of Goldberry, all written in a completely fairy-tale style. The rest of the poems are good, though not my personal favorites. I did very much like the poem about the hobbit and the troll titled, "The Stone Troll". There are other, more abstract poems about the Man in the Moon, cats and Oliphaunts, three of which already appear in The Lord of the Rings. Overall, the ones about Tom were my favorite and I found absolutely entrancing, but they were all worth a read for those who love Middle Earth.
Smith of Wootton Major
I really loved this one. Beginning in the town of Wootton Major, distinguished from the town of Wootton Minor, it starts with the Feast of Good Children. Nokes, the Master Cook who delegates most of his work to his apprentice only to take the credit for himself, hides various trinkets in his Great Cake, the highlight of the feast. One of these trinkets is revealed to be a star of Faery. A blacksmith's son swallows the star quite by accident, and by it he is able to travel back and forth to Faery. I love stories that openly admit they are a fairy tale by deliberately being in a "fairy" land or imaginary land, and this story fulfilled that. Known in Faery as "Starbrow," the blacksmith's son travels back and forth to Faery most of his life, even after he becomes a blacksmith himself. He has many adventures in Faery, eventually meeting the King and Queen. At the end, the now-blacksmith surrenders the star to Nokes' apprentice, deciding it be best another child have use of the star. Everything about this story, the characters and the setting of Faery, was enchanting and delightful to read.
Leaf by Niggle
Possibly my favorite story, although it's hard to contend with any of them. Niggle is one of the most endearing characters who only wants to paint in a world that does not value art. His one small mistake of not helping his neighbor when he should have has some temporary consequences, only to be followed by a life better than he could've dreamed. Niggle's neighbor, Parish, is always asking him to help him repair his house as Parish has a lame leg and a sick wife. Niggle, regretfully but amiably leaves his artistic creation of a tree full of complexly painted leaves to help Parish. He gets a cold by running errands for Parish in the rain, which aggravates him further. Niggle also has a great trip he knows he has to take in the back of his mind, and during the story has to take it. After fulfilling his menial duties and completing his trip, he cannot return to his real home, but instead reunites with his neighbor in a perfect version of what his vision for his tree-painting was, not the flawed version he kept wanting to return to. This story was so original and so well told. Niggle as a character is so beautiful in his creating of art, but also reluctant willingness to run errands for his neighbor that he would have normal begrudgingly done. Tolkien highlights the importance of art and creation, as well as redeems all Niggle's time spent on his art at the end.
Tolkien has an excellent talent for making stories full of themes entertaining, but without making them overtly "moral," to where a child will not read them because it's intended only to teach a lesson. He blends "faerie," humor, and truths about life splendidly in every one of his works, making them a delight to read for children and adults alike.
Leaf by Niggle and Smith of Wootton Major were already favourites of mine. Roverandom, I had not read before, and I will be sure to return to it.
If you miss Tolkien and want to understand what fairy tales are in the view of the father of Middle-earth, I highly recommend this book. There are five stories in this collection, completely different in temperament and style (one is even in verse), so I think everyone will find something to their liking.
The main characters in these tales are ordinary people (and a dog) who encounter the magical world of Faerie. Some of these encounters bring joy, wealth, and inspiration, while others - misadventures and other worries. One thing is constant: the heroes always honourably endure the ordeal and in the end, are not the same as before.
I would especially like to single out The Leaf by Niggle. It is a beautiful allegory of the creator and their work, and, as researchers say, a reflection of Tolkien's own working method: just as Niggle adds more and more leaves and branches to his Tree, so Tolkien built the universe of Middle-Earth layer by layer.
And I can't help but draw your attention to the charming Roverandom - the story of a dog turned into a toy by an irritated wizard. A fascinating plot and off-the-charts cuteness guaranteed :) If the other tales in the collection are designed for a more mature and understanding reader, then this one is great for kids.
The main characters in these tales are ordinary people (and a dog) who encounter the magical world of Faerie. Some of these encounters bring joy, wealth, and inspiration, while others - misadventures and other worries. One thing is constant: the heroes always honourably endure the ordeal and in the end, are not the same as before.
I would especially like to single out The Leaf by Niggle. It is a beautiful allegory of the creator and their work, and, as researchers say, a reflection of Tolkien's own working method: just as Niggle adds more and more leaves and branches to his Tree, so Tolkien built the universe of Middle-Earth layer by layer.
And I can't help but draw your attention to the charming Roverandom - the story of a dog turned into a toy by an irritated wizard. A fascinating plot and off-the-charts cuteness guaranteed :) If the other tales in the collection are designed for a more mature and understanding reader, then this one is great for kids.
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A lovely little collection of short stories.
A pleasant read
A pleasant read
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I actually really enjoyed these short stories from one of my favourite authors. Someone had previously told me that they were “quite primitive compared with Tolkien’s other work” but that’s what I quite liked about them.
I didn’t want short stories about Middle Earth and the One Ring or elves and dwarves. I wanted something different and that’s what I got. Even though there were flourishes of Tolkien’s signature pieces, these stories stand alone perfectly well.
And they are short stories. Some only a couple of chapters long, and that’s what makes them wonderful. They are short enough to be read in one sitting, but they are also long enough to feel complete.
I didn’t want short stories about Middle Earth and the One Ring or elves and dwarves. I wanted something different and that’s what I got. Even though there were flourishes of Tolkien’s signature pieces, these stories stand alone perfectly well.
And they are short stories. Some only a couple of chapters long, and that’s what makes them wonderful. They are short enough to be read in one sitting, but they are also long enough to feel complete.
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A