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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
No es ninguna maravilla pero me gustó leer un Tolkien diferente
Farmer Giles of Ham es probablemente mi historia favorita de Tolkien, seguida por The Hobbit. Ambas tienen un sentido del humor que solo se puede atizbar en el resto de su bibliografía.
El hombre sabía de cuentos de hadas y de fantasía, sabía del arte de contar historias y sabía que todos amamos a un protagonista aparentemente insignificante.
El hombre sabía de cuentos de hadas y de fantasía, sabía del arte de contar historias y sabía que todos amamos a un protagonista aparentemente insignificante.
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
i need 500 more fairytales by this man! These were perfection.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
This one holds a special place in my heart as I believe (if I recall correctly) that this was one of the first paperbacks I ever bought by Tolkien that was outside of the legendarium. The true start to a lifelong collection.
Smith of Wootton Major. 4/5*:
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.
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.
Smith of Wootton Major. 4/5*:
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.
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.
Light and charming! None of the depressing nature of the Silmarillion here. These two stories are a breeze, and suitable for children as well as fairy-tale fans like many of us grown-ups. "Smith of Wootton Major" is an actual fairy tale, with the land of Faery being similar to the lands of the Elves in Lord of the Rings; and "Farmer Giles of Ham" was reminiscent of of The Hobbit with its clever dealings with a dragon, although it's lighter in tone even than that one. Glad I finally read these two!
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Smith of Wootton Major is possibly my favorite story by Tolkien. It tells of a man’s travels into Faerie and manages to pack into its 50 pages the same feelings of wonder, fulfillment, and loss that the Lord of the Rings takes over 1000 pages to achieve. A truly beautiful story.
Farmer Giles of Ham is a real treat with plenty of inside jokes for the philologically minded. A terrific blend of scholarship (!) and humor.
Farmer Giles of Ham is a real treat with plenty of inside jokes for the philologically minded. A terrific blend of scholarship (!) and humor.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Light and fun and silly. Exactly what I needed this evening.