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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
4.5 stars! I liked Farmer Giles of Ham better, but they were both fun short stories.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Probably a great intro for younger readers into the mind of Tolkien and his creativity, and definitely a read for those who love his other works- but keep in mind that there were many sides to him as a person, and that these works are much different than those about Middle-Earth. These are very allegorical and biographical for Tolkien's struggle to balance the creation of his art, Middle-Earth, and his scholarly duties as a philologist and a professor of old English at Oxford. He felt guilty for spending his time on something that gave him pleasure, and he took criticism of himself as a whimsical and childish fantasy writer pretty harshly. Ch 8 of Tom Shippey's "The Road to Middle-Earth" talks about the parallels in these stories and Tolkien's perceptive views about himself and his writing and is a good companion to understanding these stories on the level they were meant to be seen. But they are still fun and super easy to read, which makes them great for children and those exploring Tolkien's more took-ish side :p
I've always found it difficult to get into short stories. I'm not sure if it's that there's not enough character development, or if there's not enough time to get me absorbed in the story; and though I'm drawn to them because of their length (I think I'll be able to read more if they're quicker, easier reads), they always leave me wanting. And the same is true of these tales. I've had this book for 25 years, and I thought it was high time I got around to reading it, as Tolkien is one of my favorite authors, and The Hobbit is by far my favorite book.
The stories - fine; whimsical, even enjoyable. Stories of fairies (Smith of Wootton Major) and stories of dragons (Farmer Giles of Ham). But I'll probably leave this on my shelf for another 25 years and never pick it up again.
The stories - fine; whimsical, even enjoyable. Stories of fairies (Smith of Wootton Major) and stories of dragons (Farmer Giles of Ham). But I'll probably leave this on my shelf for another 25 years and never pick it up again.
While most of his genius went into the world of Middle-Earth and its fantastical history, JRR Tolkien produced a number of smaller stories during his life.
Two of the best-known examples: "Smith of Wootton Major & Farmer Giles of Ham," which pairs together a beautifully fantastical fable that drips with Tolkien's love of fairy tales.... and a wacky story about a not-very-frightening dragon and the hapless hero who is after him. While these two novellas are very different in style, they have Tolkien's love of mystery and magic, language and humor.
"Smith of Wootton Major" takes place in a little town "not very long ago for those with long memories, not very far away fro those with long legs." The Master Cook of that village takes a vacation, and returns with an apprentice in tow. But something odd happens at the Feast of the Cake -- the cook stirs in a "fay-star" with little trinkets in the cake, and it's accidentally swallowed by a boy there.
The boy (later called Smith) is changed by the fay-star, which sparkles on his forehead. When he grows up, Smith ventures into Faery itself, and even meets the Faery Queen herself. The message she gives him is for her mysterious, missing husband, the King -- who turns out to be the last person anybody in Wootton Major would have expected.
And in "Farmer Giles of Ham," Aegidius de Hammo (or in the "vulgar tongue," as Tolkien archly tells us, Farmer Giles of Ham) is a pleasant, not-too-bright farmer (a bit like Barliman Butterbur) who leads a fairly happy, sedate life. Until the day his excitable dog Garm warns him that a giant (deaf and very near-sighted) is stomping through and causing mayhem. Giles takes out his blunderbuss and takes a shot at the giant, and inadverantly drives him off.
Naturally, Giles is hailed as a hero. Even the King is impressed, and sends him the sword Caudimordax (vulgar name: Tailbiter), which belonged to a dragonslaying hero. By chance, the not-so-fierce dragon Chrysophylax Dives has started pillaging, destroying and attacking the nearby areas. Can a not-so-heroic farmer drive off a not-so-frightening dragon?
While these aren't Tolkien's deepest or most intricate stories, they do show the range of his writing. One is a robust little comedy of fantastical proportions, and one of them is a delicate, crystalline piece of moonlit prettiness. They have almost nothing in common, except that British-country atmosphere that Tolkien brought to every hero's home.
Specifically, "Farmer Giles of Ham" is wacky and arch, especially since Tolkien expertly blends the whole high fantasy thing with a wicked sense of humour ("if it is your notion to go dragonhunting jingling and dingling like Canterbury Bells, it ain't mine"). And he has some fun little linguistic jokes woven in, along with the gentle parody of high fantasy cliches that HE CREATED (Caudimordax, a sword which is incapable of being sheathed if a dragon is within five miles of it).
"Smith of Wootton Major" is not humorous, but it is beautiful. His glimpses of Faerieland are too brief, but written with the exquisite, haunting quality of his better-known works ("Once in these wanderings he was overtaken by a grey mist and strayed long at a loss, until the mist rolled away and he found that he was in a wide plain"). And he gives the impression of a world of magic far greater than any human could grasp ("... bearing the white ships that return from battles on the Dark Marches of which men know nothing").
The characters of "Smith" are somewhat less developed and memorable, though Smith himself is a fascinating little allegorical figure -- the fairy star is the creative spark, and Smith the one who can see the Fairyland that inspires great art. Farmer Giles is a little easier to like immediately, being a good-hearted, somewhat thick "ordinary" person with an excitable dog and a rather inoffensive dragon.
"Smith of Wootton Major & Farmer Giles of Ham" pairs together two shining gems of early fantasy -- one an enchanted fable, the other a tongue-in-cheek comedy of errors. For those seeking more Tolkien, these are a must.
Two of the best-known examples: "Smith of Wootton Major & Farmer Giles of Ham," which pairs together a beautifully fantastical fable that drips with Tolkien's love of fairy tales.... and a wacky story about a not-very-frightening dragon and the hapless hero who is after him. While these two novellas are very different in style, they have Tolkien's love of mystery and magic, language and humor.
"Smith of Wootton Major" takes place in a little town "not very long ago for those with long memories, not very far away fro those with long legs." The Master Cook of that village takes a vacation, and returns with an apprentice in tow. But something odd happens at the Feast of the Cake -- the cook stirs in a "fay-star" with little trinkets in the cake, and it's accidentally swallowed by a boy there.
The boy (later called Smith) is changed by the fay-star, which sparkles on his forehead. When he grows up, Smith ventures into Faery itself, and even meets the Faery Queen herself. The message she gives him is for her mysterious, missing husband, the King -- who turns out to be the last person anybody in Wootton Major would have expected.
And in "Farmer Giles of Ham," Aegidius de Hammo (or in the "vulgar tongue," as Tolkien archly tells us, Farmer Giles of Ham) is a pleasant, not-too-bright farmer (a bit like Barliman Butterbur) who leads a fairly happy, sedate life. Until the day his excitable dog Garm warns him that a giant (deaf and very near-sighted) is stomping through and causing mayhem. Giles takes out his blunderbuss and takes a shot at the giant, and inadverantly drives him off.
Naturally, Giles is hailed as a hero. Even the King is impressed, and sends him the sword Caudimordax (vulgar name: Tailbiter), which belonged to a dragonslaying hero. By chance, the not-so-fierce dragon Chrysophylax Dives has started pillaging, destroying and attacking the nearby areas. Can a not-so-heroic farmer drive off a not-so-frightening dragon?
While these aren't Tolkien's deepest or most intricate stories, they do show the range of his writing. One is a robust little comedy of fantastical proportions, and one of them is a delicate, crystalline piece of moonlit prettiness. They have almost nothing in common, except that British-country atmosphere that Tolkien brought to every hero's home.
Specifically, "Farmer Giles of Ham" is wacky and arch, especially since Tolkien expertly blends the whole high fantasy thing with a wicked sense of humour ("if it is your notion to go dragonhunting jingling and dingling like Canterbury Bells, it ain't mine"). And he has some fun little linguistic jokes woven in, along with the gentle parody of high fantasy cliches that HE CREATED (Caudimordax, a sword which is incapable of being sheathed if a dragon is within five miles of it).
"Smith of Wootton Major" is not humorous, but it is beautiful. His glimpses of Faerieland are too brief, but written with the exquisite, haunting quality of his better-known works ("Once in these wanderings he was overtaken by a grey mist and strayed long at a loss, until the mist rolled away and he found that he was in a wide plain"). And he gives the impression of a world of magic far greater than any human could grasp ("... bearing the white ships that return from battles on the Dark Marches of which men know nothing").
The characters of "Smith" are somewhat less developed and memorable, though Smith himself is a fascinating little allegorical figure -- the fairy star is the creative spark, and Smith the one who can see the Fairyland that inspires great art. Farmer Giles is a little easier to like immediately, being a good-hearted, somewhat thick "ordinary" person with an excitable dog and a rather inoffensive dragon.
"Smith of Wootton Major & Farmer Giles of Ham" pairs together two shining gems of early fantasy -- one an enchanted fable, the other a tongue-in-cheek comedy of errors. For those seeking more Tolkien, these are a must.
A delightful pair of tales, quick to read and full of insights into human nature... not to mention dragons and Faery. A neat, quick intro to Tolkien for anyone who might not be ready for The Hobbit (much less Lord of the Rings et al.). Can't remember when I read this last, though I had, but it was a pleasure, again.
Two delightfully humorous and sharp tales such as will bring a smile to the faces of those who love modern fairy tales.
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I'd never heard of either of these short stories until I came across them in the family library. Both had a moderate level of charm -- though, neither were as charming or as engaging as The Hobbit (Smith was first published in 1967, and Giles in 1949; The Hobbit was published well before either, in 1937).
In "Smith," Alf was delightful, and my favorite character in "Giles" was the grey mare. They felt like fairytales (kind of antiquated with slight worship of earlier ages), with a slight ring of morality, and mostly satisfying endings.
If you're strapped for time, skip this one. It was a pleasant way to get more reading in, and to pass some time on a summer trip with a real book in hand. It's not a collection that I would seek out in the future, though.
In "Smith," Alf was delightful, and my favorite character in "Giles" was the grey mare. They felt like fairytales (kind of antiquated with slight worship of earlier ages), with a slight ring of morality, and mostly satisfying endings.
If you're strapped for time, skip this one. It was a pleasant way to get more reading in, and to pass some time on a summer trip with a real book in hand. It's not a collection that I would seek out in the future, though.