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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
Very charming stories and well written. I particularly enjoyed Farmer Giles of Ham.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
fast-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
Despite their relative obscurity, these were actually the first works I ever read by Tolkien. My parents had an old copy sitting on their shelf with the Hildebrandt art on the cover, which I adore. I decided to reread because I needed something quick while I'm between books, and I didn't really remember the stories at all.
Smith was the story for me that made me finally realize that "faerie" didn't mean pixies like Tinker Bell, but was simply the name for the denizens of that land, as we are the humans of Earth. It changed my feelings about faeries altogether and made me fascinated by everything about them. So I have to give it full stars for the impact it had on me.
Farmer Giles was an absolutely delightful tale with a wholly satisfying conclusion. It was funny and even heartwarming in the end.
Both stories had me wishing for a Tolkien TV series based on his lesser-known works.
Smith was the story for me that made me finally realize that "faerie" didn't mean pixies like Tinker Bell, but was simply the name for the denizens of that land, as we are the humans of Earth. It changed my feelings about faeries altogether and made me fascinated by everything about them. So I have to give it full stars for the impact it had on me.
Farmer Giles was an absolutely delightful tale with a wholly satisfying conclusion. It was funny and even heartwarming in the end.
Both stories had me wishing for a Tolkien TV series based on his lesser-known works.
These are two very enjoyable stories, but nothing too far out of the ordinary. If you're a big fan of Tolkien I'd recommend you seek these out and read them, but if not, it's probably not really worth the trouble.
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Two charming tales by Tolkien. One the story of faerie magic in a small village, the other of a humble farmer who becomes brave when it is asked of him. My edition was graced by Pauline Baynes’ illustrations. There were laugh out loud descriptions of chastised dragons and quirky villagers. Tolkien is a master of these kinds of tales.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I preferred Smith of Wotton Major, but enjoyed both stories. Tolkien’s writing is much faster-paced in this than The Hobbit or LOTR. This felt like reading fairy tales—Tolkien’s beautiful writing drew me into a different world. I bought this book about four years ago and just not got around to reading it. I think now was the perfect time to read it. Great snowy day read.
"Smith of Wooton Major" is a delightfully short tale about a blacksmith named Smith. (We find out some of his friends are named Cooper and Miller -- I wonder what they do....) As a boy he eats a magic star that gives him a passport to the land of Faery, where he wanders and has some mostly harmless adventures, until one day he is told he must give up the star to another child.
The story is quite un-Tolkienian in the sense that he barely explains anything. Which is good. I mean, I love the guy, but sometimes he's just too damn wordy.
"Farmer Giles of Ham" is another playful short (though, a bit longer than "Smith") about an agriculturist who accidentally becomes a hero, and as such he is democratically chosen by the townspeople to face a dragon, much to his chagrin.
The story is quite un-Tolkienian in the sense that he barely explains anything. Which is good. I mean, I love the guy, but sometimes he's just too damn wordy.
"Farmer Giles of Ham" is another playful short (though, a bit longer than "Smith") about an agriculturist who accidentally becomes a hero, and as such he is democratically chosen by the townspeople to face a dragon, much to his chagrin.
Not set in Middle Earth, but two tales that are charming on their own. In the first tale the Master Cook returns from vacation with an apprentice. Something amazing happens at the Feast of the Cake. A delightful tale of fantasy and the gift it is to humans. In the second, a farmer is sent to slay an invading dragon who refuses to fight.