Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: Farmer Giles of Ham : The Rise and Wonderful Adventures of Farmer Giles, Lord of Tame, Count of Worminghall, and King of the Little Kingdom by J. R. R. Tolkien, Christina Scull, Wayne G. Hammond ISBN: 0-618-00936-1 Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Co Pub. Date: 15 November, 1999 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $18.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.27 (11 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: A witty and enjoyable fairy tale
Comment: Caught up in Tolkien fever, I checked this out from the local library and read it in one sitting. It is rather silly to compare this book to "The Hobbit" or the books of "The Lord of the Rings" because this is just a cute and lively little story, witty and well put together, and very light reading. It was fun to read the little bits of Latin scattered throughout; students of the language will get a tiny thrill at the King's epithets "Rex et Basileus". People looking for the deep histories and profound emotions of the "Lord of the Rings" stories might better look elsewhere. For those, however, looking for a delightfully simple tale full of humorous situations, talking animals, giants, dragons, magic swords and unlikely heroes, "Farmer Giles of Ham" should fit the bill quite nicely. Some say this is a child's tale, but as an adult, I found it quite enjoyable to read.
Rating: 4
Summary: SHORT AND VERY SWEET!
Comment: Farmer Giles doesn't want to be hero, but when a deaf, near-sighted giant comes stamping on all his favorite cows, he grabs up his blunderbuss and becomes one anyway. Everyone sees ol' Giles in a new light after that, even the King, so when a dragon flies into the area to do what dragons will, there's no doubt in anybody's mind--except Giles's--who should play the dragonslayer. Is Giles up to the part? Or will he and his trusty old mare and loyal dog Garm end up as dragon-bait? Either way, you know it's not the end of the story...
...and a mighty fine story, it is. "Farmer Giles of Ham" is a simple delight, short and very sweet. Giles is a charming curmudgeon who just might have it in him to be a little more, and the various supporting characters (including the aforementioned animals, as well as the local miller, parson, and the doom-saying blacksmith)come to brilliant life with short, deft strokes of Tolkien's witty, ingenious pen, while the author's observations of courtly life and what it might do to a King and his knights are brilliant satire. Hardly the least interesting characters are the blundering giant and the not-so-terrible dragon, the last of which is one of the most delightfully memorable of his ilk in literature. No, it's not "Lord of the Rings," and anyone expecting that kind of depth or scale will be sorely disappointed. On the other hand, many of the fairy tale elements from this book are reminiscent of "The Hobbit," though they certainly carry a much lighter spin here. Highly suited for children, but fantasy fans of any age can and will appreciate it. The whole tale is a laugh-outloud-riot, and it's short enough to be consumed in only an hour or so. What, and a magic sword too?!? This one's got it all!
Rating: 4
Summary: More Insight into Tolkien...
Comment: As sevreal reviewers have already mentioned, this isn't Tolkien's deepest work. If you are looking for depth, Lord of the Rings & such are your best bet. HOWEVER, if you are curious about the mind that created such great works as Lord of the Rings, then I think this tale can give you great insight.
In this story, an ordinary though slightly short-tempered farmer is looked to as the savior of England due to an accidental but effective blow to a nearly blind & certainly lost giant. The king rewards him, and Giles is quite pleased...though the "professional heroes" of the time - the knights - are less than pleased with this amateur's success. However, when another threat turns up in the form of a neurotic dragon, Giles is not thrilled with his "duty" to save the people. The tale progress from here to its ironic, humorous, clever ending.
As other reviewers have mentioned, this tale shows a lively, sharp wit...playing off turns of phrase, ironic situations and unlikely heroes. However, the way such intelligence comes across seems as if Tolkien did this more for his own amusement than for impressing others. Like with "Roverandom" and "Father Christmas", Tolkien did not create this story for the public but rather for the private enjoyment of his sons.
As you learn this, you realize that Tolkien's mind naturally gravited towards fantastical adventures that access far-distant lands and many sorts of mythical creatures...and that he enjoyed writing such tales for his own sake...not to show off. He truly was an amazing man!
 |
Title: Roverandom by J.R.R. Tolkien, Wayne G. Hammond, Christina Scull ISBN: 0395898714 Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Co Pub. Date: April, 1998 List Price(USD): $17.00 |
 |
Title: Letters from Father Christmas, Revised Edition by J.R.R. Tolkien ISBN: 061800937X Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Co Pub. Date: December, 1999 List Price(USD): $20.00 |
 |
Title: Unfinished Tales: The Lost Lore of Middle-earth by J.R.R. Tolkien ISBN: 0345357116 Publisher: Del Rey Pub. Date: 12 August, 1988 List Price(USD): $7.50 |
 |
Title: Bilbo's Last Song by Pauline Baynes, J.R.R. Tolkien ISBN: 0375823735 Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers Pub. Date: 24 September, 2002 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
 |
Title: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl, Sir Orfeo by J.R.R. Tolkien ISBN: 0345277600 Publisher: Del Rey Pub. Date: 12 December, 1979 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
