Read Anywhere and on Any Device!

Subscribe to Read | $0.00

Join today and start reading your favorite books for Free!

Create Free Account

Farmer Giles of Ham

0/5 ( ratings)

This is the 50th anniversary edition of Tolkien's best-loved short fairy story, originally told to his children in the 1920s and expanded for publication in 1949. Bluff Farmer Giles lives in a land-of-fable England, full of giants and dragons. A reluctant hero like the Brave Little Tailor or Bilbo in The Hobbit, Giles wins a great reputation by firing his blunderbuss at a wandering giant--who retreats not in fear but to avoid this tiresome stinging "insect". One thing leads to another, and despite all his excuses the now famous Giles is called to save his country from the marauding dragon Chrysophylax. He has a legendary anti-dragon sword and a lot of luck, but dragons can be as devious as politicians... Tolkien crammed much sly wit into his little story, plus jokey philological explanations that Giles's amazing adventures are commemorated in Thames Valley placenames like Worminghall and Thame. It's illustrated with nearly 50 line drawings by Paula Baynes: Tolkien loved these, but some look sadly faded here, like fourth-generation photocopies. As a bonus, the anniversary edition includes an introduction telling the story's history, a transcription of the original, unfinished draft, and 23 pages of notes on allusions and names . A pleasant gift book. --David Langford

Language: English

Pages: 127

Format: Hardcover

Release: January 01, 1949

ISBN 13: 9780618009367

Farmer Giles of Ham

0/5 ( ratings)

This is the 50th anniversary edition of Tolkien's best-loved short fairy story, originally told to his children in the 1920s and expanded for publication in 1949. Bluff Farmer Giles lives in a land-of-fable England, full of giants and dragons. A reluctant hero like the Brave Little Tailor or Bilbo in The Hobbit, Giles wins a great reputation by firing his blunderbuss at a wandering giant--who retreats not in fear but to avoid this tiresome stinging "insect". One thing leads to another, and despite all his excuses the now famous Giles is called to save his country from the marauding dragon Chrysophylax. He has a legendary anti-dragon sword and a lot of luck, but dragons can be as devious as politicians... Tolkien crammed much sly wit into his little story, plus jokey philological explanations that Giles's amazing adventures are commemorated in Thames Valley placenames like Worminghall and Thame. It's illustrated with nearly 50 line drawings by Paula Baynes: Tolkien loved these, but some look sadly faded here, like fourth-generation photocopies. As a bonus, the anniversary edition includes an introduction telling the story's history, a transcription of the original, unfinished draft, and 23 pages of notes on allusions and names . A pleasant gift book. --David Langford

Language: English

Pages: 127

Format: Hardcover

Release: January 01, 1949

ISBN 13: 9780618009367

More books from J.R.R. Tolkien

The Hobbit

4.2/5 ( ratings)

The Fellowship of the Ring

4.3/5 ( ratings)

The Two Towers

4.4/5 ( ratings)

The Lord of the Rings

4.4/5 ( ratings)

The Hobbit, Part One

4.3/5 ( ratings)

The Silmarillion

3.9/5 ( ratings)

The Hobbit

4.5/5 ( ratings)

J.R.R. Tolkien 4-Book Boxed Set: The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings

4.6/5 ( ratings)

The History of the Hobbit, Part One: Mr. Baggins

3.8/5 ( ratings)

The Return of the King

4.6/5 ( ratings)

The Children of Húrin

3.9/5 ( ratings)

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (The Lord of the Rings, #2)

4.6/5 ( ratings)

Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-Earth

3.9/5 ( ratings)

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: Visual Companion

4.6/5 ( ratings)

The Lord of the Rings: The Trilogy

4.7/5 ( ratings)

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl, and Sir Orfeo

J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator

4.1/5 ( ratings)

Smith of Wootton Major & Farmer Giles of Ham

3.9/5 ( ratings)

Rate this book!

Write a review?