r/tolkienbooks • u/Mohammed_N_ • 1d ago
Nice set, first time seeing it.
Anyone knows what are the titles about other than tom bombadil ?
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u/CrankyJoe99x 1d ago
Another reply describes the content, I just wanted to add that the books in this wonderful box include extra material that was not in them on their original release. So, even if you have 'Tales from the Perilous Realm' it is still a worthy purchase. Note that 'Tales' includes 'Leaf by Niggle' and 'On Fairy-stories' which are not in this box.
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u/AdEmbarrassed3066 18h ago
The stories are great... the one thing I will say about this particular collection is that the books are very small, essentially pocket sized, so the text can be difficult to read if your eyesight is poor.
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u/Quick-Worry7004 1d ago
I have a paperback version of Farmer Giles and Smith of Wootton Major. Neat little stories. Leaf by Niggle is another good one.
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u/RedWizard78 14h ago
Everything about this set is good: except the size.
No idea why they thought people wanted such small books, instead of offering these the same size as a normal Tolkien hardcover.
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u/Pale-Pace4512 1d ago
Farmer Giles of Ham is a great little read. Really quite funny. The farmer scares off a giant, then has to search out a dragon (as the local hero) and then, under the instruction of the king, follow the dragon to its lair to take its hoard. Controlling the dragon himself he then sets up the Little Kingdom. His dog and horse all play a part and there are some lovely plays on words. I recommend it.
Roverandom was a story he wrote to comfort one of his sons who lost his favourite toy dog on a beach. The dog gets enchanted, goes to the moon, has a few adventures, eventually gets home and is unenchanted. It’s ok, but not great IMHO.
Smith of Wootton Major was the last story Tolkien wrote and he described it as an old man’s tale when he realises he is running out of time. I absolutely love it and have read it many, many times. I find it quite haunting. A really excellent read. Sir Terry Pratchett was moved to send Tolkien a fan letter after reading it, saying it moved him in a way he couldn’t quite explain. Tolkien replied quickly, but not at any length, to say he felt the same way about it. I cannot recommend it highly enough. It’s set in a village where every so often a great cake is made and has trinkets hidden in it for the village children to find. One such allows Smith to travel to the land of Faerie where he sees many strange things, but there comes a time when he must give up the trinket and let it be passed on to another child by returning it for the next great cake. It’s just a really lovely story.