Rating: 
Summary: In the vulgar tongue: Cute
Review: "Farmer Giles of Ham" (in the vulgar tongue) is an entertaining little tale, maybe the first real comic fantasy novel (actually, more like novella). It's certainly not on par with his tales of hobbits and elves, but it's still cute, funny and very well-written.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 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 drive 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? It's a fast, fun little adventure story with blundering giants, greedy dragons and unlikely heroes (the last one is what Tolkien always does best). It's not epic and it's not deep, but it is entertaining, especially for people who enjoy comic fantasies. You'll like this if you enjoyed the cuter moments of "The Hobbit" and stories like "Roverandum." Tolkien's writing always seems to be winking at the reader. There are a lot of in-jokes for people who know Latin (the "vulgar tongue" comments) and a lot of cute moments, like the young dragons exclaiming that they always knew "knights were mythical!" And the illustrations resemble old tapestries and paintings, but they usually have a funny sort of twist to them. "Farmer Giles" is not the deepest or most riveting of Tolkien's works, but it's a straightforward, cute little adventure that kids, adults, fans and non-fans of Tolkien will enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: A Fun Adventure by the Tolkien!!!
Review: "Farmer Giles of Ham" is a fast paced fantasy adventure by the same author of "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings." However, don't expect an epic like the ones of the other two books here. Tolkien here gives a fantasy adventure in a long ago Britain that is inhabited by supernatural beasts such as giants and dragons. The book is very short and can be read in one sitting. Farmer Giles is a farmer of Ham, just as the title of the book suggests. When a huge giant comes into the village that he inhabits one night he fights it off and is recognized by the King. Farmer Giles is given a sword, named Tailbiter, and was used by a long ago hero that was a dragonslayer. When the giant spreads rumors of there being nothing in the lands that he came from to dragons, a curious dragon wanders down toward Ham. It is Farmer Giles' job to take care of the dragon. Read this fun filled fantasy adventure to find out the fate of the dragon and Farmer Giles. This book is basically one very long chapter as it is not broken down into parts and can be thought of as a little part to a much bigger story. This is what differentiates this book from the classics "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings." At the end of the book there is an original text of how the original story was told. There is also a section of notes that were put together for people that are extra curious. The book also has many cute pictures that will get you along through Farmer Giles' adventures. This is a super short read that can be enjoyed by adults as well as children, who I'd say this book would be liked by most. This simple tale was originally written for J.R.R. Tolkien's children and is like a fun fairy tale. This is a wonderful read that would be enjoyed by fans of Tolkien's other works. Just don't expect another "Lord of the Rings." Happy Reading!
Rating:
Summary: More Insight into Tolkien...
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: More Insight into Tolkien...
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: More Insight into Tolkien...
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: A witty and enjoyable fairy tale
Review: 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:
Summary: A witty and enjoyable fairy tale
Review: 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:
Summary: A witty and enjoyable fairy tale
Review: 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:
Summary: SHORT AND VERY SWEET!
Review: 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:
Summary: SHORT AND VERY SWEET!
Review: 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!
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