Smith of Wootton Major / Farmer Giles of Ham

Two charming short stories by J.R.R. Tolkien, "Smith of Wootton Major" is a fairy tale about a young boy who is granted the ability to travel freely in Faerie thanks to a star found in a piece of cake. In typical Tolkien style, loving care is given to each marvelous sight, and the ending is bittersweet; wonder is almost always brief, what fantasy gives and how it changes us, and the joy and grief of sacrifice.

The second story - and my personal favorite of the two - "Farmer Giles of Ham" takes a more lighthearted look at things. Farmer Giles finds himself involved in a series of misadventures that unexpectedly build his reputation, much to his delight, until said reputation leads to the King asking him to slay a dragon causing chaos show more nearby. With an inept but loyal dog named Garm, an oddly canny grey mare, and his own wits, Farmer Giles finds himself pitted against not only a great dragon, but the King himself.

Though not on the same scale as The Lord of the Rings or even the lasting wonder of The Hobbit, both stories are sweet and charming, the one a classic fairy tale, and the other a clever, tongue-in-cheek, mock-heroic. show less

Warning: These stories are nothing like Lord of the Rings. If you saw the movie, and think you are getting more of the same here, prepare to have your expectations shattered.

On the other hand, these are both delightful stories. Tolkien's style can be a bit wooden at times, but that does not come through here. These are not a "must have" but if you wanted to read more by Tolkien, but could not make it through the Similrian, this might be the book for you.

"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 show more dragon, much to his chagrin. show less

I enjoyed both fantasies: Smith of Wooton Major & Farmer Giles of Ham.

Smith is a good, caring husband and father. He was fortunate when young to receive a gift from the Faery which served him well. But soon it is time to pass the gift along - and how he handles letting it go makes this story more than just a fairy tale.

The folks of Ham seem to be mostly good with small"ish" flaws including Farmer Giles. But when it comes time to standing up for what's right - Giles does..hesitate but then forges ahead brilliantly despite some spiteful neighbors and a greedy king.

I felt that Smith of Wooten Major was more grounded in fantasy, while Farmer Giles of Ham focused more on the human condition - of not being perfect - but being able to show more overcome obstacles to do what was necessary and right. show less

Great for Tolkien fans but not as in depth as the Middle Earth books. Two "short" stories, one being 60 and the other being 100 pages or so. The first the Smith of Wootton Major tells the tale of a black smith who gets a special gift from faerie at a birthday party for only people born on the 24th. The second has a farmer in a small town has an encounter with a giant and then a dragon who doesn't want to fight. Fun romp in fantasy would be good for younger readers, but definitely shows a Tolkien flair.

First time reading the Smith's story, and I've got to say that though I appreciated, I didn't quite enjoy it. Reread of Giles' story, which I enjoyed less than I remember. Both worth reading if you're interested though, imo. A bit satirical, not too intense, the first a bit more poignant/wistful.

The precise name of the book is "Smith of Wootton Major / Farmer Giles of Ham", by J.R.R. Tolkien, and it is two short stories of different styles.

The first story is "Smith of Wootton Major" and is about cooks and smiths and stars and faeries. I loved it. I already love Tolkien, but this was a great example of his storytelling. He simply tells the story, and tells it well, without pretense. The medieval world of the "town on the edge of the wood that leads to Faery" is well known enough that it didn't need much of an introduction. If you read fantasy, if you've read historical tales, you know the place already. I read this several times.

The second story set me off to begin with. It presents itself as a translation of another story being show more told by someone who has disdain for the time and the characters within, and that lent a certain stiffness to the story that I didn't like as much as "Smith". The "translator" mocks the people in the story, as if he's explaining to you, the reader, that he is so much smarter than the "vulgar" folks in the tale.

Still, "Farmer Giles" isn't bad, and is written in a very Olde English style, which is fun if you're a fan of it.

I really liked this little book. Sadly, I borrowed it from someone and I should have given it back after I'd read it the first time but I was bad and kept it to read again. I have no more excuses and it will go back the next chance I get. show less