TALES FROM THE PERILOUS REALM
First published on November 17, 2008, by Houghton Mifflin.

"An old-fashioned story, yet it still speaks freshly today ... would leap to life when read aloud to a child."

~ Independent, Review of "Roverandom"

"A fabulous tale of the days when giants and dragons walked the kingdom."

~ Sunday Times, Review of "Farmer Giles of Ham"

"A haunting and successful demonstration of the qualities of faerie."

~ New York Times, Review of "Leaf by Niggle"

"Something close to genius."

~ The Listener, Review of "The Adventures of Tom Bombadil"

Whoever reads it at eight will no doubt still be going back to it at eighty."

~ New Statesman, Review of "Smith of Wootton Major"

This is the definitive collection of Tolkien's five acclaimed modern classic 'fairie' tales in the vein of "The Hobbit," fully corrected and reset for this edition, and all beautifully illustrated in pencil by the award-winning artist, Alan Lee.

The five tales are written with the same skill, quality and charm that made "The Hobbit" a classic.

Largely overlooked because of their short lengths, they are finally together in a volume which reaffirms Tolkien's place as a master storyteller for readers young and old.

World-renowned Tolkien author and expert, Tom Shippey, takes the reader through the hidden links in the tales to Tolkien's Middle-earth in his Introduction, and recounts their history and themes.

Lastly, included as an appendix is Tolkien's most famous essay, "On Fairy-stories", in which he brilliantly discusses fairy-stories and their relationship to fantasy.

"Farmer Giles of Ham" is portly and unheroic, but—having unwittingly managed to scare off a short-sighted giant—is called upon to do battle when the dragon Chrysophylax comes to town.

"The Adventures of Tom Bombadil" tells, by way of verse, of Tom's many adventures with hobbits, princesses, dwarves and trolls.

"Leaf by Niggle" recounts the strange adventures of the painter Niggle who sets out to paint the perfect tree.

"Smith of Wootton Major" journeys to the Land of Faery thanks to the magical ingredients of the Great Cake of the Feast of Good Children.

"Roverandom" is a story about a toy dog who, enchanted by a sand sorcerer, gets to explore the world and encounter strange and fabulous creatures.

PAGE NOTES:

• You will find all the currently available US and UK editions of "Tales from the Perilous Realm" listed below. Out-of-print editions are not listed.
• Learn more about "Tales from the Perilous Realm," by reading the 'Wikipedia Entry' for this book.