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Farmer Giles of Ham

By: J. R. R. Tolkien
Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
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Publisher's summary

Farmer Giles of Ham is one of Tolkien's most popular stories, full of wit and humour, set in the days when giants and dragons walked the earth. He did not look like a hero. He was fat and red-bearded and enjoyed a slow, comfortable life. Then one day a rather deaf and short-sighted giant blundered on to his land. More by luck than skill, Farmer Giles managed to scare him away. The people of the village cheered: Farmer Giles was a hero. His reputation spread far and wide across the kingdom. So it was natural that when the dragon Chrysophylax visited the area it was Farmer Giles who was expected to do battle with it!
©1949 The J.R.R. Tolkien Copyright Trust (P)1999 HarperCollins UK

Featured Article: Galadriel—A Lord of the Rings Character Guide


Galadriel is one of the most significant characters both in J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy and the wide history of Middle-earth more generally. If you've listened to The Lord of the Rings or seen any of the film adaptations, then you're likely well aware of who Galadriel is. But what, exactly, makes her so important? What is her history? This character guide is here to answer all of your questions about the powerful Elf Galadriel, the Lady of Lórien.

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What listeners say about Farmer Giles of Ham

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Farmer to King

Would you consider the audio edition of Farmer Giles of Ham to be better than the print version?

It is an enjoyable listen that goes well with the print version.

Have you listened to any of Derek Jacobi’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Derek Jacobi is excellent once again. Children will be able to follow along easily and perhaps even take more of the story in as a result of his narration.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did listen to it in one sitting as the book is full of Tolkien 's humour and is well narrated and easy to listen to.

Any additional comments?

Children and adults alike, should enjoy this Tolkien adventure with a deadly dragon, a dog who keeps crying help and a farmer who becomes a king.

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6 people found this helpful

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Brilliant Little Story

This is a brilliant little story. It's witty and fun, clever and comical, not at all obvious and, as all Tolkien's works do, has a great and timeless moral to the story. It is also brilliantly delivered.

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A Simply Wonderful Story

Loved it! Hard to put down... though my teen and tween children didn't care for it quite so much.

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A funny and enjoyable story!

I enjoyed listening to this silly, ridiculous and delightful tale by Tolkien. It's easy to get through in a day and it's a nice break between some of the heavy stuff I've been into lately. A nice refresher before I dive back into darker realms. This little story will make Tolkien fans smile!

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Tolkien children stories are the best.

Wonderful story for all the Tolkien fans. I love the fact that these stories are simple and I think geared for children. The narration is wonderful and not to be missed. I love the fact the the farmer lets the dragon live and that he becomes the leader of the town.
Listen and enjoy

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Awesome!

Really enjoyed this historically accurate tale of a farmer and his dog. Had me smiling the whole time.

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Excellent short story by J. R. R. Tolkien.

This is an enjoyable yarn by a master storyteller. It is read by a very good narrator. I highly recommend it to every fan of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.

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Humorous tale of an unlikely hero.

A slow-paced, delightful fantasy story about The Olden Times - Back in the days when dogs talked, giants walked the earth, and dragons flew over it. Farmer Giles, a (very) common man, who is not at all clever, or fond of trouble, discomfort, and adventure, overcomes impossible odds, thanks to his unorthodox common sense. Beautifully written and performed.

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More for the younger generation

It was a good story but definitely geared more towards the younger crowd. It kept me amused.

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Micro-Dose ofTolkien

Farmer Giles of Ham departs from Tolkien’s typical style while somehow keeping the distinct feel of his work. It is a quick, lighthearted and comedic read; I recommend it for any Tolkien fan.

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