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  • Tales from the Perilous Realm

  • Written by: J. R. R. Tolkien
  • Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
  • Length: 7 hrs and 42 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (36 ratings)

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Tales from the Perilous Realm

Written by: J. R. R. Tolkien
Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
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Publisher's Summary

Combined into one volume, this is the definitive collection of Tolkien's five acclaimed modern classic 'fairie' tales in the vein of The Hobbit, read by Derek Jacobi.

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 joined here in one volume which reaffirms Tolkien's place as a master storyteller for listeners young and old.

  • 'Roverandom' is a toy dog who, enchanted by a sand sorcerer, gets to explore the world and encounter strange and fabulous creatures.
  • 'Farmer Giles of Ham' is fat and unheroic, but - having unwittingly managed to scare off a short-sighted giant - is called upon to do battle when a dragon comes to town.
  • 'The Adventures of Tom Bombadil' tells in 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.

Taken together, this rich collection of work from the author of The Children of Húrin will provide the listener with a fascinating journey into lands as wild and strange as Middle-earth.

©2016 J. R. R. Tolkien (P)2016 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

What listeners say about Tales from the Perilous Realm

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

The short stories are great, however...

Most of this book is made up of Tolkien's short stories. All of these stories are great. Derek Jacobi's narration is perfect. Then, there are the poems/rhyming stories. They make up a little over one hour of the book. Individually, they are okay. One or two are even good. The problem is how the editors of this compilation have clustered all the poems/rhyming stories together, in a block, about two thirds of the way through the book. I found it quite tedious to listen to one after the other this way. It would have been much better if one or two poems/rhyming stories had been inserted between the regular short stories. Listening to them this way, broken up and spaced out, would have been much more enjoyable. As it is, I anticipate that when I listen to this book again one day, which I will because the short stories are worth it, I will fast forward through the poems/rhyming stories section.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely Enchanting

Wonderful to have all of these tales by Tolkien gathered in a single volume. The narration is wonderfully done.

Each of these stories is a brilliant encapsulation of Mythopiea, to coin Tolkien's word for it. The perilous nature of fairie being that one is never the same person going in as to when they leave. You are taken along for the journey and cannot help but reenter the world and see a little more magic in it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A wonderful set of stories

A classic collection. Wonderful for all ages. Very excellent narration. Will listen to again.

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