Tales from the Perilous Realm
Tolkien, J.R.R. -- Library Journal, 11/11/2008 9:28:00 AM
2008. Houghton. 403p. ISBN 978-0-547-15411-4. $28. F
Although several new books by Tolkien have been released posthumously, including The Children of Húrin (2007), Tales from the Perilous Realm is a gathering of several of his short works appearing between 1949 and 1998. Collected here are Roverandom, Farmer Giles of Ham, The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, Smith of Wootton Major, and Leaf by Niggle. Some are set in Tolkien’s familiar territories of Middle-earth, with Tom Bombadil sporting hobbits and his other popular trappings. In addition to the stories, the book includes a new intro by scholar Tom Shippey plus numerous beautiful pencil drawings by top Tolkien artist Alan Lee, who also provides an afterword. This marvelous collection of a handful of the master’s stories mixed with a drop of scholarship for an affordable price will thrill Tolkien’s fans and not break your budget. Recommended.
Mike Rogers, LJX/LJ
