Farmer Giles of Ham cover art

Farmer Giles of Ham

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Farmer Giles of Ham

By: J. R. R. Tolkien
Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
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About this listen

Tolkien’s acclaimed modern classic ‘fairie’ tale, read by Derek Jacobi.

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!

Two further stories in this collections are Smith of Wooton Major which tells of the preparation of the Great Cake to mark the Feast of Good Children, and the strange events which follow, and Leaf by Niggle, which recounts the strange adventures of the painter, Niggle.

©1949 The J.R.R. Tolkien Copyright Trust (P)1999 HarperCollins UK Classics Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction

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All stars
Most relevant  
Loved this audio book ever since I was little, and still get much enjoyment from it even into my twenties, I think this book is incredibly overlooked. It is a fantastic piece of Tolkien; if not his best short story. The narrator portrays the books very well, with a relaxing but engrossing tone.

My favourite book!

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is entertaining: amusing and enthralling; a well crafted and well written tale with a perceived depth to it that JRR had a way of producing. Derek Jacobi reads it so very well: his voices and the pace of his reading are spot on, a real joy that I have listened to many times on long car journeys. I only wish that it were longer.

What about Derek Jacobi’s performance did you like?

DJ's acting skills are well known, but this combination of voice acting and narration is a wonderful performance and a joy to listen to. I can at one time lose myself in the story a dn just go along with it and at another time listen to his reading of it and enjoy it on that level alone. Really very good indeed.

A cracking tale, beautifully read.

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I loved it. It was engaging and vibrant right to the end. I may listen to it again.

Yes

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... good enough to entertain adults.
the well-rounded characters so Tolkien has made are very believable and very lifelike.
Whilst I had the audible books subscription going for 2 years I gained a number of credits and was not sure what books to use all of the tokens on. I am glad that I got this story.
A tale about a man with both good luck and the wits about him to make sure he gets the best out of situations.
Throughout the story you grow to like this character.
By the end you are half believing that it may be based on some truth. Tolkien has made reality from fiction.

Entertaining story presumably for children

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sort sweet under two hours great for a short flight or train plus it has a dragon and a farmer

Great little book

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Great story from Tolkien, Chrysophylax is a memorable dragon to be sure. Discovering these faerie tales has been brilliant.

Famer Giles & The Dragon

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It’s one of those stories people should read to their kids if they like dragons and trolls and adventure xx it’s very sweet and also this narration is adorable x

Super cute

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a beautiful little story, very easy to listen to when you just want to relax.

absolutely charming tale of dragons and unlikely knights

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