Tales from the Perilous Realm is a compilation, first published in 1997, of several stories and poems by J.R.R. Tolkien, which had been previously published separately.
Its only major relation to Middle-earth is The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, which features the character Tom Bombadil.
The first edition of the book (1997) includes:
An expanded edition was published in September 2008, followed by the full-cast dramatization in October. In this edition is included the story Roverandom, essay On Fairy-Stories, as well as an introduction and afterword. It is illustrated by 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.
- 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.
Publication history and gallery[edit | edit source]
| 2002 paperback
5th impression
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| 2008 hardcover & 2009 paperback
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