Farmer Giles of Ham

Interesting Facts

• The book is one of the few works by Tolkien written in the genre of humorous fantasy, distinguishing it from more serious works like «The Lord of the Rings» and «The Hobbit».
• The story is set in a fictional medieval England, and Tolkien uses many elements of English folklore and mythology, giving the story a unique flavor.
• The main character, Farmer Giles, is an atypical hero for fantasy: he possesses no special abilities or magical artifacts, but through his wit and luck, he becomes a hero.
• The book was first published in 1949 and has been reprinted many times since, becoming a classic of children's literature.
• The illustrations for the first edition of the book were done by the renowned artist Pauline Baynes, who also illustrated other works by Tolkien.