Farmer Giles of Ham

[doug*platypus]

I just read Farmer Giles of Ham for the first time and LOVED it!!! I have to contend with your opinion there, though Kalessin. Giles is a great guy, and I think Garm his dog is a great cowardly and humorous sidekick. The grey mare is very personable, too. Oh, man, there's so many great characters in such a small book!

this children's book

Whaaat?! What makes it a children's book? Mills and Boon stories are supposedly for adults, right? The language and story in FGOH is infinitely superior. I think that a lot of adults could enjoy it, and get a great deal of enjoyment out of the skillful storytelling, probably more than most children would.

I was stunned at how many similarities there were to The Hobbit and LOTR. A surly, hated miller, a great Dragon (though reasonable, unlike Smaug the Magnificent), a king trying to reclaim the treasure at the end, and the fortunate addition of rope to Giles' gear. Interesting...