Although it was far more lighthearted than some of his other stories that I have come to love (exp. Lord of the Rings & the Children of Hurin,) it's still filled with Tolkien's familiar voice.
It is rich with his simple kind of warmth and his witty sense of humor. It introduces yet another Dragon with a strong personality, an unexpected, and all together unlikely hero and, of course, an absolute brilliant adventure.
There is just a golden comfort that sustains through every one of his novels that makes me feel at home. Rereading his books is like reuniting with an old friend or returning home after a long time away.
Photo credit, like always, goes to my wonderful Dad. Check out his website here.
I also love the story behind the story. For those of you that don't know this, Farmer Giles of Ham is one of the stories Tolkien invented to entertain his kids. J.R.R Tolkien first came up with this fanciful fairy tale when his family was unexpectedly caught in the rain during a picnic. The family took shelter underneath a bridge and Tolkien invented the tale to pass the time. This just goes to show that the best things really do happen unexpectedly.