A charming new paperback edition of one of the major works of short fiction by J.R.R. Tolkien and the only complete work he managed to finish after the publication of The Lord of the Rings.

What was initially intended as a preface for George MacDonald's The Golden Key evolved into this enchanting short story, which Tolkien named to suggest an early work by P.G. Wodehouse. Compiled nearly a decade after The Lord of the Rings and as his lifelong engagement with the 'Silmarillion' was nearing completion, Smith of Wootton Major is a product of maturity and reflection. It was published in 1967 as a small hardcover, accompanied by charming black-and-white illustrations by Pauline Baynes, and would be the last fantasy work published during Tolkien's lifetime.

Now, more than 50 years later, this enchanting tale of a wanderer who finds his way into the perilous realm of Faery is being reissued in paperback. This edition includes many intriguing connections to the world of Middle-earth, as well as to Tolkien's other stories. This new edition is enhanced with a facsimile of the illustrated first edition, a manuscript from the early draft of the story, notes, and an alternative ending, as well as an extensive essay on the nature of Faery.

Pages: 224, Dimensions: 12.9x12.9cm