L. Owens, ed. Presents all 215 stories recorded by the Brothers Grimm, many not available elsewhere, illustrated by renowned artists. Includes such timeless favorites as Cinderella, Rapunzel, and The Frog Prince. A delight for young and old alike. 100 b&w illustrations. 704 pages.
The Complete Brothers Grimm's Fairy Tales
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Browse our Bookshelf Favorites store for big savings on popular fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and more. |
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
“Among the few indispensable, common-property books upon which Western culture can be founded . . . It will be a mistake if this volume is merely bought for a child; it should be, first and foremost, an educational ‘must’ for adults.”
–W. H. Auden, The New York Times
“Here it is, clear and fine and solid, beautifully and passionately illustrated, this one book–other than the Bible–that has truly made Western man.”
–P. L. Travers, The New Republic
“Everyone should possess and know Grimm’s Fairy Tales–one of the great books of the world–and no English-speaking person could do better than this edition.”
–Richard Adams, The New York Times Book Review
“[A] splendid edition, admirably illustrated.”
–Edmund Wilson, The New Yorker --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
–W. H. Auden, The New York Times
“Here it is, clear and fine and solid, beautifully and passionately illustrated, this one book–other than the Bible–that has truly made Western man.”
–P. L. Travers, The New Republic
“Everyone should possess and know Grimm’s Fairy Tales–one of the great books of the world–and no English-speaking person could do better than this edition.”
–Richard Adams, The New York Times Book Review
“[A] splendid edition, admirably illustrated.”
–Edmund Wilson, The New Yorker --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German
Original Language: German
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
154 of 158 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Born in the late 1700s in Hanau, Germany, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm were noted scholars celebrated for the documentation of German folklore--and most particularly for the documentation of folk tales that had been previously passed from generation to generation by oral tradition.
The Brothers Grimm began to publish these tales 1812 under the title Children's and Household Tales, a collection which went a then unheard of six editions during their lifetimes and a posthumous edition shortly after their deaths. In its final form, the collection contained two hundred folk tales and ten "Children's Legends," and they would have a tremendous impact on both European and American popular culture.
It is here that we find such figures as Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Hansel and Gretle, Tom Thumb, Rapunzel, and the Bremen Town Musicians--to name but a few. But be forewarned: these are not the tales as presented in such venues as The Little Golden Book series or on the big screen by Walt Disney. True enough, there is magic, wonder, and a world in which good triumphs... but there is also savage retribution, revenge, brutality, torture, and the occasional flourish of anti-semetism as well.
"Cinderella" offers a good example of the violence one often finds in these stories. Modern versions typically punish the wicked step-sisters with comic humiliation, but in the original tale their eyes are picked out by birds--and this is actually one of the less extreme retributions offered. The evil queen in the classic "Snow White" is forced to dance at Snow White's wedding... in red-hot iron shoes until she dies. Perhaps most disconcerting is the fate of the wicked servant in "The Goose Girl," who is thrown naked into a barrel driven through with spikes that is dragged by horses through the town!
Although children typically adore such gruesome details, modern parents will likely be less enthusiastic--and I myself wouldn't recommend The Brothers Grimm as bedtime story material for the very young and impressionable. They are perhaps best left to older children, especially if their taste leans to the Gothic. That said, however, the Pantheon edition is quite good, for it offers both the original German texts and English translations; it would make an excellent gift for a young language student. And the stories themselves, so often dark and brooding, deserve to be read for the long shadow they have cast re literary tradition.
GFT, Amazon Reviewer
The Brothers Grimm began to publish these tales 1812 under the title Children's and Household Tales, a collection which went a then unheard of six editions during their lifetimes and a posthumous edition shortly after their deaths. In its final form, the collection contained two hundred folk tales and ten "Children's Legends," and they would have a tremendous impact on both European and American popular culture.
It is here that we find such figures as Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Hansel and Gretle, Tom Thumb, Rapunzel, and the Bremen Town Musicians--to name but a few. But be forewarned: these are not the tales as presented in such venues as The Little Golden Book series or on the big screen by Walt Disney. True enough, there is magic, wonder, and a world in which good triumphs... but there is also savage retribution, revenge, brutality, torture, and the occasional flourish of anti-semetism as well.
"Cinderella" offers a good example of the violence one often finds in these stories. Modern versions typically punish the wicked step-sisters with comic humiliation, but in the original tale their eyes are picked out by birds--and this is actually one of the less extreme retributions offered. The evil queen in the classic "Snow White" is forced to dance at Snow White's wedding... in red-hot iron shoes until she dies. Perhaps most disconcerting is the fate of the wicked servant in "The Goose Girl," who is thrown naked into a barrel driven through with spikes that is dragged by horses through the town!
Although children typically adore such gruesome details, modern parents will likely be less enthusiastic--and I myself wouldn't recommend The Brothers Grimm as bedtime story material for the very young and impressionable. They are perhaps best left to older children, especially if their taste leans to the Gothic. That said, however, the Pantheon edition is quite good, for it offers both the original German texts and English translations; it would make an excellent gift for a young language student. And the stories themselves, so often dark and brooding, deserve to be read for the long shadow they have cast re literary tradition.
GFT, Amazon Reviewer
85 of 87 people found the following review helpful
By "kehk"
Format:Paperback
Even if your not a scholar, this tremendous read-aloud reaches all the way back to the voices of the oral tradition, whose rich language and images will transport you to a magical state of being. The Frog King begins "In olden times when wishing still helped one, there lived a king whose daughters were all beautiful, but the youngest was so beautiful that the sun itself, which has seen so much, was astonished whenever it shone in her face." Try that at dusk or by candle light, and see if an awed hush doesn't fall over your listener(s)!
For those with a more serious bent, this is perhaps the most accurate English translation of the Grimm's recordings of the oral tales. The complete collection lets you compare the patterns and rhythms of language and story line. The introduction by Padraic Colum and end commentary by Joseph Campbell (some 30 pages) are an added treasure. This version is frequently used by Waldorf teachers, and is "must have" for all primary teachers and families with children.
60 of 66 people found the following review helpful
By Gagewyn
Format:Hardcover
Regarding the fairy tales: The Grimm brothers collected fairy tales from all over the Germanies and published the collected stories in 1812. Historically and culturally this is very important because we have a glimpse into an oral tradition back when oral tradition was alive and well. Many are surprised to find that the stories aren't Disney rated. They have gore and all.
Regarding this particular release of the Grimm Fairy Tales: The paper is bad quality. I have the 1981 edition and the pages are already very very yellow. The illustrations are in many different styles by four different artists. They aren't bad, but given the presentation and the fact that they are a mixed bag they come across that way. The translation by Margaret Hunt was originally published in 1884, and the language feels a little stale today.
This is an adequate copy of the text if you just want to read through it. It isn't durable, it isn't archival and it isn't good quality paper or presentation. These stories have been around long enough that they are now public domain and can be found for free in many locations online, if you just want to check out the original Grimm version of a story. (Paper is easier on the eyes, so there is a place for a poor quality widely available edition.) Libraries will want a more durable edition. Yep a better quality edition is a good idea for families too.
Regarding this particular release of the Grimm Fairy Tales: The paper is bad quality. I have the 1981 edition and the pages are already very very yellow. The illustrations are in many different styles by four different artists. They aren't bad, but given the presentation and the fact that they are a mixed bag they come across that way. The translation by Margaret Hunt was originally published in 1884, and the language feels a little stale today.
This is an adequate copy of the text if you just want to read through it. It isn't durable, it isn't archival and it isn't good quality paper or presentation. These stories have been around long enough that they are now public domain and can be found for free in many locations online, if you just want to check out the original Grimm version of a story. (Paper is easier on the eyes, so there is a place for a poor quality widely available edition.) Libraries will want a more durable edition. Yep a better quality edition is a good idea for families too.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love the classics?
Love to read the old tales in their original form. The story lines can be a bit creepy which makes for great late night reading.
Published 8 days ago by J. E. Wattam
4.0 out of 5 stars
As I expected
It reads like a fairy tale. what else can be said? It's a book of fairy tales by the originators of the genre.
Published 9 days ago by James S. Evidon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love the Classics
Amazon has made it very convenient to purchase the classics for my Kindle. Very resonable prices and easy to read.
Published 17 days ago by QueenEve
5.0 out of 5 stars
It was a gift
My daughter wanted any book from the Grimm Brothers - and didn't know
which one to chose from. I bought this one for her and she finished reading it
twice already. Read more
which one to chose from. I bought this one for her and she finished reading it
twice already. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Tamatha
4.0 out of 5 stars
I was interested
A book I did enjoy. I have never been interested in these type of books, but I tried something new.
Published 2 months ago by alyssa strickland
4.0 out of 5 stars
nice book
big fat, nice edition. lots of tales. would be nice to keep on a shelf to read to your grandkids, one day.
Published 2 months ago by D
1.0 out of 5 stars
Bad
Stinks I did not like it at all I think he would be better of writing a baby book bad
Published 3 months ago by Jill W. Ragans
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great and Beautiful Book
Very nice book for the price. The stories seem authentic and they are enjoyable
I would definitely recommend this book.
I would definitely recommend this book.
Published 3 months ago by MAPG
4.0 out of 5 stars
classic
Here are the short true stories. I loved each of them. It's funny to read the real story and compare it to what you grew up knowing
Published 3 months ago by melissa kost
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book and Worth the price
This is a great book with tons of stories in them. Many stories I did not know of also, I even ordered a second one for my daughter.
Published 3 months ago by Walldove
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
So You'd Like to...
|
|
