The Fairy Tale of My Life: An Autobiography [Paperback]

Hans Christian Andersen (Author), Naomi Lewis (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 25, 2000

Danish poet and novelist Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) is best known for the dozens of fairy tales he wrote, including "The Little Mermaid," "The Ugly Duckling," and "The Snow Queen." Andersen's sense of fantasy, power of description, and acute sensitivity are strikingly evident in his autobiography. Andersen masterfully depicts the extreme poverty of his provincial childhood and the international celebrity of his later years, and also provides insights into the sources of many of his most famous tales.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Danish (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

Danish poet and novelist Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) is best known for the tragic and gruesome fairy tales he wrote, including "The Emperor's New Clothes," "The Little Match-Seller," "The Little Mermaid," "The Princess and the Pea," "The Shepherdess and the Chimney-Sweep," "The Snow Queen," "The Staunch Tin Soldier," "The Ugly Duckling," "The Wild Swans," and "Thumbelina." In this genre, his sense of fantasy, descriptive power, and acute sensitivity found the medium of expression that was to immortalize his genius.

Autobiography was an obsession for Andersen. At age 25, he embarked on a trip, and left instructions for the publication of his first autobiographical sketch should he fail to return alive. In 1855, at age 50, he wrote his first official autobiography; in 1863, he continued his life story.

By turns vain and humble, bitter and celebratory, this self-portrait gives ample evidence of his extraordinary gifts as a storyteller, as he depicts the poverty of his provincial childhood; his wide travels, from Portugal to Turkey; his friendships and lively encounters with Kierkegaard, Dickens, Hugo, the Brothers Grimm, Balzac, and Liszt; and the international celebrity of his later years. His autobiography also provides insights into the sources of many of his most famous tales. This highly readable and revealing account of the inner and public life of a literary genius will appeal to anyone who ever delighted in Andersen's fairy tales.

Product Details

• Paperback: 616 pages
• Publisher: Cooper Square Press (September 25, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0815411057
• ISBN-13: 978-0815411055
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #607,420 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #34 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Ethnic & National > Scandinavian
  • #85 in Books > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > Scandinavian

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book by one of the best story tellers ever., August 24, 2001

By 

Rosella Ann Myles - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Fairy Tale of My Life: An Autobiography (Paperback)

I really liked reading Han's Christian Anderson's biography. You learn a lot about him, and his stories from this book. He is one of the greatest writers ever. He tells the story of his life beautifully. It was full of adventures and travels, of which he tells a lot about in his book. He truly liked all people. I highly recommend this book, and would give it more stars if I could.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "must" for the legions of Hans Christian Andersen fans, March 5, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Fairy Tale of My Life: An Autobiography (Paperback)

The Fairy Tale Of My Life is Hans Christian Andersen's autobiography. Andersen (1805-1875) had an undeniable gift for storytelling that led to the creating of a series of classic fairytales that included "The Little Mermaid", "The Ugly Duckling", and "The Snow Queen. His sense of fantasy, descriptive abilities, and sensitivity to human emotions are also evident in the candor and engaging self-told story of his life from the extreme poverty of a provincial childhood to the international celebrity of his final years. Careful readers will also find valued insights into the sources for many of his most famous and enduringly popular stories. The Fairy Tale Of My Life is a "must" for the legions of Hans Christian Andersen fans!

1 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for the legions of Hans Christian Andersen fans, February 3, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Fairy Tale of My Life: An Autobiography (Paperback)

The Fairy Tale Of My Life is Hans Christian Andersen's autobiography. Andersen (1805-1875) had an undeniable gift for storytelling that led to the creating of a series of classic fairytales that included "The Little Mermaid", "The Ugly Duckling", and "The Snow Queen. His sense of fantasy, descriptive abilities, and sensitivity to human emotions are also evident in the candor and engaging self-told story of his life from the extreme poverty of a provincial childhood to the international celebrity of his final years. Careful readers will also find valued insights into the sources for many of his most famous and enduringly popular stories. The Fairy Tale Of My Life is a "must" for the legions of Hans Christian Andersen fans!