Customer Reviews

Fairy Tales of Hermann Hesse

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Though the dust jacket claims that the bulk of these stories are appearing here in English for the first time, only a handful haven't appeared in English elsewhere. Hunt down copies of "Stories of Five Decades," "Strange News from Another Star," "If the War Goes On . . .", "Pictor's Metamorphasis," and "Tales of a Student's Life" and you'll have 18 out of 22 of these stories. Zipes' translations themselves are a bit lackluster, and do not really capture the spirit of these texts. That being said, the stories themselves are brilliant, and he does present a good cross-section of Hesse's shorter works.

After reading several of Hermann Hesse's novels, I saw this book in a local bookstore and, admittedly attracted at first by it's lovely cover, I decided to purchase it. And what a joy it was to read! It provides a nice selection of Hesse's short-stories, in very readable translation. I'm very happy that I bought it, and I think that it is a must-have for anyone who wants a good introduction to Hesse's short stories. Includes the memorable story "Iris".

I found Hesse fairy tales enlightening; three in particular stood out. One is "If the War Continues", which I studied in Intermediate German in college. This is an example of how war
will trample on individual freedom; it carries shades of 1984, with Big Brother forbidding wearing of leather shoes, taking walk without permit. This tale does EXAGGERATE wartime restrictions; indeed, in OUR history, even in the two World Wars, civilians could wear leather shoes and take walks when they saw fit. Yes, there was rationing; yes, news was censored; yes, non-essential goods were not manufactured; yes, non-essential travel was
frowned on. I wonder if Germany under the Hohenzollerns in WWI
(and Hitler in WWII) had restrictions that Hesse mentioned. This
story is eloquent of Hesse pacifist views.
There is also "The Difficult Path", which shows that however
difficult it is to achieve a goal, it can be achieved with will and vision.
Most of all, I remember-- and enjoy-- "Flute Dream". This, too, I studied first in intermediate German in college. This
tale is of young man leaving home with talents-- but no focus.
He met girl who kissed him and gave him bread, as he utilized his singing talent. However, he walked on, passing up not only a relationship but an outlet for his talents. Then he boarded a boat piloted by an old man, seeing this as opportunity knocking.
The young man's songs were not appreciated, and he regretted taking this course, seeing as night came on, that he must identify with the old man. He also was told by the helmsman that there is no way back, but when he took the helm, the old man disappeared, and HE BECAME the old man! What this is about is young adults' going off on their own with talents AND idealism, but no focus, so when they DO see opportunity to be creative and use their talents, and be REALLY successful THAT way, they pass it up, seeking ring dang doo or whatever. THEN they jump at what LOOKS like opportunity but is really a dead end! IT can take the form of having high goals but winding up in dead-end job for life
OR-- GETTING to the TOP NOT by being creative, using talents, but MINDLESS CONFORMISM, being yes-men. So, "Flute Dream" sym-
bolizes, among other things, idealism and high hopes, but missing
opportunity and heading for dead end, from lack of focus. I was blind to this in college, then when I LATER read it in English, part of Strange News From Another Star, I did not grasp this meaning. Now, I am thankful to have copy of Hesse's Fairy Tales,
as I have more grasp of meaning of "Flute Dream", and should find others that give insights.

Though the book claims that this collections translates most of these stories for the first time, almost all of them have appeared in English in other books previously. Zipes' translations are fairly clunky and do not capture the nuances of Hesse's original text -- nor do they match up to previously translated collections of Hesse's shorter works. You'd be better of hunting down Hesse's stories at the used book stores.

Herman Hesse takes us back to the basics of imagination and dreaming. The stories do transmit very essential concepts of life principles and the way to pursue what we believe in...

Very easy reading, the humor in some of the stories takes you by surprise since the transition between the different stages of the story is just so smooth...

A book that will take you places, and make you have conversations you always thought not possible...

The art work is very tasteful but I find the translation slightly disappointing. Having read Hesse's fairy tales and legends in German as well as 'Strange news from another star', which contains about 10 fairy tales and short stories, I think that this book's translation doesn't do Hesse's romantic and at times poetic style of writing justice. I suppose that is is impossible to capture any writer's original tone and style in a translation but in a way it appears to me that Jack Zipes either hasn't read the originals properly ('properly' properly) or couldn't be bothered to get subtleties across. It almost becomes apparent when comparing either versions of 'Augustus' and while 'Strange news from another star' allows the reader access to the character's sensual world (especially when he spends time at his godfather's house) Jack Zipes in a way puts you into the position of a not-involved third party or an on-looker. Just one example but in my opinion representative for the whole book (or both).

i read this because a friend of mine had recommended it to me.. Overall, i could see that the stories ( more of short stories with morals - or at least his own philosophies - than actual fairy tales, except for some supernatural stuff, style, and/or the setting ) were crystals of some great thoughts...
BUT it wasn't.. exactly enthralling (to read).
I'm not sure if it's the translation or personal preference.

For readers of a certain age (like myself), the pairing of Hermann Hesse & Donovan will be a delight in itself. But I hasten to add that Donovan is a superb reader for these evocative stories: always articulate, precise, and just a touch ethereal. Add to that the tasteful scattering of guitar notes at appropriate junctures, and you have the words of a master conveyed by a masterful performer. Joyfully recommended!

Read it several times. A collection of great stories, one after the other. This really gets my creative juices going.

This is a wonderful volume; it takes you right back to your childhood and the first sheer enjoyment of the Brothers Grimm and Hans Anderson, and these tales are equally accessable to all ages.
Hesse uses the fairy tale genre to explore his pet themes on the spiritual meaning of nature and our existence; of art in a material world obsessed by property and science. As ever Hesse has this Biblical theme of leaving paradise (or happiness) only to journey through life to try and regain it.
The early tales are most definately fairy tales in the classical sense, but the latter ones concerning the war and empire are more like parables or allegories that (with todays knowledge of how things turned out) can be seen as almost predicting the rise of nationalism/ nazi-ism that was to come.
There are just so many good tales in the 22 in the volume. Personal favourites 'The City' 'A Man named Zweigler' 'Dr Knoegles End'(which almost lampoons the hippy cult 50 years before its invention!) 'Augustus''The Empire'.... I could list neigh on all the tales. A great collection and an ideal introduction to Hesse if you haven't read him before.