Customer Reviews

The Nutcracker

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

 

 

The Janet Schulman edition of Nutcracker is a different creature from most other Nutcracker books. Like the venerable Maurice Sendak edition, it presents the original Hoffmann story, albeit in a simplified version here. I first read this book just to acquaint myself with the real Nutcracker, not the one best-known from the well-loved Tchaikovsky ballet. Yes it may be darker but it is certainly more fascinating and adds an edge to the story.

Without going into plot spoilers here, it's fascinating to read how Godfather Drosselmeier's family was involved in the wicked schemes of the Mouse King, his mother Dame Mouserinks, and Princess Pirlipat. This episode may have been omitted from the ballet, but it demonstrates how Drosselmeier helped Marie earn Nutcracker's love, making her more steadfast. It offers a greater role for Drosselmeier than in the ballet. However, this edition gains an edge by presenting the bare bones of the story without delving into too many details like in the original.

This book fuses the original Hoffmann story with the ballet scenario, but only towards the end when it describes Marie's journeys with Nutcracker. The original Hoffmann story does not include any Sugraplum Fairy or any of the dancers for whom the ballet provides music. It may be disconcerting to fans of the original Nutcracker story like myself, but at least it serves to make the original Hoffman story more accessible to younger listeners who only know the ballet. But this does not hurt because I rather like the Tchaikovsky ballet, and the music is after all included on the narrated CD with Claire Bloom.

I am well aware that this book tones down the dark domestic atmosphere of the original story and softens the hard, stern character of Marie's parents and Fritz. But even so it's a treat to be able to read at least a simplified version of the original Hoffmann story. The accompanying CD with Claire Bloom's narration is equally wonderful, except that the sound quality doesn't seem to be so good, as if it were transferred from a cassette rather than the original master tapes.

In short I would definitely recommend this version of Nutcracker, as a step up from the sanitised Tchaikovsky ballet. It is a worthwhile introduction to the original Hoffmann story and would perhaps serve as a step-up to the original Hoffmann version, available in Maurice Sendak's wonderful picture-book edition.

This is a beautifully written version of The Nutcracker. I have never read a more beautiful adaptation. The CD is incredible and I think Claire Bloom's reading of the book is amazing. I hope that many people will buy this book and enjoy it.

I grew up listening to Claire Bloom's reading of this version of the Nutcracker. We had an LP that my parents transferred onto cassette for me to listen to. I listened to that all the time during the month of December and is the only tape to this day that I ever listened to so much that I actually wore the magnetic tape so thin that it finally broke! I came across this book several years ago and was delighted to recover my beloved story, now on CD! I have always been a fan of the ballet and loved how this version of the story is more in depth, explaining how the Nutcracker came to be and why he is at odds with the Mouse King. It doesn't feel truly like Christmas to me until I hear Ms. Bloom's lovely voice saying, "Snow was gently falling...".

What I love about this edition of "The Nutcracker" is that Janet Schulman has tried to be faithful to the original story by E.T.A. Hoffmann, though slightly abridged. It is not as sanitized as some other simplified versions, for which I am grateful. Yet, it is not so dark as to render it unsuitable for younger readers/listeners. My 5-year-old and I enjoyed this last night - I had read the story to her a couple of days ago as part of our annual ritual in preparation for Christmas (we read as many Christmas-themed books as we can during this time of the year, revisiting old classics and newer titles). Last night, we listened to the beautiful audio version on the CD that accompanies this book. The narrator is actress Claire Bloom and her voice captures the essence of this story with its themes of love, endurance, and loyalty, amongst others. The CD also features the ballet music by Tchaikovsky, which mostly accompanies the narration, infusing this classic and enduring story with a real sense of magic. Though it's an older edition (1999), I do think it's worthwhile tracking this version down as the story is more true to the original, and the illustrations are absolutely gorgeous.

Finally! The book I have been searching for! The Nutcracker Ballet, enjoyed by my daughter and now my granddaughter, is based on a story from the Tales of Hoffman. The original story has a few different and important twists, not to be missed! This book by Janet Schulman and Renee Graef is simply written for easy understanding while maintaining the lessons embedded in the original story. It is also a beautifully illustrated and easy to hold book.

A beautifully written and illustrated "Nutcracker" further enhanced by the CD. Claire Bloom reads the story with the music in the background. Suitable for young dancers learning the story behind the ballet. A plus since they can listen on their own while looking at the pictures, even before they can read at this level. Quite a bargain price, too.

Wonderful illustration, the book can be read on its own or listen to the cd read to you. Absolutely love it, and so does my 10 year old daughter!

I checked out 2 Nutcracker books from the library and purchased 2 other Nutracker picture books from Amazon and was very unhappy with all of them. Finally, I got this book and it is marvelous. True to the original story, but abridged slightly to be accessible to young children it has gorgeous illustrations and an audio CD to go with it! Very nice. My son asks to listen to it over and over and over..

This is a very lovely version of this favorite which was purchased as a gift for a
couple of friends who attended a performance of 'Nutcracker' during the holidays here.....they were TOTALLY unfamiliar with the story and so it added to their enjoyment later.