Nutcracker and Mouse King and The Tale of the Nutcracker (Penguin Classics) [Paperback]

E. T. A. Hoffmann (Author), Alexandre Dumas (Author), Joachim Neugroschel (Translator), Jack Zipes (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 30, 2007 | Series: Penguin Classics

The original stories behind everyone's favorite Christmas ballet

It wasn't until the 1950s that seeing The Nutcracker at Christmastime became an American tradition. But the story itself is much older and its original intent more complex. This eye-opening new volume presents two of the tale's earliest versions, both in new translations: E.T.A. Hoffmann's Nutcracker and Mouse King (1816), in which a young girl is whisked away to the Land of Toys to help her animated nutcracker defeat the Mouse King, and Alexandre Dumas's 1845 adaptation, The Tale of the Nutcracker, based on Hoffmann's popular work. Irresistible tales of magic, mystery, and childhood adventure, these timeless delights and fresh interpretations about the importance of imagination will captivate readers of all ages.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alexandre Dumas was born July 24, 1802, at Villiers-Cotterets, France, the son of Napoleon's famous mulatto general, Dumas. Alexandre Dumas began writing at an early age and saw his first success in a play he wrote entitled Henri III et sa Cour (1829). A prolific author, Dumas was also an adventurer and took part in the Revolution of 1830. Dumas is most famous for his brilliant historical novels, which he wrote with collaborators, mainly Auguste Maquet, and which were serialized in the popular press of the day. His most popular works are The Three Musketeers(1844), The Count of Monte Cristo (1844-45), and The Man in Iron Mask (1848-50). Dumas made and lost several fortunes, and died penniless on on December 5, 1870.
Joachim Neugroschel has won three PEN translation awards and the French-American translation prize. He has also translated Thomas Mann's Death in Venice and Sacher-Masoch's Venus in Furs, both for Penguin Classics. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics (October 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0143104837
• ISBN-13: 978-0143104834
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.5 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #761,342 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Holiday Classic, July 30, 2008

By 

C. G. - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Nutcracker and Mouse King and The Tale of the Nutcracker (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

For weeks, I debated whether or not I should buy this particular version when there are others much cheaper. In the end, this was a fantastic find!

This version of "Nutcracker and the Mouse King" is the original work written by E.T.A. Hoffman. The beginning comes with a brief introduction examining both the story and the ballet. Mr. Dumas, who wrote the alternate version, is also briefly described in the introduction. The differences among the stories are quickly apparent, though, also described for you in the introduction.

As a much loved holiday classic, I was astounded at the differences between the original work and the ballet. Both are structured to be absolutely beautiful works that speak for themselves and each contains meanings beyond words. If you are looking for a lovely holiday book for yourself, a friend, or young one, this is the perfect gift.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nutcracker, September 19, 2009

By 

Stephen Balbach (Ashton, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nutcracker and Mouse King and The Tale of the Nutcracker (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

Penguin was able to turn the short classic `Nutcracker and Mouse King` (1816) into a standalone volume by adding a scholarly Introduction, and a later re-telling of the story `The Tale of the Nutcracker` by Dumas (of Three Musketeers fame) which composes half the book. Most importantly the translations are new, although that doesn't always mean better, but it seems OK to me.

The most important insight from the Introduction is that Hoffmann wrote the story as a critique of the middle-class in Germany in the early 19th century - serious, ridged, strict and conformist (not only German, the same could be said for 19th century Victorian culture). Children are stifled and kept in emotional check, expected to act like mini adults. For Hoffmann, freedom from this condition can be obtained by means of the imagination. In the story, time and again we see reality and fantasy merge as the children escape from the ridged confines imposed by their parents and strict social convention by way of make believe. Once the perspective of Hoffmann's critique is seen, the story takes on a new dimension, certain passages make more sense and the story seems less "weird" or dark. It is more than just a fairy-tale about toys that come to life, but a serious work of art about people.

As for the Alexandre Dumas' version in the second half of the book, I found it to be inferior to Hoffmann; I didn't want alter my memory with the retelling, so I quit it early on. I may return another time as I understand it was influential in the ballet adaptation. Thus the four stars.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Explanations for the" versions" of the Ballet, March 12, 2009

By 

Shirley Wardzinski (Indianapolis, IN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Nutcracker and Mouse King and The Tale of the Nutcracker (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

This book seems rather scholarly, maybe a thesis? It gives you the original story , plus the Dumas version used in many ballets. I own several different "Nutcracker Ballet DVDs, I watch them all each Christmas. They all vary and now I know where the differences come from! I didnt realize the Godfather Drosselmeyer really had a nephew--I thought it was just added as a job for Macaulay Culkin! The Mouse King varies tremedously, too . If you the love this ballet---you have to have this book!