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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
Short Summary of my review
This story is about sacrifices and loss but also about love and regaining. I think everyone should have read this classic fairy tale at least ones. The ending for the original differs to the film adaptions and general children versions, as this one is a bit more dark and has a complete different meaning, making it definitely enjoyable to read ones more.
The Review
I don't think I ever read this kind of version of The Little Mermaid, as I remember only a happy ending and not the one where she sacrifices herself so that her loved one doesn't die. But to be honest this ending is more realistic and therefore more satisfying for me, though the other one is more child friendly (probably why it is used more often). I think the ending also reflects on the message behind this story so I never actually understood the real one due to me only knowing the happy ending. I know that the little mermaid is rewarded to be a mermaid again after her self sacrifice, but I still consider this ending to be more extreme, but also thoughtful. I'm glad I finally read the original, as it's (if I remember correctly) the only popular fairy tale I have read so far where I haven't read the original yet.
In my opinion this ending is more realistic as falling in love is something you don't control or can manipulate, like the little mermaid tried to be able to achieve and sacrifices everything for it. This version of The Little Mermaid makes the little mermaid more appealing for me, as she always seemed in the other story versions as someone who achieves everything without losing anything of great importance to her. This version, the original, makes her appear more childish but also brave, being able to risk something and willingly accepting ones own fate, which shows that she wasn't just doing something out of stupidity, which she would regret later on, but for a greater reason.
This story is about sacrifices and loss but also about love and regaining. I think everyone should have read this classic fairy tale at least ones. The ending for the original differs to the film adaptions and general children versions, as this one is a bit more dark and has a complete different meaning, making it definitely enjoyable to read ones more.
The Review
I don't think I ever read this kind of version of The Little Mermaid, as I remember only a happy ending and not the one where she sacrifices herself so that her loved one doesn't die. But to be honest this ending is more realistic and therefore more satisfying for me, though the other one is more child friendly (probably why it is used more often). I think the ending also reflects on the message behind this story so I never actually understood the real one due to me only knowing the happy ending. I know that the little mermaid is rewarded to be a mermaid again after her self sacrifice, but I still consider this ending to be more extreme, but also thoughtful. I'm glad I finally read the original, as it's (if I remember correctly) the only popular fairy tale I have read so far where I haven't read the original yet.
In my opinion this ending is more realistic as falling in love is something you don't control or can manipulate, like the little mermaid tried to be able to achieve and sacrifices everything for it. This version of The Little Mermaid makes the little mermaid more appealing for me, as she always seemed in the other story versions as someone who achieves everything without losing anything of great importance to her. This version, the original, makes her appear more childish but also brave, being able to risk something and willingly accepting ones own fate, which shows that she wasn't just doing something out of stupidity, which she would regret later on, but for a greater reason.
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I LOVE this story. It talks about a mermaid losing herself and her identity in order to gain the love of her beloved. It’s a true tale of the sacrifices she makes to the point of having to give up her best talents just to see him falling for another. I’ve read somewhere that in the first version she ceases to exist, which is sad but a true allegory of what happens when we try to change to please a man - we end up losing ourselves in the process and it’s just not worth it!
Music/sound design brilliant and deserves five stars. However the script was agnosing. It is a childrens book, but I feel there is a way you could do it with it still being enjoyable to all. This script felt infantilising, patronising and dull.
adventurous
fast-paced
this is even more interesting when you know that anderson wrote himself as the little mermaid and the prince was meant to represent edvard collin (his unrequited love and obsession). reading it through that lens was good and fun,, watched a video essay on anderson's bisexuality and how it shows in his stories and its making my children's lit class so much more interesting,,, i love the gays !!
Todos estamos familiarizados con esa entrañable sirena de las profundidades del mar que, motivada por la curiosidad y el anhelo del amor, renuncia al mundo que conoce, su cola y su voz para marcharse a tierra en búsqueda del príncipe amado. Por supuesto, la versión que existe en la mayoría de nuestras mentes es una dulcificada y tierna versión difundida por Disney que deja a un lado algunos de los detalles más escabrosos del relato original.
La sirenita de Hans Christian Andersen nos propone una historia que, aunque imaginativa y audaz, es también decididamente perversa con su protagonista y la ingenuidad de ésta. El autor propone una búsqueda del amor y la inmortalidad del alma a costa de hondos y crueles sacrificios que, lejos de tener un final feliz, se decanta por la tragedia tras una breve pero contundente narración de renuncias, ilusiones resquebrajadas y dolor físico.
Una lectura envolvente, oscura y despiadadamente buena que siembra incontables reflexiones pese a su brevedad.
La sirenita de Hans Christian Andersen nos propone una historia que, aunque imaginativa y audaz, es también decididamente perversa con su protagonista y la ingenuidad de ésta. El autor propone una búsqueda del amor y la inmortalidad del alma a costa de hondos y crueles sacrificios que, lejos de tener un final feliz, se decanta por la tragedia tras una breve pero contundente narración de renuncias, ilusiones resquebrajadas y dolor físico.
Una lectura envolvente, oscura y despiadadamente buena que siembra incontables reflexiones pese a su brevedad.
Charles Santore's illustrations are gorgeous, sort of a fantastical Art Nouveau, like William Morris might have designed if he had a mermaid fetish.
As far as the story goes, this is not your Disney's Little Mermaid. No singing crabs, and only a marginally happy ending: the mermaid dies, but having acquired an immortal soul through being loved by a mortal, is able to ascend to heaven.
As far as the story goes, this is not your Disney's Little Mermaid. No singing crabs, and only a marginally happy ending: the mermaid dies, but having acquired an immortal soul through being loved by a mortal, is able to ascend to heaven.
I will always prefer the original, dark as it may be.
“At first she was overjoyed that he would be with her, but then she recalled that human people could not live under the water, and he could only visit her father's palace as a dead man.”
See reviews first on my blog
We all know the story of a mermaid who wants more, and one day she see's her chance when she saves a prince. Except she can't keep the prince, nor can she go and be with him, or so she thinks. But then she decides to go to the sea witch who will hopefully help her be able to be human, except she will have to give up so much, with little to nothing in return.
“I know what you want. It is very stupid of you, but you shall have your way, and it will bring you to sorrow, my pretty princess. - The sea witch.”
This was the first time I had ever read the Little Mermaid and I now know why it isn't on a lot of peoples favorite classics. While of course this story is darker than the movie and I expected that, I wasn't expecting the ending that happened. Ariel is such a goodhearted person and just want's to find the man she loves.. Who does not deserve her in any way at all. I mean come on this prince is supposedly so in love with her, but yet the best he can do for her is to let her sleep outside his door on a rug.. really. With those problems and so many other things as well, I just found this book to be rather depressing. I mean not only can she not talk, but she also feels like knives are stabbing her legs whenever she walks, but oh no she doesn't mind it because of how in love she is... really. Just no I can't with this book.
See reviews first on my blog
We all know the story of a mermaid who wants more, and one day she see's her chance when she saves a prince. Except she can't keep the prince, nor can she go and be with him, or so she thinks. But then she decides to go to the sea witch who will hopefully help her be able to be human, except she will have to give up so much, with little to nothing in return.
“I know what you want. It is very stupid of you, but you shall have your way, and it will bring you to sorrow, my pretty princess. - The sea witch.”
This was the first time I had ever read the Little Mermaid and I now know why it isn't on a lot of peoples favorite classics. While of course this story is darker than the movie and I expected that, I wasn't expecting the ending that happened. Ariel is such a goodhearted person and just want's to find the man she loves.. Who does not deserve her in any way at all. I mean come on this prince is supposedly so in love with her, but yet the best he can do for her is to let her sleep outside his door on a rug.. really. With those problems and so many other things as well, I just found this book to be rather depressing. I mean not only can she not talk, but she also feels like knives are stabbing her legs whenever she walks, but oh no she doesn't mind it because of how in love she is... really. Just no I can't with this book.