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jasonfurman's review against another edition
5.0
Henry, Louisa and I listened to most of the stories in the recording "In Aid of the Royal Theatrical Fund" with Judi Dench, Derek Jacobi, Jeremy Irons, and others (we skipped two of the stories because they were not readily understandable for them). The performances were excellent. The stories are, of course, wonderful. And although they are not fully age appropriate for the children (ages 5 and 6), they still really enjoyed them and seemed to value that the differences from some of their more standard fare (Louisa observed that they were not like Disney). Plus it is fun for an adult to get all the references the children miss.
For children that age I particularly recommend "The Nightingale and the Rose," "The Happy Prince," "The Devoted Friend," and "The Selfish Giant."
For children that age I particularly recommend "The Nightingale and the Rose," "The Happy Prince," "The Devoted Friend," and "The Selfish Giant."
linllih's review against another edition
4.0
I love Oscar Wildes writing and I tremendously enjoyed his fairytales.
I would say that it is more like a 3.75 rating, as I absolutely loved The Happy Prince and other Tales, but struggled a bit with A House of Pomegranates.
I would say that it is more like a 3.75 rating, as I absolutely loved The Happy Prince and other Tales, but struggled a bit with A House of Pomegranates.
krismoon's review against another edition
4.0
I felt so lucky when I found this at a comic book store in Phoenix. I had no idea that Oscar Wilde wrote fairy tales.
Russell beautifully illustrated two complex, moral tales. In The Selfish Giant, Wilde shows how selfishness can lead to a winter in the soul. Lots of Christian influence in this one.
In The Star Child, Wilde warns children of the consequences of vanity and cruelty. I really enjoyed this one, even with the ominous ending.
I'd like to collect this whole series.
Russell beautifully illustrated two complex, moral tales. In The Selfish Giant, Wilde shows how selfishness can lead to a winter in the soul. Lots of Christian influence in this one.
In The Star Child, Wilde warns children of the consequences of vanity and cruelty. I really enjoyed this one, even with the ominous ending.
I'd like to collect this whole series.
cetaylor05's review against another edition
5.0
"The Selfish Giant"
When a curmudgeonly giant walls off his lovely garden so the neighborhood children mightn't enjoy it, he incurs Spring's disdain and the dire consequences of life without seasonal renewal. Having seen the error of his ways, the giant redeems himself by opening both his heart and his earthly paradise to the children and gains his eternal reward. Russell employs a cartoon style with a muted color pallet to not only complement Wilde's tale with illustrations but also extend its tale with subtle symbolism. The color choices reflect not only the colors of the seasons but the spiritual and emotional qualities that are often associated with each season such as punishment, hope, rebirth, and redemption. This work is a masterful use of archetypes and symbolism.
"The Star Child"
The Star Child, the adopted son of a poor woodcutter, is the beneficiary of charity and kindness. Ironically, his better nature is sullied by a sense of entitlement that stems from a vain love of his own good looks. Upon meeting an old tattered mendicant who claims to be his mother, he casts her aside and withholds his love. Consequently, he is punished by the powers that be, stripped of the attractiveness of which he is so proud, and set upon the path to redemption. Henceforth, the Star Child wanders the earth seeking his mother and her forgiveness until he unknowingly happens upon his birthplace and is forced to perform a series of Herculean labors. Accomplishing these tasks while learning the true meaning of self-sacrifice, charity, and kindness earns the Star Child the forgiveness that he seeks and solves the mystery of his origin. Throughout the tale, Russell's charicatural style simultaneously reinforces the story's elements of fantasy while bolstering the audience's suspension of disbelief as the Star Child is cloaked in a heinous visage that reflects the inner blackness of his heart until he comes to know humility.
Russell's rendering of these tales would make an excellent introduction to Fairy Tales as a genre or to the work of Oscar Wilde. Similarly, they are an excellent exemplar of the hero cycle as explained by Peter R. Stillman in Introduction to Myth.
When a curmudgeonly giant walls off his lovely garden so the neighborhood children mightn't enjoy it, he incurs Spring's disdain and the dire consequences of life without seasonal renewal. Having seen the error of his ways, the giant redeems himself by opening both his heart and his earthly paradise to the children and gains his eternal reward. Russell employs a cartoon style with a muted color pallet to not only complement Wilde's tale with illustrations but also extend its tale with subtle symbolism. The color choices reflect not only the colors of the seasons but the spiritual and emotional qualities that are often associated with each season such as punishment, hope, rebirth, and redemption. This work is a masterful use of archetypes and symbolism.
"The Star Child"
The Star Child, the adopted son of a poor woodcutter, is the beneficiary of charity and kindness. Ironically, his better nature is sullied by a sense of entitlement that stems from a vain love of his own good looks. Upon meeting an old tattered mendicant who claims to be his mother, he casts her aside and withholds his love. Consequently, he is punished by the powers that be, stripped of the attractiveness of which he is so proud, and set upon the path to redemption. Henceforth, the Star Child wanders the earth seeking his mother and her forgiveness until he unknowingly happens upon his birthplace and is forced to perform a series of Herculean labors. Accomplishing these tasks while learning the true meaning of self-sacrifice, charity, and kindness earns the Star Child the forgiveness that he seeks and solves the mystery of his origin. Throughout the tale, Russell's charicatural style simultaneously reinforces the story's elements of fantasy while bolstering the audience's suspension of disbelief as the Star Child is cloaked in a heinous visage that reflects the inner blackness of his heart until he comes to know humility.
Russell's rendering of these tales would make an excellent introduction to Fairy Tales as a genre or to the work of Oscar Wilde. Similarly, they are an excellent exemplar of the hero cycle as explained by Peter R. Stillman in Introduction to Myth.
sammiestar's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed reading these stories very enjoyable
lassiter's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25