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olivia60's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
sofias_library's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
pagesandteastains's review against another edition
2.0
I've always been a fan of Hans Christian Andersen growing up - my favorites being The Little Mermaid, The Snow Queen and yes, even the Tinderbox.
But honestly, the rest of the stories given here just didn't sit well with me. I liked The Steadfast Tin Soldier, it sort of reminded me of The Nutcracker for a bit but nonetheless I think I liked the melancholy of it. The rest were just violent and seemingly without any reason or lesson? I don't know. Maybe if I had read them as a younger reader I would've liked them. Who knows.
One can say these stories are too violent for children - but then again I think all his stories are violent and extreme. One thing I noticed while re-reading The Tinderbox is how the soldier - the main character - just gets away with everything? He cuts off the witch's head in the beginning without any reason apart from the fact that she didn't tell him why she wants the tinderbox. She just got you a ton gold coin, man. Sheesh. Talk about anger issues.
And then later on, the soldier's friends stopped talking to him when he ran out of money and then making up when he got rich again. And at the end, the princess seemed way too chill about her parents being flung up in the air and dying when striking the ground, just because she could be queen and do whatever she wants now. LOL. What does this instill in a child?
The version I read of The Tinderbox was from [b:A World of Fairy Tales|18657874|A World of Fairy Tales|James Riordan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1381356658s/18657874.jpg|18451625] by James Riordan and that one wasn't this harsh for some reason? It was better written. For example, the part where the soldier's friends refuse to come visit him in that book was that they gave the excuse that his new (poorer) apartments had too many stairs. While still petty, it shows some semblance of humanity or logic. It was just a much better retelling, I would definitely recommend you check out Riordan's version of it.
But honestly, the rest of the stories given here just didn't sit well with me. I liked The Steadfast Tin Soldier, it sort of reminded me of The Nutcracker for a bit but nonetheless I think I liked the melancholy of it. The rest were just violent and seemingly without any reason or lesson? I don't know. Maybe if I had read them as a younger reader I would've liked them. Who knows.
One can say these stories are too violent for children - but then again I think all his stories are violent and extreme. One thing I noticed while re-reading The Tinderbox is how the soldier - the main character - just gets away with everything? He cuts off the witch's head in the beginning without any reason apart from the fact that she didn't tell him why she wants the tinderbox. She just got you a ton gold coin, man. Sheesh. Talk about anger issues.
And then later on, the soldier's friends stopped talking to him when he ran out of money and then making up when he got rich again. And at the end, the princess seemed way too chill about her parents being flung up in the air and dying when striking the ground, just because she could be queen and do whatever she wants now. LOL. What does this instill in a child?
The version I read of The Tinderbox was from [b:A World of Fairy Tales|18657874|A World of Fairy Tales|James Riordan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1381356658s/18657874.jpg|18451625] by James Riordan and that one wasn't this harsh for some reason? It was better written. For example, the part where the soldier's friends refuse to come visit him in that book was that they gave the excuse that his new (poorer) apartments had too many stairs. While still petty, it shows some semblance of humanity or logic. It was just a much better retelling, I would definitely recommend you check out Riordan's version of it.
matcharlyy's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
obscuredbyclouds's review against another edition
4.0
Hans Christian Anderson once again proving that fairy tales most certainly are NOT very children-friendly. They are really eery and almost all were great.
bubbajones1221's review against another edition
3.0
The ending didn't really wrap up, but it's an enjoyable tale.
pemdas97's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25