ractorawk's review

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informative lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

nikeg27's review

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4.0

Really good source for what I'm working on. Interesting stories. Really interesting to see the overlay in some stories and characters.

aminakara's review

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adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

that_person_logan's review

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slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

aldean's review

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4.0

I have read back and forth through this book so many times it is almost ridiculous. A marvelous collection of tales, some epic, some droll, almost all of them entertaining. There are tales here to while away many a winter's evening, as we often did throughout my childhood.

kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review

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5.0

My edition of this book is yellow and worn.

It's a wonderful book. Totally unedited tales, including one where a man murders his wife. In fact, and this is horrible to say, that tale is rather funny. This collection includes tales that were sources for the better know [a:Hans Christian Andersen|6378|Hans Christian Andersen|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1183230200p2/6378.jpg] versions, such as "The Companion" and "The Twevle Ducks".

One of the better tales is a version of "Puss in Boots" mixed with the French "The White Cat". Puss in the Norwegian tale is a nice female cat. This makes the tale closer to the the older Italian form, but without the rather cycnical ending that tale offers. It also makes me wonder why Puss is most often, at least today, a tom. Most of the women in the collection are princesses in need of rescuing, though some construct tests for their would be lovers.

My favorite tale, as always, is "The Companion", which Andersen redrafted as "The Traveling Companion". The tale transends the standard feel of death that many children have, and says more about pity and piety than most other tales. Though, I do have to wonder about the view of the princess in it, especially towards the end.

All in all a charming collection.

thereadinghobbit's review

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5.0

Such a nice collection of Norwegian folktales. Good variety!

mama_katya's review

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Very short, repetitive tales. My first introduction to Ash Lad, who seems to reap quite a lot of benefits from being kind and following directions.
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