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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
Pullman retells a broad selection of stories from the Brothers Grimm's collection and ends each one with a brief analysis. All of the classic Grimm fairy tales are here - Cinderella, Briar Rose, Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel - in something reasonably close to their original forms, together with more obscure stories like the Juniper Tree and the Golden Bird.
The analyses were, for me, what made the book really worth reading. This is a much more thorough and academic collection than I anticipated. Pullman analyses each story as a folk tale, giving its Aarne-Thomson classification, details of its collection by the Brothers Grimm, and comparisons with similar stories, and also as a narrative. He talks about the quality and clarity of each narrative and his reasons for any alterations. It's fascinating stuff, especially coming from a master storyteller.
Thoroughly recommended to anyone with an interest in folklore or narrative - or both.
The analyses were, for me, what made the book really worth reading. This is a much more thorough and academic collection than I anticipated. Pullman analyses each story as a folk tale, giving its Aarne-Thomson classification, details of its collection by the Brothers Grimm, and comparisons with similar stories, and also as a narrative. He talks about the quality and clarity of each narrative and his reasons for any alterations. It's fascinating stuff, especially coming from a master storyteller.
Thoroughly recommended to anyone with an interest in folklore or narrative - or both.
Fairy Tales are for children aren't they? We're all used to the sanitised versions in numerous books and films but as we're reminded in this wonderful collection by Philip Pullman, the original stories were often macabre and brutal. Pullman has rewritten the stories and added improvements where he saw fit - as surely the many storytellers who handed on these tales by word of mouth must have done - but they remain faithful to the spirit of original stories. There are characters blinded, beheaded, drowned, thrown into barrels with spikes pointed inwards, even being the talking animal isn't enough to avoid meeting a grisly end! Not then perhaps the best choice for very young children although I suspect there are many youngsters who will revel in the goriness. I would advise a read through first though before choosing a bedtime story.
Some of the tales work better than others of course, something Pullman himself often acknowledges. My personal favourite was The Juniper Tree and I also very much enjoyed Hans My Hedgehog and The Mouse, The Bird and The Sausage.
I often skip the introduction in books but am glad I didn't here, Pullman writes a little about Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm but then goes into more detail about what the stock elements of these classic tales are and examines how they work as stories. It's not something I'd thought about before and both this introduction and Pullman's notes after each story certainly added to my appreciation of the collection.
I actually remember reading many of these fairy tales to myself under the bedcovers when I was around ten or eleven and loving the magic, absurdity and yes the more grisly bits too. This collection of fifty of the stories was a wonderful reminder of these traditional tales and would make a lovely addition to any bookcase.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the publishers through Netgalley in return for my honest opinion.
Some of the tales work better than others of course, something Pullman himself often acknowledges. My personal favourite was The Juniper Tree and I also very much enjoyed Hans My Hedgehog and The Mouse, The Bird and The Sausage.
I often skip the introduction in books but am glad I didn't here, Pullman writes a little about Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm but then goes into more detail about what the stock elements of these classic tales are and examines how they work as stories. It's not something I'd thought about before and both this introduction and Pullman's notes after each story certainly added to my appreciation of the collection.
I actually remember reading many of these fairy tales to myself under the bedcovers when I was around ten or eleven and loving the magic, absurdity and yes the more grisly bits too. This collection of fifty of the stories was a wonderful reminder of these traditional tales and would make a lovely addition to any bookcase.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the publishers through Netgalley in return for my honest opinion.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I have been reading this collection of the Grimm's fairy tales on and off between books and before bed for a few months now, and I really think that is the best way to experience this collection. Pullman is a fantastic storyteller, and he closes every story with a short passage reflecting on it -- I really appreciated that, as well as the fact that he didn't feign neutrality: if a story sucks he's willing to admit it.
I didn't realise there were so many, having grown up with the classics. I liked discovering the original stories, very different from what I'd known before. They all start to merge into one another eventually, as they all centre around a limited number of common themes.
Having grown up being read stories like these before going to bed, it was with some nostalgia that I opened this book and began a trip down memory lane. This collection is a wonderful mix of old classics that I knew almost word-for-word, some that I recognised only in part, and some entirely new ones. Each and every one was intriguing, and the retelling of these tales was refreshing, and yet traditional, as the tales themselves have changed so much over the years. Some of the stories were fascinating and intriguing, and the reader's guide gave a wonderful insight into the background of the tales. I'll be keeping it on my bookshelf in order to dip in and out of for years to come, and if I ever have children, it'll be a great pleasure to share these tales with them, just as they were shared with me.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gore, Blood, Murder
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Grief
When you read a lot of fairy tales at once they start to get boring and they start to lose their charm. I suggest reading this over the period of few months.
Not a book to read all in one go.
I picked this book up due to my fascination with fairy tales and their many adaptations. Having been a fan of Philip Pullman's past works I thought his adaptations of much-loved stories would be interesting.
As much as I loved the stories that I already knew; Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, and Rapunzel to name a few, the others made the experience not as entertaining as I'd hoped. Despite the stories that weren't as fun to read there was an ok balance when it came to the stories that I did fine enjoyable.
I picked this book up due to my fascination with fairy tales and their many adaptations. Having been a fan of Philip Pullman's past works I thought his adaptations of much-loved stories would be interesting.
As much as I loved the stories that I already knew; Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, and Rapunzel to name a few, the others made the experience not as entertaining as I'd hoped. Despite the stories that weren't as fun to read there was an ok balance when it came to the stories that I did fine enjoyable.
I started reading this book last year and was planning to read it continuously but ended up pausing for a few months at the half way point - this did not alter my enjoyment of the collection.
It's an extremely interesting read and it is clear that a lot of research and work has gone into this work. The tales are very easy to read and are written quite simply. At points the stories feel quite repetitive but I feel this is the nature of the Grimm's tales rather than Philip Pullman's writing.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in Children's literature, folk tales or anyone studying English Literature. Each story is followed by a commentary that suggests possible changes to the stories to make them more coherent, discusses the possible sources and Pullman's thoughts and criticism. One of the most useful details is the suggested further reading for finding similar stories - I found this most interesting.
In the future I think I will use this book for reference and dip in and out as I please.
It's an extremely interesting read and it is clear that a lot of research and work has gone into this work. The tales are very easy to read and are written quite simply. At points the stories feel quite repetitive but I feel this is the nature of the Grimm's tales rather than Philip Pullman's writing.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in Children's literature, folk tales or anyone studying English Literature. Each story is followed by a commentary that suggests possible changes to the stories to make them more coherent, discusses the possible sources and Pullman's thoughts and criticism. One of the most useful details is the suggested further reading for finding similar stories - I found this most interesting.
In the future I think I will use this book for reference and dip in and out as I please.