A review by klarson90
Nutcracker and Mouse King and The Tale of the Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffmann, Alexandre Dumas

4.0

I enjoyed reading the back story to the famous traditional Christmas ballet. I realized how much detail is missing and I can't wait to make this a yearly read. The tale of Princess Pirlipat was just the backstory I needed to understand the feud between nutcrackers and mice. Drosselmier's character was also more interesting to see developed and Marie's wit was hysterical, "Who knows, dear Godfather, if you were spruced up like my dear Nutcracker, and if you had on such lovely, shiny ankle boots, who knows if you wouldn't be as beautiful as he?"

Interesting that the play spends most of its emphasis on the battle and subsequent exploration of the kingdom of dolls rather than the tale of the nutcracker itself which encompasses the majority of the pages of the book.