The original vision of Grimms' tales in English for the first time
When Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm published their Children's and Household
Tales in 1812, followed by a second volume in 1815, they had no idea
that such stories as "Rapunzel," "Hansel and Gretel," and "Cinderella"
would become the most celebrated in the world. Yet few people today are
familiar with the majority of tales from the two early volumes, since in
the next four decades the Grimms would publish six other editions, each
extensively revised in content and style. For the very first time, The
Original Folk and Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm makes available in
English all 156 stories from the 1812 and 1815 editions. These narrative
gems, newly translated and brought together in one beautiful book, are
accompanied by sumptuous new illustrations from award-winning artist
Andrea Dezsö.
From "The Frog King" to "The Golden Key," wondrous worlds unfold--heroes
and heroines are rewarded, weaker animals triumph over the strong, and
simple bumpkins prove themselves not so simple after all. Esteemed fairy
tale scholar Jack Zipes offers accessible translations that retain the
spare description and engaging storytelling style of the originals.
Indeed, this is what makes the tales from the 1812 and 1815 editions
unique--they reflect diverse voices, rooted in oral traditions, that are
absent from the Grimms' later, more embellished collections of tales.
Zipes's introduction gives important historical context, and the book
includes the Grimms' prefaces and notes.
A delight to read, The Original Folk and Fairy Tales of the Brothers
Grimm presents these peerless stories to a whole new generation of
readers.
